Texas Ren Fest is back for the fall! Photo courtesy of the Festival
Texas Renaissance Festival, Barktoberfest, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Día de los Muertos at Discovery Green. Event photo courtesy of the Discovery Green
Top Things To Do to Celebrate Día de Los Muertos 2025 in Houston
These trunk-or-treats in Houston are a good alternative to trick-or-treating. Photo courtesy of Klein UMC Children's Ministries
Best Trunk-or-Treat and Alternative Trick-or-Treat Events in Houston for Halloween 2025
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Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Houston
Houston is full of Halloween events this October. Scream on the Green photo courtesy of Discovery Green
Best Things to Do in Houston October 2025 with Kids, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Scream on the Green is one of Houston's free Halloween events. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
Top Free Halloween Events in Houston 2025
Zoo Boo is one of our favorite Halloween events for younger kids. Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo
Best Halloween Events in Houston 2025 for Kids and Families: Haunted Houses, Trick-or-Treating, and More
See alligators in Beaumont, about 90 minutes from Houston. Photo courtesy of Gator Country Wildlife Adventure Park
Fall Day Trips From Houston for Families
Visit Froberg's Farm for fall festival fun, a pumpkin patch, and more. Photo courtesy the fall
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Houston Fall Day Trips Guide: Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2025
There are plenty of choices for pumpkin patches near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
Best Pumpkin Patches Near Houston for Fall Fun
Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
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From pumpkins to corn mazes, there's loads of seasonal fun at local farms. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 30 Top Things To Do in Houston This Fall 2025
Houston Fall festivals that are fun for the whole family. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals in 2025 for Houston Families
Visit the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo courtesy of Visit Sugar Land.
Why HMNS at Sugar Land Is a Must-Visit for Houston Families
Help your Scout rack up the badges at these programs in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Best Places to Earn Scout Badges in Houston
Unique Birthday Party Venues in Houston for One-of-a-Kind Birthday Parties
Our favorite gymnastics gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva
Gymnastics Gyms in Houston: Places to Take Gymnastic Classes, Camps, or Open Gym
Palace Social has bowling and a restaurant in addition to arcade games. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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The Mini classes at Goldfish Swim School are a great bonding experience for parent and child. Photo courtesy of the school
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Ready Go Amusement Arcade photo by author Elizabeth R.
Houston’s Best Claw Machine Arcades Where Kids (and Parents) Can Actually Win
A crafting party at one of these venues or at home is the perfect celebration for a creative kid. Photo courtesy of Color Me Mine
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See aquatic life without a fee at Sea Center Texas. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Keep Cool in Houston: Top Beaches, Swimming Lakes, Splash Pads, and AC Spots
Our top picks for your Houston bar/bat mitzvah. Photo by Juliano ASTC, courtesy of Pexels.
Fun Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Venues in Houston
These Houston ice cream shops have the best treats for kids. Photo by Kelly Patino, courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Best Ice Cream Spots In Houston For Kids
Pick your own flowers at one of these Houston farms. Photo courtesy Summer Skye Gardens
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Go for a nature walk in on of Houston's huge parks. Photo by Anthony Rathbun, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum.
Houston Budget-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Families
Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
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NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
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Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
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See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Houston that are Kid-friendly
John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
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Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
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Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
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Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
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Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
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Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
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Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
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Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
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New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
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The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
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One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
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Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
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MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
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There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
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Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
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Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
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Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
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Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
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Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
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San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
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Photo courtesy of Cypress Academy
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Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School
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Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
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Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze
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Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Canva
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For the best baby clothes, try these Houston baby boutiques. Photo courtesy of Threadfare Children's Boutique
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The Houston Zoo is a great stop for kids, and near other things to do in Houston, too. Photo by Jessica A., courtesy of the zoo
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Scary Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Chills and Thrills 2025

Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event
Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event
10/5/25 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with top-of-the-line haunted houses and scream parks, many boasting Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects. If you have teens keen on a thrilling screamfest this Halloween, look no further. 

Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some of these are returning favorites that have been recognized as the top haunted houses in the country, such as Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe. Others can even boast of being held in historic haunted locations, like the Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey.  

Find more great Halloween activities in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide. 

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Halloween spooks abound at the Dark Forest Fright Walk at Burn Brae Mansion. Photo courtesy of the venue
Halloween spooks abound at the Dark Forest Fright Walk at Burn Brae Mansion. Photo courtesy of the venue

Top Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley 2025

Pure Terror Scream Park

Monroe
Fridays-Sundays through November 2, 2025; also on October 30
An extensive Halloween attraction, Pure Terror features 10 haunted houses, including the Woods of the Dead. The walk-through experience utilizes costumed actors, special effects, and elaborate sets on a theatrical scale. Stop in the midway for food and music.  READ MORE

Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion

Wappingers Falls
Fridays-Sundays through November 1, 2025
KM’s Haunted Mansion celebrates its 49th anniversary with The Keeper—a haunting experience where every story has an ending...what will yours be? Step into a realm of intricate haunt mazes, bigger scares, and creative twists around every corner. Encounter exclusive interactive performances and dive into a trail of terror filled with surprises at every turn. READ MORE

Headless Horseman Haunted Houses

Ulster Park
Fridays-Sundays through November 2, 2025, except October 5
Not for the faint of heart, this seasonal attraction pulls out all the stops to put the fright in Halloween. This year's format is a walk-through experience where horror-seekers encounter assorted settings like haunted hotels, a corn maze, and a greenhouse. A separate ticket gives access to an escape room. READ MORE

Scared by the Sound

Rye
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, October 10-November 1, 2025; also on October 30
Scared by the Sound Haunted House returns home to where it all started 24 years ago by the Long Island Sound waters edge at Playland Amusement Park. Dare to explore the mortuary, asylum, clown hallway, and an all-new graveyard with even more creatures lurking in and around the mausoleums with just the moon and stars to light the way out! READ MORE

The Haunt at Wildcliff Mansion

New Rochelle
Fridays-Sundays from October 10-November 1, 2025, except October 19
Set on a windswept cliff overlooking Echo Bay in New Rochelle, this immersive Halloween experience will transport attendees to the haunted estate of Dr. Wildcliff, a reclusive botanist with a dark obsession. Guests will explore Dr. Wildcliff’s forgotten laboratory, the restless cathedral and graveyard, the haunted corn maze, and the labyrinthine halls of Wildcliff Mansion, encountering ghostly figures and reanimated horrors at every turn. READ MORE

Dark Forest Fright Walk at Burn Brae Mansion

Glen Spey
Fridays and Saturdays, October 11-25, 2025
Dare to take a walk through the haunted forest at the historic Burn Brae Mansion, a historic haunted location, and encounter the creepy creatures that lurk there in the night. With witches, monsters, ghosts, and goblins, the trail comes alive with Halloween's scariest creatures. Live music, food, and beer and wine are available from Shrewd Fox.  READ MORE

Classic Evening Lantern Tour at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Sleepy Hollow
Select dates through Saturday, November 29, 2025
Halloween season is a fitting time for a guided tour of the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the resting place of the author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Opt for a daytime tour or a nighttime tour lit by kerosene lamps.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Katherine Dhurandhar
Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.
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