If you love Halloween, you must visit Vancouver during October at least once in your life! From early in the month until 1 November, the city celebrates all things spooky with a wealth of activities that go well beyond mere trick or treating, and Air Canada has some great low fares that won't scare the pants off you!
With daily direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver on North America's favourite airline from just $1,625* return for adults, $1,380* for children (under 12 years), you'll have plenty of change for the all the great treats in the candy stores, as well as early Christmas shopping.Vancouverites really get into the spirit of things and each year hold a citywide competition for the spookiest decorated house, as well as parades through neighbourhoods and traditional visits to local pumpkin patches. For adults, there are a lot of amazing evening activities with nightclubs and bars holding numerous events, as well as the legendary the Halloween Costume Ball at the Science Museum on 27 October.
Take a ride on the Haunted Vancouver Trolley Tour. It's recommended for guests 12 and over since it visits the Mountain View Cemetery and the old Vancouver city morgue for an autopsy. Tours run two hours each and reservations are required.
The Dunbar Haunted House at 8934 Shaughnessy St is a must-see. Two families live at Dunbar House but since 2004, every Halloween they have transformed their home and gardens into an incredible haunted house experience that raises money for local charities. The design and transformation takes seven months and the results are truly amazing. http://www.dunbarhauntedhouse.com/
And if you really want a great scare don't miss a Fright Night at The Pacific North Exhibition which takes over the Playland area from October 17-31 and features 6 fright houses, including the new house FEAR, 13 rides, The Monsters of Schlock and their horrifying comedy act plus other terrifying shows and attractions. http://www.pne.ca/fright-nights/index.php
For those with littlies, there is Stanley Park Ghost Train, one of the city's most popular Halloween attractions. The ghost train takes you through a woodland "underworld" with lots of fun interaction with actors.
Kids aged five and over will love Vancouver's Black Rose Cemetery which gets haunted for Halloween, and proceeds from the $2 admission fee (or a donation of non-perishable food items) go to the Vancouver Food Bank.
Naturally, a great costume is needed for Halloween in Vancouver, so check out Halloween Alley which has a great collection of costumes and accessories. www.halloweenalley.ca
Air Canada flies daily from Sydney to Vancouver and onto more than 175 destinations on five continents. It is Canada's largest domestic and international airline. Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and in 2011 served more than 33 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 59 Canadian cities, 56 destinations in the United States and 63 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,356 destinations in 193 countries. Air Canada customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada's leading loyalty program, and Top Tier members enjoy reciprocal frequent flyer benefits including lounge and priority services.
*Fares are valid until 31 October 2012 and subject to conditions.
