Do you like a good scare? October is the month for you—and you don’t have to limit the fun to a single visit to your local haunted house. Chicago is home to a number of historical trips and tours designed to entertain and educate.
26th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Readings
A classic way to celebrate the holiday—enjoy Lifeline Theatre’s annual presentation of Poe’s short stories and poems, in the quintessential setting—the 1850s interior of Clarke House Museum. Be warned—it’s a theater experience best suited for adults, so you may want to book a sitter for this one.
Clarke House Museum, 1827 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago
Saturday, Oct. 27
Readings at 5 and 8 p.m.
$25 per person / $22 for museum members
312-326-1480
Absolutely Chicago Segway Haunted Tours
Here’s your excuse to tour the town on a Segway. This haunted version rolls past some of the city’s haunted hotels, past Buckingham Fountain, through “Death Alley” and along the Chicago River, where you just may run into a ghost of the Eastland. It’s a perfect activity for teens and parents.
238 E. Monroe St., Chicago
Tuesdays – Saturdays in October
$65
312-552-5100
chicagosegways.com
Chicago Hauntings
It’s a good old-fashioned ghost tour through the city, and not for the faint of heart. We’re talking about murder sites and more, with the opportunity to hop on and off the bus in search of ghosts.
600 N. Clark St., Chicago
$20 – $28
888-446-7891
chicagohauntings.com
Chicago History Museum Haunted Pub Crawl
A scary spin on its popular pub crawls, the Chicago History Museum offers up “BOO-ze! A Haunted History Pub Crawl” in October.
1601 North Clark Street, Chicago
Wednesdays, October 17 and October 24, and Thursday, October 18
$30, $25 members
312-642-4600
chicagohs.org
Seadog Haunted Tours
Take a cruise that’s been turned on its head. You’ll be treated to a costumed adventure that offers a nighttime peek at the city’s architectural highlights, along with the scary stories behind some of the buildings.
Navy Pier, Chicago
Fridays —Sundays, October 12 – 27, also October 31
$18 – $29
888-636-7737
seadogcruises.com
Supernatural Chicago
Theater fans don’t have to skip out on the spooks this month—top necromancer Neil Tobin promises interactive demonstrations (read: audience participation!) of mind reading and magic. With shows all year long, Saturday performances are added to the calendar every October. Is it kid-friendly? Tobin says that parents should make the call. Older kids are welcome, but their satisfaction (and yours) depends on attention span.
Looking for something extra spooky? Try out the special Halloween séance on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. It’s on the dark side, so leave the kids home for this outing.
Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn, Chicago
$25
800-979-3370
supernaturalchicago.com
