If you want to do something different for Halloween this year with your family or friends look no further than this list of Halloween events here in Tampa, Florida. These main attractions, which includes Tampa’s historic district, a public zoo and aquarium, a science museum, and theme park, will feature the most scariest haunted houses, trails, and creatures as well as the more lovable, cute, and fun side of Halloween. Sit back while you read what each place has to offer.
1.) ZooBoo – Lowry Park Zoo: 1101 W. Sligh Avenue Tampa, Florida (813) 935-8552: Here is your chance to see the “dark side” of Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo that is today ranked the number-one family-friendly zoo in the U.S. (Child Magazine). However, it’s not too scary with this frightening, yet fun, ZooBoo nighttime Halloween annual event. You’ll have a ghoulish good time as you visit creepy haunted houses and spooky trails. For the little ones there is the foam factory, boo house, and free unlimited Zoo rides, that include the Gator Falls water flume ride in the darkness. ZooBoo begins with its Shriek Peek Weekend on September 25 & 26 and throughout the month of October 2nd & 3rd, 9th & 11th, 15th & 18th, 22nd & 25th, 28th & 31st. Annual Zoo Pass members receive discounted admission. Hours are 7-11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 7-10 PM on Sundays through Thursdays. www.lowryparkzoo.com/
2.) Nauti-Night – Florida Aquarium: 701 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida (813) 273-4568: As of this writing there is no current information yet on their website for the 2009 Nauti-Night Halloween event. This is billed as a Premiere Halloween Party in Tampa. However, here is information for the event in 2008. It will be held on October 31st from 9PM to Midight as the Florida Aquarium presents their annual Nauti-Night Costume Bash. This is truly a one of a kind haunted adult Halloween party for adults 21 and over only. Guests are invited to bring out their best disguises where the prize for the most original costume is $2,500. There will be live entertainment, steak & shrimp skewers, and drinks. Tickets are $45 for Aquarium members, $50 for the general public, and $60 the night of the event. The cost of admission, food, beverage, and entertainment is included in the ticket price. Proceeds from the event will go to The Florida Aquarium’s marine science education. Be sure to either call the Florida Aquarium or check their website for this year’s event. www.flaquarium.org/
3.) Guavaween – Ybor City Historic District: (813) 248-0721 [email protected]: According to the event’s website the updated information for the 2009 Guavaween is not up yet. Nevertheless, this annual Halloween event brings costume parties to a whole different level. It takes place on the evening of Saturday, October 31st after dusk, or even beforehand, in Tampa’s historic Latin district. When you visit Ybor City during the day time it is filled with extraordinary history, charm, and warmth. The Ybor City late at night, on the other hand, is filled with rowdy revelers from the various nightclubs, restaurants, bars, theaters, and other nighttime attractions. Guavaween fits into the latter mold. If you want a party atmosphere where nothing will shock you then Guavaween is the perfect Halloween activity for you. You’re gonna love when the “not to be missed” Mama Guava Stumble Parade rolls around to bring it all together. To be fair, this Halloween event is not all decadence and debauchery, during the day there is a kid-friendly Guavaween up until 3PM on Halloween day. The annual event is a fundraiser for the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. Please call or email them for further information. www.cc-events.org/gw/
4.) Howl-O-Scream – Busch Gardens: 10165 N. McKinley Drive Tampa, Florida (888) 800-5447: One of the most intense Halloween events offered that isn’t for the faint of heart. Howl-O-Scream celebrates its tenth year at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. For 17 select nights the adventure theme park turns into a nightmare of scary surprises when you least expect them. Take a ride on the bone-chilling roller coasters for the scream of your life. The Freaky Preview begins September 25th & 26th from 7:30PM to 1AM. The Event begins on October 1st and every Thursday from 7:30PM to 1AM on thru to Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30PM to 2AM until October 31st. Florida Resident tickets range in price from $29.95 to $49.95 depending on the date and if you are a Passport membership holder. For more blood curdling information please check out the Howl-O-Scream website: http://houseofvayne.com/tampa/main.html# www.buschgardens.com/bgt2/
5.) Hall-O-Boo – MOSI: 4801 E. Fowler Avenue Tampa, Florida (813) 987-6000: Once again there is nothing yet posted for events in September and October at the MOSI website, however, here is the information from the 2008 Hall-O-Boo. This is a Halloween celebration for the whole family. You’ll find the ghost and ghouls to be less spooky, but a lot more fun. Put on your best costume and do the “Monster Mash” while enjoying a spook-tacular science show, trick-or-treating, and more. MOSI is a not-for-profit, educational institution dedicated to advancing the public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry, and technology. It totals in size of over 400,000 square feet, making MOSI the largest science center in the southeastern United States, as well as home to the only IMAX® Dome Theatre in the state of Florida. Please visit their website or call for more information on the date, time, and ticket prices for Hall-O-Boo. www.mosi.org/
As you can see there is an even balance of family-friendly, kid-friendly, and adult only Halloween activities to suit just about anyone’s tastes. Remember to be careful, but have a lot of fun this Halloween season too.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guavaween
