October 17, 18, 24, 25, and 26, 2025 | Timed entries at 6:00, 6:30, and 7:00 p.m.
This Halloween season, dive into the dark and mysterious world of the deep with this spine-tingling celebration.
For all ages!
Wander through eerie indoor and outdoor spaces where ocean legends come alive. This limited-time experience blends Halloween thrills with maritime lore for all ages. Families and kids will love our fanciful performers, towering sea creatures, and ghostly projections. Make your own sea creature in our craft zone, then climb aboard the children’s mini-ship playscape for an imaginative adventure. Along the waterfront, explore the twilight ambiance of our historic seaport village, stop by Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern for Halloween-themed food and drinks, and gaze at massive Kraken tentacles climbing the rigging of the historic Charles W. Morgan.
Craving something a little spookier?
Brave adults and older kids can join a haunting guided tour through the Museum’s shadowy corners. The town of Greenmanville has been overtaken—infested by creatures of the deep. You must escape the inhuman souls that crawl from the water, intent on turning you into one of their own. With a local as your guide, you’ll flee town and be swept into a tale guaranteed to make your blood run cold…with salt water. Come prepared to extinguish your lanterns and delve into what lurks beneath the waters of the Mystic.
What Lurks Beneath is spooky Halloween fun for all! This is an all-ages event and there are loads of activities to choose from, both indoors and outdoors. The experience is (mostly) self-guided. The grounds of the Museum are lit up magically, and families and children of all ages can enjoy fanciful performers, towering sea creatures, crafts, and games. For braver souls, there is a scary guided tour through the Museum’s shadowy corners. The town of Greenmanville has been overtaken by creatures of the deep. Enjoy indoor exhibits such as Figureheads and Shipcarvings, and our newest exhibition, Monstrous: Whaling and its Colossal Impact. The Kraken tentacles climbing the rigging of the Charles W. Morgan whaleship make an incredible photo op and you can climb aboard to come face to face with ghostly sailors who did not escape! Guests can also pick up a take-home card from the print shop and grab a Halloween-themed bite from Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern. There is plenty to explore both indoors and out!
While families and children of all ages can enjoy the overall experience (see above) including fanciful performers, towering sea creatures, crafts, games, and more, we recommend the scary tour for ages 12 and up.
The experience has timed entries at 6:00, 6:30, and 7:00 p.m., so purchasing your tickets in advance is recommended in order to get your preferred ticket time. Guests may stay until the end regardless of what time they enter.
Yes, we ask you to visit the tour check-in table to sign up for the guided tour, which has limited capacity. The tours run continuously, but each tour guide can only take a certain number of participants at a time.
The self-guided spooky tour for all ages does not require sign-up.
Both! For example, the tour, playscape, and games are all outside, but there are several indoor exhibits to explore. The Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern has indoor and outdoor seating. Please dress accordingly.
For your safety, as well as the safety of our tour guides and actors:
The guided tour is not recommended for children under age 12 or anyone who has any condition that is made worse by fear or anxiety. Please do not touch the tour guides or actors.
Please do not run.
The tour is outdoors and on uneven ground. Please dress accordingly.
Light bites, snacks, and beverages (alcohol and non-alcohol) are available at Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern which is open throughout the event and centrally located on the Museum grounds.
Some portions of our grounds are lit only with theatrical lighting to provide a spooky atmosphere. If you wish, you may bring an additional personal light source, such as a battery-powered lantern or a flashlight.
Yes, there is quite a bit of walking involved with this experience. The tour is outdoors and on uneven ground. Please dress accordingly.
Guests will receive a QR code to a digital event map and guide when they check in, and there will be signage on the grounds.
If it is raining lightly or intermittently, the event likely will take place. In the case of heavy rain, the event will be canceled that night and ticket holders will be notified. Tickets may be transferred to any other remaining night. You may also check the website and social media for updates.
Absolutely! But no full face masks, please.
Most guests spend about 1.5 hours enjoying the full event. But it can be more or less, depending on the number of people in your party and the pace at which you explore.
Yes, we will have a quiet indoor “take a break” space that is open to anyone who needs some downtime.
Yes. Please call Visitor Services at 860-572-0711 to switch your tickets to another scheduled evening.
Pets are allowed on grounds, but not in exhibits, historic ships, or on the guided tour. We recommend you leave your furry friends at home to fully enjoy the experience. Service animals are allowed in all Museum buildings and should be checked in at the entrance to receive a yellow collar tag.
Adult Member $25
Youth Member $20
Adult Non-member $30
Youth Non-member $23
What Lurks Beneath: A Halloween Experience is sponsored in part by the State of Connecticut on behalf of the CHET 529 College Savings Program.
We thank our community partner Power Posse Productions for their support of What Lurks Beneath.
