A visitor creates an original bouquet at Duluth Flower Farm's stand. Photo Credit: Macie Groth

October is already upon us, which means it’s officially spooky season in Duluth. Well, I’m here with some great news: festive fun of any variety can be found in and around the city all month! Whether you’re looking to get absolutely spooked, have a fun but not-so-scary evening, or convene with some of the city’s most notorious ghosts, there are a plethora of festive places to find yourself at this month.

If you’re willing to go a bit outside the city’s limits and drive for about a half-hour, the Haunted Shack in Carlton, MN, is one of the scariest attractions of the year. This outdoor haunted house (held on a working farm!) features terrifying creatures and characters around every corner, and is guaranteed to give you a seriously scary experience.

While there are many wretched things to be found at a haunted house, this one actually has quite the wholesome twist. You can bring canned goods and used winter coats upon arrival, and they will be donated to a local food shelf and children’s coat drive. Plus, you’ll get a discount on your ticket! Check out videos on the Haunted Shack website to get a little taste of what to prepare for, as well as ticket information. Most importantly, this is the iconic event’s last year, so you won’t want to miss it.

While haunted attractions might excite some of us, there are others who want to have more of a calm, nostalgic Halloween. Don’t worry, because the options are plentiful for a chill evening. First up, the St. Louis Depot here in Duluth hosts a free (yes, free!) event called EEK! The Depot. This family-friendly celebration houses indoor trick-or-treating and festive activities, all inside of a beautiful, historic building for all ages to enjoy. Check out EEK! The Depot on Saturday, October 24th for some relaxed and spooky fun.

Another tradition called Boo at the Zoo will be taking place throughout the month at — you guessed it — the Lake Superior Zoo. The zoo will put on its own version of Halloween fun on October 10th, 17th, and 24th with extensive trick-or-treating, craft stations, food trucks, and even new ways to interact with the zoo animals! Check out their website for ticket information.

Something I didn’t know about Duluth is that it apparently has many spirits embedded in its most historical monuments. The ghost life in this city is said to be very prominent, and even if you don’t believe in that sort of thing, it's definitely an interesting topic to do some research on. But you don’t have to do your discovery alone; there are plenty of guides who would love to help you. Through the month of October, US Ghost Adventures will be hosting their Duluth ghost tours. Each walking tour is outdoors and lasts for an hour, and you’ll visit the city’s most iconic destinations, including Enger Tower, the public library, and of course, the eerie and stately Glensheen Mansion.

Each destination has its own bone-chilling ghost story to go along with it, so you’ll get to learn a bit about the city’s unique history with specters and haunts. The guides will even touch on the mysterious sinking of the notorious SS Edmund Fitzgerald, and its ghosts that might still linger in the city. And, of course, I couldn’t get away with talking about haunted ships and not mentioning the Haunted Ship, otherwise known as SS William A. Irvin. Each year, the boat is transformed into a haunted house and welcomes the spirits of its past with open arms. TripAdvisor calls this attraction “By far the best haunted experience in MN,” and it was named one of seven world’s scariest haunted houses by Forbes Media, so this is definitely the place to be. You can get tickets now through Halloween on the Duluth Haunted Ship website.

No matter how you end up spending your Halloween this year, whether it’s inside a haunted ship, some trick-or-treating, time with friends and family, or a party on campus, remember to be safe and have fun. Check out what Duluth has to offer this spooky season, and you just might be surprised by how much excitement there is (and how many ghosts there are). Happy October, and stay spooky!

Duluth's Festive Fall Season