Halloween on Long Island

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Yvonne Bonasera holds a Bachelors degree in International Business from LIU and JCU in Rome, Italy. She is a travel consultant, blogger and teaches Italian, and has visited over 26 countries across 5 continents. Yvonne can be reached at ymbtravel@gmail.com.

Halloween on Long Island is one of the most exciting times for all ages! Your local restaurants will be boasting pumpkin spice martinis and beer, paired with pumpkin ravioli, butternut squash soup or other hearty, fall favorites. The great news is you don't have to head all the way to the East End for these fall festivities. If you're looking to get into the Halloween spirit, here are some ideas! 

Suffolk 
    The drive alone along the hilly North Shore is lined with the most gorgeous fall foliage and is a treat in and of itself. Grab a pumpkin spiced latte and enjoy the scenic route! 
    Visit a local farm stand for the freshest produce to bake an apple or pumpkin pie while sipping some cider! Some of the best pumpkin picking can be found at the Schmitt Family Farm (Dix Hills) and also hosts a free-to-attend fall festival! 
    On Halloween, view the contestants of the scarecrow competition at the festival in Stony Brook Village. Safe trick or treating is offered in the shops! 

For the Adults 
    Kids aren't the only ones who get to enjoy the fun of Halloween! Some of these places will give you a good scare!

Nassau
    Although, it's approved for all ages- the Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns at Old Westbury Gardens is a must no matter what age! Bring the family or cozy up to your loved one as you walk the paths lined with 5,000 of the most intricate Jack O’Lanterns anywhere!
    The Witches Brew (Hempstead) – open year round this 100 year old house turned coffee shop comes to life around Halloween. Every tea & coffee imaginable with some favorites such as “Midnight” and “Voodoo,” it's a perfect, spooky, pit stop to unwind. 
    The Bayville Scream Park is a staple for the ultimate Halloween experience, designed for those who want a bone chilling scare, they also offer a “not so scary” session for the kids on weekends from 11-6pm.

Suffolk 
    Take a drive down Mount Misery Road and neighboring Sweet Hollow Road in Melville. Legend has it, it's haunted by a patient of the asylum that was built in 1700!  After, have a drink at Katie's' (Smithtown), notoriously haunted by a ghost named Charlie, this bar was featured on “Ghost Adventures.” 
    Borella’s Farm Stand (Smithtown) hosts an annual Fall festival on weekends in October with hayrides, fall activities and games for the kids…. but for the grown ups, it's adjacent to a vineyard! Visit Whisper Vineyards for some wine and spirits!
    Gather up a group of friends and put your survival skills to the test at an Escape Room. There are sites sprinkled all over LI, including Patchogue (Escaperoomsli.com). While in town, see the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Patchogue Theatre.