Get Scared at Six Flags Fright Fest

People celebrate Halloween in plenty of ways, depending on their personal preferences. Some like to dress up (or not) and hand out candy from the comfort of their own living rooms, but for those who like to get scared, spooked, and totally creeped out, Six Flag Fright Fest is worth the trip.

Each Halloween season, Six Flags theme parks across the country deck out in their best Halloween finery to get their spook on. Parks operate on expanded evening hours to allow visitors to experience haunted houses, special Halloween shows, and spooky strolls through scare zones where zombies, ghouls, and monsters of all types could jump out from the dark at any moment.

Six Flags Great Escape

Just a quick hour drive from Albany, Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, NY, is a perfect option for some Halloween frights. While this local park is a bit smaller than some of the other Six Flags locations, it has plenty of thrills during the day and during Fright Fest. Visitors can hop on thrill rides like the Adirondack Outlaw, the Flashback Coaster, and the Screamin’ Demon. Family rides like Alice in Wonderland and the Grand Carousel provide perfect options for kids who will probably head home before the ghouls come out.

Driving to Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Escape is quick from most parts of upstate New York, and the trip offers plenty to see and do in nearby Queensbury.

Six Flags New England

A bit further from Albany is Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts. Home to The Sky Screamer, which is billed as the “World’s Tallest Ride,” this park is about two hours’ drive from Albany. Six Flags New England has unique rides like Batman the Dark Knight, a 55-mile-per-hour coaster that includes a 360-degree loop, dive loop, a zero-g roll, and a set of interlocking corkscrews. More squeamish park visitors can opt for the Scrambler, Balloon Race, and Blizzard River.

For those who decide to visit in the warmer months, Hurricane Harbor is a water park equipped with water slides, a lazy river, and wave pools.

MGM Springfield

Visitors to Six Flag New England should consider a stop at MGM Springfield, a AAA four-diamond rated hotel and casino. With incredible entertainment, including top-rated musical acts and weekly comedy, plus incredible restaurants and amenities, it’s the perfect place to get some rest before and after a long day of rollercoasters and fun frights.

Six Flags Great Adventure

Those looking for a bit more excitement and a bigger park with more options for daytime activities may want to venture to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. Although it’s further away, with the drive taking more than three hours from Albany, the trip features plenty to see and do along the way to make it worth the drive to go to Fright Fest. For instance, the park is home to El Toro, which was voted the number one rollercoaster by USA Today in 2022. The Big Wheel, Carousel, and Jolly Roger are all popular family-friendly rides, as well.

Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure

If rollercoasters and zombies are not quite your thing, Six Flags Great Adventure also shares its location with the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure. From the comfort of your own vehicle, you can experience exotic wildlife in a close and personal way. The 350-acre preserve includes elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes, and lions. Admission to the safari park is free for Six Flags Members.

Hampton Inn and Suites Robbinsville

Those who decide to make the pilgrimage to Six Flags Great Adventure will probably want to spend the night. The Hampton Inn and Suites in Robbinsville, NJ, is a AAA-approved place to catch a good night’s sleep after a long drive or a long day on the coasters.