With the temperature dropping and the leaves starting to fall, it can only mean one thing; Halloween is just around the corner. But there is more to the holiday than the drunken stupor that usually accompanies it. If you’re feeling the urge to be spooked, Denver supplies a heap of options for fright and fun. Here are five events worth checking out this Halloween:
During the day, Elitch Gardens theme park doesn’t disappoint by any margin, but during the night, things get even better and scarier. All employees dress up to impress (and sometimes terrify), and guests are encouraged to as well. While all the non-water rides remain open, the big attractions of Fright Fest are the haunted house operated by the park. There’s no better way to get your adrenaline rush on than with a combination of thrill rides and killer clowns. General admission ($35.99) will get you into the festivities, but keep in mind that it will cost you $15 extra for the two haunted houses. Fright Fest is open till Nov. 1, Friday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A long time running attraction located just outside Denver in Thornton, the Haunted Field of Screams has been terrifying people for 14 years. This haunted corn maze takes those who dare through a journey of terror as one navigates around 16-foot cornstalks. Differently themed scenes and speciality rooms greet you, as well as a cornucopia of disgusting and scary souls including clowns, zombies, asylum patients, chainsaw wielders and more. Open Thursday and Sunday till 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday till 12 a.m. Cost is $24.
Located at and run by the same group who organizes the Haunted Field of Screams, this attraction allows you and a group of 19 others to share a hayride straight through hell. As you move along, zombies attack your convoy, but you’re prepared, with a high powered paintball gun which can be used to hold off the undead. Cost is $20, but for $40 you get access to both the paintball and the Haunted field of Screams.
Considered one of the scariest Haunted Houses in the United States, this attraction is not at all for the faint of heart. The haunted house is huge, the largest in Denver, and you navigate multiple themed and terrifying floors. The result of all this spookiness is that the house is incredibly popular, so be prepared to wait in line. If you want to be scared to a pants-wetting extreme though, the 13th Floor is for you. Open weekdays ($25.99) 7:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays ($27.99) 7 p.m.- 12 p.m.
Taking place mainly on the 16th Street Mall, this free event allows one to either go all out in costume and makeup as a member of the undead, or to simply wander around in the company of thousands of decomposing performers and patrons. Known for both the incredible costume work as well as the hard-hitting after-parties, this event guarantees a great and cheap time. The event takes place all day on Saturday, Oct. 17th. The main crawl starts at 4 p.m. at Skyline Park downtown.
