Haunted Ships, Houses, Hayrides & More

If venturing into a creepy forest at night is your idea of a good time, check out the Dead End Hayride in Wyoming, where you’ll be carted into haunted woodlands on a wagon and prompted to find your way back by foot — with terrifying twists and turns around every dark corner. Check out the longest-running haunted hayride in Minnesota at The Haunting Experience in Cottage Grove. Molitor’s Haunted Acres in Sauk Rapids lets you be the intruder at their haunted walk through, where guests encounter multiple haunted houses and meetings with the undead.

Find thrills in Duluth at the William A. Irvin Haunted Ship Tours. This self-guided tour in the historic ore ship will take you through dark, eerie hallways, where you encounter mysterious sightings and spooks at every turn. Venture to Shakopee for the always scary Trail of Terror or make it an evening of dinner and ghost stories at Phantom’s Feast.

For the Little Witches & Ghouls

Halloween is one of the best holidays for kids, and Minnesota has a number of safer ways for the little ones to experience all of its magic.

Valleyfair has a new event for 2022 called Tricks and Treats! This family friendly event features four lands, some spooky, some filled with sweet treats! You can still get your screams on one of the many rollercoasters or thrill rides in the park.

The ever-popular Sever’s Fall Festival in Shakopee is back with popular attractions like the corn maze, petting zoo, pig races and more. Stoneybrook Farms in St. Cloud boasts the World's Largest Corn Maze, with easy and hard options spread out between 110 acres and 32 miles of divergent pathways, as well as a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch.

Anoka is known as the “Halloween Capital of the World,” and always provides a spooktacular time. Throughout October, Anoka will host a variety of Halloween festivities like outdoor movie nights, a scavenger hunt and not one but three different parades. Visit their Halloween hub to see event details.

In Duluth, at the Lake Superior Zoo, Boo at the Zoo is back for little ones to celebrate Halloween with some real party animals. Festivities include trick or treating, a mini pumpkin hunt and magic show. If you’re looking for something spooky without being too scary, journey to Brainerd for Safari North’s Safari Scare, featuring a haunted trail and family friendly Halloween activities. This new event features boo bracelets for the kids and those that are looking for a little less scare on the trail.

Spooky Celebrations After Dark

The popular Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is back at the Minnesota Zoo through Nov. 7. Stroll through thousands of carved and illuminated pumpkins. The walk is bound to put you in the festive spirit. Navigate through A&G Produce’s Moonlight Maze After Dark on select dates in October in St. Joseph. Snag a spot on Main Street in Anoka to see the Light Up the Night parade, with a full line-up of colorfully lit floats on October 23. 

Creepy Dolls and Cocktails 

The creepy dolls are back in Rochester at the Olmsted County History Center. Pick your favorite from a rogue's gallery of ghastly 'toys' and learn their mysterious history while you sip festive crafted cocktails and enjoy live music.  

Get Your Steps During a Spooky Tour

Stroll through your favorite Minnesota town and learn about its spooky history on an outdoor ghost walk. These ticketed events are led by an engaging storyteller who will share spooky tales and ghostly sightings throughout popular spots in Anoka, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Stillwater. For some more spooky history, visit the capitol building in St. Paul for a one-hour Shadows and Spirits of the Capitol Tour.

More Seasonal Celebrations 

If you want less scares and more celebrations, check out Mankato's Old Town Day of the Dead community cultural festival with local vendors, food, live entertainment and more. 

For more fall fun, visit a pumpkin patch, discover a corn maze and find other seasonal festivals and events.