While it doesn’t feel any less like summer here on campus, October has officially begun. Rain or shine, here are some local fall favorites to get you in the mood for the falling leaves.
Only eight miles away from campus, Waterman’s Family Farm is the closest pumpkin patch to IU Indianapolis’s urban campus. Waterman’s began their Fall Harvest Festival on Sept. 28, which will continue until Halloween with hayrides, pumpkin bowling, live music and more. Tickets start at $12.
Anderson Orchard in Mooresville grows 11 different apples for their fall season, allowing guests to pick them alongside an array of other fresh produce. They also run a concession stand with fall classics like caramel apples and fresh apple cider all season long!
Did you know that Indianapolis students can get a free year of membership at the Newfields Art Museum? With a student membership, students can attend Newfields Harvest Nights for a discounted price and walk through fields of over 10,000 Jack-O-Lanterns and gourds. Harvest Nights will run from Sept. 28 through Nov. 2, with membership prices starting at $25 for non-students. Newfields will also hold two adult Halloween events where tickets to either event will include access to Harvest Nights. These additional events include “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” for 18+ audiences on Oct. 4 and a 21+ DJ night hosted on Halloween.
The Black House Cafe is a locally owned horror-themed coffee shop in Fountain Square decorated head-to-toe with Halloween decor and scary movie memorabilia. Their fall menu has four original pumpkin-flavored drinks, all crafted with house-made pumpkin syrup!
The Big Gay Monster Mash hosted by The Indy Gay Market will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 12 and 13. The market will host 50 different queer vendors from across Indiana at The Amp with free admission.
Irvington has hosted its annual Halloween Festival for over 75 years. Starting Oct. 19, Irvington will host a variety of Halloween-themed activities, including costume contests, mini-marathons, movie night and even seances! The Halloween Festival will conclude on Oct. 26 with its iconic street fair and Halloween parade with unique local vendors, fall favorite foods and live music all day long.
Can’t wait for the Irvington Halloween Festival? Get a head start in the historic neighborhood with the Irvington Ghost Tour. The tour spans a mile and a half across Irvington, taking spirit enthusiasts to over 10 haunted sites from the Irving Theatre to the former home of serial killer H.H. Holmes. These tours run every Friday and Saturday in October starting at 7 p.m. with $20 tickets for sale onsite.
For those who prefer the scary aspect of Halloween over the cozy nostalgia, Hanna Haunted Acres is a haunted theme park featuring six haunted houses this year for those brave enough to visit. The park is open now and operating through Nov. 9, with attraction themes ranging from clowns to vampires with general admission starting at $28.95 and free parking.
Kylee Leahy is a senior majoring in Journalism. When she isn’t writing, she’s likely front row at a concert somewhere.
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