It’s almost that time of year again. The time when houses intentionally don cobwebs and all bags of drug store candy have little black bats on the packaging. It’s almost Halloween.

And while the coronavirus pandemic has obviously put a damper on things, spooky season in New York City — this blog creator’s hometown — and beyond is still happening. In honor of the season, It’s Fall, Y’all has compiled a list of five NYC Halloween attractions that are safe to attend during COVID.

1.) Boo at the Zoo
When: Thursdays through Sundays from Oct. 1 - Nov. 1
Where: Bronx Zoo
Cost: $39.95 for adults over 13 years old, $29.95 for children ages 3-12, free for zoo members

“Boo at the Zoo” is a classic New York Halloween event, despite how expensive it is to get in. This year, masks and social distancing are required, but families are still encouraged to come in costume to enjoy the festivities. Admission costs include general admission to the zoo for the day in addition to all Halloween activities, including magic and mind reading shows, an extinct animal graveyard, pumpkin carving demonstrations, a candy and pumpkin trail, a costume “maskerade” and a scavenger hunt.

2.) Coney Island virtual Halloween Costume Contest
When: Submission opens on Oct. 21 and ends Oct. 28, voting opens Oct. 21 and ends Oct. 31
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free to enter and vote

Normally, Coney Island, with its associated theme parks, would host in-person Halloween events at the boardwalk and parks. This year, however, that’s not the case. Instead, there’s an online costume contest going on right now. According to the website, “The top 3 most voted for costumes will receive 4 tickets to the New York Aquarium, a Brooklyn Cyclones game, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Luna Park in Coney Island, meal vouchers for Nathan’s Famous and a $25 gift card to the boardwalk’s newest eatery, La Tombola, all for the 2021 season!” Winners will be announced on Nov. 2.

3.) Halloween on the Farm
When: Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Queens County Farm Museum
Cost: $20 per person over the age of three

The Queens County Farm Museum owns autumn. From the moment September hits, the farm has awesome events planned, including this Halloween staple. Masks and social distancing are required, but people are encouraged to wear their costumes. Admission includes hayrides, an attempt to escape the Amazing Maize Maze, kids crafts at the Con Edison Ecology booth and trick-or-treating with the farm animals. The farm has been offering the maze, both by daylight and moonlight and hayrides since September and a pumpkin patch for the month of October.

4.) The Great Pumpkin Path
When: Oct. 3 - Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: New York Botanical Garden in Manhattan
Cost: $28 for adults, $25 for students, $12 for children 2-12, free for members and children under two

The New York Botanical Garden is hosting this activity on the conservatory lawn to display the great variety that can be found in pumpkin and gourd species. There’s also a “whimsical” scarecrow display. Admission includes access to the conservatory and conservatory lawn, the gardens, and outdoor grounds and collections. 

5.) Paranormal Investigations for the Public at the Morris Jumel Mansion
When: Oct. 23, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: The Morris Jumel Mansion in Washington Heights
Cost: $50 per person

The Morris-Jumel Mansion is one of the oldest historic sites in Manhattan, so naturally it’s also thought to be haunted. The museum is offering paranormal investigations that are open to the public but are run by professional investigators. Admission includes a discussion on paranormal theory and the history of the house and its collections, a crash course in electronic paranormal detective equipment and a full investigation of the property. Attendees will have to social distance between parties of people who live in the same household and are required to wear masks and comfortable shoes. Tickets are non-refundable.