Boo at the Zoo Returns to the Bronx Zoo, Weekends Until Oct 28

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Think that Zoo is only for summer months? No way — you should see what’s going on now! Celebrate a New York Halloween tradition at WCS’s Bronx Zoo with their popular Boo at the Zoo!

Safe, family-friendly activities include:

o   The Haunted Habitat Mansion
o   Creepy Hollows Hayride
o   Costume Parade
o   Music, Magic, and MORE
o   Master Carver Pumpkin carving demonstrations

Boo at the Zoo festivities run on weekends : Oct. 6-8, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 (Read More after the jump).

Boo at the Zoo returns to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo for five full weekends of Halloween-themed family entertainment and activities. Attractions and activities embrace the spirit of the season while highlighting wildlife and conservation.

Annual favorites including a haunted walk-through adventure – The Haunting at Habitat Mansion – and the spooky Hayride through Creepy Hollows headline the festivities and have been enhanced for this year’s Boo at the Zoo. Visitors will enjoy magic shows, musical performances, and costume parades in addition to traditional guest favorites including the hay maze, haunted extinct graveyard and special seasonal craft workshops.

Children 12 and under wearing a Halloween costume will receive free general admission with one paid adult general admission. All Boo at the Zoo activities are included with the price of general admission with the exception of the hayride and haunted mansion.. The Creepy Hollows Hayride and the Haunting at Habitat Mansion walk-through adventure are included with the purchase of a Total Experience Ticket.

From Monday, Sept. 17, guests that purchase four or more Total Experience Tickets online will receive a plush snake hat created in the spirit of Boo at the Zoo. Offer is good while supplies last.

Guests are encouraged to visit www.bronxzoo.com for a complete schedule of keeper chats, animal enrichment sessions, and family activities.

Boo at the Zoo activities include:

The Haunting at Habitat Mansion
The Habitat Mansion, once owned by wildlife conservationist Dr. Benton Broome, is said to be the most haunted landmark in the Bronx Zoo. Dr. Broome left his legacy of preserving animal wildlife, habitats and conserving the earth’s precious ecological resources to his son, Dusty. But Dusty is not up for the challenge and the ghost of his father  wants to ensure the memory of all endangered species is not forgotten. In the Haunted Habitat  mansion, ghosts of the past, visions of extinct animals, and the messages of Dr. Broome’s ghostly house servants encourage guests to remember the importance of protecting wildlife from the threat of extinction. Mansion admission is included with Total Experience Tickets.
Location; By Somba Village
Time; 11:00am- 5:00pm

Creepy Hollows Hayride
Enjoy a thrilling hay ride beneath a canopy of beautiful fall foliage past the Birds of Prey exhibit and through the animated town of “Creepy Hollows.” The ride includes a look at an abandoned town where anything can happen, so watch out for crashing crates, shaky houses, and strange creatures. The adventure is accompanied by spooky Halloween music.. Hayride admission is included with Total Experience Tickets.
Location; Boarding at Fordham Parking
Time;    11:00am-  – 5:00pm

Carved Pumpkin Demonstrations and Display
Professional pumpkin carvers from Sand Sculpture USA will be demonstrating their skill and displaying intricate pumpkin carvings that cannot be missed. From classic movie monsters in animals form to giant insects and majestic wildlife, our carvers will delight audiences with their remarkable carvings.
Location; Dancing Crane Plaza
Time; 11am-5pm

Costume Parade
Visitors can join the enchantment of a Halloween Parade. Hand-made puppets and props built by master costumers will be part of the fun as participants march through the zoo alongside a giant python, , an eight-foot witch and other stilted characters from the Alice Farley Dance Company.
Location; Starts at Zoo Center
Time; 12:00pm – and  2:00pm.
Photos available at the end of each performance.
Additional photo opportunity 3:30-4:00pm in Dancing Crane Plaza

Children’s Theater Performances – Who Put the Trick in Trick or Treat? Tales of Amazing Trickster’s
Halloween puppetry musical of three classic tales of mischievous animal tricksters who outsmarted their rivals and won the day,. Created by acclaimed puppeteer Noel MacNeal of Sesame Street and Nickelodeon. Presented by Organic Valley.
Location: Asia Plaza
Time: 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm

Hay Maze
Let yourself get lost at the zoo with a Halloween maze filled with sudden starts, stops and lots of adventure.
Location: Butterfly Patio
Time: 11:00 a.m.– 5 p.m.

Live Music
Gigi and the Lend me a Hand Band will lead zoo audiences on a musical adventure with the BOO REVUE. Audiences will be invited to participate in animal-themed musical performances, songs and dances, and games.
Location; Tent by Bears
Time; 11:30am, 1:00 pm, 3:00pm

Animal Themed Magic Shows
Enjoy a Boo at the Zoo family tradition with remarkable sleight of hand and optical illusions from magic man David Levitan.
Location; Tent by Bears
Time; 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm

Treat Stations
Special locations around the park will help sweeten your visit.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Creepy Crafts Workshops
Make a one-of-a-kind Halloween mask of your favorite wild animal.
Location: Dancing Crane  Plaza
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Extinct Animal Graveyard
Learn about endangered and extinct animals at this spooky display.
Location: Mouse House lawn.

Creature Chats
Join our experts as they demystify and celebrate wildlife critters.
11am – Spiders  By Sea lion Pool
1pm Snakes – World of Reptiles
3pm Bats – Jungle World

Animal Enrichment Activities
Every day keepers use toys, treats and training to enrich the lives of our animals. Look for special holiday enrichment items and activities throughout the zoo
2pm

Disclaimer: Our blog is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program we have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming.