Ongoing (year-round) � Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington. Costumed guides lead visitors through alleyways with tales of haunted Wilmington. Nightly Halloween-theme tours at 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Admission charge. Meets at Water & Market streets. Reservations required: 910-794-1866; www.hauntedwilmington.com (not recommended for very young children)

Ongoing (year-round) � Haunted Pub Crawl. Guided tour to 5 haunted pubs. Agest 21 and up; admission charge. Meets Tues.-Sat. in October & Sunday, Oct. 31 at 7:30pm at Fat Tony�s (131 N. Front St.). Reservations required: 910-794-1866; www.hauntedwilmington.com

Each Tuesday in October � Murder Mystery Dinner Cruises. Solve an exciting who-dunnit during a 2- hour dinner cruise along the Cape Fear River. Audience participation; prizes. Boards at 6pm; departs 6:30pm at dock (Water & Dock sts). Admission charge. Reservations: 910-343-1611; 800-676-0162; www.cfrboats.com

Each Tuesday and Thursday in October � Pirate Cruise/Tour. 3pm-5pm. Arrrr! Join a costumed pirate storyteller on an exploration of Money Island on the Intracoastal Waterway. Kids will learn about the history of famous North Carolina pirates, such as Captain Kidd and Black Beard. Admission charge. Wrightsville Beach Water Taxi & Cruises, 275 Waynick Blvd. (across from Blockade Runner Resort), Wrightsville Beach. Advance reservations required: 910-200-4002; www.capefearnaturalist.com

Oct. 8-9; 15-16; 22-23; 29-30 � Ghost Ship Tour. 7pm-10pm. You�ve seen the Battleship NC on paranormal programs, now come see for yourself! Come and experience Ghost Ship, a haunted house with ghouls, ghosts, and zombies set on the Battleship for some great and scary Halloween fun. Admission is $10 per person at door. Line forms at 6:30pm. You must be in the ticket line by 9:30pm to ensure a ticket. Note: Not recommended for young children. Battleship North Carolina, #1 Battleship Rd., Wilmington. 910-251-5797; www.battleshipnc.com
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Oct. 22-24 & 29-31 � 29th Annual Halloween Festival at Poplar Grove Plantation. �Haunted� hayrides, carnival rides and games, �haunted� barn, non-scary Fun House with fortune tellers, games, stories, pony rides, food, costume contests, and more. Fun for all ages, including small children. Fri. (6-11pm); Sat. (2-11pm); Sun. (2-9pm). Costume contest (all ages) is Sat. the 30th. Free admission; activity fees vary. Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Hwy. 17N, Wilmington. 910-686-9518; www.poplargrove.com

Oct. 21; 28 � Clue! Mystery Dinner Theatre Halloween Special. 6:30pm. Porch Theatre Company presents this fast paced family friendly whodunit that will leave you �dying� with laughter. Audiences (if they come in costume) are invited to participate in the costume contest held after the performance. Reservations required. Adults $20; kids $20 (includes dinner, tax, gratuity and performance). Front Street Brewery, 9 N. Front St., Wilmington. 910-232-6611; www.porchtheatre.com

Oct. 22-24 & 28-31 � Halloween Ghost Trolley. 6pm-9pm. 30-minute horse-drawn trolley ride through historic district and a visit to the �haunted barn.� Horses and tour guides are dressed in costume. Halloween-theme stories, songs & treats. $12 Adults; $5 Children under 12. Departs at Market & Water Sts.; 910-251-8889; www.horsedrawntours.com

Oct. 24 � Horse Drawn Wagon Rides at Oakdale Cemetery. 3pm-5:30pm. On this afternoon visitors can view and learn the history with interesting commentaries about the cemetery. $10 Adults; children 12 and under $8. 910-762-5682; www.oakdalecemetery.org

Oct. 8-9; 15; 23-24 � Ghost Hike. 8pm. Join a park ranger down the trails of Fort Fisher State Recreation Area to explore the unexplained phenomena that surrounds Fort Fisher. Bring a flashlight and meet at 8pm at the visitor center to explore trails that are normally closed at night. Space is limited; reservations are required. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, 1000 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach. 910-458-5798; www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fofi/main.php

Oct. 26 � Batty Battleship�s Halloween Bash. 5:30pm-8pm. A lot of fun & no scares, it is time for families to have fun & raise their hairs. But don�t be frightened & don�t you fret, we promise we�ll provide a zoo with animals to pet. With candy & sweets, there�s plenty of treats you�ll be asking yourself: what more should I eat? As everyone comes dressed in their Halloween best, there will be carnival festivities, games & much more. Did we mention also candy galore! Admission is $5 per person. Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington. 910-251-5797; www.battleshipnc.com

Oct. 27 & 28 � Trick-or-Treat Under the Sea. 5pm-8:30pm. Families can enjoy thrills & gills in the same day. Indoor trick-or-treating, face painting, story-telling, magic shows and haunted gardens are some of the highlights at this family oriented fun Halloween party at the Aquarium. Note: only umbrella strollers permitted. Admission is $6; children 2 and under FREE. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach; 910-458-8257; www.ncaquariums.com

Oct. 30 � Kooky Spooky Jam-Boo-Read! 5-7pm. A kids� festival featuring scary stories and non-scary fall-theme activities. Kids are invited to arrive dressed in costume or as a favorite book character. Admission charge. Children�s Museum of Wilmington, 116 Orange Street, Wilmington. 910-254-3534; www.playwilmington.org

Oct. 30 � Pumpkin Party at Fit for Fun. 9am-12noon. Arrive in costume and enjoy pumpkin painting, pumpkin games, temporary tattoos, and more. $5 per child. Fit for Fun Center, 302 S. 10th St., Wilmington; 910-341-4630.

Oct. 29 � HAUNT 2010. 8:00pm-midnight. Adult Halloween party with food, drinks, karaoke, and costume contest. Admission charge. Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.com

Oct. 30 � Trick or Treat Trot 5K/10K Run & 1 mile Fun Run/Walk. 9am. Registration fee for adult 5K/10K race. Halloween costumes encouraged. 20 N. 4th St., Wilmington. Brian Blake; 910-343-1901. www.active.com

Oct. 31 � Scary Creepy Critters. 1:30pm-3pm. Educational program, nature trail hike, and creepy crafts that revolve around bats, spiders, and other scary, creepy creatures. Ages 6-10 yrs. Pre-registration required. Admission charge. Halyburton Park, Wilmington. 910-341-0075; www.halyburtonpark.com

Oct. 31 � Trick-or-Treat at the Mall. 3-5pm. Kids arrive in costume and retailers provide candy. Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Dr., Wilmington. 910-392-1776; www.shopindependencemall.com

What�s your favorite way to play? Festivals and events provide a fun and affordable way to experience a destination. For more information about Fall featured events, experiences and seasonal specials, visit www.capefearcoast.com/fall. For a FREE Official Visitors Guide to Wilmington & NC�s Cape Fear Coast (Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach), please call 910-341-4030 or 1-866-266-9690. Or stop by the Visitor Information Center located at 24 N. 3rd St., Wilmington, or visit www.gocapefearcoast.com. Before traveling any distance, please call event venue in advance to confirm date, time, prices.

Media Contact:
Wilmington / Cape Fear Coast CVB
Connie Nelson
Communications/PR Manager
910-341-4030 ext. 120, or
866-266-9690
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The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington / Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization of New Hanover County that stimulates economic development through the promotion of travel and tourism.
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