October is here and the Florida Gulf Coast knows how to bring you the best of the season paired with coastal flair. Just because you’re at the beach doesn’t mean you have to give up any of your favorite fall activities and festivities. You get to enjoy them—while you also enjoy the sun, sand and saltwater too! Here are some frightfully fun ways to spend your Halloween this year during your Indian Rocks Beach, Florida vacation. Stay safe, be brave, and watch your back!

P.S. These Halloween events happen at Busch Gardens Tampa and ZooTampa, which are part of the Tampa Bay CityPass. This pass offers a bundled discount on your favorite Florida Gulf Coast attractions, so be sure to get your discounted admission tickets here when you book your vacation rental with Plumlee Vacations.

FOR YOUNGER KIDS

SESAME STREET KIDS’ WEEKENDS BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

Everyone’s favorite, furry friends are getting into the Halloween spirit every Saturday and Sunday in October at Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends. The park has implemented additional health and safety measures to offer contact-free trick-or-treating for kids and families throughout the spacious Safari of Fun play area.

Tune into The Count’s Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show starring Count von Count and his Sesame Street friends. The outdoor Sunny Day Theater offers physically-distant seating for Sesame Street fans of all ages to enjoy the show. Families can also join Cookie Monster for a special cookie decorating experience at the Gwazi Pavilion.

This event is included with park admission so be sure to reserve your time. Event details here.

FOR OLDER TEENS & ADULTS

HOWL-O-SCREAM AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

Tampa Bay’s premier Halloween event is a not for the squeamish or faint of heart. This is a production unlike any other, including significantly enhanced safety and health measures that features open-air scare zones, limited-capacity admission with reservations required, and physical distancing.

Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event, available during 18 horrifying nights at Busch Gardens now thorough Nov. 1, 2020, every Friday through Sunday.

Advance online reservations are required. Guests are strongly encouraged to make reservations early, as space is limited. Protective face coverings are also required. Event details here.

FOR EVERYONE IN YOUR FAMILY

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT AT ZOO TAMPA

Halloween is taking over ZooTampa at Lowry Park for “Creatures of the Night.” The family-fun event starting October 2 packs enough scares to keep older kids entertained.

“We’re that middle ground,” says the event’s creative guru Alex Crow. “Your whole family can come here, and there’s something for the little ones, the middle ones and the teens.” There will be no gross or gory stuff.

The design and art direction is beautiful and one of the best-looking events the park has hosted. Crow promises many of the walk-thru haunted attractions up the scare factor, but not too much making it perfect for all ages. Event details here.

HALLOWEEN FUN IN YOUR RENTAL

DIY HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT

If you prefer to stay in and enjoy a Halloween movie night in the comfort of your vacation rental, then make sure you check out our previous post on how to have a DIY movie night.

There are some great ideas for making it an extra special, themed-night adventure where you get to control the content. Pick a movie that you will all enjoy and settle in for a silly, scary or just a fun flick that suits the season.

Enjoy the show—and don’t forget the popcorn bar and all the toppings! Read all about it here.