In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long. In October, many of the 30 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are offering fun Halloween and harvest-related events and activities sure to get guests in a festive spirit, including:

“Pumpkin Science” at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center – October 3 & 4
It’s the season for Jack-o-lanterns! Visit the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center to enjoy family-friendly pumpkin stations to learn a bit about this squash. Plus, kids 12 and younger craft a paper pumpkin to take home as fall décor. For more, visit www.thediscovery.org

“Souls of the City” Events & Activities Presented by the Sacramento History Museum – October 3 thru November 1 In honor of “Day of the Dead” activities celebrated each year in Mexico and in major cities around the world, Sol Collective and the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation have teamed up to present a series of community workshops and special activities that showcase the traditions and/or demonstrate how to create some of the special items used in “Day of the Dead” celebrations.  The effort culminates with a Dia De Los Muertos celebration on November 1.  For more, visit www.sachistorymuseum.org

Ghost Tours at the Sacramento History Museum – October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 Visitors to Old Sacramento can journey back in time to hear ghostly tales and spooky stories as they walk through the history-rich streets and re-live 19th century lore. Entertaining yet knowledgeable tour guides will take daring and inquisitive guests through Old Sacramento’s infamous locales to experience a bit of the dark side of California’s history.  For more, go to www.sachistorymuseum.org

Lantern Tours at the Sacramento City Cemetery – October 16, 17, 23 & 24 Embark on a lantern led walking tour through Sacramento's past at the Sacramento City Cemetery!  Guests experience stories of murder, death by spirits, death by duel or morphine, and even men impersonating women -- all this while encountering other unexpected visitors from beyond. Stories will be told by our eternal residents. Hurry, tickets sell out fast…for more information please visit www.oldcitycemetery.com

“Spookomotive” Train Rides at the Railroad Museum – October 17, 18, 24, 25 & 31 All aboard for some Halloween fun Old Sacramento style! California State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum are proud to offer diesel-powered “Spookomotive” train rides aboard a whimsically decorated train crawling with spiders, cobwebs and cornstalks while staffed with an entertaining “skeleton crew.” Also, discounted “combo” Halloween-themed train rides and river cruises are offered twice per day.  For more, visit www.csrmf.org

4th Annual Monster Bash at the Sacramento Children’s Museum – October 17 Visit the Sacramento Children’s Museum for a night of ghoulish fun at the 4th Annual Monster Bash! Gear up for Halloween by wearing your best costume and come play the night away at the Museum!  They’ll have a DJ, dancing, refreshments, photo opportunities, a “haunted hallway,” and of course - Museum play. For more information, visit www.sackids.org

Lecture/Presentation: Art & Science of Anatomy – The Skull – Inside and Out at the Museum of Medical History – October 21 The Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society and Museum of Medical History are offering a free evening lecture & presentation about the fascinating art and science of anatomy starting with a focus on the skull. Betty Nelsen, an Art Instructor at American River College, will demonstrate how the study and knowledge of the anatomy of our facial muscles relates to understanding the expression of our emotions.  Plus, a replica skull will be available for examination.  For more, visit http://www.ssvms.org/Portals/7/Assets/pdf/lecture_series.pdf

29th Annual Safe & Super Halloween: Pirates – October 23, 24 & 25 Avast ye! Join yer favorite pirates for three nights of trick-or-treating and family fun at Fairytale Town! Davy Jones, Jack Sparrow and the cursed treasure take center stage. Duels, games, 17 candy stations, hands-on activities, a costume parade and more pirate shenanigans await.  For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org
  
The Haunted Fort at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park – October 23 & 24 For those interested in a ghoulishly unique experience, check out the sixth annual “The Haunted Fort” at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP). Once again, the historic site will offer a special Halloween program based in fact but with a decidedly creepy twist.  Daring visitors will go on guided lantern-lit tours through the darkened rooms and hear unusual and intriguing tales of how some of California’s early pioneers perished throughout history. For more, visit www.suttersfort.org

Count Watts’ SPOOKtacular at the Roseville Utility Exploration Center – October 24 Visitors to the Roseville Utility Exploration Center can meet Count Watts and discover ways to save energy. Guests can take a thrilling walk through the Phantom House, carve a pumpkin then round out the day with crafts, face painting and prizes. For more, visit http://www.roseville.ca.us/explore/workshops_and_events/exploration_events.asp

“Boo-seum” at the California Automobile Museum – October 25 Bring your best dressed ghosts and ghouls to the California Automobile Museum for a special Halloween Haunted House and Trunk or Treat activities. Each paying adult may bring two children decked out in their best costumes at no charge to experience one of the best haunted houses around and get their fill of candy from museum volunteers who will also be in their finest Halloween outfits camped out at different cars throughout the Museum. For more information
visit www.calautomuseum.org

Experience Dia De Los Muertos at the Crocker Art Museum – October 25 Honor Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Crocker Art Museum! Join the talented instructor Estella Sanchez and learn how to make sugar skulls from scratch, assemble altars, gather ofrendas (offerings) to honor the dead, decorate paper masks, and make calavera (skull) puppets. For more, visit www.crockerartmuseum.org

Wee Halloween at the Crocker Art Museum – October 28 Celebrate the "wee" in Halloween with this fright-free alternative to trick-or-treating! Families with children ages 5 and under will start by decorating treat bags before being guided in small groups through the galleries. Along the way, they will encounter gentle surprises in the form of music, poetry, and dance, and receive a non-candy treat at the end of each performance. The delightful Halloween stroll will end with a delicious celebration. Space is limited and advance registration is required. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.crockerartmuseum.org

Trick-or-Treating in Old Sacramento – October 31 Trick-or-treating will be held through the streets of Old Sacramento once again this season from noon to 4 p.m. Each year nearly 50 Old Sacramento merchants and museums participate in the fun!  The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum is a great place to start as maps and bags are available for interested participants. For more, go to www.scoe.net/oldsacschoolhouse

Boo at the Zoo at the Sacramento Zoo – October 30 & 31 Two nights of ghoulish family fun, rain or shine! Kids can safely trick-or-treat around the lake at 25 different candy stations. Other activities include magic shows, costume dance party, ghoulish games, and lots of family fun.  Guests can also ride the Spooky Train or Creepy Carousel for an additional fee.  Please note: Only the front half of the Zoo will be open during this event.  The spookiness is appropriate for children under 10 years of age.  For more, visit www.saczoo.org

“Spectacular Spiders” at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center – October 31 & November 1 Pay homage to one of nature’s wonders – the spider – all weekend at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center!  Lots of crawly creatures will be on display -- a live tarantula in the Nature Discovery Room and fixed specimens to view in the classroom. Plus, children can add dazzling décor to a foam spider and create their own species of arachnid to take home.  For more, visit www.thediscovery.org


Information courtesy of www.SacMuseums.org.To stay connected to Sacramento Museums, “like” them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SacMuseums, follow them on Twitter @SacMuseums or visit the website at www.SacMuseums.org. Photo by Monkey Business.