So, you want to take part in Halloween festivities with the family, but you don’t want to traumatize your kids when a maniac with a chainsaw chases them out of a haunted house? We’ve got your back with six not-so-scary Halloween attractions to make the most of the season. While we didn’t include any here, consider some of Utah’s many corn mazes before the sun goes down as well.
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 they’ll 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 Ogden’s 25th Street or along SLC’s Whiskey Street (now Main Street). Guests typically take photos along the way, hoping to catch an apparition, but it’s really more about the stories than the scares. Tours are recommended for ages 8 and up. Tour details and reservations
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.
Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
1544 E. Park Boulevard, Ogden
Tickets and info
Halloween Carnival at Ogden’s Dinosaur Park In October, Ogden’s 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 décor and explore the park by flashlight.
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 “haunted” woods and a makeshift town. On the way, you will likely encounter several of Sleepy Hollow’s resident ghouls, including the Headless Horseman, while listening to a recording of Washington Irving’s 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 Village’s 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 village’s 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.
