New York City welcomes kids, teenagers, adults and families to celebrate this year’s Halloween with a fun-filled and safe weekend. As visitors continue to seek value on their trips to the five boroughs, the Big Apple has revealed a variety of free and low-cost Halloween events. Be sure to pack up your Halloween costumes, and count on having Halloween kids fun, Halloween adult fun and Halloween party time for all ages in the city that never sleeps (because it's filled with the Living Dead).

From "green" celebrations where crafts are made from recycled materials and candy is verboten to full-fledged frighfests, there's something for everyone. Here's our guide to enjoying the brisk days of autumn with eerily fun Halloween-inspired kids fun and Halloween happenings across the five boroughs.

The Bronx

Take a haunted safari, go on a hayride, watch magic shows and learn how to carve animal jack-o’-lanterns and make masks at the Bronx Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo. Weekends until November 1; general admission $15 for adults and $11 for children ages 3–12 (children ages 3–12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult purchasing full-price admission; limit one child per paying adult).

Get ready for a full day of fun and learning at the New York Botanical Garden’s Halloween Hoorah! Play with leaves, decorate pumpkins and learn about the vampire bat. Sunday, October 25, 11am–5:45pm; all-garden admission $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 2–12. 

Brooklyn

Visit the Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel, a high-tech haunted house designed by faculty and students at the New York City College of Technology. October 16, 17, 22–24, and 29–31; admission $6 for adults and $4 for students with a valid ID and children under 12.

Learn about monsters of the deep at the New York Aquarium’s Halloween at the A-Scarium on Coney Island. Hear scary sea yarns, watch an expert pumpkin carver, make a sea-creature mask and trick-or-treat at holiday treat stations. October 24, 25, 31 and November 1; general admission $13 for adults and $9 for children ages 3–12 (children ages 3–12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult purchasing full-price admission; limit one child per paying adult).

Manhattan

Flock to Central Park to view scarecrows at the Pumpkin Festival’s Scarecrow Contest. Register online by Friday, October 16, to secure scarecrow entry. Scarecrow viewing Saturday, October 24, noon–5pm, Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. The top three scarecrow entries from each age category will be displayed afterward at the Arsenal Gallery, which houses the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s headquarters.

Prepare for goose bumps at the Nightmare: Vampires haunted house. The interactive exhibition is designed to terrify the senses while exploring the history—and horror—of vampires. October 14–18, 20–31, Nov. 1, Nov. 4–7; advance tickets $30, at the door $35. Bring children ages 10 and under on October 24 for Kids Day; tickets $15. Otherwise no children under 12 will be admitted without a parent or guardian.

Green Halloween NYC is a great alternative event being held October 31, 2009 at the DeSalvio Playground at Spring and Mulberry Streets in Nolita. Activities include eco-friendly art, performances, a healthy neighborhood “trick or treasure” trail, health-oriented exhibitor booths, interactive Halloween art and showcased costumes. This fun day-long event is sponsored by The Green Year, Mehmet Oz's HealthCorps, and the Action Arts League to promote Halloween as a healthy and fun celebration that advocates “creativity over candy” and honors the three cornerstones of “green” - healthy people, healthy planet and healthy communities.  

Queens

Pick Your Own Pumpkin at the Queens County Farm Museum—the perfect activity for all ages. October 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, 11am–4pm, weather permitting; free admission except October 25, when admission is $5 per person for the Children’s Fall Festival. Price of pumpkin based on its size.

Venture into the woods for a Haunted Hike in Forest Park. The forest is the ultimate dwelling of creatures that go bump in the night—beware spooky surprises. Saturday, October 31, 6pm; free.

Staten Island

Enjoy the day outside with family and friends partaking in crafts, games and costumes at the Halloween Harvest Fair at the Conference House Park. Saturday, October 17, 11am–4pm; free admission but $10 for children’s unlimited access to inflatable slide and bounce houses.

Join the ghosts of St. George Theatre at its Halloween Extravaganza, an award-winning show that features spine-shivering special effects and illusions. Friday, October 30, 7:30pm; tickets $10, $18, $20 and $28.

For more information on visiting New York City at Halloween, go to www.nycgo.com.