Looking for creatures that go “bump” in the night? How about some freakishly fun oddities that will make your jaw drop? Look no more – we’ve gathered a sampling of spooky delights that’ll be sure to give you the heebie-jeebies this Halloween season.
WHAT: FRIGHT AT THE (CITY) MUSEUM
WHERE: City Museum
WHEN: Through Oct. 29
In the mood for oddities and curiosities as only the City Museum can deliver? Step inside Fright at the Museum to take in bizarre exhibits such as Skeleton’s Ball, Mingo Monster Mash, Cemetery Secrets and Portrait Passage: Faces of Terror. Marvel at live stage shows and jaw-dropping stunts from contortionists and fire dancers. Enjoy a Murder Mystery Dinner or check out themed cocktails and other menu items at Vampire Bar and Coven & Caldron.
There’s also a special rooftop screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Oct. 21, with a prop bag for extra fun, and food and drink available for purchase. So, grab your garters and join the madness! From $40; citymuseum.org
WHAT: PIRATES & PUMPKINS
WHERE: St. Louis Aquarium
WHEN: Through Oct. 31
Arrr! Prepare for a pirate invasion at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, where you’ll find a ghost ship with smoking, booming cannons, spooky pumpkins patches and a wonderland of treasure caves and grottos. There are lots of opportunities for scary selfies, including a pumpkin shark scene complete with a boat.
Learn about the animals, while enjoying all the pirate jokes you care to hear as you make your way through the marine habitats and hands-on activities. Be sure not to miss the Pirate King’s Throne at the end of your journey. All the fun is included with aquarium admission. From $21.50 (adults), from $16.25 (children); stlouisaquarium.com
WHAT: ‘BOO’TERFLY HOUSE
WHERE: Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays in October
Creepy, crawly bugs and plants are sure to get spines tingling at the “BOO”terfly House this Halloween season. Get up close and personal with icky, hair-raising bugs and learn more about them in the Cave of Roaches, Spider Apothecary and the Scorpion’s Lair. At the Tropical Conservatory, explore the sometimes-macabre nature of flora with plants that can poison, hunt or said to be mixed in in witches’ brews.
New this year is a Jack O’Lantern Trail in adjoining Faust Park for an extra $2 admission. Other themed, ticketed events throughout the month include Wicked Wings and Wine (Oct. 13), October Paint & Sip (Oct. 19) and Bug-oween Mask Making (Oct. 22). $8 (ages 13 and older), $5 (seniors and children ages 3 to 12), free for members; Butterfly House
WHAT: BOO AT THE ZOO
WHERE: Saint Louis Zoo
WHEN: 5 to 8:30 p.m., Oct. 13 to 29
Looking for a not-too-scary Halloween night out for the whole family? The Saint Louis Zoo’s annual event features plenty of spooktacular entertainment and freakishly fun decorations for great photos at Kraken Cove, Extraterrestial Encounter, Pumpkin Palooza and more. Plus, slither all you want at the Herpetarium where all the turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, lizards and snakes lie in wait. Then, head into the Insectarium to hang out with spiders, centipedes, beetles and other invertebrates.
Admission includes entry into Dinoroarus, the Carousel, Stingrays at Caribbean Cove and “Happy Family 2” playing at the 4D Theater. $10 to $15, free for children 2 and younger; stlzoo.org/boo
WHAT: FRIGHTS & HEIGHTS
WHERE: Gateway Arch
WHEN: 6:30 to 10 p.m., Oct. 14
What’s on tap for Halloween that’s fun and free? The annual Frights & Heights returns to America’s tallest monument with plenty of Halloween-themed activities such as Freaky Face Painting, Boo-loon Animals, Creepy Crafts & Games, Ghost Stories and Puppet Shows, as well as trick-or-treating for the little ones.
Tram rides will also get in the Halloween spirit with spooky decorations for Trick or Tram, the 630-foot ride to the top of the arch. A separate ticket is required for tram rides, with new early-bird pricing available this year. Meal and photo packages are also being offered to take full advantage of the festivities. Free (advance registration required); gatewayarch.com/halloween
