With the subtle change in weather signaling that it’s autumn, to the wide array of pumpkin spice products and candy and costumes gracing the aisles of our local stores or nearby Starbucks, the Halloween season is known to be upon us. Along with novelty traditions to remind us that it’s Halloween, many events are being hosted throughout the town in celebration of this spooky occasion. In and near the city of Las Vegas, here are some activities to do that can help get you into the Halloween spirit both on and off the UNLV campus.
Pumpkin Painting with UNLV’s Student Organization Resource Center
The Student Organization Resource Center at UNLV is hosting a pumpkin painting session on-campus on Oct. 24 in Room 305 at UNLV’s Student Union. Attendees will have the opportunity to paint wooden pumpkins and learn more about the resource center and what it can provide as resources to UNLV’s Registered Student Organizations.
Halloween Maze with UNLV’s Comedy N Entertainment Club
A Halloween Maze event will take place on Oct. 26 as an off-campus event and adventure located on Flamingo and Durango, hosted by UNLV’s Comedy N Entertainment Club. KTNV Channel 13 describes the Halloween Maze to be “a heart-pounding experience [that] challenges brave souls to find their way out while [being] haunted by eerie characters.” There are student-discounted tickets that are available for purchase at https://luvseats.com/productions/501446.
Mini-golf with UNLV University Libraries
UNLV University Libraries will be hosting a mini-golf event on Oct. 31. Attendees can partake in a Halloween-themed mini-golf course and also help themselves to some candy. This event will be located on-campus in the Amargosa Room at UNLV’s Lied Library.
Asylum and Hotel Fear Haunted Houses
Hotel Fear and Asylum, considered to be two of Las Vegas’ most popular haunted houses, have returned for the Halloween season. This pair of haunted houses are located at Meadows Mall and have been around as attractions in Las Vegas since 1999. As Vegas Haunted Houses puts it, “The Asylum and Hotel Fear are as they share an interlinked storyline. It is basically one large story shared between the two attractions which has been updated to reflect the Asylum rebuild.” They have been recognized by both Forbes and Buzzfeed, with Buzzfeed listing them as one of twenty-five haunted houses to check out in 2016.
Moapa Valley Corn Maze
Are you looking for something different from the nightlife of Las Vegas to celebrate the spooky season? Only 40 minutes outside of Las Vegas is the Moapa Valley Corn Maze. The site is welcome for all ages, featuring a day corn maze, a haunted corn maze, zombie paintball, haunted hayride and much more. The haunted corn maze is perfect for those looking for an organic scare. The Moapa Valley Corn Maze describes the haunted maze experience on its website, “It will be dark, abnormally loud and quiet, the rustling of the stocks is unsettling and the thought of someone jumping out of the stocks is unnerving.” The Moapa Corn Valley Maze schedule varies so make sure to plan ahead by checking out its calendar. The price per person is $12, but packages with additional activities vary so check its website for more information.
Escape IT
Big fan of horror movies? October is the perfect time to experience the most immersive and detailed escape room in Las Vegas. Escape IT features two multi-room escape experiences that immerse the guests in the world of the highest-grossing horror film of all time, “IT.” The experience spans over 30,000 square feet and has two different “chapters” to choose from, “IT Chapter 1” and “IT Chapter 2.” Escape IT is open Wednesday to Sunday, but hours vary and online reservations are required. General public tickets are $54.99 for an hour, while the private VIP experience tickets are $74.99.
Gilcrease Orchard
Did you buy your pumpkins for your pumpkin carving activities yet? If not, go get them fresh off the vines at Gilcrease Orchard. The family-owned farm is featuring a fall harvest for the month of October with fresh pumpkins, apples and more. While you are there, don’t miss out on the tasty apple cider and donuts the orchard has to offer. The Gilcrease Orchard is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there is free entrance, but on Saturdays and Sundays, tickets are required. It is $5 a ticket per person, but 5-year-olds and under are free.
The Haunted Museum
If you’re really brave, you may be looking for a more authentic haunted experience this October. Look no further than The Haunted Museum. Ranked by USA Today as the #1 most haunted destination in America, The Haunted Museum is a museum full of haunted artifacts in a building that has had multiple reports of paranormal activity. Executive producer of “Ghost Adventures” Zak Bagans opened the museum for those looking for a more up-close and personal experience of the paranormal. The Haunted Museum tickets are $54 per person, and if you want to upgrade the scare to the “Late Flashlight Ghost Tour Experience,” then it is $204 per person. Hours vary and booking online is recommended.
Parade of Mischief
Grab the family and get in the spirit of the spooky season with Downtown Summerlin’s “Parade of Mischief.” It is free to the public and features performance actors, floats and more. The parade will take place every Friday and Saturday during the month of October from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
