This is a great list from the Tennessean for “Family Friendly Halloween Activities”
Boo at the Zoo, formerly Ghouls at Grassmere
Activities: Trick-or-treating, games, bounce house, hay maze, corn pit, photos with a princess, Howl-O-Ween Hayride through the Bubble Tunnel, Grave Matters: The Stories Behind the Stones
When: 5-9 p.m. Fridays-Sundays from Oct. 16-30, plus Oct. 29
Where: Nashville Zoo, 9777 Nolensville Pike
Tickets: $15, $12 for members, free for babies under 2 years old
Details: www.nashvillezoo.org/boo, 615-833-1534
Pumpkinfest
Activities: Church of the City’s Kid Zone, costume contests for humans and pets, live performances, chili cook off, the Great Pumpkin
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 24
Where: Main Street in Historic Downtown Franklin
Tickets: Free
Details: www.historicfranklin.com
More spooky activities: While in Franklin, parents and bigger kids can hear spooky tales on the Grave Matters cemetery tour at 7 p.m. for $5-$15 at 4th Avenue North and North Margin Street. Franklin’s Masonic Hall will also offer haunted tours from 6-10 p.m. for $5 at 115 2nd Ave. S.
Hauntanel
Activities: Haunted Hayride (for all ages), trick-or-treating, The Dead Among Us zombie walking trail (for ages 10 and up), scarecrow contest
When: 7-11 p.m. Oct. 23-24
Where: Fontanel Mansion, 4225 Whites Creek Pike
Tickets: $15
Details: www.hauntanel.com, 615-724-1600
Hauntings at the Hermitage
Activities: Ghost tour of the mansion, Presidential Trick or Treat Trail, haunted hayride through The Hermitage woods
When: 4-10 p.m. Oct. 24
Where: The Hermitage, 4580 Rachel’s Lane
Tickets: $14, $9 for ages 4-12
Details: www.thehermitage.com, 615-889-2941
El Dia de los Muertos at Cheekwood
Activities: See tapete — or colorful “carpet” — contest created by local schools, ofrendas (altars) created by local organizations, live music and dances
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 24
Where: Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive
Tickets: $14, free for children 17 and under and members
Details: www.cheekwood.org, 615-356-8000
Haunted Museum
Activities: Ghost trail through the museum, Tennessee ghost stories, prizes, crafts, drinks, visit to see the 3,500-year-old mummy and mummified cat
When: noon-4 p.m. Oct. 24
Where: Tennessee State Museum, 505 Deaderick Street
Tickets: Free
Details:www.tnmuseum.org, 615-741-2692
Booville and Halloscream
Activities: Booville: Hay bale maze, bounce houses, crafts, costume contest, storytelling, trick-or-treat trail, games, Tennessee’s largest Frankenstein. Trail of Terror: Zombies, crazy clowns, insane scientists, and evil spirits. Haunted Hayride: Backwoods killers, freak show clowns and werewolves.
When: Booville is noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October; Halloscream is 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. Sundays in October and Nov. 1
Where: Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Road
Tickets: $15 Trail of Terror, $25 Trail of Terror and Haunted Hayride, $5.99 Booville
Details: www.nashvillehalloscream.com, 615-889-7050
Note: Costumes are allowed in Booville, but not allowed in Halloscream
Activities: Experiments with disappearing and reappearing dye and color-changing fire, a pumpkin powder keg and more.
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 31
Where: Adventure Science Museum, 800 Fort Negley Blvd.
Tickets: $14, $11 for ages 2-12
Details:www.adventuresci.org, 615-862-5160
Trick or Treat with the Nashville Symphony
Activities: Halloween-themed concert by the Nashville Symphony, playing Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter, Edward Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King and music from Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. Pre-concert activities include crafts, story nook and instrument petting zoo.
When: 11 a.m. Oct. 31
Where: Schermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place
Tickets: $23-$28, $14-$19 for children 17 and under
Details:www.nashvillesymphony.org, 615-687-6400
Twisted Tennessee: Two Sides to Every Tale
Activities: Tour of the historic home to hear two sides of true Tennessee stories, from child axe murderer Mary Doherty to the death of Meriwether Lewis.
When: 6-10 p.m. Oct. 23
Where: Travellers Rest, 636 Farrell Pkwy
Tickets: $10, $5 ages 5-9, free for children 4 and under
Details:www.travellersrestplantation.org, 615-832-8197
