Board the family UFO and gravitate toward the Saint Louis Zoo for gobs of spooks, laughs, animals, fireside stories, night hikes and hauntingly fun entertainment! St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital Boo at the Zoo Nights is a family friendly, non-scary Halloween experience from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every night October 16-30.

Keep your eyes peeled for the Phantom of the Zoo as you eerily make your way through Headless Horseman Graveyard, Pirate's Cove, Dead Man's Bayou, Boneyard Park and Old Western Cemetery. Careful not to tangle yourself in Frankie's Maze!

Pop into the Children's Zoo to find out what the black and white ruffed lemurs are screaming about! If you are brave enough, stick around for "Halloween Hank's Pirate Adventure" on stage at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. featuring animals performing natural behaviors. See some sneaky animals in the Children's Zoo building. You may even happen upon a docent in the shadows to give you an up-close look at some of the Zoo's night crawlers!  Admission to Children's Zoo and show is free.

Hooo's asleep when the sun goes down?  Join Ichabod "Crowned" Crane on a guided tour through Not-So-Sleepy Hollow at the Zoo.  Meet some of the sleepy and not-so-sleepy residents and hear about the not-so-spooky legends that keep the residents on their toes.  Will the Headless Hootsman appear during your visit?  Don't be afraid to join the fun on this special trip through the Herpetarium, Big Cat Country and Historic Hill. Hikes are offered every half hour between 6 and 8 p.m. for $5 per hiker, age three and up. Children age two and under are free for the hike. Advance registration is recommended by calling (314) 646-4771.

Eerily draped in cobwebs, the Conservation Carousel will be transformed into the not-too-spooky "Scare-ou-sel" (additional fee $2/person).

Make a "creepy craft" at the Kid's Craft Corner, and see what's brewing at Lakeside Cafe. Be sure to shop the Halloween boo-tique for souvenirs, and receive a free Halloween beanie with a $25 purchase at Zoo gift shops.

This year's Boo at the Zoo souvenir T-shirt features prairie dogs as trick-or-treaters.  The long-sleeve white cotton shirt can be purchased online at www.stlzoo.org or by calling (314) 646-4771.  Prices range from $10-18 for toddler to adult sizes.

Admission to Boo at the Zoo Nights is $4 for members and $5 for non-members. Each child between the ages of 2 and 12 dressed in costume will receive a $1 discount on admission. Children under 2 are free. Proceeds benefit the Zoo in its efforts to save endangered species at home and around the world.

Parking is our treat, and will be available for free on the South Lot on Wells Drive near Highway 40. Wells Drive is open to Zoo traffic during construction. Cars will be allowed to enter and exit from two entrances on the South Lot - one near Hampton Avenue and another near the Tamm Avenue bridge.

Enter the event through the South Entrance using the temporary pathway from the parking lot to the Zoo. The Living World North Entrance and North Parking Lot will not be open for this event.

For more information and driving directions, visit www.stlzoo.org or call (314) 646-4771.

Be sure to stop by St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday on October 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day of safe and fun trick-or-treating along the Pumpkin Trail. Admission is free.

Boo at the Zoo Nights is sponsored by St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital, North Star Frozen Treats, Laclede Gas, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Soft Rock 102.5 KEZK, Y98 FM and Savvy Family Magazine.