Ghosts and goblins often run amok on the streets of Boise this time of year.
Halloween has taken a bit of a different look this year as we all try to maintain a safe social distance amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
There are still plenty of fun ways to ramp up for Halloween in Boise this year. You just may have to buy tickets in advance and adjust the way we have done things in the past.
Let's take a look:
BOO AT NIGHT
Zoo Boise
October 15-18, 22-25 and 29-31
The Zoo is adjust the nightly Boo at the Zoo event to make sure there's still a fun event. It's a "merry-not-scary" festival for the whole family with candy stations, costume and pumpkin-decorating contests, zoo keeper chats and much more. The whole zoo will be decorated and lit up for Halloween.
Tickets must be purchased in advance to reserve a time slot. The Zoo also requires face coverings or masks be worn by everyone older than two years of age.
LINDER FARMS FALL FESTIVAL
Linder Farms, Meridian
Linder Farms is going ahead with its corn maze, featuring four different paths, including The Farm Treasure Hunt and The Farm Monster Mystery. The farm will also host hayrides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin sling shot and so much more. There won’t be any bounce houses or the corn box this year to maintain social distancing guidelines but Linder Farms has added more hayrides. Masks are required for the hayrides and requested in places where social distancing cannot be maintained.
FIELD OF SCREAMS
Lowe Family Farmstead, Kuna
The Lowe Family Farmstead goes all out with their after-dark corn maze. I dare you to make it through and not feel your heart jump a few times into your throat. The Field of Screams is open from dark to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in October. You must purchase tickets in advance.
The farmstead also has the Dog Show, a daytime maze celebrating our pooches; a Mini Maize that's easier to navigate for the littles; a Food Truck Rally on October 23; and pig races every weekday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Don't miss Candy in the Corn on Halloween day, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's safe and fun trick-or-treating at the farm.
THE HAUNTED WORLD
Caldwell
Idaho's scariest and largest haunted attraction returns for its 21st year. The spooky experience encompasses 35 acres of frights and jumps. There's the Haunted World, a frightening cornfield that wends its way underground to a dungeon of torture; Skullvania, a hostel asylum gone wrong; and the Corn Maze, 15 acres of paths to get lost in.
The Haunted World sells tickets for dusk to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from dusk to midnight on weekends. It is closed on Sundays.
Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended.
THE MONSTER MILE & FREAKY 5K
Virtual
Don your freakiest costume and go for a run. The UMCA is holding its Halloween 5K virtually this year, which means you can do it on your own route or use one of the spooktacular courses from years past. Your race fee still includes a finisher's T-shirt.
PARANORMAL PRISON
Old Idaho Penitentiary
The Idaho State Historical Society is modifying its Halloween program this year. Instead of offering the Frightened Felons weekend of thrills, haunted cells and ghost stories, they're holding smaller-scale events. The Paranormal Prison, a movie filmed at the penitentiary, will premiere with screenings October 23 and 24 from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Filmgoers can explore the site and feast on concessions. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
SCARECROW STROLL
Idaho Botanical Garden
All October long, the Garden is hanging super scary scarecrows and you can vote on your favorites. The scarecrows are created by schools, businesses and individuals from the local community. There will also be a pumpkin patch and a straw maze. Don't miss Spooky Stories on October 24, brought to you by Storyfort and the Old Idaho Penitentiary, and the Halloween Costume Parade on October 31.
GO GET SPOOKED
While some of our favorite events have been canceled or altered amid the pandemic, there's still plenty of fun to find for Halloween in Boise.
If you go to one of the events listed above, let us know on our Facebook page whether you peed your pants or not. Feel free to share an event we don't know about, too.
