Is the world getting scarier? Well, it's definitely getting spookier: every town and city and country inn, it seems, conjures up more Halloween events each year; families can find fun getaways all through October.

Note: the Connecticut events listed below are for 2005, but probably repeat in 2006

• see lots more Halloween Happenings

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Halloween Events in Connecticut 2005

--This information is provided by Connecticut tourism sources--

• Lake Compounce Family Theme Park: in Bristol, one of the largest Halloween events in the state – The Haunted Graveyard – supports Juvenile Diabetes Research. Open throughout October, the festivities feature six haunted houses, terrifying trails, a fog-filled Forgotten Graveyard, Castle Vampire and more. (www.lakecompounce.com).

• Wallingford: Trail of Terror
  costumed characters scare the pants off visitors, as a fundraiser for the Red Cross. Begins September 30 and runs on Friday and Saturday nights through October 30. (visit www.trailofterror.com).

• Willimantic: Nightmare on Pleasant Street Meets Tower of Terror: October 21-22 and October 28-29; benefits the Research for Ovarian Cancer and Continued Survival organization. (www.roccs.org).

• Middlefield: The 6th Annual Corn Maze at Lyman Orchards : benefits the American Cancer Society

• East Haven: The 3rd Annual Trolley Pumpkin Patch: October 22-23 and October 29-30; combines rides on the Shore Line Trolley with pumpkin decorating for kids (203-467-6927).

• Old Norwichtown Burial Ground: ghost hunter Donna Kent will lead visitors through the on a Lantern Light Graveyard Walk on October 30.

• West Hartford: the historic Noah Webster House and the West Hartford Historical Society present a frightening theatrical tour of the local North Cemetery, for October 28-29, beginning with a 19th century carriage ride, complete with driver who died more than 100 years ago (www.noahwebsterhouse.org).

• East Granby, Glastonbury, Hartford, Bristol, Coventry, Stonington and many others towns have family-friendly Halloween weekends with costumes, games, scarecrow making, face painting, hayrides, story telling and music.

• Bridgeport: the Beardsley Zoo has Boo at the Zoo with free admission for children under 12 who come in costume to participate in arts and crafts and games (www.beardsleyzoo.org).

• Mystic: Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center has a “Spooky Nature Trail”, with fantastical creatures as well as games and treats. Also: Mystic’s Halloween Parade, October 31, and Nautical Nightmares throughout October at Mystic Seaport, where maritime spirits lead visitors on a lantern-lit tour along the Mystic River and through haunted historic ships, telling spooky stories (888-973-2767).

• Norwalk: Halloween Hoot at the Maritime Center, October 28, with trick or treating, costume contests and a parade, all free to those wearing a costume (www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Haunted Lodgings:

• The Lighthouse Inn in New London is known for several haunted rooms and for two Victorian women whose ghosts roam the property. (www.lighthouseinn-ct.com).

• The Old Mystic Inn, located in Old Mystic, is frequently visited by a friendly woman in a white flowing dress who lived across from the inn until her house burned down in the 1960’s. (www.oldmysticinn.com)

• Guests of the Randall’s Ordinary Inn and Restaurant occasionally run into first owner, John Randall, who, since 1685, likes to ensure that his Inn is running smoothly (www.randallsordinary.com).

• Haunted Pettibone’s Tavern in Simsbury, CT: There are tales of candles and fireplaces lighting themselves, furniture being rearranged... The Connecticut Paranormal Research Society will be at the Pettibone Tavern on October 28, 2005 and will be showing some results of an investigation as well as some exciting photos, EVP, and video clips of strange anomalies. (www.pettibonetavern.com)

For more about Connecticut resorts, country inns, B&Bs and other places to stay in Connecticut, call 888-CTvisit (888-288-4748) or log on at www.CTvisit.com.