10 ideas - both frightening and family-friendly - for Halloween
If you want more out of Halloween than a plastic pumpkin filled with bite-size candy bars, you're in luck. We've scared up 10 ideas for Friday - both frightening and family-friendly - that should appeal to a wide range of terror tolerance.
All had availability earlier in the week, but you might want to check on tickets for those events that need them before you head out.
Happy haunting!
<h3 class="leadin">1. Make Mayhem in the Mansion. </h3>
First Folio Theatre makes good use of the atmospheric Mayslake Peabody Estate, at 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook for Mayhem in the Mansion. The evening includes cocktails at 8:30 p.m., tours of the purportedly haunted estate, Halloween-themed activities, a costume contest and a special 11 p.m. viewing of the gothic drama "The Gravedigger." Tickets $65. www.firstfolio.org.
<h3 class="leadin">2. Get spooked.</h3>
Settle in for tales of the supernatural at the Ninth Annual Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. There is a 10:30 a.m. matinee for students, 6:30 p.m. "family-friendly" first act and 8 p.m. spooky second act, recommended for 12 and older. $6-$25. www.geneseetheatre.com.
<h3 class="leadin">3. Mourn the past.</h3>
The tragic life of a former first lady comes to the stage in "The Ghosts of Mary Lincoln" at 7:30 p.m. at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Michelle Tauber stars as Mary Todd Lincoln, a devout spiritualist who was plagued by depression and even spent time in a Batavia asylum. $12-$22. oshows.com.
<h3 class="leadin">4. Trick or treat. </h3>
Take the kids trick or treating at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. From 3 to 7 p.m. the whole family can tour historic buildings while collecting candy in costume. parkfun.com.
<h3 class="leadin">5. Go for the gore. </h3>
There are a number of ghoulish haunted houses in the suburbs - from Rosemont to Round Lake. Think twice about taking younger kids. A full list is at dailyherald.com.
<h3 class="leadin">6. Catch a horror classic. </h3>
Watch the extended director's cut of "The Exorcist" - at midnight at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Admission to what some consider the scariest movie ever made is $5 per person. www.classicscinemas.com.
<h3 class="leadin">7. Head to Fright Fest. </h3>
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee features a number of haunted attractions in addition to the fear factor brought on by its stomach-churning rides. The new Fear Haunted House and Abyss joins past attractions like the Mausoleum of Terror and Wicked Woods at the park, located at 1 Great America Parkway, from 5 to 11 p.m. Park admission starts at $46.99 if purchased in advance; $24.99 wristband provides entry to all haunted attractions. frightfest.sixflags.com/greatamerica.
<h3 class="leadin">8. Take a tour. </h3>
Kevin Frantz leads daring souls on the Official Ghost Tour of Naperville. It starts at 8 p.m. at Central Park, 50 S. Washington St. $25. napervilleghosts.com.
<h3 class="leadin">9. Set sail for the supernatural. </h3>
Seadog Cruises' "haunted" night tour on the Chicago River is led by costumed guides highlighting supernatural occurrences from Chicago's past. Suitable for all ages, tours depart at 6:15 p.m. from Navy Pier. Adults $34.95, children $18.95. seadogcruises.com.
<h3 class="leadin">10. Make it a Flight Night.</h3>
If your family has wanted to give the new iFly indoor sky diving venue a go, the Naperville location, 1752 Freedom Drive, is offering half off for kids 18 and under when they show up in costume. Prices vary, but $34.98 for Halloween Flight Night & Trick-or-Treat. chicagoiflyworld.com.