October is the month to run through a haunted house and get the heart racing, learn our haunted history on a Denver ghost tour or take a hayride and meander through a pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin. Here is a list of attractions to choose from, whether one is looking for a fright or a festival. Be sure to visit the websites first to check age limits or recommendations, disclaimers, ticket information, dates and times the sites are open.

Haunted houses

13th Floor Haunted House, Denver
“Legend says terror awaits those bold enough to go looking for the 13th floor,” according to the website.
13thfloorhauntedhouse.com

The Seance Parlor Denver
The trilogy of terror returns to Cheesman Park Cemetery, the Changeling House, and the Seance Parlor inside the all-new Dead and Breakfast Inn.
seanceparlor.com

Elitch Gardens, Denver
During the day, little ghouls and goblins can enjoy tricks and treats. Fright by Night begins at 6 p.m. each night (through November 2) with new Fright Fest attractions.
elitchgardens.com

Highlands Ranch Mansion
Spirits with the Spirits (21+) Mansion Tours explore the history, mystery and lore of this magnificent 19th-century estate, every Wednesday evening in October. On Halloween night, enjoy a free outdoor event for all ages; no reservation is required.
highlandsranchmansion.com

Colorado Haunted History, Morrison/Golden
The Morrison Ghosts and Legends Tour offers frightening fun for the whole family while the Golden Murder, Mayhem and Madness tour is for ages 13+.
coloradohauntedhistory.com

The Ritual Haunted House, Englewood
The Ritual begins inside a rickety shack, where those who dare navigate through a cursed swamp fueled by fear.
theritualhauntedhouse.com

Anderson Farms Terror in the Corn and Fall Festival, Erie
Navigate through a mile-long twisted cornfield into the unknown. Tickets include entry to the Fall Festival, which runs through November 2.
andersonfarms.com

Haunted Field of Screams, Thornton
Colorado’s largest haunted attraction backing the famously haunted Riverdale Road.
hauntedfieldofscreams.com

Ghost and mystery tours

Denver Terrors
Ghost tours around Capitol Hill that offer unique historical stories that involve outlaws, rough frontier justice and tales of hauntings of Molly Brown on Millionaires Row. Plus Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl for ages 21+.
denverterrors.com

Dark Side of Denver Ghost Tours
Learn history and haunts during a walking ghost tour for all ages in the LoDo neighborhood or join a haunted history tour with Denver haunted history author Phil Goodstein; attendees must be 13+.
darksideofdenver.com

Nightly Spirits – Ghost Tours Denver
Friendly ghost tours for all ages and haunted pub tours for ages 21+ are offered around Denver’s historic neighborhoods with professional-storyteller guides.
nightlyspirits.com

Family Fun

Bug-A-Boo, Westminster
The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster hosts indoor trick-or-treating the last two weekends in October, along with the limited-time Spider Zone exhibit.
butterflies.org/bug-a-boo/

Boo at the Zoo, Denver
This trick-or-treat street features cryptids and animal ambassadors at the Denver Zoo on October weekends.
denverzoo.org/boo-at-the-zoo/

Castle Pines Bonfire, BBQ, and Brews
Featuring live music from Narrow Gauge and all the fixin’s for s’mores, the City will host this event on October 24 in the Village Square shopping area.
castlepinesco.gov/bonfire-bbq-and-brews/

Castle Pines Fall Festival
On October 25 the City and Chamber will put on the annual Fall Festival, Trick-or-Treat Street and Pumpkin Race, with lots of activities for the whole family.
castlepinesco.gov/fall-festival-trick-or-treat-street-pumpkin-race/

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
Murder and Mystery events with different themes run through October and November.
cherokeeranch.org

Denver Botanic Gardens Pumpkin Festival
Explore the 10-acre pumpkin patch, corn maze and family activities at Chatfield Farms on October 10-12. At the York Street location, the self-guided Ghosts in the Gardens occurs in October.
botanicgardens.org

Colorado Kids Ranch Pumpkin Patch, Monument
This 40-acre farm has a long list of activities, including hayrides, an animal petting area and gourd target practice with stand-up launchers.
coloradokidsranch.com

Lone Creek Farms, Franktown
Fall Festival includes over 20 attractions, such as a small zipline and pedal cart racetrack, plus live shows every hour.
(No Slaughter Gulch this year)
lonecreekfarms.com

Lone Tree Fall Festival
Schweiger Ranch hosts a Fall Festival on Sunday, October 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
schweigerranch.org

Spooky Light Show, Federal Heights
A drive-through display at Water World in Federal Heights, featuring millions of lights synchronized to music throughout October.
spookylightshow.com/waterworld

 

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Elitch Gardens