I always start to get excited when the first cool front blows in, when the sights of orange pumpkins line the grocery store fronts and Friday nights are full of football and cheers! For me, it means Halloween is right around the corner and the excitement begins. Everyone celebrates in different ways, some curl up with friends and watch scary movies, others love hayrides and corn fields and for some its all about the costumes and traditions.
How lucky are we to live in a big city were there are endless creepy, cringe worthy fun Halloween activities. I've combed through what San Antonio has to offer this Halloween season and selected a hand full of what I believe to be the best!
This is a free party along the river with a 1,000 cash prize costume contest, live music by The Lucas Jack Band and the creepiest attraction ever, a river coffin parade. That’s right, ornately decorated creepy coffins start floating down the San Antonio river starting at at 9:00 pm so get there early and be prepared to be spooked!! Click here for more information on the River Walk Halloween Fest
BEWARE, this one is scary!! 13th Floor Haunted House
Voted one Texas best haunted hotels this can frighten even the best adventure seekers. Set in a 105 year old historic hotel and levels and levels of scare floors this haunting draws huge crowds every year. Buy your tickets early to avoid waiting in line. General admission is $24.99, Fast Pass $34.99 cuts your wait time in half and the best option is the Immediate access for $44.99 which gets you to the front of the line. Have fun!
Ghost Tours by Sisters Grimm, Inside The Menger, 204 Alamo Plaza. October 24,25,31 and Nov. 1
This tour is chalk full of tales of San Antonio's past. This is NOT a blood and gore tour but more of a ghostly gathering and historical tale of centuries past. Take your experience a step further and attend The Menger Hotel dinner and "Nightly Ghost Walk" tour. For $60.00 you’ll have a three course candlelight dinner and ghost walk, apparitions not included!. On a normal day The Menger can cause those feeling of jitter bugs but I can’t imagine what a fun night this would be. Limited dates and times so book NOW! Online reviews of Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours were excellent. Click here for more information on Sisters Grimm Tours
Zoo Boo!! San Antonio Zoo, October 30th and Friday the 31st from 6-9 pm
Geared towards the younger crowd but not short of all the things that make a great Halloween experience, including the howls and growls of the zoo animals. Entertainment, games (.50 each), costume contest and lots of candy for trick or treating. $8.00 gets you in and don’t forget to bring your own bag! Click here for more on the Zoo Boo
McNay Art Museum, Thursday Oct. 30th 5:30-10:00 pm
Food trucks, trick or treating on museum grounds and the most exciting part of this experience is the outdoor screening of a 1954 classic, The Creature from the Black Lagoon! This screams FUN! Website didn't mention a price other than the over 21 after party for $15.00 which includes tarot card readings, photo booth and free beer. Click here for more information on the McNay Art Museum
South Texas Maize, Hondo, Texas. Now thru the 31st.
I’m not missing this one! 7 acre corn maize, jumping pillows, corn slides, hayrides (personal favorite) and to complete your visit stay and have a weenie roast and s’more campfire on one of their 20 campsites. They even sell the Weenie Roast packags for a very low cost of $8 each! Bring your friends and family and enjoy a night under the stars singing songs and telling ghost stories! http://southtexasmaize.com/
You can’t talk about Halloween in San Antonio without talking about Dia De Los Muertos.The altars, the orange flowers, the Calaveras and the offerings to those loved ones that have gone. My first experience in seeing the altars was truly emotional. Rich in Mexican culture, San Antonio has Muertas celebrations all over the city and if you haven't seen a parade or altar or the festivities that go into this rich tradition then you haven't experienced what I think is one of Mexico's most treasured celebrations.
Get out there, experience some Halloween fun and start making your own traditions!
