By Visit37 Staff
A haunted historic walking tour, a zombie Nerf battle, a challenging corn maze, spooky drinks and art that finds beauty in the shadows are just some of the ways to celebrate Spooky Season in Phelps County.
Here are 10 Spooky Season Experiences you won’t want to miss!
Grey’s Twisted Manor haunted house in Holdrege will once again bring the scares every Friday and Saturday night in October. Each year, the haunted house features a different ghoulish storyline with plenty of action and scares. Gather your bravest friends, step inside and see if you can make it through!
Grey’s Twisted Manor is located at 203 High Street, and opening night is Oct. 2. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
Haunted Holdrege
Step back into the storied past of downtown Holdrege, where historic architecture meets tales of frontier justice at Haunted Holdrege, Law & Disorder. Explore five historic locations in the Iron Horse Arts District and uncover the events that shaped the community. Hear real accounts of robberies, crimes, and justice, including the 1989 Holdrege shootout.
Five historic locations will be explored: the new Crescent Room theater and event space, Phelps County District Courtroom, Bruce Furniture (it used to also be a mortuary), First State Bank/Iron Horse Art Gallery and the Iron Horse Station.
This event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 24, and is presented by the Iron Horse Arts District and the Nebraska Prairie Museum. Purchase tickets here:
A free non-walking Haunted Holdrege presentation will be available at the Nebraska Prairie Museum on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.
-
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
Nebraska Prairie Museum
Embrace one of the best traditions of fall at the Nebraska Prairie Museum corn maze, which opens at the museum’s Fall Festival and Giant Pumpkin Growing Competition on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Whether you’re navigating the maze with the kids, challenging your friends or simply looking for a quintessential autumn activity, it’s a great way to enjoy the crisp October weather.
While there, spend a few hours exploring history inside the Nebraska Prairie Museum, including the new Project Prairie Power exhibit located at 2701 Burlington St., Holdrege.
-
Lost Way Brewery
Lost Way Brewery
Lost Way Brewery, 613 3rd Ave., Holdrege, is getting into the spooky spirit with a full lineup of October fun.
Check out the Halloween decorations after Oktoberfest on Oct. 18, then come back for a Horror/Thriller/Mystery Book Club on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.
From Oct. 21–31, enjoy a special drink menu, including drink specials during the Haunted Holdrege tour on Oct. 24. Then dress up for the Run Club Costume Run on Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. or head to the Halloween Party on Oct. 30, featuring a costume contest, cash prizes and a special drink menu.
-
Battle the Zombies at the YMCA
Grab your foam darts and prepare for battle during youth Nerf Wars: Zombie Style at the Don Sjogren Community YMCA on Oct. 24 from 7–8:30 p.m.
The YMCA also has plenty of other Halloween-themed activities, including a Halloween Pool Party on Oct. 16, pumpkin decorating on Oct. 24 and a Halloween-themed Teen Night on Oct. 30.
-
Sip the Flavors of Fall at The Drive Golf & Lounge
Fall tastes even better in a cocktail glass.
Stop by The Drive Golf & Lounge in downtown Holdrege for seasonal drinks, including the Apple Crisp Martini, made with vanilla vodka and apple cider and finished with a caramel brown sugar rim. Or try the Better Butter Martini, featuring Bumbu rum and apple cider.
And if you’re looking for live music, Anthony Segovia will perform at The Drive on Oct. 9.
-
Celebrate Oktoberfest
Put on your best Oktoberfest spirit and head to downtown Holdrege Oct. 16 & 17 for a weekend of local fun.
Businesses throughout Holdrege are joining the celebration with activities, food, drinks and games, including:
- Lost Way Brewery & Eagles Club: Stein Holding Relay
- The Drive Golf & Lounge: Cornhole Tournament and Brats
- 308 Boutique: Pretzel Toss
- My Fair Lady’s Fashions and Frills: Homemade Rosettes
- JB’s: Raffle and drink specials
It may not be haunted, but Oktoberfest is definitely part of the October fun!
-
Find Beauty in the Shadows at the Iron Horse Art Gallery
For a spooky-season experience that’s more artistic than frightening, visit the Iron Horse Arts District Gallery.
October’s featured artist is Julie Shea-Peterson, a Holdrege native who now lives and works in Kansas. Her work in pen and ink and clay explores darker, moodier themes while finding beauty, meaning and hope in the shadows.
Meet the artist during her reception on Oct. 8 from 5–7 p.m. at the Iron Horse Art Gallery.
Her work offers a different perspective on darkness—and proves that spooky season can be beautiful, too.
-
Look out for Faceless Fred at The Speakeasy
Stop by The Speakeasy in rural Holdrege/Sacramento for a delicious steak and keep an eye out for the Speakeasy’s most famous guest, Faceless Fred.
Enjoy a delicious steak at this world-renowned restaurant and don’t be surprised if the lights flicker!
-
Turn Spooky Season Into a Getaway
Stay awhile and enjoy a fall weekend in Phelps County. Local lodging options include Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Rodeway Inn, Plains Hotel and several Airbnb’s including the Corliss Airbnb, a stylish option right in downtown Holdrege.
Spend the day exploring, stay for the evening scares and wake up ready for another day of small-town fun.
Make Phelps County Your Spooky Season Destinationhttps://ironhorsedistrict.org/
