I’m a huge fan of Halloween – always have been, always will be. Halloween got me hooked on the idea of being a Realtor. Seeing all of those lovely houses combined with an obscene amount of chocolate and I was a goner.
Remember how you always knew the neighbors who were giving out full size candy bars!? I used to circle back for those houses and skip the houses handing out pennies. The worst!
Halloween, like everything else in America, has gotten bigger and – some would argue – even better over the years. But if shock-worthy haunted houses aren’t your speed, several family-friendly Halloween events are available should you prefer to keep your little (or big) ghosts and goblins off the streets.
If you’ve never been to a community event like the ones listed below, I, for one, am a fan. These outings offer something for all ages and a chance to step inside several of Denver’s favorite haunts without wearing a parka over your costume. And depending on where you go, you can have candy and bats and hay rides and tea…not in that order, but you get the picture.
HALLOWEEN IN DENVER
Downtown Aquarium
October 29-30
Games, crafts and more make the Downtown Aquarium even more fun than usual. Guess the weight of a giant pumpkin, take a train ride, and meet up with Sharkey and the gang.
The Butterfly Pavilion
October 19-20
Come meet the Butterfly Pavilion’s creepiest crawliest friends while your kids scream around this safe, educational trick-or-treat street. This event, including games, costumes and candy, will have you bug out just in time for Halloween.
Colorado Railroad Museum
October 26-27
Ride the rails back in time through Railroad Halloween Town. Catch a ride behind the historic locomotive in vintage passenger cars hosted by conductors and engineers in full costume.
Children’s Museum of Denver
October 25-27
Kids parade from one Treat House to the next collecting goodies and creating crafts.
Denver Zoo
October 26-27
More than 25 trick-or-treat stations, creepy crawly animal demonstrations and exciting family-friendly entertainment make this event a sweet treat for everyone.
Aspen Grove Trick-or-Treat Street
Aspen Grove Shopping Center
October 26
Costumed kids can trick-or-treat for free along the outdoor shopping center of Aspen Grove. Leashed dogs (in costume or not) are welcome as well.
Cranmer Park (between E. 1st and E. 3rd Ave. on Cherry St.)
October 27
The free parade for children and adults in Halloween costumes starts at the sundial at Cranmer Park at 11 a.m. and travels to Robinson Park by 1 p.m. Fun for the whole family.
Old South Gaylord Halloween Safe Street
South Gaylord St. between Mississippi and Tennessee
October 31
From 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., kids in costume can trick-or-treat along one of Denver’s most beautiful streets, which will be closed to traffic during the festivities.
October 29
The Kidgits Mills Monster Mash promises to be a blast for little ones. To add to the fun, Twentieth Century Fox is also celebrating the Blu-Ray and DVD release of The Croods, Monster vs Aliens: Cloning Around, Dragons Riders of Berk (Part 1 and Part 2) and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
October 25
Specifically for teens, Halloween at the Museum offers an evening full of fright and fun. Rob Mies, of the Organization for Bat Conservation, will introduce you to some of the rarest bats in the world, including a gigantic flying fox bat from Malaysia with a nearly six-foot wingspan. Costumes welcome!
Victorian Horrors & All Hallows Eve Full Tea
Molly Brown House Museum
October 25-26
Visitors enjoy tea and treats at this spooky Halloween activity. While this event is not terribly scary, it is not recommended for small children, but the candlelight ghost stories and prizes for best costume are perfect for the tween set.
Whatever you decide to do and wherever you decide to go this Halloween season, remember to be safe and enjoy because life is sweet – literally – at this time of year! If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, call me at 303-478-1201 or send me an email – ann@paysons.sg-host.com – I’d love to help you!