For Canes who aren’t interested in partying or spending a fortune driving more than three hours down to Key West, making Halloween plans can be surprisingly difficult.
But, with so many fun opportunities in the lively city, University of Miami, students can enjoy the spooky season right on campus or through different student organizations.
Here’s what to do if you’re staying in Miami this Halloween:
- Walk through a haunted house at Sounds of Screams.
As an early Halloween activity, students can ride a free bus from campus to the Sounds of Screams fairgrounds on Oct. 18. at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Expo Center.
The amusement park is made up of five haunted houses, carnival rides, food, drinks and five different scare zones.
The attraction has a 4.9/5-star rating on Google from 712 reviews. The reviews highlight the fun photo opportunities, high-quality scare actors and overall Halloween atmosphere that makes reviewers say they want to return.
“The houses were well done and actors were a spot-on freakishly experience,” Keith Garcia wrote in a Google review.
- Decorate with UM’s Order of Omega
UM’s Order of Omega is also hosting an event right on campus. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, all students and their families can celebrate the holiday at the Panhellenic Building.
The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with fun activities like pumpkin painting, face painting and games with prizes.
Micah Hill, an Order of Omega Executive Board member, said the organization’s dedication to making the event bigger and better than last year.
“There will be a ton of food and games for kids and their families, so we’re hoping for a great turnout and a fun time for families,” he said.
If you like getting creative and showing off your spirit, the group is looking for any help they can get with decorating for the event.
- Help kids with Alpha Kappa Psi.
Focusing on giving back this Halloween, Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity at UM, is hosting a collaborative event with Kids and Culture at the Gibson Bethel Center.
The purpose of Kids and Culture is to help young students understand that college is attainable regardless of background. The group participates in pen pals and campus visits every Friday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Friday Oct. 30, these student organizations will be setting up a fun spooky-themed visit with the kids, celebrating the holiday and the children’s potential.
Halloween is meant to be celebrated in whatever way people want, and that doesn’t always have to mean a party. Whether it’s staying home, helping others or hanging out with friends, the holiday is what we choose to make of it.