You’ll find New York’s historic sites like Rolling Hills Asylum and Lily Dale Assembly transform into vibrant community gathering spaces each October, hosting paranormal investigations, spiritual demonstrations, and heritage tours that’ve preserved local history for generations. These locations—including Saratoga Springs’ Revolutionary War streets and sites along the statewide Haunted History Trail—welcome you to experience authentic ghost walks, seasonal festivals, and preservation-minded events that honor both the departed and the communities they left behind. The following destinations offer year-round opportunities to connect with this living history.
Key Takeaways
- Lily Dale Assembly hosts Fall Fest annually in October, featuring ghost walks, spirit photography, and paranormal demonstrations at its historic spiritual center.
- Rolling Hills Asylum offers October paranormal programs including ghost hunts, shadow cast performances, and historic tours at the 60,000-square-foot facility.
- Saratoga Springs provides guided ghost tours May through November, exploring Revolutionary War sites, haunted landmarks, and historic battlefields with paranormal stories.
- Historic sites like Yaddo Gardens, Deepwells Mansion, and Hyde Hall host paranormal investigations and seasonal events throughout New York State.
- The Haunted History Trail connects over 80 statewide locations offering year-round paranormal investigations, seasonal tours, and heritage exploration opportunities.
Lily Dale Assembly Fall Fest and Spiritualist Community Gatherings
Since 1879, Lily Dale Assembly has stood as the world’s largest center for spiritual development, where centuries-old traditions continue to draw visitors seeking connection with the Spiritualist community. This 19th-century lakeside village preserves its ghost town heritage through authentic gatherings at historic venues like the Inspiration Stump and Octagon.
You’ll find Fall Fest (October 24-26, 2025) offering Historical Ghost Walks, spirit photography sessions, and table tipping experiences—all without gate fees. The spiritualist community welcomes you to explore mediumship demonstrations, psychic phenomena research, and healing practices that’ve flourished here for over 130 years. The festival also features Music and Movement for Toddlers, engaging young families in the community’s seasonal celebrations.
Whether you’re attending the September Funfest’s $20 mini readings or October’s orb photography workshops, you’re participating in living history where spiritual freedom remains the foundation. Ghost Walk tours begin at 8:00 pm from the Lily Dale Auditorium and continue for 2-3 hours through historic locations, focusing on spirit awareness rather than traditional ghost hunts.
Rolling Hills Asylum’s October Commitment Events in East Bethany
At 11001 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany, Rolling Hills Asylum preserves nearly 60,000 square feet of documented history spanning over two centuries—from its 1800s origins as a poorhouse through its transformations into an infirmary, orphanage, and nursing home.
With over 1,700 deaths recorded and two William G. Pomeroy Foundation historical markers recognizing its significance, the facility now opens its doors for Paranormal Investigations throughout October. The asylum has been featured on numerous paranormal TV shows, drawing investigators seeking encounters with shadow figures, disembodied voices, and cold spots in its haunted halls. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled tours or hunts.
You’ll find diverse programming that honors this Haunted History:
- Shopping with the Spirits Vendor Fair (October 5) featuring psychics, artisans, and mini tours
- Self-guided Ghost Hunts (October 10-11) with crew assistance through the Morgue and Shadow Hallway
- NY Path Thru History Tours (October 11-12) from 2-4pm
- Rocky Horror Picture Show (October 12) with live shadow cast
Saratoga Springs Historic Ghost Tours Along Revolutionary War Streets
You’ll walk the same Revolutionary War-era streets where Continental soldiers once marched, now preserved as the backdrop for Saratoga Springs’ seasonal ghost tours.
The city’s Victorian heritage comes alive through stories of its mineral springs era, when grand hotels and gambling houses drew both the elite and the unfortunate.
These historic walking tours run from May through mid-November, connecting you with the community’s carefully preserved past through 90-minute journeys that honor both the living history and the lingering spirits.
Expert guides blend authentic historical facts with paranormal tales at notable landmarks including Congress Park and cemeteries, creating an engaging atmosphere that appeals to history enthusiasts and ghost story lovers alike.
The Canfield Casino in Congress Park offers specialized tours that have gained recognition after being featured on Ghost Hunters, where visitors explore the 19th-century building’s shadowy halls and encounter its documented paranormal phenomena.
Revolutionary War Historical Significance
While modern Saratoga Springs thrives as a Victorian spa city, its Revolutionary War roots run deep through cobblestone streets where history’s most pivotal American victory unfolded. The 1777 Revolutionary battles transformed these grounds into hallowed territory where American independence became reality rather rather than a dream.
You’ll discover military strategy that changed world history through these preserved landmarks:
- Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights battlefields where General Horatio Gates’s forces defeated British General John Burgoyne’s invasion
- Boot Monument honoring Benedict Arnold’s critical charges without naming the future traitor
- Surrender grounds where Britain’s entire army capitulated on October 17, 1777
- Philip Schuyler House witnessing the campaign that secured French alliance
This victory didn’t just defeat enemies—it convinced France to recognize American independence, shifting momentum toward freedom’s triumph. The battle’s total 1,465 casualties included 330 American and 1,135 British losses during the September 19, 1777 engagement that proved pivotal for American independence efforts. The park’s Visitors Center offers a 20-minute historical film alongside fiber-optic light maps and artifact displays that bring this turning point in American history to life.
Mineral Springs Victorian Heritage
Beyond battlefields where independence was won, Saratoga Springs earned its enduring fame through bubbling mineral waters that transformed this Revolutionary War site into America’s premier Victorian spa destination.
You’ll discover mineral springs that attracted health-seekers for centuries, from Native Americans honoring Manitou’s healing waters to Gilded Age elite seeking therapeutic “cures.”
The town’s Victorian architecture preserves this heritage—restored Broadway buildings showcase equine statues and period storefronts, while Canfield Casino stands as testimony to high-society gambling.
Today’s Victorian Streetwalk honors this legacy, letting you explore preserved landmarks where carbonated springs still flow freely.
These unique springs formed from Paleozoic fissures, creating the only naturally carbonated mineral waters east of the Rockies.
State conservation efforts saved these treasures from industrial extinction, transforming threatened resources into Saratoga Spa State Park‘s protected cultural heritage that you’re free to experience.
The National Museum of Dance, housed in a former bathhouse, celebrates the city’s cultural significance beyond its spa heritage.
Seasonal April Through November
As twilight descends over Saratoga Springs’ Revolutionary War-era streets, 90-minute guided ghost tours resurrect the spirits who’ve never left their historic battlegrounds. Operating Fridays and Saturdays at 7 PM from May through mid-November, these walking experiences blend historical reenactments with Victorian ghost stories across less than one mile of haunted terrain.
Your seasonal journey includes:
- Saratoga Battlefield – where green lights and soldier voices echo 1777 conflicts
- Canfield Casino – Ghost Hunters’ featured location in Congress Park
- Yaddo Gardens – Native American battle site with child laughter and white-clad apparitions
- Devil’s Chair – legendary haunted stone with ancient tales
At $22 per person (seniors $15, students $10), you’ll discover authentic scandals and tragedies while preserving community heritage through storytelling that honors those who shaped this ground.
Albany’s Year-Round Paranormal Walking Tour Circuit
Though Albany stands as New York’s seat of government rather than an abandoned settlement, its historic downtown has cultivated a thriving year-round paranormal tour circuit that rivals any ghost town’s seasonal offerings. You’ll find multiple operators conducting spectral sightings investigations from March through October, with peak programming during autumn months.
The New York State Capitol Building anchors most routes, where paranormal investigations have documented three distinct spirits and phantom whispers echoing through marble halls. You can choose from Viator’s 7:00 pm small-group walks, US Ghost Adventures’ Capitol-focused expeditions, or Discover Albany’s private appointments.
Virtual lectures run continuously, while self-guided Questo app tours let you explore independently. October brings concentrated programming, including free Capitol Hauntings Tours and two-hour downtown walks departing at multiple evening times, ensuring accessibility for diverse schedules.
Long Island’s RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns in Wheatley Heights
You’ll find Long Island’s autumn heritage alive at Wheatley Heights, where the RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns transforms Usdan Summer Camp’s woods into a celebration of seasonal artistry. This family-friendly spectacle features over 10,000 illuminated objects—including 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns and 3,000 specialty lanterns—that honor traditional Halloween craftsmanship while bringing the community together.
Now in its 12th season, this preservation of fall traditions runs 21 select nights from October 3 through November 1, 2025, offering your family a connection to Long Island’s most beloved seasonal gathering.
10,000 Illuminated Seasonal Display
While Wheatley Heights may seem quiet most of the year, each autumn transforms this Long Island hamlet into a glowing destination that draws thousands to witness America’s longest jack o’lantern trail.
At Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, you’ll discover a sprawling campus illuminated by over 10,000 handcrafted objects celebrating traditional pumpkin artistry.
This magnificent lantern parade features:
- 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns, each uniquely designed by skilled artisans
- 3,000 specialty lanterns crafted specifically for Halloween-themed displays
- 100+ pound prizewinner pumpkins from Pennsylvania and New York farms
- Self-guided pathways allowing you to explore at your own pace
Operating select October nights through early November, this timed-entry experience preserves seasonal traditions while fostering community gathering in an accessible, family-friendly environment with complimentary parking.
Family-Friendly Halloween Spectacle
The RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns has anchored Long Island’s autumn heritage for twelve seasons, establishing Wheatley Heights as a celebrated gathering place where traditional pumpkin carving meets contemporary spectacle.
You’ll discover over 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns illuminating Usdan Summer Camp‘s woodland trails, each crafted on-site by dedicated artisan teams working from mid-September through October.
The event welcomes all ages through 21 select evenings from October 3 to November 1, 2025, starting at 6:30pm. You’re free to explore this rain-or-shine celebration in spooky costumes while experiencing hundreds of themed displays featuring prizewinning 100+ pound pumpkins transformed into original designs.
Advanced tickets ($25 for ages 3-17, $35 for adults) secure your access, with promotional codes offering up to 50% off select timeslots.
Deepwells Haunted Mansion Psychic Medium Events in Saint James
Built around 1845 as a Greek Revival agricultural estate, Deepwells Mansion stands as one of Long Island’s most historically significant—and paranormally active—properties. Located at 2 Taylor Lane in Saint James, this National Register site attracts mediums and psychics year-round who conduct spirit communication sessions within its reportedly haunted walls.
The mansion’s paranormal reputation makes it ideal for:
- Mediumship demonstrations led by experienced practitioners
- Historical investigations connecting past residents to present activity
- Community gatherings exploring the property’s supernatural legacy
- Educational programs blending local heritage with paranormal research
Operated by Deepwells Farm Historical Society, you’ll find this Suffolk County treasure accessible via LIE Exit 56N. Contact 631-862-2808 for event details.
The estate’s eerie atmosphere and documented spiritual activity create authentic experiences for those seeking unexplained phenomena.
Haunted History Trail Locations Across New York State Regions
Spanning from Niagara’s thundering falls to the Hudson Valley’s misty highlands, New York’s Haunted History Trail connects over 80 heritage sites where documented paranormal activity intersects with architectural preservation.
You’ll discover Rolling Hills Asylum in East Bethany, where ghostly legends attracted “Ghost Adventures” investigators, and Hyde Hall‘s 1800s mansion in Cooperstown, where George Clarke’s footsteps still echo through National Historic Landmark halls.
The Finger Lakes region offers the 1826 William Phelps General Store and the 1890 House Museum, while the Hudson Valley features the unique Armour-Stiner Octagon House with its lady in white.
Fort Ontario rounds out your journey through the 1,000 Islands-Seaway region. Each location maintains authentic period architecture while honoring haunted folklore through guided investigations, seasonal tours, and preservation-centered programming you can explore year-round.
Bayville Scream Park and North Shore Haunted Attractions
On Long Island’s North Shore, Bayville honors its pirate heritage through the annual transformation of Bayville Adventure Park into Scream Park.
There, the Bay Family’s ghostly legends animate five to six haunted attractions from September through November.
You’ll experience immersive environments like Bloodworth Haunted Mansion and Uncle Needle’s Fun House of Fear, where professional scare-actors bring the village’s 1859 founding stories to life. This occurs during evening hours and family-friendly daytime sessions.
This preservation of local folklore creates Long Island’s largest haunted house event, connecting visitors to the area’s historical roots.
It also supports the family-owned venue that’s served the community since 2006.
Multiple Haunted Attraction Venues
While traditional ghost towns preserve their history through静 stillness, Long Island’s seasonal haunted attractions breathe temporary life into ordinary spaces each October.
Bayville Scream Park transforms an adventure park into a Halloween destination featuring multiple immersive experiences. You’ll encounter four distinct haunted houses alongside outdoor trails and hay rides, creating a Haunted Carnival atmosphere without corporate restrictions.
The community-centered venue includes:
- Bloodworth Haunted Mansion – cobweb-filled legacy horror with chainsaw characters
- Uncle Needle’s Fun House of Fear – neon-lit circus featuring disorienting illusions
- The Cage – containment breach with infected experiments hunting visitors
- Temple of Terror – ancient tomb maze with undead guardians
Beyond scares, you’ll find themed restaurants, secret bars, and Ghostly Parades of costumed performers. With 1,860+ reviews, this independently-operated attraction demonstrates how seasonal events preserve Halloween traditions.
Seasonal Operating Hours Schedule
From late September through early November, Bayville Scream Park operates on a dual schedule that accommodates both family explorers and thrill-seeking night visitors.
You’ll find Not-So-Scary Days running Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM, where families can experience toned-down attractions, pumpkin patches, and mini golf without intense frights.
Evening hours begin at 7 PM with closing times varying from 10 PM to 1 AM depending on your selected time slot.
The park honors spooky traditions through November, including special Glow Stick Fright Nights on November 7-8.
You’re free to don Halloween costumes during daytime visits, creating an authentic seasonal atmosphere.
Ticket prices range from $35.75 to $59.75, increasing as event dates approach.
This flexible scheduling preserves community access while maintaining the historic spirit of seasonal Halloween celebrations.
Interactive Scare Experience Features
As you cross into Bayville Scream Park’s attraction grounds, five distinct haunted houses preserve the theatrical traditions that once defined traveling carnival sideshows and regional fairground entertainment.
You’ll encounter live scare-actors working alongside animatronics to recreate immersive horror narratives—from Bayville Asylum’s psychiatric terror to Uncle Needle’s Funhouse, where 3D glasses transform each haunted maze into disorienting neon nightmares.
Interactive elements include:
- Gelly ball monster attacks letting you fire gel projectiles at targets throughout designated zones
- Zombie axe throwing competitions restricted to adults with real axes and score tracking
- Ghostly illusions in Temple of Terror’s hieroglyphic tomb environments
- Total darkness experiences during Glow Stick Fright Nights with one glow stick per group
Each attraction respects regional entertainment heritage while offering autonomous exploration paths.
Spooky Fest Haunted Woods Walk at The Center for Science
For twenty-five years, the Center for Science, Teaching & Learning has transformed Tanglewood Preserve into a beloved October tradition that brings Rockville Centre together while supporting science education and animal rescue.
You’ll find two distinct experiences at this haunted attraction: the adrenaline-pumping Spooky Woods with zombie robotic dinosaurs and monsters, or the family-friendly Enchanted Walk featuring colorful lights and beloved characters.
The 2025 season introduces Pirate’s Cove, expanding the non-scary options alongside existing favorites like face painting and crafts.
Every October weekend from 6:00pm to 9:30pm, you’re free to choose your own adventure through spooky storytelling that respects all comfort levels.
Tickets start at $22, with proceeds funding nonprofit programs.
This grassroots fundraiser proves community-driven events can educate, entertain, and preserve local traditions simultaneously.
Multi-Venue Halloween Events Throughout Upstate and Downstate Communities
While individual venues create memorable seasonal experiences, New York’s Halloween spirit truly comes alive when entire communities transform their streets, neighborhoods, and historic districts into celebration zones that honor both old-world traditions and modern creativity. You’ll find authentic celebrations connecting past and present across downstate and upstate regions.
Community-Wide Halloween Celebrations:
- Village Halloween Parade – October 31, 2026, features 50,000 marchers along Sixth Avenue from Canal to 15th Street, celebrating freedom of expression
- Trick-or-Streets Festival – October 17-31 transforms blocks into car-free zones
- Costume Contests – Halloween Harvest Festival includes competitions for kids and dogs
- Sleepy Hollow Street Fair – Showcases local artisans, food vendors, and historic performances by storytellers preserving Washington Irving’s legacy
Advance tickets are recommended for weekend events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are These Ghost Town Events Suitable for Young Children or Families?
Like preserving historic buildings for future generations, these events balance thrills with family-friendly activities. You’ll find safety precautions separating intense haunts from daytime festivals, letting your family choose adventures matching your children’s comfort levels and independence.
What Is the Average Cost to Attend Paranormal Events at These Locations?
Ticket pricing for these heritage events averages $20 per person, like Lily Dale’s Ghost Walks. You’ll find cost estimates vary by location and experience type, with some offering free admission to preserve community access to local history.
Do I Need to Book Tickets in Advance or Purchase at Venue?
The early bird catches the worm—you’ll need advance ticket purchasing for most heritage events. Rolling Hills requires booking ahead, while event scheduling at community venues like Chapman Museum demands early reservations to preserve your spot and experience freedom.
Are Photography and Video Recording Allowed During Ghost Tours and Investigations?
Photography permits vary by location, so you’ll want to confirm policies when booking. Most tours welcome cameras, though some historic sites maintain video restrictions to protect their integrity and respect community preservation efforts.
What Should Visitors Wear or Bring to Nighttime Paranormal Investigation Events?
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes for exploring historic sites. Bring essential gear like flashlights, recording devices, and water. While period-inspired costumes and accessories enhance your experience, prioritize mobility and safety during your investigation of these preserved locations.
References
- https://www.iloveny.com/thebeat/post/haunted-history-trail-captures-new-york-states-largest-collection-of-halloween-and-haunted-events/
- https://www.saratoga.com/things-to-do/haunted-history-ghost-tours/
- https://www.newyorkhauntedhouses.com/new-york-paranormal-events.aspx
- https://www.lilydaleassembly.org/ghost-walks
- https://www.lihauntedhouses.com
- https://tarrytownmusichall.org/ghost-tours-2025/
- https://visitsleepyhollow.com/events/
- https://hauntedhistorytrail.com
- https://www.oldfortniagara.org
- https://www.lilydaleassembly.org/mainstage-events
