With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, many events to mark the spooky occasion are being planned for the week before, including these places to trick-or-treat around Madison. And while State Street's Freakfest and many haunted houses are geared toward adults, here are three kid-friendly events the whole family can enjoy in Dane County.
"Creatures of the Night" Fall Fest
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, October 27
Where: Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Dr., Monona
Entry: Free to the public (click the website to register)
Activities: Bring a flashlight along for these "not-so-scary" indoor and outdoor activities: hike on torchlit trails, hear spooky stories, roast marshmallows, dress up for a costume parade, meet nocturnal creatures, enjoy autumnal refreshments.
Haunted Trail
When: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, October 28
Where: Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, Madison
Entry: $10 adults, $5 kids ages 12 and under (check website for weather cancellations)
Activities: This fundraiser for the Dane County Humane Society features a kids' trick-or-treat trail from 2-5 p.m. with friendly monsters and villains, followed by an adults-only (ages 13 and up) haunted trail from 6-9 p.m. And don't forget to stop by the shelter to visit the animals!
HOLLOWeen at the Cave
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 28-29
Where: Cave of the Mounds, 2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mounds
Entry: $17.95 adults, $9.95 kids ages 4-12, free kids ages 3 and under with paid adult (for cave tours)
Activities: Dress up in your favorite costume while trick-or-treating for gemstones and fossils in the candlelit cave, go on a scavenger hunt along the trail, and take a free hayride to Brigham County Park.
