WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 19, 2017 — Looking for a nearby corn maze, haunted house or new trick-or-treat event to attend this Halloween? Whether you’re looking for a pumpkin patch with hayrack rides, an actual haunted building in Wichita or a trick-or-treat event, Wichita has a variety of spooky and not-so-spooky activities and events for everyone.
Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrack rides bring fall fun for families
Fall often brings spooky Halloween ghost stories, haunted houses and horror movies, but if those traditions aren’t your style, there are many options for family-friendly events in Wichita.
Cox Farm
In south Wichita, Cox Farm offers an all-inclusive excursion for families looking to pick pumpkins, work through corn mazes or spend the day playing carnival games. Hop on a hayrack ride for free as the trailer transports you to the middle of a pumpkin patch. Pumpkins are $5 to $10 each or you can purchase them in the Cox Farm Country Store. Test your luck at finding your way through the winding Bermann’s Corn Maze, spanning 15 acres. Or hop on the back of a pony, jump on inflatables or race on the Trike Track under the night lights. Cox Farm has a concession stand, so make a day of it with your family for a jam-packed itinerary of fall fun. All activities take place now through Oct. 31.
Applejack Pumpkin Patch
At Applejack Pumpkin Patch, in nearby Augusta, Kansas, your kids can go wild in the play area or petting zoo. Get a free hayrack ride to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect one. Pumpkins are sold by the pound at market value. If you’re an adventure-seeker, climb high and ride the zip-line over the patch or work on your motor skills at the balance course. While the kids are playing in the backhoe sandbox, try your hand at horseshoes or weave through both corn and milo mazes. Bring a few extra bucks to shoot the pumpkin cannons or gourd guns, play paintball or work on your short game on the putting green. Applejack Pumpkin Patch offers a full concession stand for a full day of celebrating cooler temperatures and the autumn season. It is open through Oct. 31.
Meadowlark Farm
Located just southwest of Wichita, Meadowlark Farm offers the perfect package for fall fun. Grab your family and carving supplies, and go for a hayrack ride out to the pumpkin patch to find your match, then take it back to the on-site pumpkin carving station. Mini pumpkins are only $1 each or you can pick bigger ones for $0.40 a pound. With petting zoos, snacks and country store homemade goods, Meadowlark Farm offers a unique Kansas experience in Wichita’s backyard. Meadowlark Farm is open through Nov. 1.
Spooky Halloween events for the whole family
For the kids who like spooky things, Halloween in Wichita brings many can’t-miss family-friendly celebrations. Experience the transformation of many Wichita attractions and head out for a fun night of tricks and treats.
Just west of Wichita lies a wildlife park that comes alive each Halloween with children’s activities and spooky events. Pumpkins at the Park at Tanganyika Wildlife Park brings ghoulish games, creepy crawlers, fire performers and fun for all ages. Brave the cage maze or join in on the Zombie Task Force Tactical Laser Tag experience. Head out on a Haunted Hay Ride or watch Dr. Frank N. Stein brew up crazy concoctions in his lab. Older kids and adults even have the unique opportunity of getting their scary monster makeup done by a professional makeup artist and become part of the show by scaring others in the Cage Maze of Doom, Zombie Laser Tag or Haunted Hay Ride. Pumpkins at the Park happens from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29. Tickets range from $6 to $30 based on which experience package you choose.
The Sedgwick County Zoo turns ghostly after dark when you join the Night of the Living Zoo festivities. But don’t worry; it’s not too scary. Enjoy outdoor activities like pumpkin bowling and bean bag tosses, or take a stroll down Jack-O-Lantern Lane. Visit Dracula, learn about nocturnal animals and maybe even catch some outside in their exhibits. Wear your costume for some fun trick-or-treating. Night of the Living Zoo is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 27-29. Tickets purchased at the gate are $7 for members and $9 for non-members. Children 2 and under are free.
Old Cowtown Museum is rumored to be haunted and becomes ever more eerie during the annual Hay, Hooves & Halloween event. Keep an eye out for the Headless Horseman riding through the ghost town and witness apparitions appearing in historic buildings. Be sure to wear your costumes and bring your treat bags to collect candy. This annual event happens from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28-29. Tickets are only $5.
Pretend to be your favorite princess this Halloween with a Princess Masquerade Party at Abode Venue in downtown Wichita. This event allows children to decorate masks, be part of a princess fashion show, dance, sing and listen to stories. This event happens from 2 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 29 and costs $45 for one adult and one child.
Plan a “Fright Night” at Wichita Haunted Houses
Wichita has many real locations rumored to be haunted, but if you’re looking for an authentic scare at a haunted house this Halloween, check out these ghostly attractions.
Field of Screams
The largest and by far most popular haunted house in Kansas, Field of Screams plays off the legend of Jebediah Spurlock and his family of evil.
With reports of strange smells, the disappearance of three people and rumors of witchcraft and devil worship, many believed the sick fields held a portal to another world. Experience this terrifying mystery and see the fields for yourself. Tickets to Field of Screams are $15 to $45 a person depending on the experience package. This haunted house is not recommended for children under the age of 8. Field of Screams is open through Oct. 31 with gates opening at 7 p.m. and fields opening as soon as it gets dark. This haunted house is located north of Wichita in Maize.
Wichita Zombie Shoot
How about a little hands-on Halloween fun? Head just east of Wichita out to Augusta for an all-out zombie experience. As the undead attack your tour bus, defend your turf with paintballs. Practice your accuracy for only $5 for 50 rounds or get 100 paintballs for $10. You can also bring your own.
Tickets are $25. Enjoy this Halloween mayhem from 7:30 p.m. to midnight through Oct. 31.
Wicked Woods
The Campbells have been haunting Wichita and the surrounding area since 2012 with their haunted house, Wicked Island at O.J. Watson Park in south Wichita. The outdoors haunt leads visitors to walk along haunted paths for the ultimate scare. Wicked Island is $20 to enter. Get a fall pass and go whenever you like for $35. Children are $15, and an adult must accompany kids under 12. Gates open at 8 p.m. and the scares last until midnight through Oct. 31, weather permitting.
Wichita Paranormal Research Society
Old Cowtown Museum has a history of ghostly tales connected to it and the Wichita Paranormal Research Society (WPRS) brings those to life with two special events. With Historic Hauntings at Cowtown, guests can watch videos that have captured paranormal evidence of spirits that haunt the museum. Seating is limited and tickets are $15. A few times a year, WPRS takes people on a Public Ghost Hunt at Old Cowtown Museum. Visitors are invited to follow the experts through the most haunted locations at the museum. This event sells out quickly and tickets are $30.
Are these not scary enough? Go to Visit Wichita’s website for real haunted houses and locations around Wichita.
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a major convention and tourism destination, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2016 travel and tourism contributed more than $1 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
