Autumn is in full swing, and Halloween is just around the corner. For families with children planning to trick or treat, consider the following neighborhoods for maximum fun and candy hauls. Also, take a look at these safety tips to ensure everyone has a happy Halloween.

The Best Nashville Neighborhoods to Trick or Treat In

Halloween is almost here, and many area families are searching for the best neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. Never fear—we found several locations that will certainly deliver with plenty of treats for those young and old.

Belle Meade Plantation

One location you don't want to miss this Halloween season is the Belle Meade Plantation. This extraordinary estate is a fantastic place to take a mansion tour any time of the year, but the property becomes especially inviting to families gearing up for Halloween.

The mansion often features a free Halloween event featuring games, trick-or-treating along a mile-long Treat Walk, and even a dance party! There's also a costume contest planned for the kids. Everything is free, though donations can be made to support the plantation's education programs.

The surrounding neighborhood is a real treat for the grownups, as well, with some of the city's most exclusive homes residing in this area. Many of the old plantations in the neighborhood also date back to the 1800s, now joined by Tudors and exquisitely designed, more modern estates.

East Nashville

If past celebrations are any indication, East Nashville will surely deliver on a few treats of its own. The neighborhood is commonly adorned with plenty of creative Halloween displays, many family-friendly enough for even the youngest trick-or-treaters.

This hip part of town remains fairly low-key, which is one of its draws. Mostly residential, the East Nashville neighborhood is full of character, with some historic properties as well as many mid-century homes dotting the area landscape.

Belmont

While there's not an official event happening in Belmont, the neighborhood itself is known for its plentiful sidewalks and street parking, making it a great choice for families this Halloween. In past years, neighbors have really pulled out all the stops for trick-or-treaters, especially homeowners residing along Belmont Boulevard and Oakland Avenue.

The location of Belmont University, the neighborhood is also home to shops and restaurants, giving families a spot to fuel up before the big night. The quaint area is also full of a mix of home designs, from larger residences to more cozy bungalows.

Hillsboro/West End

If you plan on heading to Hillsboro/West End, be sure to park in the 25^th Avenue Staff Garage, for streets along the route will only be open to pedestrians. The fun also includes a fire truck, bounce house and some student athletes plan to be on hand for the event, as well.

You'll also find a lot of wide sidewalks in the Hillsboro/West end part of Nashville, along with some unique restaurants nearby. This gives families more options to help combat the sugar high sure to hit this Halloween night!

Halloween Safety and Trick-or-Treating Guidelines

As Halloween approaches, parents are urged to begin planning their children's trick-or-treat activities and schedule now to include walking with them door-to-door. As is the case every Halloween, Patrol and Flex officers will be paying very close attention to Nashville's various neighborhoods on Halloween and will take any attempts to panic citizens by giving children harmful candy or by committing any type of disruptive behavior very seriously.

Citizens are urged to keep these safety recommendations in mind:

• Trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights.
• Persons should give, and children should accept, only wrapped or packaged candy.
• Children should bring their treats home for adult inspection before the candy is eaten.
• Children should wear light-colored clothing that is short enough to prevent tripping. Reflective tape should be added.
• Make sure children can see well enough through their face masks. Consider make-up or face paint as an alternative.
• Keep costumed children away from pets, particularly dogs. The pet may not recognize the child, become frightened, and react in a vicious manner.
• Choose flame-retardant costumes, and use props, such as magic wands and swords made out of foam rubber or cardboard, rather than metal or wood.

Halloween has been historically safe for Nashville, and officers will be working to ensure the same is true Saturday. The MNPD will take a zero-tolerance approach to criminal behavior as well as pranks that cross the line.

Courtesy of the Metro Nashville Police Department

Other Family-Friendly Fall & Halloween Events Near Nashville

Trick-or-treating is just the beginning when it comes to celebrating Halloween in Nashville. Looking for other ways to get into the holiday spirit? Check out these other great family-friendly events happening around Music City.

Glow in the Park

Head over to the Nashville Aerial Adventure Park for some after-dark fun! Visitors ages seven and up can race across ropes courses, swing down ziplines, and climb over bridges that are all lit up by colored LED lights that turn up the spook factor. It's a completely different experience from coming during the day. Want to come with younger children? Kids ages three to six are welcome to play at the Adventure Playground.

PumpkinFest

You've probably already heard of PumpkinFest because it's an annual tradition in the Nashville area. Come to Downtown Franklin to have fun in the streets with more than 150 arts and crafts vendors, more than 30 food vendors, costume contests, live music, a whiskey lounge, and more! Plus, all the regular downtown shops will still be open, so there's no shortage of things to see and do.

Fall Family Fun at Lucky Ladd Farms

Lucky Ladd Farms is located in Eagleville and has a variety of fun fall activities throughout the month of October. Pick your very own pumpkin directly from the pumpkin patch to take home and carve, or get lost in a corn maze! There are also other activities like pony rides and the petting zoo, which is the largest in the entire state!

Trick-or-Treating at Honeysuckle Hill Farm

Want to get a head-start on Trick-or-Treating? Head over to Honeysuckle Hill Farm in Springfield to start collecting that sweet, sweet candy before the 31st finally arrives. Children 12 and under are welcome to dress up in their costumes and collect treats from the Trick-or-Treat stations positioned around the farm.

Creepy Hollow Woods

What's Halloween without some scares? Creepy Hollow Woods is located in Spring Hill and has three different attractions to visit: Trails of Terror, Halls of Horror, and the Zombie Maze. Each experience can even be tailored to individual groups, so even kids can have a good time, though there's still a recommended age of eight years and up. When you've finished traversing the attractions, rest and relax at one of the bonfires and enjoy some snacks from the concession stand.

Shuckle's Corn Maze

Located in Greenbrier, Shuckle's Corn Maze is operated by Fiddle Dee Farms and has so much more to offer than just the awesome eight-acre maze. On top of that, you can also pick pumpkins in the pumpkin patch, take a ride on the Hey, Hey Hayride, watch a fun magic show, play Pumpkin Skee Ball, climb a giant spider's web, go pumpkin bowling, and much more!

Nashville Haunted Tours

Finally, nothing quite says "spooky" like a haunted tour of historic Nashville. There are a lot of different options for tours, like the Haunted Downtown Nashville Tour where you'll be led by lanternlight around the Tennessee State Capital and other locations while listening to stories of the ghosts who walk there. There are also Nashville Hearse Tours that invite you to climb into the back of a real hearse that will take you through Nashville's oldest cemetery, the Savage house, and other locations where spirits are said to roam.

Have Fun this Halloween!

Halloween is clearly one of the most beloved holidays in Nashville, and there is so much you can do to get into the Halloween spirit. We could only scratch the surface of fun Halloween activities in and around Nashville, and there are so many more to discover. So get out there, visit a pumpkin patch, get lost in a corn maze, and explore the amazing events and activities Nashville has to offer!