Ongoing � Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington. Costumed guides lead you through Downtown streets & alleyways with tales of the poor lost spirits that haunt Wilmington. It�s history with a twist. Tour leaves nightly Oct. 1-30 at 8:30pm; Tues.-Sat. at 6:30pm. Nov. 1-March: nightly at 6:30pm. Special tours on Halloween night (Oct. 31) take place hourly: 6:30; 7:30; 8:30; 9:30 & 10:30pm. Admission charge ($12 adults/$10 stu., srs, military. Children under age 6 free). Meets @ Water & Market streets, Wilmington. Reservations required: 910-602-6055; www.hirchak.com

Ongoing � Haunted Pub Crawl. Guided tour includes 7 of Wilmington�s most legendary haunted pubs. Adults only; $15 each (does not include alcohol). Meets every Tues., Thurs., Fri. and Saturdays at 7:30pm at the Cotton Exchange. Reservations required: 910-602-6055; www.hirchak.com

Oct. 24-31 � Halloween Horse-Drawn Ghost Trolley. Ghost ride through Wilmington�s Historic District and the �haunted barn.� Ghost stories tailored for young children without gore and violence. Free treats for children. 6-9pm nightly. Departs at Market & Water streets. Admission charge. 910-251-8889; www.horsedrawntours.com

Oct. 24-26 � 22nd Annual Halloween Festival. Poplar Grove Plantation�s annual Halloween Festival features �haunted� hayrides, palm readers, carnival rides, �haunted� barn, a Halloween Fun House with non-scary rooms with puppet shows, games, storytelling and kids� activities. Annual costume contest held Sat. 6-7pm. Oct. 24 (6pm-12midnite); Oct. 25 (2pm-12midnite); Oct. 26 (2pm-10pm). Poplar Grove Plantation (10200 US Hwy. 17N). Admission charge. 910-686-9518.

Oct. 23-26; 31 & Nov. 1 � The �Director�s Cut� Haunted House. Rated PG-13. Open 7pm-10pm (Oct. 23); 7pm-12midnite (Oct. 24, 25, 31, Nov. 1); 6pm-10pm (Oct. 26 & 30). Location: 115 S. Front Street, Wilmington. Admission charge ($5). Proceeds benefit New Hanover High School. 910-251-6100, ext. 222

Oct. 24-25 � �The Great Ghost Chase,� a Halloween musical presented by Thalian Assn. Children�s Theatre with a cast of 50 children. Shows Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 3pm. Admission charge. Community Arts Center (120 S. 2nd St., Wilmington), 910-251-1788; www.thalian.org

Oct. 25-26 � 10th Annual Halloween History-Mystery Tour. Explore Wilmington�s real haunted houses and buildings and learn about mysterious happenings. 4:00-8:00pm. Admission charge ($10 advance/$12 door); group discounts. Tour begins @ Bellamy Mansion Museum (503 Market St., Wilmington). 910-251-3700; www.bellamymansion.org

Oct. 28 � Dark and Stormy Night at New Hanover Co. Public Library. Spooky stories told at the Main Library, downtown (201 Chestnut St.). Ages 5 & under (6:30-7pm); ages 6 and up (7:30-8:30pm). Free. 910-798-6303

Oct. 30 � Trick-or-Treat Under the Sea. Kids can trick-or-treat their way from candy station to candy station throughout the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (900 Loggerhead Rd., Kure Beach). Candy stations sponsored by local businesses from 6pm until 8:30pm. Admission charge ($5). 910-458-7468; www.ncaquariums.com

Oct. 31 � Texas Style Trick or Treat. Kids love this mall-wide event. Kids can bring a large bag to collect candy and goodies from merchants at Westfield Shoppingtown Independence (3500 Oleander Dr., Wilmington). Arrive in costume and meet �Westie� (the shoppingtown mascot) and friends. 4-6 pm. Free. 910-392-1776.

For a free Visitors Guide to Historic Wilmington & NC�s Cape Fear Coast, please call (910) 341-4030 or toll-free at 1-866-266-9690. Or stop by the Visitor Information Center located at 24 N. Third Street, Wilmington, or visit www.cape-fear.nc.us. Please call ahead to confirm date, time and ticket prices.

Media:
Connie Nelson
Communications Manager
(910) 341-4030 or
(800) 222-4757
Cape Fear Coast CVB
cvbpr@cape-fear.nc.us