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Sure, you could make the rounds of your apartment building and call it Halloween — but where’s the fun in that?
Across NYC, entire blocks transform into spooky spectacles, with elaborate decorations, costumed crowds and plenty of candy for little ghouls who know where to go.
That’s why The Post asked Gotham parents and neighborhood experts to share their favorite Halloween haunts for toddlers taking their first steps in a pumpkin costume, teens hoping to raid the full-size Hershey stashes on a cobweb-covered brownstone, and every kid in between.
Here’s where to go trick-or-treating this Halloween, according to Big Apple parents who are old hands at hauling candy buckets.
Park Slope, Brooklyn: 3rd Street and the spooky stoops
For a neighborhood synonymous with gentle parenting, Park Slope sure goes hard on Halloween frights.
Vivien Kwok, proprietor of the popular Park Slope Living social media feed and creator of the neighborhood’s Spooky Stoops Map, says the Brooklyn enclave is a perennial favorite for its elaborate decorations and community spirit.
“Park Slope is my favorite neighborhood for Halloween because it’s one of those rare times when the whole community comes together,” Kwok said.
Her family’s go-to is 3rd Street, where decorated homes and costumed crowds transform the block into a neighborhood-wide bash.
“It feels like one big Halloween block party with its wide streets, elaborately decorated homes and crowds of neighbors in the most amazing costume creations.”
Families looking to explore the area’s spookiest displays can start at Prospect Park West and 11th Street, then head toward the lower-numbered avenues, using Kwok’s Spooky Stoops Map to find standout decorations along the way.
This year’s highlights include The Gowanus Express on 11th Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, as well as the Hall of Honor near 12th Street and Sixth Avenue.
The neighborhood also hosts its annual Park Slope Halloween Parade along Seventh Avenue, which Kwok said brings locals of all ages together before ending at the Old Stone House on 3rd Street.
For Kwok, though, the magic isn’t just about the elaborate displays — or the candy haul.
“The ‘best’ trick-or-treating routes aren’t necessarily the ones with the most elaborate decorations or the ‘best candy,’ as my kids would say,” she said.
“They’re the streets where neighbors really get involved: dressing up and handing out candy, creating fun displays to bring a smile to people, or just hanging out on their stoops to celebrate with everyone passing by.”
The neighborhood also hosts its annual Park Slope Halloween Parade along Seventh Avenue, which Kwok said brings locals of all ages together before ending at the Old Stone House on 3rd Street.
For Kwok, though, the magic isn’t just about the elaborate displays — or the candy haul.
“The ‘best’ trick-or-treating routes aren’t necessarily the ones with the most elaborate decorations or the ‘best candy,’ as my kids would say,” she said.
“They’re the streets where neighbors really get involved: dressing up and handing out candy, creating fun displays to bring a smile to people or just hanging out on their stoops to celebrate with everyone passing by.”
Sunnyside Gardens, Queens: 45th and 46th Streets
For families who want a small-town feel for their little goblins, Sunnyside Gardens is a sweet spot.
Valerie Bernal, 43, a mom of two and founder of the sensory-friendly clothing and sock brand Parker & Talia, has been bringing her family to the Queens neighborhood for the past four years.
The trick-or-treating route starts on Skillman Avenue, where local businesses hand out candy, before families cross into Sunnyside Gardens and wander its tree-lined residential streets.
“My favorite trick-or-treating spot in New York City is Sunnyside Gardens in Queens, especially 45th and 46th Streets, where the historic houses face each other across tree-lined blocks,” Bernal said.
“Sunnyside Gardens feels like a small town tucked inside the city. You still have the energy of New York, but the streets are lined with trees, and there are shared courtyards and little hidden walkways between the houses that look magical — and a little spooky — at night.”
Bernal recommends arriving around 6 p.m., before the biggest crowds arrive, and starting on Skillman Avenue before heading into the Gardens.
She also has advice for parents of sensory-sensitive kids: soft layers under costumes, noise-reducing headphones and a familiar route can help prevent Halloween from turning into a fright night of the wrong kind.
“Agree on a quiet ‘exit spot’ ahead of time, and remember it’s okay to skip the loud, scary houses. The goal is a happy kid, not a full bag.”
Upper East Side, Manhattan: 78th Street
Few things are scarier than Upper East Side co-op boards. But the neighborhood’s Halloween stoops give them a run for their money, especially during designated candy-grabbing hours.
Penn Portman, an Upper East Side mom whose nearly 3-year-old son, Ryder, is already obsessed with Halloween, loves taking him trick-or-treating on 78th Street.
“They close it off all the way from 2nd to 5th every year, or at least they did last year, and there was a fun DJ,” Portman said. “The streets are always full of kids and adults, and the decorations are amazing.”
The festive stretch is part of the city’s annual Trick-or-Streets program, and is a hit with families who want a lively atmosphere, elaborate decorations and plenty of other costumed kids to join in the fun.
Last year, Ryder tore through the crowd dressed in a monkey onesie — proof that you don’t need to be old enough to read candy labels to get in on the action.
“He’s almost 3 and loved trick-or-treating there. He is obsessed with Halloween and wants to kiss every skeleton.”
Upper West Side, Manhattan: West 69th Street and Central Park West
Got older kids ready to navigate bigger crowds? The Upper West Side is your Halloween heavyweight.
Eliana Zambrano, 38, a Long Island City mom of four and creator who highlights budget-friendly family activities, says she loved taking her oldest child to the neighborhood when they were in upper elementary school.
“It’s crowded and exciting, but perfect for kids who can navigate independently,” Zambrano said.
She singles out West 69th Street and Central Park West for its decorations and impressive candy offerings.
For parents with younger kids, Zambrano suggests seeking out community Open Streets, where children can trick-or-treat at local businesses and see familiar faces before moving on to residential blocks.
Her biggest piece of advice:
Choose a route that suits your child rather than chasing the biggest spectacle.
“Plan around your kids’ ages and personalities, not what you think trick-or-treating is supposed to look like. An overwhelmed kid on a sugar high is a recipe for disaster.”
Brooklyn brownstone country: Cobble Hill, Fort Greene and Brooklyn Heights
For smaller kids, the spooky stoops of Brooklyn’s historic brownstones offer a balance of fun and easy roaming.
Zambrano says Cobble Hill and Fort Greene were among her favorites when her children were tiny, thanks to their beautiful decorations and stroller-friendly streets.
Brooklyn Heights’ Garden Place is another standout, though Zambrano warns it can get packed.
Families looking for a more unusual detour can also head to the corner of Kane Street and Strong Place in Cobble Hill, where neighbors contribute hand-carved miniature pumpkins to decorate the iron fence spikes surrounding a historic home.
Kwok calls it a decades-old tradition — and a delightfully creepy sight as the pumpkins are left to rot.
For those willing to explore beyond the biggest crowds, Clinton Hill is another neighborhood worth a look. Kwok recommends the elaborate Halloween display at 106 Gates Avenue, which has featured everything from “Men in Black” to a collection of horror icons, along with the Skeleton Rock Show on nearby St. James Place.
Long Island City, Queens: Vernon Boulevard and Hunters Point South
Another Halloween option for little kids in the Big Apple: Long Island City.
Zambrano, who often shares NYC family experiences and free interactive maps on social media, keeps things local with her younger children.
“We start on Vernon Boulevard for Open Streets, see our friends, and then make our way through the neighborhood to the Oval at Hunters Point South Park to continue celebrating.”
It’s an approach that allows kids to visit local businesses, run into friends and continue the festivities without committing to a packed destination across town.
For rainy days, though, Zambrano has a backup plan:
“You’ll probably find us at the American Museum of Natural History.”
Dino skeletons are, after all, the ultimate easy scare.
