Thinking about what costume to wear on Halloween can cause more stress than it’s worth. Skip the drama! Instead of breaking the bank this year to find or create the best costume, try these alternatives this Halloweekend to celebrate the spooky holiday. All costs listed do not include transportation costs.
1. Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America
Cost: $46.99-$65.99 plus some spending money for food and souvenirs
At night, Six Flags Great America is transformed into a spooky wonderland for things that go bump in the night. Creatures and monsters rove through the entire park, looking for people to scare. In addition to operating all of the roller coasters, Six Flags opens six haunted attractions for added scares. If roller coasters aren’t for you, most of their other popular attractions are open. It’s a great time for those who love roller coasters and to be scared silly. If you’re looking for something tamer, this may not be the outing for you. Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America is probably at the top end of most college students’ budgets, but well worth the money. There are two options for tickets: one-time entry at $46.99 online or a 2017 season pass at $65.99, which includes your entrance to the park that night and all future visits to Six Flags. Halloween weekend is the last weekend you can attend Fright Fest so make sure to check it out!
2. Walking Ghost Tour
Cost: Free! Just need to reserve a tour ahead of time.
College students love free things, so take advantage of this opportunity! This free walking tour takes you around haunted areas of Chicago, including stops at the Congress Hotel, Death Alley and Chicago’s old Red Light District. While the tour company advises that there’s more history and humor involved in these tours then actual haunting, it’s a great opportunity to learn a little more about Chicago’s rich history. Tours are available on Friday, Saturday and Halloween. They last about two hours and the total distance walked is just over one mile.
3. Scarefest 2016
Cost: $3 per movie ticket
Scarefest 2016 is a scary movie festival hosted by The New 400 Theaters in Rogers Park. At only $3 per movie ticket and $20 for an all-access pass, it’s not a bad way to spend your Halloween night. Titles that will be shown during this weekend include “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” “The Grudge” and “The Exorcist.” While you could probably have a cozy movie night in with friends or significant other, there’s nothing like sitting in the dark with a bunch of strangers watching old horror movies. It somehow makes the experience creepier.
4. Great Room Escape
Cost: $39.95 per online ticket
The Great Room Escape is available year-round, but it becomes extra spooky during Halloween time with its zombie room theme. If you haven’t heard of the Great Room Escape, it’s a game designed for a large group of people that are locked in a room. Once in the room, they have a time limit and must discover a way to exit the room by solving riddles and clues hidden in the room. In the zombie room, participants are racing against a zombie whose restraints become looser every minute that ticks by. If the zombie room seems too scary for you, there’s a Houdini room. Similar to the zombie room, you race against the clock to escape the room by solving puzzles to connect Houdini’s wife with him beyond the grave. Either room you choose, this is an experience that is sure to get your brain thinking and heart pumping.
5. Halloween at Navy Pier
Cost: Free! But bring some spending money for shopping and attraction tickets
Navy Pier is a must-see when you’re new to the city of Chicago, and what better way to experience it then at Halloween time? This Halloween weekend Navy Pier is hosting several events, including a free screening of the “Addams Family” in Polk Bros. Park, Amazing Chicago’s Haunted Maze and Halloween fireworks on Saturday night. If you haven’t yet seen the free firework shows at Navy Pier, make a trip downtown to see them before they go away for the winter! Navy Pier also has fun souvenir shops and great restaurants, so there’s never a dull moment at Navy Pier.