Things to do this Spooky Season around College Park
By Laura Charleston
October 28, 2022
Image Credit: David Menidrey for Unsplash
Out with the hot summer days and in with the fall season.
It's time for pumpkin spice lattes, color-changing leaves, carved pumpkins and scary movies. After a long day of studying, try winding down with some fun fall attractions. Maryland has a lot to offer, including orchards and haunted attractions. If traveling isn’t in the plan, there are many ways to relax and have fun on campus.
Off-Campus
Looking for pumpkins to carve or fresh produce? Spicknall’s Farm Market is a family-owned flea market where customers can purchase fresh produce, flowers and more.
Karen Spicknall, co-owner of the market, is excited about the fall season and decorating the market. When asked her favorite part of the season, Spicknall stated, “the excitement of the kid’s getting the pumpkins.”
Open every day from 9 a.m., it is about a 15-minute drive from campus and a 53-minute ride by bus.
12011 Old Gunpowder Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Want to indulge in the spooky season? Try Laurel’s House of Horror. It features paranormal tours and horror movie-themed escape rooms. The movie themes include Escape The Movies Cult Classics, Freakshow and Jigsaw. The facility is also built inside a haunted movie complex. Enter if you dare. Admission for the haunted house is $25, the escape room starts at $80 and the paranormal investigation starts at $55. About 21 minutes from the campus by car and 69 minutes by bus.
935 Fairlawn Ave, Laurel, MD 20707
Six Flag's Fright Fest is an after-dark special full of fun, terror, and screaming. Visit after 6 p.m. to witness all the clowns, monsters, and creatures walking around the park. There are haunted attractions, scare zones, and rides in the dark. Located in Bowie, Maryland, 35 minutes from the campus by car and an hour and 51 minutes by bus.
13710 Central Ave, Bowie, MD 20721
On-Campus
The Student Entertainment Event organization (SEE), also hosts various fun events for the season.
October 21 is the annual Terp Carnival. Starting at 4 p.m., at the mall, students can enjoy food, live music, a petting zoo, fireworks and more. While there are different seasonal activities outside, there are many ways to enjoy the season indoors. Watching horror movies, baking sweet treats and bundling up in a cozy blanket are great ways to enjoy the season.
Freshman criminal justice major Vanessa Torcia enjoys rewatching Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill and getting comfortable in her own dorm.
“It starts being really cold and like it’s nice to just kind of curl up at home, put…on a scary movie, getting ready for Halloween,” said Torcia.
Freshman criminal justice major Jessica Simanjuntak watches original Disney movies for the nostalgia of Monstober.
“I like rewatching Disney original movies like the Girl v.s. Monster is my favorite. Like I have to watch it,” said Jessica.
It's time for pumpkin spice lattes, color-changing leaves, carved pumpkins and scary movies. After a long day of studying, try winding down with some fun fall attractions. Maryland has a lot to offer, including orchards and haunted attractions. If traveling isn’t in the plan, there are many ways to relax and have fun on campus.
Off-Campus
Looking for pumpkins to carve or fresh produce? Spicknall’s Farm Market is a family-owned flea market where customers can purchase fresh produce, flowers and more.
Karen Spicknall, co-owner of the market, is excited about the fall season and decorating the market. When asked her favorite part of the season, Spicknall stated, “the excitement of the kid’s getting the pumpkins.”
Open every day from 9 a.m., it is about a 15-minute drive from campus and a 53-minute ride by bus.
12011 Old Gunpowder Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Want to indulge in the spooky season? Try Laurel’s House of Horror. It features paranormal tours and horror movie-themed escape rooms. The movie themes include Escape The Movies Cult Classics, Freakshow and Jigsaw. The facility is also built inside a haunted movie complex. Enter if you dare. Admission for the haunted house is $25, the escape room starts at $80 and the paranormal investigation starts at $55. About 21 minutes from the campus by car and 69 minutes by bus.
935 Fairlawn Ave, Laurel, MD 20707
Six Flag's Fright Fest is an after-dark special full of fun, terror, and screaming. Visit after 6 p.m. to witness all the clowns, monsters, and creatures walking around the park. There are haunted attractions, scare zones, and rides in the dark. Located in Bowie, Maryland, 35 minutes from the campus by car and an hour and 51 minutes by bus.
13710 Central Ave, Bowie, MD 20721
On-Campus
The Student Entertainment Event organization (SEE), also hosts various fun events for the season.
October 21 is the annual Terp Carnival. Starting at 4 p.m., at the mall, students can enjoy food, live music, a petting zoo, fireworks and more. While there are different seasonal activities outside, there are many ways to enjoy the season indoors. Watching horror movies, baking sweet treats and bundling up in a cozy blanket are great ways to enjoy the season.
Freshman criminal justice major Vanessa Torcia enjoys rewatching Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill and getting comfortable in her own dorm.
“It starts being really cold and like it’s nice to just kind of curl up at home, put…on a scary movie, getting ready for Halloween,” said Torcia.
Freshman criminal justice major Jessica Simanjuntak watches original Disney movies for the nostalgia of Monstober.
“I like rewatching Disney original movies like the Girl v.s. Monster is my favorite. Like I have to watch it,” said Jessica.