It’s finally that time of year again. College students across the country are gearing up for what is arguably the most fun holiday of the year – Halloween. Whether you’re a freshman who has just moved to the northeast, or a senior who has been here for the past three years, autumn in New England never loses its magic. While Tufts students do occasionally take advantage of the school’s proximity to Boston, a number of us tend to stick close to our beloved campus. Traditional college Halloween parties are undoubtedly fun, but there are a number of wonderful nearby off-campus Halloween activities that we at HerCampus want to encourage you to explore! So grab some friends, put on your brave face, and check out these spooky sites to help get you excited for the big 31st!
1. Salem: Famous for its 17th century witch trials, it’s no surprise this scary town is at the top of our list. A mere half-hour from Tufts, Salem is the perfect spot for a day trip with friends! While you’re there, be sure to check out the Festival of the Dead, explore the Salem Witch Museum, and stop by the Witch House to hear some Eerie Evening-Tales. And remember, you can’t visit Salem without attending an authentic séance run by true spirit mediums at the Omen Psychic Parlor & Witchcraft Emporium. If you’re lucky, maybe you will leave Salem having re-connected with your loved ones who are on the other side.
(You can also check out www.festivalofthedead.com for more information!)
2. Ghosts and Gravestones: Boston Frightseeing Tour. As one of the oldest and most historic cities in the country, Boston has racked up its fair share of haunted cites over its 482-year-long history. Warning: After learning about Boston’s secret, sordid past on one of these evening “frightseeing” tours, your next night out in the city may be a little eerier than usual!
3. Spooky World/Nightmare New England (Litchfield, NH): New England’s largest self-proclaimed “screampark,” the Spooky World experience is well worth its short hour-long drive from Tufts. Known for its haunted Brigham Manor, House of Eternal Darkness, and Raven’s Claw cemetery walk, Spooky World practically requires you to bring a cute boy to protect you.
4. Halloween PubCrawl Boston: Dress up for a night to remember (or not remember… ) and head into the city to hit 29 of Boston’s hottest bars for the city’s annual Halloween PubCrawl. (Must be 21+).
5. Boston Hill Farm (North Andover, MA): Looking for a seasonal excuse to take just one Sunday afternoon away from Club Tisch? Grab some friends and jump in the car to make this short half-hour drive north for a true taste of autumn in New England. Whether you choose to spend the day apple-picking, in the pumpkin patch searching for the perfect Jack-O-Lantern, or taking one of the farm’s famous hay rides, one thing is for sure: a day at Boston Hill Farm will transport you back to a time before midterms and job applications, and make you feel like a kid again!
Photos courtesy of: the websites above, bestclipartblog.com, google.com