So, you want to take part in Halloween festivities with the family, but you donโt want to traumatize your kids when a maniac with a chainsaw chases them out of a haunted house? Weโve got your back with six not-so-scary Halloween attractions to make the most of the season. While we didnโt include any here, consider some of Utahโs many corn mazes before the sun goes down as well.
Photo courtesy of Pumpkin Nights
Utah State Fairpark
155 N. 1000 West, Salt Lake City
Pumpkin Nights details
Pumpkin Nights Pumpkin Nights is more of a festival than a haunt. Guests make their way along a half-mile path toward seven Halloween-themed lands, where theyโll find food, fire dancers, games, and more than 3,000 hand-carved (and artificial) pumpkins. The event starts Oct. 10, and runs every night in October aside from Halloween. Check out our interview with a Pumpkin Nights representative at FanX.
Story Tours Story Tours takes history buffs and those who love a good ghost story through Ogden or Salt Lake City to learn about the resident ghosts. You can take your tour by bus in both cities (with frequent stops), or by foot down Ogdenโs 25th Street or along SLCโs Whiskey Street (now Main Street). Guests typically take photos along the way, hoping to catch an apparition, but itโs really more about the stories than the scares. Tours are recommended for ages 8 and up. Tour details and reservations
Story time at Little Haunts, photo courtesy of This is the Place Heritage Park
This is the Place Heritage Park
2601 E. Sunnyside Avenue, SLC
Little Haunts details
Little Haunts Perhaps the least scary event on our not-so-scary Halloween list, Little Haunts offers trick-or-treating, story times, creature encounters (lizards and such) and all of the usual activities offered at This is the Place Heritage Park, including pony rides. This year, Little Haunts is hosting a coloring contest. Find the coloring page and rules here.
Ogdenโs George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
1544 E. Park Boulevard, Ogden
Tickets and info
Halloween Carnival at Ogdenโs Dinosaur Park In October, Ogdenโs George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park becomes a prehistoric, not-so-scary Halloween carnival, where kids can dress up for a costume parade, go trick-or-treating, play carnival games and join a scavenger hunt, along with checking out the educational dinosaur displays throughout the park. On Monday nights, following the Halloween carnival, families can take in the Halloween dรฉcor and explore the park by flashlight.
Sleepy Hollow wagon rides at Soldier Hollow typically include an appearance by the Headless Horseman. Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Outfitters.
2002 Soldier Hollow Drive, Midway
Wagon Rides details
Sleepy Hollow Wagon Rides Soldier Hollow becomes Sleepy Hollow in October, as Rocky Mountain Outfitters hosts horse-drawn wagon rides through โhauntedโ woods and a makeshift town. On the way, you will likely encounter several of Sleepy Hollowโs resident ghouls, including the Headless Horseman, while listening to a recording of Washington Irvingโs famous ghost story. The rides are family friendly and intended for all ages, though some costumed actors may opt to bang on the side of your wagon as it passes by or hop aboard. In addition, the ride gets spookier when the sun goes down. Know your kids and what they can take.
Gardner Village
1100 W. 7800 South, West Jordan
Witchfest details
Witchfest at Gardner Village Gardner Villageโs witches whimsical, not wicked, so drop by with the family between now and Halloween to see the park decorated in witch displays, meet the witches and take part in a scavenger hunt, or make plans for one of the villageโs Witches Night Out events, featuring witch parades, entertainment, food and discounts in the village shops. From Oct. 17 to 19, the focus turns to younger kids for the Wee Witches Weekend. Gardner Village also offers a series of witch-themed ticketed events, including the Witchapalooza Dinner Theater, Breakfast with a Witch and the Witch 5K Run.
Read more of our family content in our Kid-friendly blog roll.
