Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo returns to the Austin Zoo this October, with nights running Friday and Saturday on October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24. It's a family-friendly Halloween event, so it's built for kids and parents rather than a late-night crowd. They encourage everyone to come in costume, and the grounds are lit up and decorated for the season, which changes the whole feel of the place once the sun goes down.

The main draws are the Haunted Train and the Haunted House. Your ticket includes a Haunted Train pass and unlimited visits to the Haunted House, so you can go through as many times as you like. Between those, you can walk the grounds and see the animals at night, which is a different experience from a daytime visit. Just a heads-up: the train rides require advance reservations, so you'll want to book your spot before you head out.

It helps to know what the Austin Zoo is about. It's a rescue zoo dedicated to animals in need through rescue, conservation, and education, which sets it apart from a conventional zoo. Beyond the Halloween event, there's a Hoofstock Feeding Area where you can feed sheep, deer, goats, llamas, and alpacas. They also run daily zookeeper chats and private animal encounters with capybaras or Galapagos tortoises. For groups, they do birthday parties, corporate events, and educational programs that range from school field trips to kids' camps and scout programs.

Tickets are $24 each, and they don't honor rain checks, refunds, discounts, or coupons. The event runs from 5:45 PM to 9:00 PM on those October dates, at 10808 Rawhide Trail in Austin.