October 20. Don’t miss the FREE fall festival at 17 Mile House Farm Park in Centennial including hayrides, a pumpkin patch, cow milking and more! Step back in time and celebrate a piece of Colorado’s history as Arapahoe County celebrates the completed restoration of the 150-year old 17 Mile House Farm Park, which served pioneers traveling on wagon trails in the 1800′s. Other family-friendly activities are live Bluegrass Music, a petting zoo, Nature’s Educators Birds of Prey, historic demonstrations and stories and free apple cider. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 8181 S. Parker Road, Centennial. http://www.arapahoegov.com/fallfestival.asp

Through Oct. 28. The eco-arts nonprofit Theatre-Hikes, which trades the traditional stage for the hiking trail, will premiere Washington Irving’s season-appropriate “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” on its outdoor routes this week. The idea: you and your family take a moderate hike along a beautiful trail and stop along the way to watch actors perform scenes. Sounds very Colorado — even if the idea was imported from Chicago. 5 p.m. Saturday (sold-out) and 1 p.m. Sunday, Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 Daniels Park Rd. in Sedalia (dinner and castle tour included). 303-688-4600 or cherokeeranch.org; Oct. 18 at Denver Botanic Gardens, $20, botanicgardens.org. -John Wenzel

The Great Pumpkin Haul. Oct. 20: This event requires strength, agility and the ability to “haul” a pumpkin through a cross country course at 9:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital. After-party includes live music, pumpkin beer, apple cider, discounted tickets to corn maze. Chatfield Botanic Gardens, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, thegreatpumpkinhaul.com

Friday night, Saturday and Sunday in October. Elitch Gardens Theme Park is host to Fright Fest, Denver’s largest annual Halloween party. By day families can enjoy their favorite rides, a super sweet Trick-or-Treat Trail, and not-so-scary live shows. At night, older scream-seekers will discover two horrifically haunted houses (for an extra cost) and the opportunity to ride roller coasters in the dark. Creepy decorations, fun contests, Halloween treats and a costume contest for kids will all be part of the fun. Tickets are $43.99 for those 48” and taller, guests under 48” tall or 61 and older pay just $29.99.
www.elitchgardens.com.

South Suburban’s Halloween Spooktacular. Oct. 19: Little ghouls and goblins up to age 11 can come in costume and celebrate early at this safe, supervised event 5:30-8 p.m. at Goodson Recreation Center. Includes a haunted house, trick or treat street, carnival games, arts and crafts, tattoos, cookie walk and Spooktoddler. Must be accompanied by an adult, 18 years or older. $4 until Oct. 17; $6 Oct. 18 until day of event. Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial, sspr.org.

Highland Haunt, Oct. 27: Free activities include trick-or-treating, live music, costume contest, street performers, pinata stations, a petting zoo and cake walk. A $5 per child all-inclusive activity pass gains access to horse-driven hayride, bouncy castle, face-painting and pumpkin patch. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. A portion of proceeds benefits Bienvenidos Food Bank. On 32nd Street between Clay and Zuni in the Highland neighborhood, highlandhaunt.com

Central City Creepy Crawl Oct. 12-27: Those who dare will take in the city’s most-avoided marks and visit off-limits, rarely seen areas of the buildings, some over 150 years old. The 60-minute walking tours are led by guides from Gilpin County Historical Society and feature reenactments of supernatural accounts and ghostly encounters. Tours available three Friday and Saturday nights in October: Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Tickets: $10. Century Casino, 102 Main Street, Central City, centralcityparkway.com/creepycrawl

The Haunted Hotel. Oct. 27: Brave it in the main room, where 13 of Denver’s artists create spooky living art exhibits. Bands and DJs will set the party mood while more than 25 theater performers entertain and amaze. $39, VIP tickets $69. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Hyatt DTC, 7800 E. Tufts Ave., hauntedhotelcolorado.com

Adams Mystery Plahyouse shows. Sept. 21-Nov. 10: Four different shows. “Welcome to Murder Mortuary” Fri. and Sat. nights through Nov. 10, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $42-$46 single admission for dinner and show. “Mystery of the Stolen Gem” (ages 5-12) and “Murder in the Haunted Mansion” (ages 9-14) play Oct. 27, 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m .respectively. Tickets are $10. “Haunted House Murder,” an interactive haunted crime show, runs Oct. 11-31, Thurs., Fri., and Sat. Tickets prices and show times vary by day. Adams Mystery Playhouse, 2406 Federal Blvd., adamsmysteryplayhouse.com

Haunted Hangar. Oct. 28: Wings Over the Rockies becomes the Haunted Hangar 12-4 p.m. Kids can stop by the Ooey Gooey room for slimy fun and pose for a photo with their favorite Star Wars or sci-fi character. Families will see the Ghost Busters Car or Scooby Doo Mystery Machine from Colorado Movie Cars, climb in the cockpit of historic airplanes and watch robot demonstrations. Costume parade. $11 for adults, $6 for children. Wings Over the Rockies, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., wingsmuseum.org

The Haunted Tavern. Oct. 31: The West End Tavern will become Zombie Central starting at 11:30 a.m. Whole roast pig, drink specials, grab bag of tricks and treats. The fun is Family friendly; guests of every age can join West End Costume Contest. The West End Tavern, 926 Pearl St., Boulder, thewestendtavern.com

Pumpkin Festival. Oct. 12-14: Come search for the perfect pumpkin at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield’s 10-acre pumpkin patch. Children’s activities, vendors selling handcrafted gifts and 750 acres of native flora, fauna and wetlands to explore. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children 3-12. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, botanicgardens.org

Halloween Enchanted Garden. Oct. 27: The Gardens on Spring Creek becomes the Halloween Enchanted Garden on 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Amusement for kids ages 2-8 years. Visit the legendary Talking Pumpkin, listen to a Halloween story, visit a magician, play games, create seasonal crafts and more. The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, fcgov.com/gardens

Corn mazes

Chatfield Botanic Gardens Corn Maze

Sept. 14-Oct. 28: Negotiate twists and turns of the newly designed cornfield this fall at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield’s Corn Maze. Each year the design of the eight-acre maze changes, creating a new and better challenge. The maze features numerous winding pathways created by 12-foot tall stalks of corn. Two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges overlook the giant maze, and a mini-maze will thrill younger children. Open Fri.-Sun. Chatfield Botanic Gardens, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, botanicgardens.org/corn-maze

Anderson Farms Corn Maze

Sept. 22-Oct. 31: The oldest corn maze event in Colorado, this maze covers 30 acres. Live entertainment, hayrides, pumpkins, farm animals, and more. Anderson Farms, 6728 County Road 3-1/4, Erie, andersonfarms.com

Fritzler Corn Maze

Through Oct. 31: Open Wed. through Sat., the Fritzler Corn Maze is divided into two phases. Also: ATV mini rollercoaster barrel train, go-cart track, and food and drink options. Ticket prices vary and start at $10 for ages 3-10, $13 for 11 and over. 20861 CR 33, LaSalle, fritzlermaze.com

The Maize

Oct. 5-28: Enjoy a corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, mini mazes, hayrides and more. Open Fri.-Sun. Admission is $7. 32601 Daniel Road, Pueblo, themaize.com

Haunted houses

City of the Dead Haunted House

Sept. 28-Oct. 21: Brave souls may visit 7-11 p.m., Thursdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m.-12 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays. $16 per person, $25 for VIP front of the line admission. Not recommended for kids under 12. Food and beer will also be available. Mile High Flea Market, 7007 E. 88th Ave., cityofthedeadhaunt.com

The 13th Floor and The Asylum

Sept. 28-Nov. 3: Take an elevator ride to the 13th Floor and experience the urban legend and the bizarre alternate reality of the supernatural. The lines of real and created terror are blurred at The Asylum, where scare seekers can get a glimpse of what it was like in a real insane asylum. The 13th Floor, 4120 Brighton Blvd., C2, Denver. The Asylum, 6100 E. 39th Ave., getscared.com

Haunted Mines

Sept. 20-Oct. 31: The grounds of the Western Museum of Mining & Industry become terrifying haunted attraction. Drop into the Haunted Mines, travel through spooky tunnels, attempt to ride the Hellevator back out, crawl for your life to escape out the vent shaft, slide down flumes and more. $15, $20 for VIP tickets. Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 North Gate Blvd. Colorado Springs, wmmi.org.