Halloween haunts, drinks, snacks and more to get you in the spooky spirit at the Shore
It's the time of year for scares and screams, ghouls and ghosts, mischief and mayhem — and we have plenty of that at the Jersey Shore.
You want haunted houses? Mysterious mazes? Spooky drinks? We've got those, too.
And beyond a list of places to see and things to do for Halloween, we have plenty of stories to get you into the spirit of the season. (More are coming — so check back soon!)
So be afraid. Be very afraid.
Halloween attractions at the Shore and beyond
Trap Door Escape Room in Red Bank is host to the Jack the Ripper-inspired murder mystery “Ripper of London” and the brand new saga “Catacombs of Paris.”
Fright Fest, the annual celebration of scares, is taking over the Jackson thrill park at Six Flags Great Adventure through Monday, Oct. 31. During the day the park will present Kids Boo Fest, with family-friendly Halloween activities and entertainment, trick-or-treat trails and other mild experiences.
And don't forget about Haunt O’Ween at the Bell Works complex in Holmdel. The immersive event from the Experiential Supply Co. and Fever, Haunt O’Ween runs through Monday, Oct. 31.
You can read more about these and lots of other events (some beyond the Shore) here.
Where to find haunted hikes from the Pine Barrens to the Shore
For those not faint of heart, mysterious legends are waiting to be found, hidden along the same trails their subjects once walked (or ran) hundreds of years ago.
From the infamously spooky Pine Barrens (watch out for the Jersey Devil!) to a supposed door to an alternate dimension to a lone black dog walking the beach from Absecon to Barnegat Bay, you can get your frights in alongside your steps here.
Easy Halloween snack ideas
Creepy, crawly, scary, spooky — that is just what Halloween snacks should be.
Just in time for ghouls and goblins, vampires and witches, here are 10 fun treats to try. Go ahead and play with your food, if you dare!
'Addams Family' musical in Middletown
They’re creepy and they’re kooky — and they’ve arrived in Middletown. Join Gomez, Morticia and company for “The Addams Family” musical comedy, produced by The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center. Tickets are available for shows Friday, Oct. 28, to Sunday, Oct. 30. You can read more about it here.
Is this the Jersey Shore's most haunted house?
Ghost hunters of various stripes have visited the Strauss Mansion Museum in Atlantic Highlands. New Jersey Paranormal Investigations, a research team helmed by longtime Brick resident Barry Ruggiero, say the mansion ranks right near the top in terms of recorded activity on their instruments.
“This was the first time we went into a place where we had some type of instant activity,” he said. “Is that positive proof that it’s haunted? No. But that’s very unusual.”
Learn more about the house, and see what's going on with one of the books in the library, here.
'Terrifier 2' shot in Newark, Manalapan
Do you like scary movies? Have you seen "Terrifier 2"? The slasher movie that is making people faint and get sick was filmed partly in Newark and Manalapan.
Chris Jordan talked to the director, Damien Leone, as well as the owner of goth club QXT's in Newark. See what they have to say about the film here.
Asbury Park Zombie Walk
Did you go to the Asbury Park Zombie Walk in Asbury Park? It's the place to be to see creepy nuns and construction workers and kids. There even was a zombie Queen Elizabeth. Check out the story here, and don't forget to look at the gallery — if you dare.
Trick-or-Treat in Toms River
Ghouls, ghosts and goblins will roam township neighborhoods this year on Sunday, Oct. 30, Toms River's official trick or treat date. With Toms River Fire Company 1's 83rd annual Halloween Parade scheduled downtown on Monday, Oct. 31, the township, Toms River's fire companies and police department chose the day before Halloween for trick or treating.
"We want children to come to the parade with their families on Halloween, but still enjoy the time-honored tradition of trick-or-treating," Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr. said.
Read more about what's happening here.
Beyond fear: Horror genre and the LGBT community
There's an undeniable connection between the LGBTQ community and horror films.
Don't understand why? Just read what a graphic designer, a drag queen, a burlesque performer, a visual artist and an author have to say.
Paranormal romance
Author Celestine Martin, a graduate of Douglass College at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, grew up in Asbury Park.
Her debut novel, "Witchful Thinking," is a fun and heartfelt work of paranormal romance between a pair of longtime friends — she's a witch, he's a merman. Read all about it here.
12 Halloween drinks to try
Halloween is, indeed, not just for kids.
These Jersey Shore watering holes and restaurants are serving craft cocktails any vampire would love to sink its fangs into.
How about a Witches Brew?
Or a Black Magic Margarita?
Sound good? Click here to find drinks any vampire would love to sink its fangs into.
Pick a pumpkin flavor
This is the season of pumpkin-spice everything. These local breweries are utilizing pumpkin and more in new beers.
And here's where you can get a not-so-ordinary pumpkin-spice latte.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Halloween at the Shore, from haunted houses to drinks and more
