It’s not too late to celebrate the Spooky Season by visiting one of the Black Lagoon Halloween pop-ups. The highly acclaimed Halloween pop-up features hauntingly new & delicious cocktails such as Griselda’s Revenge–a tropical, herbaceous cooler fit for a swamp queen–and theNocturna Colada, which is the piña colada of your darkest dreams.
Find the Black Lagoon venue nearest you by visiting Black Lagoon Pop-Up. And for those who live in Phoenix, the Pop-up runs until November 3rd at Sunny’s, located at 2701 E. Indian School Road. You don’t have to wear a costume but why not?
The venues all have immersive atmospheres along with brand-new cocktail menu, created by bar industry luminaries Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage.
This year’s lineup With Black Lagoon’s unique blend of spooky ambience and expertly crafted drinks, it’s an event that’s not to be missed.
Over the past few years, we’ve been telling you about the frightful amounts of fall fun visitors can have when they come to Bowling Green, Kentucky, the childhood home of horror film director John Carpenter.
This year, though, we’re taking the scare level back to a G-rating as we provide a glimpse into the more family-friendly aspects of a fall trip to Kentucky’s third-largest city. And by G-rating, we mean you’ll find the three best G’s of the season … gourds, goodies and ghosts.
To us, the perfect weekend getaway in Bowling Green with your little goblins includes these highlights:
GOURDS
Fall is the perfect time to visit Jackson’s Orchard, which is home to both a pumpkin patch and pick-your-own orchard. Credit: VisitBGKY
Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery: Since 1966, the Jackson family has been welcoming visitors to their farm. Running every Saturday (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (from 1 to 5 p.m.) in October, the orchard’s Pumpkin Festival means hayrides to the pumpkin patch, corn maze and pick-your-own apple orchard; games; pony rides; a petting zoo; and an array of fantastic food. (Insider tip: Do NOT miss the caramel apples.)
Scarecrow Trail at Lost River Cave: The cave, which runs underneath downtown Bowling Green and is visited via a boat (yes!) is a fantastic experience all year round … but especially in this season when we’re all ready to have a little fun in the dark. But there’s also above-ground entertainment here in the form of walking trails, which get even more perfect in the fall.
That’s when local families, businesses and organizations create themed scarecrows to greet visitors. Between October 4 and 26, from dawn to dusk, you can see about 90 scarecrows and vote on your favorites. And this is no trick but all treats: The trail is totally free, though you’re welcome to make a donation if you’d like.
GOODIES
Chaney’s Dairy Barn:If you crave seasonal flavors and also want to hang out with some big, fuzzy creatures (we’re talking about cows here, not monsters), you won’t want to miss one of the region’s most popular agritourism destinations. Chaney’s offers a self-guided farm tour so families can get a glimpse at how milk gets from cows to grocery stores. They also have a stellar playground, and this time of year, there’s a cow-themed corn maze. There’s a restaurant on site (go for the gourmet grilled cheese – you’re at a dairy farm, after all), but let’s face it, all that is just a prelude to the reason you’re really here … the fresh ice cream. You can choose from more than 50 flavors and won’t go wrong with a single one, though we suggest you lean into fall and make at least one of your scoops (because nobody does a single here) either apple pie or pumpkin.
Meltdown Ice Cream & Soda Fountain: Not to be outdone by what you’ll find on the farm, this iconic ice cream parlor in the heart of downtown also offers an array of seasonal flavors. Starting this month, those include Hello, Pumpkin (self-explanatory); Apple Butter Biscuits, which is sweet cream with apple butter swirl and biscuit cookies; and Pumpkin Un-roll, a cream cheese ice cream with pumpkin roll cake and pumpkin butter swirl. With flavors like that, you’ll want to go for THREE scoops! The shop also offers fall-themed ice cream floats, of course!
Our PR pal in Bowling Green made the ultimate sacrifice and stopped by Meltdown on Tuesday night. That’s Hello, Pumpkin on the left and Apple Butter Biscuits on the right. Credit: Carrie Cavitt
GHOSTS
Photo courtesy of UnSeen BG Tour.
UnSeen BG Tour: These themed history tours are always a hit with visitors, and this year brings the debut of a new ghostly tour that’s family-friendly, “Phantasms Around Fountain Square.” Guides take participants on a 1.5-mile walking tour that explores the haunted history in and around the city’s iconic Fountain Square. Tours depart at 7 p.m. on weekends throughout October.
Dr. Smith’s Spooky Stories: If you want to check out what most people consider the most haunted spot in town, you need to head to Western Kentucky University, nicknamed “The Hill.” That’s where Dr. Tamela Williams Smith, who’s had an interest in the paranormal since she was a student there, shares the stories she’s learned by conducting interviews with at least 100 students, faculty members and staff. The university is home to an array of unexplained phenomena, and this year Dr. Smith has adapted her standard “Hilltop History and Haunts Tour” to create a more kid-friendly ghost adventure, too.
White Squirrels: Are they ghosts? No! But do these tiny rodents look like they’re ready to trick-or-treat? They sure do. Bowling Green’s favorite animals are the rare white squirrels found in abundance here. A great place to see them is on the campus of Western Kentucky University, where they’re revered.
To start scaring up some G-rated fun for your family on a fall visit to Bowling Green, check out www.visitbgky.com.
Black Lagoon, the award-winning Halloween pop-up celebration from industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, has revealed its full cocktail lineup and official spirit partners for the 2025 season. Now in its fifth year, the darkly imaginative bar takeover expands to 38 cities across North America this October, offering fans more sinister sips and haunted thrills than ever before.
Conceived in 2019 at The Dungeon, a cult-favorite dive bar in New Orleans, founders Hayes and Ramage knew they were onto something wickedly unique and deliciously dark. Black Lagoon officially launched its first bar pop-up in 2021. Five years later, it has now cast its veil of darkness over major cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, expanding to 38 locations for the 2025 season.
“We wanted this year’s cocktails to push the boundaries of spooky creativity while also being approachable, fun and above all, delicious,” says co-founder Erin Hayes. “It’s important to us that every drink feels like an experience, whether you’re sipping tequila, rum, or even a zero-proof cocktail.”
This year’s cocktail menu features spine-chilling originals including:
Death’s Door (non-alcoholic): Spirit-free alternative, Giffard Pineapple, miso falernum, lime, soda
Black Lagoon’s 2025 cocktails are powered by Lalo Tequila, Fords Gin, Kraken Rum (Gold & Black), Mr Black Cold Brew Liqueur, Giffard Liqueurs, Lustau Sherry/Vermouth, and Bitter Queens, with Canadian partners including Absolut Vodka, and Lot 40 Rye.
“Partnering with some of the most exciting spirit brands out there makes the magic possible,” adds co-founder Kelsey Ramage. “Each sponsor brings a unique character that fits right into the Black Lagoon universe and flavors we bring to life each year.”
For its fifth season, Black Lagoon continues its reign as North America’s premier Halloween bar pop-up, transforming the following cities and venues, with dates varying by location:
Guests will step into eerie, immersive worlds where haunted house-inspired décor comes to life—think skulls, coffins, and macabre details that embrace goth, horror, and the spirit of Halloween across every city. To explore the nightmarish world of Black Lagoon this Halloween season, please visit www.blacklagoonpopup.com and follow along on Instagram at @blacklagoonpopup.
About Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is an immersive Halloween bar pop-up where mixology meets the macabre. Created by industry veterans Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes, Black Lagoon helps cocktail bars present a dark celebration for those who revel in the mysterious and bizarre, where guests can transport themselves to a world that blurs that line between reality and the supernatural. Black Lagoon was named Canada’s Best Pop-Up Bar by Canada’s 100 Best in 2022.
These inventive and eerie drinks are perfect for celebrating the spooky season
As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, it’s time to stir up some fun with Halloween-inspired cocktails that will have your guests ‘howling’ with delight!
“Whether you’re hosting a haunted house party or cozying up for a spooky movie marathon, these eerie drinks are the perfect way to celebrate the spooky season,” says Daniel Ufland, founder of The Whisky Masters, a premier online whisky retailer.
With ghoulish garnishes, creepy color changes, and bewitching flavors, Daniel’s creative concoctions will bring a festive flair to Halloween.
Witch’s Brew White Russian
Ingredients:
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Kahlua
1 1/2 oz. pumpkin spice creamer
Cinnamon stick
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3 Tbsp. crushed graham crackers
Method: Combine the pumpkin pie spice and crushed crackers on a plate. After dipping the rim of each glass in water, dip them into the spice and cracker mixture. Then, add ice to each glass, pour in the vodka and Kahlua, and top it with the creamer. Stick in a cinnamon stick and sprinkle the pumpkin pie spice on the top to garnish.
Method: Pour the boiling water over the purple cabbage in a large bowl and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Strain out the cabbage and let the water cool; it should look bluey-purple. When the water has cooled, freeze it in ice trays.
Then, combine the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and lemonade in a large pitcher. Wet the rim of each glass with a lime wedge and then dip it in salt. Replace the lime wedge, add the purple ice cubes and pour in the margarita.
“The purple cabbage-infused ice cubes will turn the margarita pink and purple, changing colors as you drink,” says Daniel. “But don’t worry; the cabbage cubes won’t affect the taste!”
Ghostly Glowing Gin
Ingredients: 3 oz. gin
1/2 oz. lemon juice
1 tsp. grenadine
1 handful ice
Tonic water
Method: Shake the gin, grenadine, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker without ice. Then, pour into a glass over ice and top with tonic water. “These cocktails should glow white under a blacklight for a spooky Halloween vibe. For extra fun, you can add a glow stick to each drink as a stirrer,” suggests Daniel.
Poison Apple Shot
Ingredients: 1 oz. sour apple schnapps
1 oz. whisky
1/2 oz. pomegranate juice
1/2 oz. cranberry juice
Juice from 1 small lime
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
Method: Stir the schnapps, whisky, and both juices well in a pitcher. Squeeze the lime juice into one bowl and add the sugar to the other. Take each glass and dip the rim first into the lime, then the sugar. Then, you’ll be ready to pour and serve.
Cursed Lagoon Curacao
Blue Curacao is perfect for a spooky Halloween cocktail. Photo courtesy of Senior & Co.
Ingredients:
1 oz. light rum
2 oz. coconut rum
1 oz. Blue Curacao
1 handful ice
Pineapple juice
Method: Add the Blue Curacao and both rums to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well for about 30 seconds. Then, pour the mixture into a glass and top it off with pineapple juice.
“The Blue Curacao will give this drink a spooky blue glow like a witch’s potion!” says Daniel.
Daniel Ufland, founder of The Whisky Masters, commented:
“You can easily tweak these fun cocktails to suit your taste or make them family-friendly! For a spooky mocktail version, swap out the alcohol for flavored syrups or juices. Adjust the sweetness by adding more fruit juice or dialing up the spice with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
“When it comes to serving, presentation is everything on Halloween! Use themed glasses like skeleton-hand goblets or potion-style bottles. Rim your glasses with black sugar or edible glitter instead of salt for a magical touch. Add playful garnishes like candy eyeballs, gummy worms, or black licorice ‘straws’ for an eerie twist.
“For extra flair, serve your drinks with glow-in-the-dark stirrers or spooky straws for that mysterious, bubbling cauldron effect! Don’t be afraid to get creative – frozen berries can double as ‘bloody eyeballs,’ and edible glitter can add a mystical shimmer to any drink. Halloween is all about having fun and letting your imagination run wild, so go ahead and brew up some ‘books’ that match your spooky vibe!”
About The Whiskey Masters
The Whisky Masters is a premier online whisky retailer offering a curated selection of fine and rare whiskies. Catering to both seasoned connoisseurs and newcomers, the company provides an extensive range of products from renowned distilleries worldwide. Their collection includes limited editions, rare collectibles, and exclusive releases, all aimed at enhancing the whisky-tasting experience. The Whisky Masters prides itself on exceptional customer service.
For the month of October, you might as well start calling Kentucky’s third-largest city “Boo-ling Green,” because this is a destination that truly gets goosebumps when it sees October 31 approach on the calendar. That makes perfect sense, considering that Bowling Green is the hometown of filmmaker John Carpenter, who created classic horror flicks like “Halloween.”
It’s not all about gore and goblins, mayhem and monsters, though. There are plenty of family-friendly ways to celebrate all the things that go bump in the night. And around here, the creatures that get the most seasonal attention aren’t bats … they’re the rare white squirrels that populate the city. The rodents, which are particularly active now because they’re stocking up on snacks for the winter, look like tiny ghosts already jittery from the trick-or-treating sugar rush.
Here are all the ways you can get into the Halloween spirit in Bowling Green:
JOHN CARPENTER EXPERIENCE
John Carpenter, a filmmaker and composer who grew up in Bowling Green, is widely considered one of the masters of the horror-film genre. His most notable films include “Halloween,” “The Fog,” “The Thing,” “Christine,” “They Live” and “Village of the Damned.” Though he was born in New York state, Carpenter moved to Bowling Green when he was just 5 years old. He became obsessed with cinema shortly thereafter, and he made his first short horror film before he entered high school. Carpenter began college at Western Kentucky University, where his father chaired the music department, then left to pursue his career in California. Though none of his films were shot in his hometown, the people and places around Bowling Green remained influential to his filmmaking.
Fans of his films may already feel like they know sites around the city, though those places are a lot less creepy in broad daylight and without the foreboding music. (Fun fact: Carpenter wrote his own scores.) Horror fans can pick up a brochure called the Reel Sites, Real Scary Driving Tour at the visitor center (or download your own PDF here) and take a self-guided trip to 17 spots that were meaningful or inspirational to Carpenter or mentioned in his movies.
ATTRACTIONS
Skeleton’s Lair Scream Park:Open on weekends through early November, this popular attraction is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The park is located – appropriately enough – on Cemetery Road and features haunted woods, a haunted hayride, a two-story haunted house and a 3D haunted maze. It’s staffed by live actors but also offers plenty of pyrotechnics and special effects, all adding to the fear factor.
Lost River Cave: This attraction offers a glimpse into the darker side of Bowling Green … because it’s one of Kentucky’s famous caves, and the only one that’s explored by boat. Though tours take place year-round, at this time of year you can participate in a special nighttime tour called “Lost Tales of the Underground,” on which guides blend history and fun as they share the cave’s ghost stories. The tour takes place nightly from October 21 through 31 and costs $35 per person. Even if you’re afraid of the dark, you can still explore the exterior of the cave, walking along the Scarecrow Trail and voting for your favorite of the scarecrows that have been crafted by members of the community. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be viewed from dawn to dusk each day through October 27. There’s no admission fee for that family-friendly experience.
HAUNTED SITES
Old Richardsville Road Bridge: Located just off Highway 185, the bridge dates to the late 1800s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also on locals’ list of Most Haunted Places. As the story goes, a young woman either jumped off, drove off or was pushed off the bridge – that part of the tale is unclear – and died at the site. It’s said that if you drive onto the bridge at night and shift your car into neutral, some unseen force will push your vehicle to the other side of the bridge.
Local legend claims it’s the young woman, trying to safely escort travelers across so they don’t suffer the same fate that she did. Many brave souls have tested the theory over the years, and some have even sprinkled baby powder on their bumper before driving onto the bridge. They report seeing a handprint in the powder when they reach the other side.
TOURS
Hilltop History and Haunts Tour: This 90-minute walking tour explores the campus of Western Kentucky University, which is situated on “The Hilltop.” The university has such a reputation for ghostly encounters that it has been featured on the television show “Ghost Hunters.” The tour is led by former WKU professor Dr. Tamela W. Smith, who describes a variety of mysterious phenomena, focusing not only on the university but also the history of “The Hill” and what may have happened there to result in all the spiritual activity. The tour is intended for guests ages 16 and older and is offered on Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at 8 p.m. A special Halloween version that includes the opportunity to use paranormal investigation equipment is scheduled for at 11 p.m. on October 31. As an added bonus, WKU is a great place to see those aforementioned white squirrels.
UnSeen Bowling Green Tours: This company focuses on the city’s histories, mysteries, scandals and ghost stories, and is offering three fall-themed tours that run throughout the month of October. The “Murders and Misdemeanors” walking tour focuses on Bowling Green’s dark side and reveals a variety of bone-chilling tales. Tickets are $24 per person.
DINING
Bowling Green’s chefs and bartenders have been busy at their bubbling cauldrons, creating all kinds of eats, sweets and liquid treats to soothe the howling in your stomach. Some lean into the creep factor, and others are simply celebrating fall.
For example, at Rafferty’srestaurant you can order a slab of sweet potato pie that’s heavy on the butter, brown sugar and pecans. And though you might think that makes it a dessert, they serve it as a side dish! At Mary Jane’s Chocolates in the town square, they’re coating crisp, tart Granny Smiths in sweet and sticky caramel and hoping that a tricked-out apple a day does indeed keep the doctor away.
Over atLost River Pizza Co., though, their Killer Garlic Knots are brushed with enough garlic butter to keep away all the vampires.
Speaking of Dracula and his buddies, at Toro, the mad scientists behind the bar are busy concocting El Vampiro, a decidedly devilish drink made with tequila, orange liqueur, blackberry puree, honey-infused simple syrup, lemon juice and black salt.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Boos & Brews at The Capitol: You missed it this year, but note it for the future: If you’re interested in a big-screen scream, The Capitol performing arts center provided the perfect venue to watch a double feature of John Carpenter’s “Halloween” and “Halloween II” last Friday night. White Squirrel Brewery(yes, even businesses around here are obsessed with the little spectral creatures) served some of its beer, and we hear that the audience members tried their best not to spill any when they jumped out of their seats. And … the theater itself is reported to be haunted, with plenty of stories of ghostly footsteps and apparitions to keep your spine tingling.
Downtown BGKY Harvest Festival:This free, family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, October 19 in the heart of downtown Bowling Green. In addition to kid’s activities, live music, craft vendors, and food trucks, the event is home to Downtown BGKY’s annual “pumpkin drops.” There are no tricks but plenty of treats at this fall-themed, scare-free street festival.
Boogeyman Ball: On October 26, White Squirrel will open its downtown brewery for a costume party and contest that features live (not dead) music and some wicked cocktails. There’s a $20 cover charge for the event, which runs from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
When it comes to Halloween this season, Chicago has it covered– ghostly pub tours, a chance to walk the streets where the city’s first serial killer (or at least the first we know about) once roamed, re-enactments of Victorian era seances, and a chance to explore the city with noted author. podcaster, and host of Mysterious Chicago Tours Adam Selzer at the Lincoln Park Zoo. These are just a few of the many spooky events happening in Chicago this Halloween season.
Ever read Devil in the White City, the bestselling book by Erik Larson about H.H. Holmes? Now walk in his footsteps with Chicago Ghost Tours with Free Tours by Foot (Adults-only tour departs 3×4 times per week at 6:00 p.m.; check scheduling and pay as you will), a two hour, 1-mile walking tour takes guests through downtown Chicago. Fittingly it begins when the sun is setting, the perfect time to hear some of the most gruesome and creepy Chicago stories about the Everleigh Club, the 1900’s Red Light district, and about downtown prison breaks.
For Those Who Dare: Other Spooky Opportunities Abound.
Consider these:
Chicago Ghost Tour Pub Crawl by Nightly Spirits (Attendees must be 21+; tickets start at $30 per person; purchase of alcohol not included or required).
The Nightly Spirits Lincoln Park Haunted Pub Tour explores some of the most haunted pubs, alleys, and buildings. Stand a few feet away from where Dillinger met his end, catch a whiff of flowers as the unseen lavender lady passes by, enjoy a drink in an antique store where each item has a story of its own, and get a true glimpse of the prohibition lifestyle. Start your tour at the haunted Lincoln Station Bar while your costumed guide creeps you out with stories of murdered gangsters, local lore, and old owners that won’t vacate the nearby buildings!
Then take the 2.5-hour walking journey exploring the Lincoln Park area to meet the spirits that haunt the locals at favorite local haunts! The tour encompases up to 3 haunted bars*–and that’s a good thing as you’ll need plenty of liquid courage (available for purchase) to face the ghostly residents of the Windy City.
Ghost Tours at the Auditorium Theatre (Tours through November 22, Sundays, Mondays & Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m., Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.; tickets start at $15 per person).
Step into the spooky world of the supernatural this October and November for this special Halloween edition of the Auditorium Theatre’s National Landmark Backstage Tours. In addition to learning about the unique architecture and history of this storied Chicago building, tours will also discover the haunted, goosebumps-inducing past. Watch your step, a 134-year-old building is bound to have a few ghosts, including a persistent disembodied whistling in the stage door alley, specters that appear and disappear in the seats at night, the ghost of a man whose funeral was held on the Auditorium’s stage, and more. The Auditorium Theatre, designed by famed architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, opened on December 9, 1889, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1975. ‘Spirited’ Thursday evening tours also include access to a cash bar. The spooky- but not scary- tour is appropriate for all ages. Come in costume on October 29 for a special Halloween ghost tour that includes candy for kids of all ages.
From its inception, the Hull-House Settlement was a center of urban legends and supernatural stories, as Chicago’s neighborhoods kept whispers alive about its supposed unearthly inhabitants. Today, Hull-House is a favorite stop on Chicago ghost tours and it is often hailed as one of the most haunted places in the country.
While they are spooky and fun, these stories stem from important conversations about religious beliefs and social norms, as well as the collective consciousness of the Hull-House neighborhood. For many, Chicago was a place of great hardship, plagued by a history of tragic events that left countless ghost stories in their wake, including those of Hull-House’s infamous Devil Baby and resident Lady in White. Guests will be led through the house by a Museum Educator and will have the opportunity to learn all about Hull-House’s haunted history.
Monstrous vibes meet crisp fall evenings at Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, where artist-carved pumpkins light your way through the Garden after dark. You’ll find costumed entertainers and live carving demos along our paved path, as well as seasonal light fare and drinks for purchase.
Join the vibrant and lively Halloween parade in Northalsted, complete with creative costumes and lively participants. The free parade is a spectacle of sights, frights & spooky mayhem concluding with an Awards Show, live performance & dance party. Gear up with Northalsted’s series of Halloween events throughout the month of October including Parade after parties and contests, the Lakeview Halloween Pup Crawl, Trick or Treat, and more.
The Séance Experience is coming to Chicago and will be conducting their popular live re-creations of authentic Victorian Era dark Séances at the Congress Plaza Hotel, said by many to be the most haunted place in city and one of the most haunted hotels in America! Noted sightings at the historic hotel include the likes of former hotel residents: Al Capone, Teddy Roosevelt and Harry Houdini among others. The séances are slated at the historic downtown Chicago hotel in an area not usually opened to the public. Authentically re-created exactly as conducted in the 1800’s, séances are scheduled inside an actual room built in 1893 using antique séance artifacts also dating from the 1800’s.
