For Manhattan, there are high expectations when it comes to October 31st. For those who come from anywhere other than inside the US, you can expect the the very best in costume design, the scariest of frights and the craziest of nights in New York City. 

 

We've all seen the episodes of Friends and wished we could recreate one of Monica's Halloween get togetherws, and how could anyone forget the house party in Mean Girls? As a consequence of modern day film and television, any non-American expects the Big Apple to provide a big Halloween and 2014 did not disappoint...

 

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, the social media invites begin to swarm in: themed rooftop parties, ghoust tours, ghoulish limo rides and the murder mysteries uptown.

 

Out in the suburbs, preparation is more family orientated: classic pumpkin competitions, extreme home decorations and the school costume parades.

 

One way to celebrate the night in style is to board a Halloween Hudson party boat. Setting off from the Skyport Marina, east of the city, a cruise boat sets sail at 11pm and doesn't dock again until 4am.

 

While the usual suspects, Darth Vader and Cat Woman, can be found drinking at the bar, T-Pain along with a gang of slutty nurses dance on the deck. As shots are thrown back by Homer and Mary Poppins drops it down low, the boat circles Lady Liberty and cruises by the Freedom Tower before its finale of booty shaking to Beyonce under the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

Of course, there are always those characters for whom a river tide does not mix well with alcohol. Red Riding Hood can be seen with her head hanging off the bow and Tinkerbell can barely walk, although she protests that this is down to the rocky waters.

 

Once back on dry land, NYC is full of many a storybook character suffering the effects of too much Halloween fun.

 

Travelling back across the city there's a semi-intoxicated Spice Girl, Binky and the Brain arguing on 5th and Superman being dragged to his subway stop - oh the irony.

 

However, despite the late hour the atmosphere still buzzes in NYC. Throngs of New Yorkers still wander the streets in high spirits celebrating this night of ghouls and ghosts. Although many opt for sexy as opposed to scary, Halloween still brings an air of fear and nervous excitement to the city...although that could be down to the strength with which this town parties.

 

New York you didn't let us down.