Fun Halloween Day Trips for the Whole Family

Written By David Rice

Halloween is almost here. Before you indulge in a night of trick-or-treating with a bevy of ghosts, goblins and ghouls, make time for your family to enjoy these great Halloween-themed day trips:

Jaemor Farm Market

5340 Cornelia Highway (Highway 365)

Alto, GA 30510

(770) 869-3999

Why Go? The most-visited maze in North Georgia takes you through a mind-boggling quest through 8 acres of corn.“It’s a real fun atmosphere,” co-owner of Jaemor Farm Drew Echols said. “Most of all, it’s a family atmosphere.”

Insider Tip: Bring your own flashlight on Friday and Saturday nights. During day trips, enjoy the beautiful picnic grounds at the farm and take advantage of the pick-your-own pumpkin deals.

Must Do: Visit the Fresh Produce Market for fresh, locally-grown peaches and produce. Sample homemade breads, jams and jellies, pickles, relishes, BBQ sauces, marinades, dressings, pies, ice creams, cakes, boiled peanuts and more.

The Fine Print: The maze is open Friday to Sunday; $9 for kids ages 4-12 and $10 for kids 13 and up. Other attractions include a minimal fee, but a $12 Value Access Pass (available to all ages) includes the corn maze, hayride, unlimited access to duck races and farm slide, and 6 shots at the apple cannon.

North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm

2912 Paradise Valley Road

Cleveland, GA 30528

(706) 348-7279

Why Go? “Our focus is hands-on education,” Christine McNulty, director of guest services said. “For Halloween we bring out tarantulas, snakes and all kinds of creepy-crawly animals that the guests can interact with. It’s a lot of fun and a great way for people to get over fears of certain types of animals.” 

Insider Tip: Kids can meeting (and petting) animals not ordinarily displayed in zoo exhibits during one of the zoo’s Behind the Scenes Tours.

Must Do: On October 27 and 28, the zoo is hosting Boo at the Zoo from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Kids dressed in costume receive a free feed cup. Prizes will be given away and a scavenger hunt will be on offer.  

The Fine Print: Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids age 2-11. The Wildlife Package ($25 for adults and $23 for kids) includes the petting zoo, camel encounter, hay ride, and wildlife walk. Infants under the age of two get in free.

Nightmare Plantation
1110 Dodge Lane

Grovetown, GA 30813

(706) 869-7373

Why Go? According to local legend, this 21-acre plantation is infested with poltergeists from as far back as 110 years ago. “The property is really haunted,” owner of Plantation Cheryl Carswell said. “I had the paranormal society come out and test the barn.” 

Insider Tip: Keep your camera handy. According to Carswell, even local police have seen...strange things pop up in photographs.

Must Do: A new attraction for this year is the Haunted Hayride, a haunt on wheels that is sure to get your heart pumping. If you’re looking for something more laid-back, perhaps stop by Nightmare Plantation on the popular Augusta Ghost Trolley.

The Fine Print: Adult tickets are $15; children age 4-10 $10; children 4 and under get in for free. The ticket booth opens at 7 p.m.