Hottest Halloween Destination: Miami Beach

Spooky and Spectacular Festivities Like No Other Place in the World

MIAMI BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It’s one of the most alluring, fun and certainly scariest times of year on Miami Beach. Halloween! Residents look forward to it all year long and visitors make a special trip to experience Halloween festivities that are like no other in the world. This year will be no exception as travelers to Miami Beach will be able to take part in loads of mischievous fun with events designed for glam vamps, little monsters, bunnies, kitty cats, cartoon characters and everyone in between.

Lincoln Road isn’t the only place to see ghouls and goblins on Halloween. Tour haunted spots like Al Capone’s former beachfront hideout on Ocean Drive which has been investigated several times for paranormal activity, according to hauntedamericatours.com. Other haunted houses allegedly include Gianni Versace’s former mansion where he was murdered; the Colony Theater on Lincoln Road where ghostly footsteps can be heard backstage; and the Fontainebleau Resort, said to be haunted by a few famous and former Rat Packers.

During the day, travelers can get moving at the South Beach Halloween Half Marathon where participants can dress in costume and get a great workout. Each year more than half of the runners tackle the 13.1 miles decked out in full costume. Categories include: Superhero, Villain, Scary, Funny, and Underwear, among others. The event starts at Jungle Island at 7AM on Saturday, October 27 and ends near Smith and Wollenskys, a Miami Beach staple for happy hour on the water.

Vacationers can vamp it up at Miami's scariest pub crawl on Saturday October 27th. Fiends and French maids can start crawling at noon when the Beach Bar Crawl kicks off at Lush South Beach and includes other South Beach bars all day and night. After dark, Deco comes alive as thousands pour onto Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road to strut their stuff in their wildest costumes. Afterwards, if travelers want to do the monster mash Miami Beach style, they can head out to one of Miami Beach’s hottest night clubs, many of which will be hosting a bevy of tricks and treats throughout Halloween week. Many South Beach clubs are steps away from an abundance of hotels, making the trek between hotel and hotspot a breeze.

Some of the well known clubs hosting parties for Halloween include Mansion, SET and Mokai. At Mokai, Halloween visitors can don their funniest, weirdest or sexiest costumes for a night of haunted mystery and music spun by internationally renowned DJ’s.

Please see below a sample of just a few of the Halloween events that will possess Miami Beach and Miami this year:

HALLOWEEN/MIAMI BEACH

The Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon

The Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon is a costume and Halloween themed event that adds a unique twist to the traditional half marathon event. The event features costume categories for runners to choose. Each year more than half of the runners tackle the 13.1 miles decked out in full costume! The categories include: Superhero, Villain, Scary, Funny, Underwear, and others. It is not mandatory to run in costume; runners can choose to participate in their age group category as well.

Shoot Halloween South Beach 2012

Halloween night on South Beach is hard to describe with words and is perhaps best done with images. This photo contest hosted by Fotomission and Tropicolor will provide photographers an opportunity to put their talents to the test while enjoying one of the most entertaining evenings anywhere.

The winners will be announced in late November. Their photos will be exhibited at Tropicolor’s gallery during the month of December.

HALLOWEEN FUN FOR KIDS/MIAMI

Little Farm Pumpkin Patch

Visit Little Farm in Homestead for a gorgeous pumpkin patch, pony rides, a petting farm, scarecrow kits and harvest decorations. Runs from early October through Halloween night.

Not So Scary Halloween

Visit Miami Children's Museum for some family fun. This event will feature a haunted house, trick or treating, crazed crafts and food.

Monster Splash Nighttime Bash at Miami Seaquarium

Several nights of Halloween themed animal shows, haunted houses, roaming skeletons, fireworks and more. Candy stations and other cool surprises will be set up around the park for trick-or-treaters in costume. Runs during the last days of October.

House of Horror Amusement Park

The largest haunted house in South Florida also features carnival rides, carnival acts, and musical performances. Runs from late September through Halloween night.

Monster Masquerade at Zoo Miami

Costumed adult monsters ages 21 and over are invited to go where the wild things are - at Zoo Miami. Party in the dark while enjoying premium cocktails at the open bars, savory treats, music, dancing, and entry into Dr. Wilde’s Creepy House.

Halloween Spookover

Stay overnight at Deering Estate for a spooky Nite Hike of the Tropical Hammock, ghost stories and performances, and join the League of Paranormal Investigators on a paranormal investigation of the houses and grounds.

Halloween Sundowner at Vizcaya

Celebrate this annual Halloween Sundowner at Vizcaya, a fundraiser to benefit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

About Miami Beach

With an average year-round temperature of 75 degrees, Miami Beach has an unrivaled reputation for culinary offerings, nightlife, culture, fashion, and luxurious hotels. Also a popular destination among travelers, Miami Beach was recently ranked by Trip Advisor as number one on its Top Winter Sun Vacation Rental Getaway Destinations for 2011 list and was included on both the Top 25 Beaches in the World and Top 25 Destinations in the U.S. lists. Boasting seven miles of breathtaking beaches, Miami Beach is easily accessible from the Port of Miami and Miami International Airport. The City of Miami Beach has just been named one of the top cities worldwide for ‘walkability’ and is equally easy to navigate by bike or by boat. Home to unique museums, to the New World Symphony and Miami City Ballet, to over 17,000 luxury, boutique and resort hotel rooms, 12 public parks and to the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach is a destination for all seasons. Miami Beach is like no other place in the world!