Fall-O-Ween Festival at Mystic Aquarium

The Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT offers a Fall-O-Ween Festival October 27 - 30. It includes sea lion shows, a haunted maze, underwater pumpkin carvers, magic shows, scavenger hunts, ice carvings and entertainment. Admission price differs from day to day. For more information, click here.
If you are a Hamden resident with a valid Hamden Library card, you can check out our museum pass to Mystic Aquarium and receive a discounted admission price. Each pass enables patrons to save $6 off Adult admission and $4 off Children admission (limit of 2 Adult and 2 Children admission per pass). For pass status check here. Pass cannot be reserved or renewed. First come, first serve. One pass per family. The pass can be checked out overnight during the week. It is due the next day before the library closes. If you check it out on a Saturday, it is due Monday, before 9 pm, since the library is closed on Sundays.

Museum Pass List Hamden Public Library

Halloween Fun at the Shore Line Trolley Museum

The Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven, CT offers a "Pumpkin Patch" with all kinds of Halloween fun for children. It runs every Saturday and Sunday in October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Pumpkin Patch includes pumpkin decorating, toy trains, refreshments and other fun, with one free pumpkin per child admission while supplies last.

If you are a Hamden resident with a valid Hamden library card, you can check out our museum pass to the Shore Line Trolley Museum and save 50% of the admission price for up to six visitors. Check the pass out at the info desk at Miller Library. If you borrow the pass on a Saturday the library is open, it will be due on Monday, before 9 p.m. If you borrow the pass on a Friday, it is due on Saturday, before 5:30 p.m. Check for pass status here. Passes cannot be reserved or renewed.

The Shore Line Trolley Museum also offers "THE HAUNTED ISLE" which features "ghoulish frights for mature audiences" every Friday and Saturday night in October, beginning at 7 p.m.
The last trolley leaves at 10 p.m.

Connecticut Science Center Coupons

We received coupons to the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. Each coupon is good for 20% off general admission for up to four people. Coupons expire December 31, 2011. Request a coupon at the info desk with your Hamden library card. One coupon per family.

The Connecticut Science Center in Hartford opened in June 2009. It offers 150 interactive exhibits, 3D movies, live science, a gift shop, a cafe and more. Daily activities include Story Time and Talks and Tours. For more information on the Connecticut Science Center click here or call 860-724-3623.


Spooktacular Science Weekend October 29 & 30:
"The Connecticut Science Center gets kooky and spooky at the Spooktacular Science Halloween celebration. Make your own slime, have a hair raising experience with electricity and enjoy tricks, treats and plenty of surprises. Seasonal family fun at every turn." For more info click here
For a listing of Hamden Library's new Science and Nature books click here.

Mark Twain House - Haunted Tours

The Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT offers Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours: Friday, October 14, 15, 21, 22, 27 and 28; tours step off at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

"Reported ghostly apparitions, mysterious bangs, and other unexplained phenomena, along with visits from Syfy’s Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters Academy, have led us to reprise our popular Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours this year. Hear spooky tales – and learn about Mark Twain’s own interest in the supernatural. The one-hour tour takes guests through all three floors of the house, plus the Servants’ Wing and the spooky basement. Reservations are required, as these tours sell out well in advance."

Check out our pass to the Mark Twain House. Mark Twain House and Museum, 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105, 860-247-0998. Pass Status. This elaborate Victorian mansion with rare interiors by Louis Comfort Tiffany was the author's home for 17 years (1874-1891). 19 furnished rooms including many of Twain's possessions. Pass entitles the visitor to either one complimentary adult admission OR two complimentary child admissions with purchase of one adult admission.

You might also be interested in the book: American Writers at Home which discusses how living spaces reflected personalities and influenced writings. The book contains a chapter on Mark Twain's House in Hartford, CT.

Count Down to Halloween

Halloween will be here soon! For last minute craft and decor ideas check out our collection of Halloween books. There is also a CD with spooky sounds. Find out about Halloween's ancient roots from Ireland and Rome to the United States by clicking here. See our program calendar for special children events this week (some require registration). Happy Halloween!