TCD’s 2013 Halloween Guide

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN

Visitors gather around a campfire at Hawthorn Glen Park

Halloween Glen 

This “natural alternative” to the usual haunted house offers kids a chance to learn about nature during an interactive, outdoor program, where they will walk along a luminaria-lit trail and stop at stations to watch and participate in fun skits.

• Where: Hawthorn Glen, 1130 N. 60th Street
• When: Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12, every half-hour starting at 6 p.m. on Friday and at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Halloween Hauntings

This enchanting event for MPM members and member guests encourages costumes and is the perfect outing for families who want to trick-or-treat their way through the museum.

• Where: Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells Street
• When: Thursday, Oct. 10 and Friday, Oct. 11 from 6–9 p.m.

Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm

Photo Credit: Meadowbrook Photo Gallery

This pumpkin farm has countless possibilities for a family trip full of fall amusements. Whether you want to pick pumpkins from the patch, take a wagon ride, or a stroll through a creepy cornfield, this farm has something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

• Where: 2970 Mile View Rd, West Bend
• When: Open daily from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–midnight

Masks 101: Scary Species Mask

Come to Discovery World to create your own unique Halloween mask. Kids will have the opportunity to use their imaginations and creativity to design a part of their Halloween costumes themselves!

• Where: Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Drive
• When: Every Saturday and Sunday in October
• Saturdays at 10 a.m. & Sundays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

Halloween Haunts

Follow night travelers into the enchanted forest for an eerie and educational 45-minute hike, where kids will get to learn all about nature’s most popular Halloween creatures.

• Where: Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin, 53132
• When: Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 17–19 from 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Pumpkin Pavilion

This week-long event dedicated to pumpkin carving leads up to the Grand Lighting of the pumpkins, where costumed patrons can come to Humbolt Park to play games, watch a black and white film, listen to spooky tunes, and admire over 800 lit-up jack-o-lanterns.

• Where: Humbolt Park Pavilion, 3000 S. Howell Ave.
• Pumpkins displayed Oct. 18–19 at Humbolt Park Pavilion from 6–10 p.m.
• Grand Lighting of the Pumpkins Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.

Boo at the Zoo

Photo Credit: Milwaukee County Zoo website

For families with youngsters who are looking for more treats than tricks, Boo at the Zoo offers many exciting activities for kids, including a train ride, a haystack maze, and a pumpkin patch.

• Where: Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road
• When: Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 6–9 p.m.

Milwaukee Public Market Harvest Festival

This festival has something everyone in the family can enjoy. Partake in a game of pumpkin bowling, or build your own scarecrow while sipping on freshly pressed cider. There will be good music, great food, and a Lakefront Brewery beer tasting.

• Where: 400 N. Water Street
• When: Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Kohl’s Art Generation Family Sundays: Dia de los Muertos

Learn all about the traditions and symbols of the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos, at this unique Halloween event. You’ll get to enjoy traditional music and dance, and create your own cultural crafts.

• Where: Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive
• When: Sunday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Halloween Spooktacular Pajama Jamboree

Come see the orchestra dressed in costume, and hear them perform fall-themed musical treats. There will be a guest performance by students from the Shorewood High School orchestra program, and attendees are encouraged to wear costumes to the show.

• Where: Bradley Pavilion of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 E. State Street entrance.
• When: Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 7–8 p.m.

Not-So-Scary Halloween

At this Halloween celebration, kids can enjoy an array of delicious treats, crafts, and other exciting fall activities. The museum is also hosting Little Monsters Bash, a night filled with costumes, dancing, and trick-or-treating throughout the museum.

• Where: Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 929 E. Wisconsin Avenue
• When: Thursday-Saturday Oct.24–26 from noon–4 p.m.
• Little Monsters Bash Halloween Dance/Costume Party Oct. 25 from 6–9 p.m.

Illusions in the Night

This entertaining and interactive Halloween-themed magic show will put you right in the middle of all the action. You’re invited to come in costume and prepare for an up-close look at some truly spooktacular illusions.

• Where: Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, 53219
• When: Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Photo credit Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.

Halloween Fling

At this family outing, you will take a relaxing outdoor nature hike that will end with s’mores around a campfire, but don’t leave before you’ve worked on some fun crafts together.

• Where: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, 1111 E. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, 53217
• When: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 4-8 p.m.

Kids Caribbean Pirates Cruise

Ahoy, mateys! This unique experience offers kids (and parents) the chance to dress up and help Captain Jack defend his ship from reckless pirates with water cannons and balloons. A delicious lunch buffet of hot dogs and tacos is also included!

• Where: Milwaukee River Cruise Line, 205 W. Highland Ave, Milwaukee,  53203
• When: Saturday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m.

Trick-or-Treat Street

Trick-or-Treat Street is the perfect place for kids to enjoy an afternoon of exciting Halloween activities. Not only will there be plenty of treats, but there will also be free kiddie train rides, spray-on tattoos, and a costume contest.

• Where: National Avenue between S. 31th Street and S. 39th Street
• When: Saturday, Oct. 26 from noon–2 p.m.

Ghostbusters at the Rosebud

Come stock up on candy and popcorn and enjoy this classic 1984 ghost movie with the whole family. It’s a great opportunity to see an old film on the big screen again, and tickets are only $5 a piece!

• Where: Rosebud Theater, 6823 W. North Avenue, Milwaukee, 53213
• When: Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27 at 10:30 a.m. & Thursday, Oct. 31 at 9:30 p.m.

Click here for Trick or Treat times in your neighborhood!

And last but not least, a few extra PUMPKIN PATCHES to peruse…

• Apple Holler
• The Elegant Farmer
• Basse’s Taste of Country Farm Market
• Swan’s Pumpkin Farm
• Homestead Animal Farm
• Barthel Fruit Farm

Next up, Halloween alternatives for adventurous adults, at bars, theaters and more. Have another family-friendly option? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!

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