Cincinnati really comes alive this time of year with fall festivals and Halloween fun.
But if you’re looking for a little under-the-radar fun, we’ve got a list of exclusive events you might not know about. Here’s a roundup of 6 Halloween Hidden Gems in Cincinnati you need to visit:
1. Heritage Village’s Haunted Village
Oct. 18-19 and 25-26 from 6-10 pm
Hidden Gem Alert: The Haunted Village at Heritage Village Museum provides festive fun for the entire family, from trick-or-treaters to thrill seekers. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the spooky forest. Walk through the haunted cemetery. Get up close and personal with creepy critters from ZooPro Adventures. Encounter the headless horseman as he roams through the Village during the last two weekends. Captain Jack Sparrow will be commandeering the flatboat on Fridays! There are several buildings you can visit, all decked to the nines with different activities, and all buildings have a very friendly person standing outside passing out candy for younger kids who don’t want to venture all the way in. Admission is $10 and requires a Great Parks parking permit. (Museum members and children under two are free.)
2. Oct-“Trail”-Ber
Oct. 19, 20, 26 & 27 at Nation Road Horse Rental
Located in Beautiful Butler County, Nation Road Horse Rental is a must-visit destination this fall for a unique and memorable family experience. Every Saturday and Sunday in October is Oct-“Trail”-Ber. For $20, you can enjoy a 30-minute trail ride and a bag of Halloween candy.
3. Boo Manatee
Oct. 19, 2-4 pm at Blue Manatee
Throw on your Halloween costume and come visit Blue Manatee for a few hours of ghoulish fun! There will be a spooky story time, creepy crafts, scary snacks (actually they won’t be that scary at all but rather delicious), goblin games and of course a costume parade! Cost is $5/child. Purchase tickets here. Major perk: enjoy 20% off all Halloween themed books during the event!
4. Monster Bash
Oct. 26, 5-9 pm at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati + Halloween = magic. This year, TCT is putting on the most epic Halloween party in town: The Monster Bash! This brand-new event at TCT will quickly become a tradition in your house. Join TCT on Oct. 26 for the must-attend Halloween event of the season, featuring activities, food, a delightfully-spooky haunted house, pumpkin painting, balloon artists, and of course, trick-or-treating. Tickets are available now – RSVP early and save!
5. Tricks or Treats Weekend at the Ohio Renaissance Festival
Oct. 26-27 at the Ohio Renaissance Festival
Batman and Wonder Woman in 16th Century England? You bet! Have your kids wear their costumes during the Renaissance Festival’s Tricks or Treats Weekend. In addition to trick-or-treating amid jesters, duels and kings, your kids can participate in a costume contest and decorate pumpkins while enjoying the final weekend of this iconic Ohio festival. The best part? Kids 12 and under get in free!
6. Scarecrow Row
Daily through Oct. 26 at Otto M Armleder Park
Scarecrow Row is a fun, FREE, fall art installation of scarecrows at Otto M. Armleder Park. It’s the coolest, most family-friendly, under-the-radar fall event in Cincinnati, and a must visit this month! Scarecrows are fun and most are not spooky — and this funky Halloween event is FREE!