Halloween Fun in the Twin Cities

Minneapolis St. Paul Metro Area Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes, & More

Sep 20, 2007
Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Candy corn. Happy Halloween! - Jeffrey Collingwood, Stock Xchange

Halloween is here in the Twin Cities! Here's where to find festivities of all kinds--from the kid-friendly to the truly terrifying.

The Twin Cities has more than its share of Halloween fun--from the family friendly to the truly terrifying! Here's what's happening this October in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

Kid-Friendly Fun

Anoka Halloween. (Various locations, Anoka). Since 1920, the outlying northwestern suburb of Anoka has been hosting an extensive Halloween festival and claims to be the "Halloween capital of the world." This year's festival will be held from October 12 through October 28 and features everything from pumpkin carving to a preschool costume contest to a "Spooktacular carnival." There are plenty of events for grownups too, including Halloween bingo and a wine tasting. For more information, call 763-421-7130.
Zoo Boo. This event is held at the Como Zoo in St. Paul, and is a fundraiser for the zoo and the adjacent Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory. The zoo is transformed into a non-scary world of fairy tales. Children are encouraged to come in costume. Admission is $6. For more information, call 651-487-8229
Emma Krumbee's Scarecrow Festival. (Emma Krumbee's Apple Orchard, Highway 169, Belle Plaine). Krumbee's is a favorite place for apple picking and other fall fun. The Scarecrow Festival features over 100 scarecrows, and kids can enjoy other activities such as wagon rides and a petting zoo. Admission is $4; free to children ages 2 and under. For more information, call 952-873-3006.
Mall of America World's Largest Trick or Treat. (MOA, Bloomington). Kids are invited to trick-or-treat at the mall's 200 stores-- now that's a lot of candy! There's also a costume contest at 5:30 in the rotunda. For more information, call 952-883-8800.

Scary Fun

Fright Farm. (White Bear Avenue & Frost Street, Maplewood). Once a year, the 100-year-old Ramsey County Fairgrounds barn is transformed into the Fright Farm. This haunted house is operated by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, and all proceeds go to D.A.R.E. A "low scare" matinee for kids is held on October 28th. Admission is $7.00.
Dungeons of Darkness and Doom. (1414 to 1420 Main Street, Hopkins ). This haunted house features an especially theatrical tour and performance. Admission is $10. For little ones, there's a not-so-scary Sunday production with a $5 admission charge.
Edgecomb Haunted Estate. (679 Marie Avenue, Mendota Heights). This creepy haunted house is on the site where sixty-one murders were committed in 1881. Tours are given during the Halloween season that are designed to terrify visitors. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and older, and the proceeds all go to the Minnesota Helps Bridge Disaster Fund. For more information, call 651-905-8960.
Hayride and House of Horror. (Zywiec's Berryland Farms, Highway 61, Cottage Grove). If this spooky haunted house and hayride aren't enough for you, you can ride on "The Last Ride of Your Life," a virtual reality ride in a casket. Admission is $20, and free for kids 5 and under. On Saturdays, there's a low-scare matinee for $8 per person. For more information, call 651-459-3001.

Truly Terrifying

Trail of Terror. (1244 South Canterbury Road, Shakopee). Featuring the Halls of Horror and a haunted hayride, the Trail of Terror isn't for the faint at heart (or children). There's also a bonfire, an interactive murder mystery and dinner theater, and a "Club Scream" Halloween party with a dance floor, live music, and Terror Tavern. Admission is $14.95. For more information, call 952-445-7361.
Scream Town. (Canterbury Road & 12th Avenue, Shakopee). This ghoulish haunted event offers three terrifying haunted houses and a "Nightmare Corn Maze." Admission is $13.
Ozzy Osbourne in Concert. (Target Center, Downtown Minneapolis). One can only imagine how Minneapolis managed to land Ozzy on the most appropriate night of the year--October 31. Ozzy's special guest is Rob Zombie. Tickets run from $49.75 - $89.75. Call TicketMaster at 651-989-5151.