Photo: Unsplash / Ashim d’Silva
By Alexis Daly
Halloween is just around the corner, which means the season of haunted houses is upon us.
If Halloween was always one of your favorite holidays and you long for the old days of taking your kids trick or treating, don’t despair. There are plenty of fun (and scary) Halloween-style attractions waiting for you as an adult to explore.
Most attractions are already open and run their last tours on Halloween. Make sure to visit your local haunted attraction before it’s too late.
Here are five national attractions that are considered some of the best and worth the trip to get you in the Halloween spirit.
1. Terror Behind the Walls
Philadelphia, PA
Imagine walking down the hallways of an ancient prison, while trying to escape the inmates chasing after you. As one of the largest haunted attractions in the United States, Terror Behind the Walls in Philadelphia combines six different attractions within the cell blocks of Eastern State Penitentiary. “Break Out,” “Infirmary,” and “Machine Shop” are just of few of the featured attractions at Terror Behind the Walls. For more information and to plan your trip, visit the Eastern State Penitentiary website.
2. Frightland
Middletown, DE
Frightland is essentially an entire theme park dedicated to haunted attractions. With both indoor and outdoor events, Frightland was named one of America’s scariest attractions by The Travel Channel. With events like “Horror Hayride,” “The Attic,” and “Ravenwood Cemetery,” Frightland is sure to meet all of your fright needs. To plan your visit and for details, visit the Frightland website.
3. Thrillvania
Terrell, TX
Located only a few miles outside of Dallas, Thrillvania is a haunted house park that combines three massive haunted houses over 50 acres. Thrillvania is known for “The World Famous Verdun Manor,” which has its own haunted history sure to give its visitors a thrill. Make sure to also visit the other haunted houses—“Cassandra’s Labyrinth of Terror” and “Sam Hain’s Train of Torment.” For more information, visit the Thrillvania Haunted House Park website.
4. UNDEAD
Denver, CO
If zombies are more your thing, then visiting UNDEAD in Denver is a must. As a fully immersive and interactive haunted house, mobs of zombies surround you forcing you to take shelter, ultimately looking for an escape to freedom. Will your group make it to safety or will the undead take over members of your group? Find out by visiting the UNDEAD Abominations website.
4. The Haunted Trail
San Diego, CA
The Haunted Trail is a terrifying stroll through San Diego’s Balboa Park. During your one-mile trek in the woods, expect to be encountering every kind of scary monster you can think of. As one of California’s few all-outdoor haunted attractions, visitors are promised a true scare that is not for the faint of heart. For more information, visit The Haunted Trail Balboa Park website.
5. The 13th Floor
Chicago, IL
In most buildings, the 13th floor does not exist; however, the 13th Floor Haunted House, Chicago, is very real and hidden within this terrifying attraction. Make your way through the myth of the 13th floor with a journey that is filled with all sorts of frights. You start at the 13th floor and make your way down, while each floor gets more frightening. Are you ready to make the journey to the 13th floor? Visit The 13th Floor Haunted House website for tickets.
