If you think it's hard to trick or treat in New York City, think again. One of my favorite childhood memories of growing up in NYC was Halloween in Greenwich Village, when the Village Halloween Parade was just a couple hundred artists and others who marched through the neighborhood. Afterward, we would trick or treat up and down the brownstone blocks. Everyone was friendly, and we would come home with our shopping bags filled. It was magical.
Although the parade and Greenwich Village have changed a lot since then, your kids can still enjoy that kind of thrilling trick-or-treat experience in many New York City neighborhoods. Which neighborhood is the best for Halloween trick-or-treating in NYC depends on who you ask. So, we turned to our astute readers and collected recommendations from our parent-driven NYC staff over many, many years to bring you a list of the best places to trick or treat in New York City, so you'll know where to bring your kids on October 31. It's always a good bet to join one of the local Halloween parades, and then go trick-or-treating throughout the community with local families.
For more seasonal fun, check out our jam-packed New York City Halloween Guide, which showcases FREE Halloween events, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and more.