Fall fun fills family calendars every October. And as parents pick and choose from a long list of Halloween activities, they may pause to decide if an event may be too scary for their kids. So as you ponder the tricks and treats of Spooktober, remember that many of today’s Halloween happenings have turned from the original focus on warding off evil spirits to days and nights of adventure, laughter, and extreme fun. The Rochester area boasts a variety of Halloween adventures, but still beware of the fear and scare. To help gauge the ghouls, we have rated attractions via our Scare-O-Meter — determined by polling past patrons and tallying the recommendations of the attraction’s staff. Each rating ranges from zero to one scarecrow (family friendly) to the max of five scarecrows (inappropriate for young children … and perhaps even too scary for some big kids and parents).
*Scare-o-meter is ranked 0-5 (0- not scary, 5- very scary)*
Verhulst Haunted Hayrides
5161 W. Ridge Road, Spencerport (585) 352-8284
Verhulst Haunted Hayrides brings you deep into the woods, where you meet haunting witches, bloody Wizard of Oz characters, and zombie-like wizards. At the end of the ride you have the option of walking through a Haunted Corn Maze (where you most likely will be chased by a chainsaw-revving actor).
Age: Not recommended for children 8 and under
Admission: $20 (military and veterans $12)
Scare-O-Meter (for Haunted Hayride): 4
Scare-O-Meter (for Haunted Corn Maze): 5
Haunted Hayrides of Greater Rochester
3329 Eddy Road, Williamson (585) 423-2991
Haunted Hayrides of Greater Rochester opens Sept. 29 to spine-chilling screams on the haunted DeFisher Fruit Farm. On-site acitivites include The Screamatorium, Spinnng Tunnel, 3D Maze, and the indoor Mummy Theatre.
Age: Not recommended for children ages 8 and under. The website said, “It’s scary. … It is not for the faint of heart” (or those with health issues).
Admission: $17-$26
Scare-O-Meter: 5
Hayrides at Powers Farm Market
161 Marsh Road, Pittsford (585) 586-4631
Powers Farm Market is ideal for a family outing, with animals to feed and the world’s largest teepes to explore, plus pumpkins and a farm-market store. The hayride takes families along rolling hills into a dramatically decorated woods.
Age: All ages
Admission: $6-$9
Scare-O-Meter (daytime hay rides): 1
Scare-O-Meter (nightime hay rides): 2
Zoo Boo Seneca Park Zoo
2222 St. Paul St. Rochester (585) 336-7200
For three consecutive weekends, the Seneca Park Zoo hosts Zoo Boo (Oct. 14-15, 21-22, 28-29). Little ones are invited to wear costumes and enjoy and adventure with the orangutans, while getting treats at stations throughout the zoo.
Age: All ages, especially those who enjoy trick-or-treating and animals
Admission:
- Member Tickets: Advance: $6.50 , Day of Gate Sales: $7.50
- Non-Member Tickets: Advance: $7.50 , Day of Gate sales: $8.50
- *Non-members must also pay Zoo Admission
Scare-O-Meter: 0
Dark Matter Scream Works
The Mall at Greece Ridge 271 Greece Ridge Center Drive, Rochester (585) 451-9952
Dark Matter Scream Works is moving to a new location this Halloween season — The Mall at Greece Ridge Center — allowing for more space and four new attractions that will boost up the level of madness.
Age: Not recommended under 12. The website says, “At Dark Matter Scream Works we do our best to make sure every customer is extremely frightened.” However, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, there will be an event for kids that is touted as non-gory and child appropriate.
Admission: $18-$24 (military and veterans: $2 discount)
Scare-O-Meter: 5
Holiday Hollow Halloween & Pirate Festival
1410 Main Road, Corfu (716) 474-4300
Holiday Hollow’s Halloween & Pirate Festival runs every weekend in October and on Columbus Day and offers fun, non-scary Halloween family entertainment with seven live stage shows, and hours of fun. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Age: All ages
Admission: $12-$13 (ages 2 and under free)
Scare-O-Meter: 0
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