Whether you like Halloween scary or tame, South County, RI has the perfect pumpkin patch for you.
For the Halloween that is complete only after an appropriate amount of frights, three local attractions offer gore, ghouls and groans to satisfy fear fans. On the tamer, family-oriented side, there are pumpkin patches where the most frightening person is the scarecrow.
The only indoor attraction is the Bates Haunted Motel, 149 Atlantic Ave., Westerly, RI. The theme is “Come Dressed . . . To Be Killed,” so guests have an idea of what to expect during their stay.
In the months before and after October, the Bates Motel is known as the Sandy Shore Motel, located at 149 Atlantic Ave., Westerly. It is also open for overnight guests who dare during the month. The scarefest is held Thurs. – Sun 6-11 p.m. and every night the week before Halloween. Tickets are $16 per person. For more information visit www.bateshauntedmotel.com or call 877-499-DEAD.
At Highland Farm’s Trails to Terror you can choose between riding through “Delamorte’s Haunted Hayride” or walking through the “Forest of Fear.” The hayride is a 30-minute trip through “The Fear You Can Hear!” where you are at least assured an escape should you be paralyzed with fear. Live ghouls, ghosts and zombies populate the “Forest of Fear” and are highly trained in scare tactics. Keep your wits about you and you should emerge unscathed.
Tickets are $15 for either attraction, $18 for both, or a VIP pass for $30. Some discounts are available and group rates apply to groups of 20 or more.
Trails to Terror is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October, and Thursday Oct. 27. Hours are 7-10 p.m. each night. Highland Farm is located at 4235 Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield, RI.
For more information visit 401-792-8188
Triple the terror is found at Field of Screams, 179 Plain Meeting House Rd., West Greenwich, RI. Guests to the normally sedate Big John Leyden’s tree farm are escorted through three terrifying haunts: Haunted Insane Asylum, Haunted Hayride and 4D Haunted Maze Clown Town. Plenty of blood, gore and guts greet the brave souls who wish to be scared out of their wits.
The thrill of the scare is $18, with $2 off if you are wearing a really great costume. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more. Hours are Thursday & Sunday 6:30-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 6:30-10 p.m. through the month of October.
For more information, call the Halloween Hotline at 401-884-7369 or visit www.hauntedhayride.net.
The tamer side of Halloween in RI
Wicked Week in Wickford Oct. 24-31 is a family-oriented celebration of Halloween. The Scarecrow decorating contest is judged Oct. 30. Haunted House at St. Paul’s Parish on Oct. 28 and the Horribles Parade on Oct. 30.
Pumpkin Patches:
Carpenter’s Farm, 522 Matunuck Beach Rd., Wakefield; Corn maze open daily, hay rides on weekend. 401-783-8958, http://www.carpentersfarmstand.com/
Clark Farms, 2984 Commodore Perry Highway (Rte. 1), Wakefield, RI: Pumpkin patch, pick in the field, or already gathered, hay rides. Flashlight nights in the maze Fridays and Saturdays from Sept. 17 through Halloween. Call 401-783-1331, www.clarkfarms.com
Festival Farm, 2 Canonchet Rd., Hope Valley. Pumpkins, hayrides, farm market, gift shop, etc. Call 401-742-5575
Foster Farm of Ashaway, 216 Ashaway Rd., Ashaway, RI. Pumpkin patch, already gathered, corn maze, farm animals Flashlight maze Saturdays in October until 10 p.m. For information call 401-644-5382.
Manfredi Farm, 77 Dunn’s Corners Rd.Westerly, RI: Pumpkin patch, in the field and gathered, corn maze, tractor-pull hayrides, petting zoo. For information, call 401-322-0027
Riverside Farm, 80 Burdickville Rd., Charlestown: Pumpkin patch, corn maze, tractor-pulled hayrides. For information call 401-364-7599
Schartner’s Farm, Route 2, North Kingstown: Pumpkin patch, hay rides, corn maze. For information call 401-294-2044.
Spring Hill Sugar House, 522 Gardner Rd., Richmond: Pumpkins and corn maze, fresh apple cider made on premises, farm animals. For information call 401-788-7431.