Jack-0-Lantern Junction

Sept. 24-Oct. 31/CINCINNATI – Family-friendly ghosts, goblins, skeletons and witches are gathering at EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester, ready to launch the kids’ favorite Halloween celebration. The Halloween fun features an indoor, no-scare walk-through maze with kid-friendly ghosts, skeletons, cobwebs and multiple stations offering children free trick-or-treat candy. The weather is always perfect inside the climate-controlled EnterTRAINment Junction, where visitors are immediately greeted by an autumn glow, with Main Street decked out with Halloween decorations. Jack-O-Lantern Junction has a special Halloween crafts’ area for kids, a talking pumpkin, and a Halloweenville miniature animated display. Outside there are Halloween-themed hand-cranked train cars and an electric train ride (weather permitting).

All of EnterTRAINment Junction’s celebrated attractions are also open, including the world’s largest indoor model train display, a giant kids’ play area, an amazing interactive replica of historic Coney Island amusement park, the “weird and wacky” A-Maze-N FunHouse, the world’s most complete collection of marbles and the American Railroading Museum.

Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Attraction pricing starts at $9.95; kids 2 and under free, and, as always, parking is free. EnterTRAINment Junction is located at 7379 Squire Ct., in West Chester.  More information: (513) 898-8000. www.entertrainmentjunction.com.

Blood Prison

Sept. 24 – Oct 30/MANSFIELD – Heart-stopping fear inside a real prison! Open 7- midnight Fri & Sat. (Until 10 p.m. Sunday). Escape From Blood Prison offers the only haunted hellscape in a real prison at The Ohio State Reformatory. Don’t wait to test authenticity. Violent men were kept here, and some never left — even after death. Walk the same halls as history’s most infamous prisoners. Immerse yourself into the foundation that formed The Shawshank Redemption. Currently, the most deranged inmates have escaped from maximum-security prisons across the nation and claimed The Ohio State Reformatory as their new hideout. What goes on inside, it’s hard to tell. General admission tickets are $25 and are available online.  >MORE

Witches Walk 9.5

Oct 19-31/SANDUSKY – A fun event for those 21 and over – a chance to dress up in costume and enjoy the local businesses of the city, all while raising money for a good cause. There will be drawings, raffles, prizes, and a parade, as well as some great new happenings so plan now to attend. In order to spread out and practice social distancing, there are more evening dates added to this event this year. >MORE

Spirit Tours

4 weekends in Oct./COSHOCTON– The Historic Roscoe Village is offering Spirit Tours on several evenings this fall where guests stroll along the street by lantern through some of the Village’s most haunted areas enjoying a guided ghostly tour. Hear scary tales of the past and present, and spot a number of landmarks known for paranormal activity.  Spirit Tours must be reserved in advance, for availability and pricing call 740-622-7644 ext. 16. >MORE

Highball Halloween

Oct. 31/COLUMBUS – This is the nation’s most elaborate costume party. The event will be virtual this year due to COVID-19. Participants can show off their creative costume skills through the Out of the Closet Virtual Public Costume Contest.2020 Virtual event and five winners will receive a $100 cash prize. 2020 Virtual event and five winners will receive a $100 cash prize. >MORE