New York Scary: Halloween in the City

Like a ghost, Halloween is slowly creeping up on us. While many of us Fordham girls spent our teenage years in the suburbs and knew that Halloween lawn decorations signaled the beginning of the spooky season, we now only have our calendars to remind us of Halloween. Nevertheless, there are tons of events—besides Halloween parties—to get us in the Halloween spirit.
 
Here’s a short list of suggestions for having a spooktacular Halloween:
 

Visit the Bronx Zoo
Every October, the Bronx Zoo holds its “Boo at the Zoo” event and decorates the zoo with Halloween decorations. My friend and I just took advantage of the Bronx Zoo’s free admission Wednesdays and went to the zoo to see all of the cute animals. The Bronx Zoo usually puts pumpkins in each of the animal exhibits, so an added bonus, we got to see the cute animals try to carve (read: eat) the pumpkins.
 
Shop for Costumes on Fordham Road
Without a doubt, a Fordham girl can buy almost anything on Fordham Road. Rather than buy a generic costume, Fordham girls can shop on Fordham road and make a one-of-a-kind creations. Plus, if you decided to buy a dress from Fordham Road to use as your Halloween costume, you may be able to reuse that dress later in the year and save some money.  Several stores on Fordham Road give students discounts, so be sure to ask each store if it is Fordham Friendly.
 
Find a Haunted House
While New York City is definitely known for its theater district, it also has its share of haunted houses. Since actors usually intern at these houses, the performances are on point and super scary.  Fordham students can go to the famous “Nightmare: Fairy Tales: America’s #1 Haunted House” or if they are super daring “Blackout Haunted House” to get a good scare just in time for Halloween.
 
Eat at the Jekyll and Hyde Club
Go to Manhattan and grab some dinner at the Jekyll and Hyde Club on Avenue of the Americas. While this restaurant is open year round and serves food while amusing its patrons with live shows and a talking Zeus decoration (seriously, there is a large rotating Zeus statue in the middle to of the restaurant that “talks” customers), it has a special program designed for Halloween. While at the restaurant, a Fordham girl can explore the numerous floors of this building and pretend to be part of Jekyll and Hyde.
 
Attend the Village Halloween Parade
At one point, every New Yorker should visit the Village Halloween Parade.  During my freshmen year, a group of my friends and I took the subway to the village and watched the parade. While the parade will—without a doubt—be super packed, it will also be filled with people wearing avant-garde and unique costumes. If you go to the parade, be sure to take tons of pictures of all of the “interesting” costumes you see. When I went, I remember seeing a bunch of guys dressed up as bananas descending the stairs of their brownstone. Naturally, my friends and I immediately asked to take a picture with these guys. So, be sure to visit the Village parade and take tons of pictures so you will not fall victim to the phrase “pics or it didn’t happen.”
 
Go to Six Flags’ Fright Fest
If you live for an adrenaline rush and like roller coasters, be sure to join CAB for its trip to Six Flags Great Adventure. Fright Fest is only around until October 30^th, so be sure to go before it is too late.
 
Get Halloween Candy
Walk over to Walgreens with your roommates and buy Halloween candy for your room. Just because you will not have trick-or-treaters coming to your door does not mean you should not buy some Halloween sweets. If candy is not your thing, you can always go to a bakery on Arthur Ave and get Halloween-inspired baked goods. Remember, Palombo’s gives Fordham students a discount, so if you decide to buy baked goods, be sure to bring your ID.