Halloween in Louisville: The Perfect Fall Destination
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Fall is nearly here, which means it’s almost Halloween!
Halloween is my favorite time of the year, and one of my favorite ways to spend it is exploring a new place. Each city has its own traditions and festivals, and I always love visiting haunted places around the globe. This year, I’m excited to spend Halloween in Louisville, Kentucky, where I currently live.
Halloween is one of the best times to visit Louisville. There’s something for everyone: you can visit one of the most haunted places on earth, stroll through eerie Old Louisville, see thousands of extravagantly carved jack-o-lanterns, and SO MUCH MORE!
Not convinced yet? Read on to learn why you should spend this Halloween in Louisville!
This post was updated to reflect accurate information for the 2019 Halloween season.
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
Visit the Most Haunted Place on Earth
If you’re a fan of all things scary, you must visit Waverly Hills Sanatorium, believed by many to be the most haunted place on earth.
The former tuberculosis hospital is known for its body chute – a tunnel where the dead were transported so that the patients wouldn’t have to see being taken away. Visitors say that this area is the most haunted part of the hospital.
During the Halloween season, Waverly Hills hosts a haunted house that raises money for the upkeep of the hospital. In 2019, the Waverly Hills Haunted House will be held on Friday and Saturday nights from September 27 to November 7. Gates will open at 7:30 PM and close at midnight.
The Waverly Hills Haunted House is $20 for a regular ticket or $60 for the VIP pass, which includes a mini tour of the hospital as well as fast pass access to the haunted house. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Make sure to note that all onsite sales are CASH ONLY! If you want to use a credit card or book in advance, you can do so on their website.
See THOUSANDS of Lit-Up Jack-O-Lanterns at the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
This year is Louisville’s sixth year of the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, an incredible display of 5000 extravagantly carved pumpkins lining a trail at Iroquois Park. Halloween in Louisville wouldn’t be complete without a visit!
The 2019 spectacular runs from October 8 to November 3. From Sunday to Thursday, the show runs from dusk to 11 PM and ends at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
You can pre-order tickets online or get them at the gate. I highly recommend pre-ordering your tickets, especially if you’ll be visiting on the weekend. Lines get crazy long, and by pre-ordering your tickets you’re able to bypass the line at the box office.
TIP: Lines tend to be the shortest on weeknights. If you have to go on the weekend, crowds tend to thin out after 9:00 or 9:30 PM.
Ticket prices for the 2019 Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular vary depending on the day of the week:
- Sunday-Thursday: $14 Adults, $10 Children (ages 3-12), $12 Seniors (62+)
- Friday & Saturday: $18 Adults, $14 Children (ages 3-12), $16 Seniors (62+)
- Children ages 3 and under are FREE!
Take a Cruise on the Belle of Louisville
One of the best ways to see Louisville is by taking a cruise on Belle of Louisville, the city’s famous steamboat.
The Belle of Louisville offers several cruises during the fall season, including Oktoberfest cruises and a Craft Beer Moonlight Cruise. The real highlight? The Halloween Cruises!
This year, the Belle of Louisville is offering two cruises that are the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in Louisville.
The first is the Boo Cruise, a family-friendly Halloween-themed sightseeing cruise. With a costume parade, candy, and lots of fun, the Boo Cruise is fun for all ages. This cruise is held on October 26 from Noon to 1:30 PM. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children.
For the adults, there will also be a nighttime Haunted Halloween Booze Dance featuring a DJ, a costume contest, and a cash bar. Attendees must be 21 or older as each ticket includes a complimentary cup of Halloween Hooch as well as a drink ticket for the bar. Not drinking? Soft drinks and coffee are free! Tickets for the Haunted Halloween Cruise are $45 per person.
Tickets for cruises on the Belle of Louisville must be booked online.
Take a Ghost Tour of Old Louisville
In addition to being home to one of the most haunted places, Louisville is also home to one of the most haunted neighborhoods: Old Louisville. There’s no better way to experience this eerie neighborhood than with a Ghost Tour.
On this 90 minute tour, you’ll see all the haunted houses, churches, and parks that Old Louisville has to offer. The tours are offered nightly from March 15 to November 15, beginning at 7:30 PM. Best of all? They’re pretty affordable at just $20 per person!
Buy your tickets online here!
See One of the Country’s TOP 10 Halloween Parades
This year’s Halloween Parade and Festival is a great way for the whole family to experience Halloween in Louisville. It was even ranked in the top 10 list of Halloween parades in the country by Travel Channel!
The 2019 festival is being held on October 5 from Noon to 9 PM. There will be vendors, local food and drink, music, contests, a family fun zone, and more! The parade will be held on the same day at 6 PM.
Race in the Danger Run
Haunted houses are fun, but wanna know what’s even more fun? Haunted houses combined with a scavenger hunt!
Danger Run is a unique Halloween attraction that you’re only gonna find in Louisville. Get your team together, go to one of the starting points, and get ready to solve clues that’ll lead you all over Louisville. The end goal? Find the two haunted houses featured in Danger Run! After going through the houses, you might qualify to win a prize.
Danger Run is perfect for groups of friends, especially if you’re competitive. Tickets are $25 per person (plus tax) include the Danger Run game, admission to two haunted houses, and more! In 2019, Danger Run is open on Friday and Saturday nights from September 27 to October 26, and the hours run from 7-11 PM.
Experience the World’s Largest Halloween Party
If you’re not up for anything scary, make sure to check out the World’s Largest Halloween Party at the Louisville Zoo.
Starting on October 3, weekend nights at the zoo will be a little bit different! The Louisville Zoo will be transformed into a family-friendly Halloween party with characters in costumes and trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under. There are mazes, rides, food, and so much more fun for the family.
General admission tickets are $12 and are required for anyone over the age of 3.
Halloween in Louisville
These events are just a hand full of why you should spend this Halloween in Louisville, Kentucky. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re traveling as a family, a couple, or a group of friends. For more ways to spend Halloween in Louisville, check out this great resource. When you’re done experiencing all of the Halloween activities, you can keep exploring the great city of Louisville. The city is FULL of culture, museums, attractions, and great food. I can’t wait to spend this Halloween in Louisville experiencing all the fall fun the city has to offer!
Have you spent your Halloween in Louisville?
