NYC & Company Invites Ghouls and Goblins, Visitors and Locals to Celebrate Halloween in NYC

NYC & Company Invites Ghouls and Goblins, Visitors and Locals to Celebrate Halloween in NYC

This Halloween, hike a haunted hill, discover the creepy critters of the deep blue sea and become a character from your wildest dream.

New York City (October 14, 2009)�New York City welcomes kids, teenagers, adults and families to celebrate this year�s fun-filled Halloween weekend. As visitors continue to seek value on their trips to the five boroughs, NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, announced today a variety of free and low-cost Halloween events and activities for all ages. As always, the Annual New York�s Village Halloween Parade is expected to draw thousands to Greenwich Village the evening of Halloween, but there are many other events leading up to October 31 that will get visitors and residents excited for this month�s spooky festivities.

�New York City is a great place to celebrate all occasions,� said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. �Halloween happens to be one of the most exciting times because everyone participates. Whether you�re trick-or-treating, pumpkin picking or getting into costume, Halloween allows all to celebrate the fall with kid-friendly and family-oriented indoor and outdoor activities.�

Enjoy the brisk days of autumn with eerily fun Halloween-inspired happenings across the five boroughs.

The Bronx:
Take a haunted safari, go on a hayride, watch magic shows and learn how to carve animal jack-o�-lanterns and make masks at the Bronx Zoo�s Boo at the Zoo. Weekends until November 1; general admission $15 for adults and $11 for children ages 3�12 (children ages 3�12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult purchasing full-price admission; limit one child per paying adult). bronxzoo.org

Get ready for a full day of fun and learning at the New York Botanical Garden�s Halloween Hoorah! Play with leaves, decorate pumpkins and learn about the vampire bat. Sunday, October 25, 11am�5:45pm; all-garden admission $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 2�12. nybg.org

Brooklyn:
Visit the Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel, a high-tech haunted house designed by faculty and students at the New York City College of Technology. October 16, 17, 22�24, and 29�31; admission $6 for adults and $4 for students with a valid ID and children under 12. entertainmenttechnology.org/gravesendinn

Learn about monsters of the deep at the New York Aquarium�s Halloween at the A-Scarium on Coney Island. Hear scary sea yarns, watch an expert pumpkin carver, make a sea-creature mask and trick-or-treat at holiday treat stations. October 24, 25, 31 and November 1; general admission $13 for adults and $9 for children ages 3�12 (children ages 3�12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult purchasing full-price admission; limit one child per paying adult). nyaquarium.org

Manhattan:
Flock to Central Park to view scarecrows at the Pumpkin Festival�s Scarecrow Contest. Register online by Friday, October 16, to secure scarecrow entry. Scarecrow viewing Saturday, October 24, noon�5pm, Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. The top three scarecrow entries from each age category will be displayed afterward at the Arsenal Gallery, which houses the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation�s headquarters. nycgovparks.org/email_forms/scarecrow/index.html

Prepare for goose bumps at the Nightmare: Vampires haunted house. The interactive exhibition is designed to terrify the senses while exploring the history�and horror�of vampires. October 14�18, 20�31, Nov. 1, Nov. 4�7; advance tickets $30, at the door $35. Bring children ages 10 and under on October 24 for Kids Day; tickets $15. Otherwise no children under 12 will be admitted without a parent or guardian. hauntedhousenyc.com

Queens:
Pick Your Own Pumpkin at the Queens County Farm Museum�the perfect activity for all ages. October 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, 11am�4pm, weather permitting; free admission except October 25, when admission is $5 per person for the Children�s Fall Festival. Price of pumpkin based on its size. queensfarm.org/events.html

Venture into the woods for a Haunted Hike in Forest Park. The forest is the ultimate dwelling of creatures that go bump in the night�beware spooky surprises. Saturday, October 31, 6pm; free. nycparks.org

Staten Island:
Enjoy the day outside with family and friends partaking in crafts, games and costumes at the Halloween Harvest Fair at the Conference House Park. Saturday, October 17, 11am�4pm; free admission but $10 for children�s unlimited access to inflatable slide and bounce houses. nycparks.org

Join the ghosts of St. George Theatre at its Halloween Extravaganza, an award-winning show that features spine-shivering special effects and illusions. Friday, October 30, 7:30pm; tickets $10, $18, $20 and $28. stgeorgetheatre.com/events.htm

About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing and tourism organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide.

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Contact:Kimberly Spell/Jessica Salzer at 212.484.1270 or jsalzer@nycgo.com