There’s a chill in the air . . . and little ghosts and goblins everywhere are on the hunt for a good scare! These haunted trails, haunted hayrides, and haunted houses range from cute to scary, so be sure to pay attention to age recommendations.
If you have younger or spook-sensitive kiddos, be sure to look for events offering daytime or special scare-free times as well. Some lean more into the Halloween theme, while others are a bit more seasonally fall focused.
This article is sponsored by The Arboretum of South Barrington and Wood Dale Park District.
Scarewalk with Family-Friendly Hour and Active Scare Hours
Get ready for a night of thrills, chills, and Halloween fun at ScareWalk! Join Wood Dale Park District at White Oaks Park for a spooky journey filled with mystery, excitement, and surprises around every turn. Explore the walk and see what awaits as pumpkins glow, witches take flight, and Halloween comes to life!
For younger children and families, the Family Friendly Hour from 5:00–6:00pm offers a lighter, less-scary experience and is recommended for ages 10 and younger. Active Scare Hours run from 6:30–8:30pm for those looking for more thrills and frights.
Tickets are $6 per person when purchased in advance or $8 per person at the event. Pre-sale tickets are available at wdparks.org through October 16 at noon. Please note that all lines close 30 minutes before the event ends, so guests must be in line by 8:00pm. No refunds or rain checks.
Duchess Manor Haunted House
Step inside Duchess Manor, a haunting experience at The Arboretum of South Barrington, where the mysterious Duchess and her decaying estate come to life.
Families with younger children can explore the manor during special Lights On Walkthroughs, offered Saturdays and Sundays from 2–5 PM. With the lights on and no live scare actors, kids can take in the rooms, eerie decorations and spooky surprises at a gentler pace. It is a fun way for curious young Halloween fans to experience a haunted house without the intensity of the Full Scare attraction.
Guests looking for a bigger fright can return Friday through Sunday evenings from 7–11 PM, when Duchess Manor transforms into an immersive haunted experience filled with darkness, live actors and unexpected scares.
Duchess Manor is open September 19 through November 1 at The Arb and offers both family-friendly daytime fun and spine-chilling nighttime thrills for guests of all ages.
Haunted Trails and Other Spooky Events
Parental discretion is always recommended. If you’re unsure whether a particular event or venue listed below is age-appropriate for your kids, call ahead!
Haunted Houses
Please note that some of these haunted houses do not allow children or may be very scary, while others host family-friendly times. Check out the websites, call if you have questions, and use your parental discretion.
Universal Horror Unleashed is expected to open in 2027 and will be a 114,000 square foot attraction open all year round. From what we’ve seen, it’s going to be too intense for young children, but we’ll add more details as they become available.
Haunted Boat Rides
Chicago Boat Company offers a 120 Minute Public Guided Ghost Tour on a party barge. It departs from the Chicago Riverwalk at between the LaSalle Street and Wells Street bridges.
Last year, City Cruises’ Seadog Haunted Halloween Boat Tour is 45 minutes and boards on the River Esplanade just outside NBC Tower. Check their site for 2026 details!
There are so many fun events happening this fall to keep your entire family happy. Check out our excellent fall fun list for all the best ones!
