A Hauntingly Perfect Hallowe’en in Southern Ontario
The chill in the air in October may be more than just winter on the horizon: as the spookiest month of the year wears on, All Hallows Eve draws nearer, much to the delight of ghouls and boys everywhere. Halloween activities in Ontario are plentiful, from mysteriously macabre to funny and family friendly. Whether your perfect outing is a haunted house or going on a ghost walk or playing with pumpkins, there’s a hauntingly perfect way for everyone to enjoy the Halloween season in Ontario. Read on….if you dare.
Fear Farm – Bright, ON
Fear Farm is definitely not for the faint of heart. Located thirty minutes from Kitchener-Waterloo, this immersive haunting experience will have your heart pounding as spooks and surprises await you at every turn. Will you be able to outrun the chainsaws on Hillbilly Hike? Or find the only escape from the maniacal Dr. Hiller of Hiller House? While a hayride and a mosey through the corn field often sound like wholesome fun fall activities, visitors will want to tread carefully as horrors of the past come back to life and the undead stalk the living. Little ones beware: this event is not intended for children, so plan this one for just a group of adult friends.
Haunted Houses of Clifton Hill – Niagara Falls, ON
There are few better spots to get into the Hallowe’en spirit than Niagara Falls, a place that always goes above and beyond with any seasonal celebration. Clifton Hill’s haunted attractions promise (and deliver) terror and mayhem at every turn. The dark corners and shadows at the House of Frankenstein hide all kinds of creepy creatures, while the Haunted House is home to ghostly ghouls and spooky skeletons just dying to get out. Arguably though, only the bravest of the brave will face Nightmares Fear Factory — a pitch black maze haunted by your deepest fears and darkest daydreams. Do you dare venture into this fiendishly frightening factory?
Halloween Haunt – Vaughan, ON
Often, joyful shrieks can be heard coming from the grounds of Canada’s Wonderland, but come October, the screams that fill the air will be those of sheer terror. Hallowe’en Haunt–a beloved annual event that first emerged from the underworld in 2005 – transforms the park into an interactive eerie experience, complete with scare zones, night rides on some of your favourite roller coasters and live shows. Watch your step though, because throughout the park, ghosts, ghouls and goblins lie in wait to scare unsuspecting victims.
The Original Haunted Walk of Kingston – Kingston, ON
Being home to the infamous Kingston Penitentiary, the Rockwood Asylum and Skeleton Park, it should come as no surprise that Kingston, Ontario is a Hallowe’en aficionado’s dream destination. The Original Haunted Walk of Kingston will transport you back in time as a caped guide lights the way with a lantern through Kingston’s darkest and most otherworldly corners, visiting a haunted hotel, the old Courthouse, a haunted student house. Ghosts of the past may meet you on your travels, including Lily Herchmer, who perished in a fire while waiting for her true love, the Organist’s ghost who lurks in the organ section of Chalmers United Church, or Teresa Beam, who met her tragic demise at the hands of her husband and is said to still prowl the area looking for her bones.
Pumpkins After Dark – Milton, ON
If you’re looking for a more family friendly event with a Hallowe’en twist, Pumpkins After Dark is perfect for you and the little ones. This drive thru experience features thousands upon thousands of magnificent pumpkins displayed in all kinds of whimsical and mysterious ways. Expertly carved jack-o-lanterns light your way along 2.5 kilometres through Milton’s Country Heritage Park, a rustic, beautiful setting next to the Niagara Escarpment. Drive through the pumpkin tunnel and be completely immersed in this amazing experience with a dedicated radio station playing a musical score to enhance your journey.
Pumpkinferno – Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg, ON
Walking through a pumpkin wonderland in Upper Canada Village is a one-of-a-kind Hallowe’en experience that’s fun for the whole family. This outdoor event in Morrisburg, Ontario is a breathtaking art installation that features more than 7,000 pumpkins expertly handcrafted pumpkins along a kilometre long walk nestled within the historical setting of Upper Canada Village. Along your journey at Pumpkinferno, you’ll encounter Monster Mugshots, prehistoric beasts, UFOs and the iconic man…err, pumpkin…of the hour – Jack, who will greet you when you enter and guide you along your way. Have some laughs in Clown Town and enjoy a sip or two of a witch’s brew at Cauldron Corner during your haunt.
Tales of hauntings and ghostly happenings in Canada are widespread, so no matter where in the country you’re spending the Hallowe’en season, it’s likely that you’ll find a spooky story or site to explore. In fact, it’s believed that the most haunted hotel room in Canada is Room 202 at Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Hotel, where a tragically departed bride roams the halls in her white wedding dress. Scared yet?