What's the best neighborhood for trick or treatin'?
With our kids a bit older now, they are looking for adventure. We love to trick or treat in our own neighborhood, get the chance to see and visit with neighbors. Our of our kids, though, has asked if we could celebrate Halloween in another neighborhood, maybe where all the houses, almost uniformly, are decked out to the nines, complete with zombies that awaken as you approach the door or with a gaggle of witches sitting on the porch, stirring a pot of their homemade brew. We're looking for an area that has great spirit, that is friendly and safe (of course), and that has lots of kids and families sauntering about. Do you have a recommendation? What would you consider to be the "best neighborhood" for trick or treating?
The N. Fowler/Washburne streets between Lombard and Willamette are great. We discovered it last year and can't wait to go back again.
Posted by: Pam | October 10, 2010 at 09:54 PM
kennedy school! it's always cold out but warm in there. lots of cool people, and cute little kiddos running around. when they're young enough, they don't even pay attention to the candy-- plus grown-ups can indulge in yummy cocktails and food. :)
Posted by: amy lynne watson, dc | October 11, 2010 at 12:37 AM
The Marylhurst neighborhood in LO. Several families really put on a show. And sometimes They hand out whole candy bars (if you're into that)!
Posted by: Rog | October 11, 2010 at 07:29 AM
Reed College Place.
Posted by: Courtney | October 11, 2010 at 07:35 AM
Fairview Village in Fairview. A co-worker lives there. In years past, he's handed out over 30 bags of candy. 30!!!
Posted by: Stacy | October 11, 2010 at 03:47 PM
Portsmouth between Lombard and Willamette. They really deck out the houses, and it's Halloween old school style. There are two in particular that scare even me!
Posted by: lea | October 11, 2010 at 08:43 PM
2010 new arrivals!
Posted by: cheap ugg | October 11, 2010 at 11:59 PM
Alameda. East side of NE 15th and South side of Knott (in that pocket of Irvington) has great houses too.
Posted by: Theresse | October 12, 2010 at 01:45 PM
Amy - I would've never thought to go to Kennedy School (or any "place" really). I love that idea, especially since this year Halloween is on Sunday and my kids don't actually get to eat what they collect (food sensitivities).
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Gina | October 12, 2010 at 01:57 PM
I second the Kennedy School as a great idea. I have a 1 year old and are looking for other places and events that are good for children her age either on Halloween or the weekends before. Other suggestions?
Posted by: Heidi | October 12, 2010 at 02:25 PM
I think handing out Uggs is a great idea for Halloween! Thanks for the great spam...er...idea cheap ugg!
We also always enjoy hitting the Kennedy School, although I must admit it has gotten a WEE bit crowded in recent years.
Posted by: Milagros | October 12, 2010 at 03:09 PM
Some other places: I had a friend who went to the University of Portland dorms when her son was little. Other colleges may do that too? Multnomah Village in SW Portland has a store to store event on Sunday the 31st from 2-4. Some malls also have store to store events. I also saw that Cafe au Play is having a Monster Mash on the 30th. Lots of the community centers also have activities (crafts, games, events) the weekend of and weekend before.
Posted by: Courtney | October 12, 2010 at 06:14 PM
Concordia University (in NE) has an annual Halloween Party in their student center with games and snacks, and tricker treating through the halls of the dorms. The college students really get into it, decorating their doors and dressing up. It's warm and dry, and the kids get to see a lot more other kids in costume than they would walking around the neighborhood.
Posted by: sharai | October 12, 2010 at 06:27 PM
Trick OR Treating, silly!
Posted by: sharai | October 12, 2010 at 06:29 PM
lea's suggestion is great: Portsmouth between Lombard and Willamette... and you can hit the U of P dorms too! (and it's our neighborhood!)
Posted by: leslie | October 12, 2010 at 07:35 PM
and to add to that, one of the Portsmouth familiesputs on an amazing, elaborate haunted house as a Food Bank donation event.
Posted by: leslie | October 12, 2010 at 07:37 PM
How about your own neighborhood? You can get to know your neighbors and continue to build community. That's what I like best about taking my kids out that night.
Posted by: mom down the street | October 12, 2010 at 08:42 PM
"Concordia University (in NE) has an annual Halloween Party in their student center with games and snacks, and tricker treating through the halls of the dorms." - posted by Sharai
What? Have I been sleeping under a rock? We are at CU all the time visiting their library but this is news to me! Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: milagros | October 13, 2010 at 03:36 PM
Tony, they always give flyers to Faubion students, but I don't know that I would have heard about it otherwise.
I think we've gone for the past 3 or 4 years. Good fun!
Posted by: sharai | October 13, 2010 at 09:47 PM
We used to love going to Ladd's Addition in SE - beautiful homes with families that really "do up" the season, tall spooky trees, and a diamond-shaped layout that guarantees you'll get lost. We had a ton of fun scaring ourselves for a few years there!
Posted by: Staci | October 14, 2010 at 09:56 AM
I completely agree with 'mom down the street' and building community in your neighborhood--great comment!
Posted by: agree | October 14, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Second to Reed College Place for those in SE; come early though!
Posted by: Tony | October 15, 2010 at 03:08 PM
We went to Kennedy School a couple years ago, early-ish (4? maybe) it was still light out and a beautiful night and the place was PACKED. So hard to navigate with 2 kids and one baby and everyone got way over stimulated. Love the place, love the idea, but very cramped. If it's raining out that day, I think the place will burst.
Posted by: shannon | October 16, 2010 at 01:48 PM
"How about your own neighborhood? You can get to know your neighbors and continue to build community. That's what I like best about taking my kids out that night."
"Mom down the street" above had it right, IMO! I was just talking to another mom about this aspect of Halloween the other night. Neither one of us as kids drove to another neighborhood for trick-or-treating...it was unheard of! Part of the whole experience was meeting new neighbors, saying hi to old neighbors, and general community building and community pride. I don't really get it.
As for the Kennedy School thing, we went last year with my one-and-a-half year-old, and it was kind of fun but mostly overwhelming. And, yes, definitely PACKED! I was surprised to see parents with pints full of beer and still trying to wrangle their kids and containers filled with treats (and, with some families multiple kids). I think it was pretty overwhelming for us last year and while I like the safe "contained" kind of space, not sure we we want to go back quite yet. It might be different if our daughter was older though.
Posted by: TJ | October 17, 2010 at 10:52 PM
Downtown Oregon City on Friday the 29th from 4:30 to 6:30. All the businesses have decorations and hand out treats. Also, The Monster March on Sunday the 31st starting At Llewelyn school at 3 p.m. LOADS OF FUN!!
Posted by: sunny | October 18, 2010 at 08:59 AM
The Village Free School is hosting a healthy, vegan-friendly, and fantastically fun Halloween carnival for kids and families in outer SE Portland.
The event will take place on Friday, October 29th from 6:00 – 9:00pm at The Village Free School.
There will be 25 cent carnival games, lots of prizes, healthy yummy treats, scary and not-so-scary movies, and did I mention games? Lets just say it is the place to be.
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