Hey there!
Isn't fall a wonderful season?
The weather is crisp. Gorgeous multi-colored leaves fall from the trees. Everything is pumpkin spice and apples and a celebration of the harvest – and it smells so good. The whole season is a treat for the senses.
And, have you noticed? Halloween is HUGE in Utah. Across the state, there are dozens of delightful destinations that celebrate the season and the unique cultures that make up our community. The fun begins at many of these destinations on the 3rd or 4th weekend of September.
Looking for a fun Halloween activity in Utah this weekend? Take your pick.
Cache County
American West Heritage Center
Start with a corn maze. Add pony rides, a train and a playground for kids. Turn the corn maze into Haunted Hollow on weekend nights. Top it off with a Fall Festival in October and you've got the idea of how much fun is happening at American West Heritage Center in Wellsville this fall. www.awhc.org
Little Bear Bottoms Corn Maze
Little Bear Bottoms is a family farm that welcomes visitors for a corn maze, pumpkin patch and other fun family activities each fall. If you like your Halloween scary, try the Haunted River Trail. www.lbbcornmaze.com
North Logan Pumpkin Walk
The Pumpkin Walk is a long-standing Halloween tradition in North Logan. It's a free event featuring hundreds of decorated pumpkins and holiday scenes. www.pumpkinwalk.org
Davis County
Black Island Farms
Black Island Farms claims to have the largest corn maze in Utah. Multiple mazes of varying difficulty cover 26 acres on this family farm in Syracuse. Little kids will love the corn box, cow train, slides, pig races and more in The Courtyard. Don't forget the pumpkin patch! www.blackislandfarms.com
Cherry Hill
Kaysville's Cherry Hill turns into Scary Hill this fall. Get unlimited Scary Hill Miniature Golf, Bone Yard Tractor Rides, Junior Jungle Boats, Spooky Maze, Hamster Haven, Spider Aeroball, Rock Wall, Battlestar Blasters and Bug Bounce House for one low price! www.cherry-hill.com
Lagoon
Utah's biggest amusement park takes a spooky turn every October with Frightmares. Enjoy all your favorite rides, plus a variety of haunted experiences that range from not-at-all-scary to absolutely terrifying. www.lagoonpark.com
Duchesne County
Bluebell Corn Maze
This small-town corn maze rivals those in the bigger cities along the Wasatch Front. A pumpkin patch and farm playground make this fun destination at Water Hollow Ranch in Bluebell, Utah worth the trip. www.bluebellcornmaze.com
Grand County
Castle Valley Gourd Festival
This family-friendly festival celebrates every kind of gourd. Vendors sell gourd art, visitors can decorate their own gourds, and don't miss the humorous crowning of the Gourd Goddess. www.facebook.com/CastleValleyGourdFestival
Iron County
Judd Pumpkin Patch
Small town. Big pumpkin patch. Locals have been picking their pumpkins and other farm produce at Judd Pumpkin Patch in Paragonah for decades. It's a fun family tradition. www.facebook.com/JuddPumpkinPatch
Robinson Pumpkin Patch
This Cedar City pumpkin patch offers a good selection of pumpkins and gourds and has several fun family activities, including hay rides, petting zoo and corn pit. www.facebook.com/cedarcitypumpkinpatch
Salt Lake County
Crazy Corn Maze
Crazy Corn Maze in West Jordan is one of Utah's longest running mazes. You don't have to wander aimlessly through this maze because they will give you true/false trivia clues to help you find your way through. Of course they have a pumpkin patch, haunted maze and farm playground too. www.utahmaze.com
Cross E Ranch
Multiple mazes on this urban farm offer families seven miles of trail. In addition to the mazes, farm playground and pumpkin patch, Cross E Ranch shows seasonal movies on the side of the barn on Friday nights. Imagine haydium seating and a 27 foot screen! www.crosseranch.com
Gardner Village
WitchFest at Gardner Village is a favorite fall activity for many families. It's free to wander through and see all the witches on display. Print a scavenger hunt from the website before you go. More than half-a-dozen witch themed events and activities are scheduled. Get your tickets early because they are popular! www,gardnervillage.com
Haunted Woods
This annual October event in Murray City Park bills itself as “Utah’s only family friendly haunted attraction.” Families can choose between Spooky and Silly trails. Admission is just $5 and includes cocoa, doughnut and other fun activities. Proceeds benefit The Fight Against Child Abuse in Utah. www.hauntedwoodsmurray.com
Hogle Zoo
BooLights brings Halloween fun to a day (and night) at the Hogle Zoo! My family thinks that the zoo is more fun in the cooler months than in the summer. It's less crowded and favorite animals like polar bears and snow leopards are active. www.hoglezoo.org
Living Planet Aquarium
Visit the Aquarium to see fun and spooky decorations lurking in October. Enjoy special events such as Skeleton Dives and Trick-or-Treating. Haunted Aquarium activities are included with Aquarium admission. www.thelivingplanet.com/hauntedaquarium
Mabey Farms
Mabey Farms is a classic pumpkin patch on a family farm in South Jordan. They have a reputation for a large variety of pumpkins for reasonable prices. Wander through their field to find your perfect pumpkins. www.facebook.com/mabeyfarms
Odyssey Dance Theatre
The Odyssey Dance Theatre's sellout dance show “Thriller” returns to Utah this fall. Salt Lake City is not the only place you can see this popular Halloween-themed show. It will also be performed in St. George, Richfield, Provo, Logan, Ogden and Park City. “Thriller” is not recommended “for children under age 8 or the faint of heart.” www.odysseydance.com
Petersen Family Farm
Petersen Family Farm hosts a pumpkin patch throughout the season with a large variety of gourds and activities like a corn maze, tractor rides, face painting and more. On one weekend they welcome the community for a Harvest Festival. Admission is free! www.petersenfamilyfarm.com
Pumpkin Nights
Pumpkin Nights features 3,000 carved pumpkins, live demonstrations, family activities, movie screenings and more. Find it nightly at the Utah State Fairgrounds starting in early October. Deals are available for families, couples and groups. www.pumpkinnights.com/slc
Pumpkinpalooza
Thousands attend this family-friendly, two-day event at the Salt Lake Library's Viridian Event Center that celebrates all things pumpkin. Pumpkin carving, costume contests, crafts and activities are sure to delight in West Jordan. www.viridiancenter.org
Red Butte Garden
Red Butte Garden is beautiful in the fall. On two weekends in October, the Garden hosts a whimsical nighttime event with games, activities and light displays. Costumes are welcome, and you'll probably learn something new about the natural world too. www.redbuttegarden.org
Snowbird
Oktoberfest is a fantastic family event at Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon. It has been a Utah tradition since 1973 and is one of Utah's largest festivals. While you're there, buy some German food and drink, try the alpine slide or take the tram to the top of the mountain. Enjoy Oktoberfest Saturdays and Sundays through mid-October. www.snowbird.com/oktoberfest
This is the Place Heritage Park
This is the Place Heritage Park is a great family destination year-round, and the Little Haunts event on select days in October is extra fun. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes for trick-or-treating, listening to the Storytelling Witch and riding ponies. www.thisistheplace.org
Utah Cultural Celebration Center
The Day of the Dead is a lot more than Mexico's version of Halloween. It's a celebration of culture and family. Your family is invited to attend an authentic Day of the Dead Celebration at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City. Tickets are just $5 and kids under age 12 get in FREE! The event will be held October 27, 2018. www.culturalcelebration.org
Wheeler Farm
Salt Lake County's very own urban farm celebrates Pumpkin Days every October. This daily event features a hay maze, pumpkin patch, creative scarecrow displays and wagon rides. Admission includes a pumpkin to take home. Dogs are invited to join the family on Dog Dayze in the Maze. www.slco.org/wheeler-farm/events
Sanpete County
Beck Family Farms
Beck Family Farms is the place to pick your pumpkin in Centerfield, Utah. They also build a straw bale maze for kids that gets bigger every year, and admission is just $1! How do you feel about an obstacle course race? If you're in, check out the annual Wild Pumpkin Adventure event, held in early October. www.beckfamilyfarms.com
Sevier County
Hansen's Pumpkin Patch
Hansen's Pumpkin Patch is a fun family farm that attracts visitors from throughout the county and beyond. In addition to pumpkins, families can enjoy hay rides, train rides and… can anyone tell me what a penta-wheel is? Send a photo, please! 🙂 www.facebook.com/hansenpumpkinpatch
Summit County
Howl-O-Ween
Bring your children AND your fur babies in costume to Park City's Historic Main Street for trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Expect gourmet treats for kids and pets, plus a few surprises. www.visitparkcity.com
Tooele County
Benson Grist Mill
Pumpkin Walk is a weekend event held each year at Benson Grist Mill. Look for decorated pumpkins and fun activities for kids. www.bensonmill.org
Uintah County
Lapoint Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
This Eastern Utah gem has three mazes – main, kids and haunted – plus loads of other activities. Pony rides, a petting zoo, farm playground and a pumpkin patch make a fun way to spend the day on a 100-year-old family farm. www.lapointcornmaze.com
Utah County
Evermore Park
This new fantasy park in Pleasant Grove has changing themes to match the holidays. Choose the “Magical” or “Cursed” World of Lore this Halloween. Dressing up and choosing a character are encouraged in this living storybook village. Learn more at www.evermore.com.
Glen Ray's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Glen Ray's is a 6-generation family farm in Spanish Fork that welcomes families for the Halloween season. Top attractions include a pumpkin patch, kiddie corral and 7.5-acre corn maze. The maze is haunted on weekend evenings. www.glenrayscornmaze.com
Halloween Cruise
A Halloween cruise on the Provo River is special family activity, that's for sure. Spooky storytelling and lit jack-o-lanterns set the mood each evening, six days a week throughout October. www.clasropes.com
Hee Haw Farms
Hee Haw Farms has a corn maze, petting zoo, hay rides, pumpkin patch and other activities. The event that caught my attention was the Giant Pumpkin Drop. This unique and spectacular event raises money to help families at Christmas time. www.heehawfarms.com
Jaker's Jack-o-Lanterns
Admission to Jaker's at Harward Farms is just $2 and pumpkins prices start at $2 each, so Jaker's is affordable for families. Your admission includes a corn maze, petting zoo, hay rides and fun farm play zone. www.harwardfarms.com/jakers
Rowley's Red Barn
Rowley's Red Barn is known for its apple crop, and when fall comes round this fruit farm opens up its Back 40 for a corn maze, pumpkin patch, giant slides, apple cannons and all the fresh pressed apple juice you can drink. www.rowleysredbarn.com
Sundance Mountain Resort
Sundance dresses up its Full Moon Lift rides in October for Halloween! Gently drift above Halloween scenes on your way up the mountain. Back at the base, you'll find games, hot cocoa and a complimentary Halloween movie. www.sundanceresort.com
Thanksgiving Point
If there was a Capital of Fall Fun in Utah, Thanksgiving Point would probably be it. Cornbelly's is the original Utah corn maze. Special celebrations include Harvest Festival, Scarecrow Festival and Dia de los Muertos in September and October. www.thanksgivingpoint.org
Wasatch County
Heber Valley Railroad
The Heber Valley Railroad has several themed trains that are fun for the Halloween season. Choose between a Pumpkin Train, Wizard's Train (inspired by Harry Potter) and a Cowboy Train on select dates in October. www.hebervalleyrr.org
Sleepy Hollow
Ride through the woods in Rocky Mountain Outfitters' horse-drawn wagon while the classic story of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is told. Expect a live sighting of the Headless Horseman! This activity is appropriate for all ages, but I've been told that it gets scarier later in the evening. For 2018, use coupon code SH20185 to save $5 per person. http://www.sleepyhollowutah.com/
Washington County
Staheli Family Farm
Looking for the biggest and best corn maze and farm-based family activities in Southern Utah? This is it. Staheli Family Farm has multiple mazes, special events like Witches Night Out, a pumpkin patch and lots more. www.stahelifamilyfarm.com
Weber County
Cold Springs Trout Farm
Cold Springs Trout Farm is fun for families all year, and it gets even better with a two-acre corn maze each fall! Visitors will receive a cup of fish food and an ornamental pumpkin at the end of the maze, while supplies last. There is a large picnic area with a campfire in the evenings. Beware: the corn maze is haunted after dark! www.coldspringstroutfarm.com
The Corn Maize
The Corn Maize is a corn maze and pumpkin patch located in West Haven. There are two corn mazes – one haunted and one not – so you can choose the experience you prefer. This fun destination has a fun play area with a barrel train, bounce house, hay slide and more. www.thecornmaize.com
Green Acres Dairy Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
Green Acres is a newcomer to the local corn maze scene, but this family farm is doing their best to become a top family attraction for fall in Weber County. They have an active Facebook page and website, detailing a list of fun activities for families. They host an Easter event in the spring too! www.greenacresdairy.com
Historic 25th Street
The Ogden Downtown Alliance hosts two annual street festivals in the fall on Historic 25th Street: Harvest Moon Festival and Witchstock. The Harvest Moon Festival is September 22, 2018 and Witchstock is October 27, 2018. Both are family-friendly and free to the public.
Witchstock includes an afternoon Witches' Tea, which is a ticketed event hosted by the Junior League of Ogden. Costumes are encouraged for all ages at the free Zombie Crawl and dance party in the evening at Witchstock! Parents should be aware that some costumes (think zombies) may be realistic or extreme. www.historic25.com/harvest-moon-celebration, www.historic25.com/witchstock
Ogden's George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
See the Dinosaur Park after dark at the Halloween Carnivore Carnival! Kids can wear costumes and trick-or-treat through this unique Ogden park filled with realistic dinosaur statues. Mad science, Halloween games and a costume parade are also on the agenda. Oct 18, 19, 20, 26, 27 2018. www.dinosaurpark.org
Ogden Nature Center
Does your family love the outdoors and nature? Want to skip the crowds at the corn maze? Try Creatures of the Night at the Ogden Nature Center. This fun and educational nighttime nature event is all about nocturnal animals. will be held October 5 & 6, 2018. www.ogdennaturecenter.org
Want to add a family-friendly event or destination to this list? Email me at [email protected]
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