For the ultimate in ghoulish adventures during October, consider a road trip that includes Salem, Massachusetts, and other towns in central Maine.

Salem, Massachusetts: Home of Haunted Happenings

Known as the home of the famous Witch Trials, Salem, Massachusetts becomes the Halloween center of the world with Haunted Happenings, a month long schedule of activities leading up to October 31.

Lewiston native BJ Nadeau visited Salem last year.

“The Salem Witch Museum is really great,” said Nadeau. “It tells you the history of the witch trials and it makes the 300-year-old story come alive.” Nadeau said that the Museum Gift Shop has a large assortment of t-shirts and souvenir-type items as well as historic books about the Witch Trials and other events in Salem and Massachusetts.

Another favorite for Nadeau, was the Witch Dungeon Museum where there’s a live reenactment of a witch trial as well as a tour through a typical dungeon of the time. “Live actors create a great story and you get to see the conditions of the time period,” he said.

A must see place in downtown Salem is one of the oldest burial grounds in the area dating back to 1637. The cemetery contains the graves of Captain Richard Moore, a Mayflower pilgrim, and witchcraft trial judge John Hathorne among the historic figures.

History buffs will also enjoy a visit to the famed House Of The Seven Gables. Built in 1668, it is the oldest surviving 17th century wooden mansion in New England. The house was the inspiration for author Nathaniel Hawthorne to write his legendary novel of the same name.

Kathleen Grenier, of Lewiston, has visited Salem on a day trip with a group of teenagers from Lewiston. She said that the girls had fun, but particularly enjoyed a couple of experiences.

“They really liked the Pirate Museum,” said Grenier, where a guided tour brings guests to a re-created dock-side village, a cave and a pirate ship. “It was just fun to see the pirate related items in the gift shop.”

Another favorite for the teens was walking through the old graveyard where they tried to find their own birth date on the assorted tombstones.

For those seeking psychic entertainment, there’s the Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo that offers Tarot readings, palm readings, clairvoyant visions, and crystal ball readings, all designed to give visitors a hopeful glimpse into the future.

When visiting Salem, be sure to wear your own outrageous Halloween costume.

Mechanic Falls – Home of Pumpkin Land

Harvest Hill Farms on Route 26 in Mechanic Falls is fast becoming one of the most popular Halloween-themed parks in Maine. Opened in 2009, it features assorted activities including haunted rides, inflatable bounce houses, wagon rides, a huge pumpkin patch area, playground slides, and a popular petting zoo.

It also hosts two corn mazes – a larger, more difficult one to maneuver, and a smaller one – the Munchkin Maze – for younger visitors. On a recent Saturday afternoon visit, Pumpkin Land had the feel of a country fair catering to younger visitors and families.

This is the second year that Lyndsay Dyer, of Auburn, has visited Pumpkin Land. She made this year’s visit with five youngsters, ages two to six.

“It was really fun last year, but this year with so many new activities it was phenomenal,” said Dyer. “The kid’s favorites were the Petting Barn and the Ball Pit while my favorite was the “Frankenslide.”

This year, the park will feature The Gauntlet, a haunted nighttime ride that the park owners said, “will not be for the faint of heart.”

Point Sebago hosts weekend fun 

Point Sebago’s Halloween Weekend is fun for all ages and runs October 15 through 17. They offer packages that include meals, entertainment, and lodging options.

According to the Point Sebago website, the weekend offers, “A Costume Party,” a “Very Scary Haunted House,” a spectacular “Monster Rock Show,” Haunted Hayrides, Pumpkin Carving and Decorating, Face Painting and plenty of candy for the kids.

Joker’s for indoor fun in Auburn

You might also consider a trip to Joker’s in the Auburn Mall. Joker’s offers fun-filled activities, where the whole family can interact, relax, and most of all have fun together. Joker’s provides many indoor playground activities along with arcade games, food, and great parties and service.

If the weather looks bad, you can always move the celebration indoors to a variety of school, community and recreation department Halloween parties.

Websites for Halloween fun

www.hauntedhappenings.org

www.harvesthillfarms.com

www.pointsebago.com/weekends/halloween-weekend

www.jokersfunandgames.com/

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