Halloween means many things to many people. For many of us, we get the kids all dressed up, cordon off the street and have a big street party. Every house decked out with pumpkins and ghosts in a spooky, but safe kid friendly trick or treating zone while the parents imbibe in adult fun. But, the actual nature of Halloween is much different, and the city of Houston has some pretty ghoulish places to visit to get your scare on, but underneath it all, you can find the real haunted Houston.
The History of Halloween
Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. During this time, the people would light huge bonfires and dress in costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. It was in the eighth century when Pope Gregory III declared November 1 as All Saints Day, which made October 31, All Hallows Eve.
Here in the United States, the practice of going door to door originated from the Irish and the English who immigrated to the U.S. They would dress in costume and ask for money and food. As time went on, the holiday has taken on a more festive and community-based mood and evolved into what it is today.
Halloween in Houston
For great lists of things to do with or without kids in Houston on Halloween, we suggest you visit these sites.
365 Things to Do in Houston
Visit Houston
Kids Out and About
Click 2 Houston
Haunted Houston
If you are looking for something unusual to do the weekend before Halloween, just to get your juices flowing, we suggest you visit The National Museum of Funeral History. Here you can discover the largest collection of authentic and historical funeral service items. And, you have to love their motto,
Any day above ground is a good one.
Speaking of being above ground, we had mentioned Glenwood Cemetery when we wrote about Houston’s Top Hidden Gems, but now we suggest you go and visit this beautiful but spooky cemetery for other reasons. Rumor has it that the murdered owner of Glenwood still haunts the hallowed grounds and who knows if you might run into him on Halloween.
Before you head out to the cemetery, enjoy a meal at The Spaghetti Warehouse and leave room at the table for the Pharmacist and his wife who both were rumored to die there. They might rearrange your silverware, pull your hair while you are eating or even steal a meatball. Diners beware, this could be the scariest and best Italian meal you could have on Halloween.
Depending on how brave you are after you hit the cemetery, drive out to the bridge on Patterson Road. It has been said that if you park on the bridge after midnight, and turn off your lights, you might hear tapping on your car, hear screaming in the woods, see some ghosts or your car might even drive itself.
Of course, if you want just to try to call on the spirits the old-fashioned way, you could always pull out the Ouija board and see who you can summon, or just hand out candy like most of us do and get spooked by the cuties that show up at your door to trick or treat!
We hope you have a safe and Happy Halloween in haunted Houston!
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