A Haunted Historic Halloween
Celebrate Halloween at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, as it was done over 120 years ago, with many activities, including ghost stories, magic lantern shows and pumpkin carving.19th century Halloween festivities featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief making of all kinds, including removing gates and tripping over shed and outhouses. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go from house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became our "trick or treat" tradition.The Village festivities include:
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Ghost story readings.
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Carving Jack-O-Lanterns.
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Recounting the tales of the local grave-digger (who often fired his musket in the air to keep away spirits).
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A 'modern' Magic Lantern Show about old-time Halloween.
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19th century "monster hunt."
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Touring the haunted habits during a village ghost walk.
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Meeting the local tombstone cutter.The fun takes place Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $7 adults, $5 children 4-14 and seniors. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage. For further information, contact (516) 572-8400 or www.oldbethpage.org.
Old Westbury Gardens' Kooky, Spooky Halloween
Experience Halloween Old Westbury Gardens-style. The old mansion, Westbury House, shows off its "spooky" side; the weekend culminates with Sunday's costume parade for the kids.
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Ancient and Hidden Creatures of Westbury House - Kick off the weekend with a tour of Westbury House and see the many creatures "hidden" in its art, furniture and architecture revealed. A reception on the West Porch follows. Registration is required. Friday, 7 p.m.
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Storytime - Pre-school and kindergarten children can enjoy an hour of holiday-themed stories and activities. Meet at the Ghost Walk. Saturday, 2 p.m.
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Talk and Tour: Mysterious World of Herbs - Learn about some of the ways herbs were used in witches brews, medicinal remedies, and in our modern kitchens. Saturday, 3 p.m.
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Spooky Tales - Join storyteller Elizabeth Rowe at the Ghost Walk for tales of mystery and suspense. Sunday, 2 p.m.
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Halloween Parade and Costume Judging - Bring the kids out for a parade, dressed up in their Halloween finery. This being Old Westbury Gardens, prizes are awarded to the best garden, flower, or plant-theme costume! Sunday, 2-3 p.m. Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. Admission: $10 adults, $8 over 62, $5 children 6-12. For further information, contact (516) 333-0048 or www.oldwestburygardens.org.
Haunted Ship
Wander about the haunted vessel, tall ship H.M.S. Bounty, during its stay in Freeport. Meet with the Captain and his frightening crew, and learn about the famous vessel, a 180-foot square rigger, mutinied in 1789 under Capt. William Bligh.Take the voyage on Saturday and Sunday. Nautical Mile, Woodcleft Ave. Freeport. For further information, contact (516) 377-2314.
Raynham Hall's Holiday Haunting
Take a self-guided ghost tour of Raynham Hall, the former home of the Townsend family, which is reputed to be "the most haunted house on Long Island." Dressed in its fiendish finery, the house has stories to tell about all of its 'unexplained' activities: footsteps, smells, noises and sightings. Visitors are encouraged to wear "ghoulish garb" and children are invited to trick or treat Halloween afternoon, 1-5 p.m.Visit the house Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission: $5 adults, $4 students and seniors, children under six free. Raynham Hall Museum, 20 W. Main St., Oyster Bay. For further information, contact
(516) 922-6808.
Long Island Children's Museum's "Ghostly Gala"
Long Island Children's Museum opens its doors for a 'gloriously gory' Halloween on Sunday evening. The kids can partake of all sorts of hand-on Halloween activities. They'll explore the inside of a spider's head, create spider webs, play Spider Whack, decorate skull cookies, and join the Scary Scavenger Hunt through the exhibit galleries. There are also Halloween cartoons to watch in the LICM Theater.Be part of the fun on Sunday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. No regular admission, just $4 activities fee. 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. For further information, contact (516) 224-5861.
