The 14 Best Haunted Houses In America That'll Scare You Silly
By Sarah McCosham|Updated on September 20, 2023(Originally published August 20, 2022)
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Some people wait all year for the holidays to come around, especially to visit some of the best haunted attractions in the U.S. With Christmas comes twinkly lights, Christmas trees, sugar cookies, Hallmark movies, and Santa: the love language of the season, and we fully support that. However, for some, it’s what comes before the holidays that delights – the haunted, spooky, bewitching season of Halloween.
Ghost stories and ghost towns, frightful festivities, and haunted houses – this is a horse of a different color entirely: the dark horse upon which the headless horseman rides. It’s the season of spooky fun, and whether you’re Team Halloween or Team Christmas, summon your bravery this fall and venture out to the 14 top haunted attractions in the U.S. Just be prepared to be scared!
1. Cinema of Horrors Haunted House - Kelso and Ridgefield, Washington
Cinema of Horrors Haunted House, 1301 Grade St, Kelso, WA 98626, USA
Cinema of Horrors Drive-In, 17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgefield, WA 98642, USA
There's a meta quality to Washington's Cinema of Horrors Haunted House that's frighteningly delightful; what's a haunted house, if not high drama and theatrics? Cinema of Horrors is a live-action horror movie come to life. Watch as the scariest horror blockbusters play on the big screen right before your eyes, complete with terrifying monsters lurking outside your car window. This is a drive-in movie experience that will most certainly haunt your dreams for years to come. It's one of the top haunted attractions in the U.S. See why on the Cinema of Horrors Haunted House website.
2. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride - Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
One of the best haunted attractions in the U.S. is a perennial favorite, generally running select dates through Oct. 31. One of the most elaborately designed haunted destinations in the country, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is set in the sinister (and fictional) town of Midnight Falls. This is a town you do not want to visit; a place of depraved souls, terrifying scares, and pure evil. The titular hayride ventures deep into the heart of darkness, with the wicked "Witch of the Woods" showing up to torture all who dare enter her domain.
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3. The 13th Floor Haunted House - Denver, Colorado
13th Floor Haunted House, 3400 E 52nd Ave, Denver, CO 80216, USA
Everyone knows 13 is the unluckiest number, so of course, one of the best Halloween attractions in the U.S. plays up this notorious numeral. Denver's 13th Floor Haunted House is an immersive experience that carries countless warnings and disclaimers; in fact, guests under 12 are strongly urged not to come. For the brave who dare set foot inside this haunted house, a terrifying trifecta of special effects, committed actors, and Hollywood-level set designs creates a wholly bone-chilling experience. If this sounds like your creepy cup of tea, you can check out the 13th Floor Haunted House this fall.
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4. Cutting Edge Haunted House - Fort Worth, Texas
Cutting Edge Haunted House, 1701 E Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76102, USA
Everything's bigger in Texas, and Cutting Edge Haunted House is no exception (it's a four-time Guinness Book of World Records' holder for the "Longest Walk Through Horror House," in fact). Located in a historic area of Fort Worth that's known as "Hell’s Half Acre," this century-old abandoned meat packing plant takes visitors on a 55-minute fright fest complete with claustrophobic corridors, committed actors, next-level special effects, and an unsettling human maze. Come experience this multi-themed, multi-storied haunted attraction for yourself; just know that "terrifying" doesn't even begin to describe Cutting Edge Haunted House.
5. Beast Haunted House - Kansas City, Missouri
Beast Haunted House, 1401 W 13th St Suite B, Kansas City, MO 64102, USA
The Beast Haunted House has it all: evil voodoo, a live alligator, hungry werewolves, ghastly phantoms, and unearthly monsters. This immersive nightmare encourages visitors to peruse its four stories of pure terror, a feat that's not for the faint of heart. In addition to all the terrors listed above, a truly terrifying "beast" wanders the grounds, hungry for its next victim. This next-level haunted house in Missouri is a must for fans of all things frightening.
6. The 13th Gate - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
13th Gate Haunted House, Louisiana's Ultimate Haunted Attraction, 832 St Philip St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA
Louisiana is no stranger to one of the top haunted attractions in the U.S. and The 13th Gate surely lives up to this reputation. The 13th Gate is a haunted attraction known for its extreme ultra-realism, and arguably one of the most detailed and uncanny haunted houses in existence. It's gruesome and graphic, and only for the most unflappable of ghost hunters. If that's you, head to this terrifying Louisiana attraction this fall. For more information, visit The 13th Gate website.
7. Kersey Valley Spookywoods - Archdale, North Carolina
Kersey Valley Spooky Woods, 1615 Kersey Valley Rd, Archdale, NC 27263, USA
Started by a dare in 1985, 30 years later, Kersey Valley Spookywoods covers nearly 80 acres on an abandoned farm outside Greensboro, North Carolina. Its unsettling locale and costumed characters set a terrifying scene for all who dare step foot inside its cursed grounds. Superior special effects make for in immersive sensory experience that's been called one of the most terrifying in the country; visit, and you'll undoubtedly agree. Experience this depraved, ultra-realistic, and one of the best Halloween attractions in the U.S. this fall. Discover more on the Kersey Valley Spooky Woods website.
Those with coulrophobia need not visit Wisconsin Feargrounds, as the mayor of this demented destination is none other than Sketchy the Clown. As a good town leader, Sketchy doesn’t care for intruders and guarantees that any who show up… will never leave. For those who dare disturb Sketchy's depraved world, the Wisconsin Feargrounds is generally open through Halloween.
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9. The Dent Schoolhouse - Cincinnati, Ohio
The Dent Schoolhouse, 5963 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45248, USA
The (allegedly true) Dent Schoolhouse story is one that will send shivers down your spine. The eponymous schoolhouse was once an actual public school in Ohio, but it closed in the 1950s after a janitor named Charlie was suspected in the disappearance of several school kids. Today, brave visitors roam the schoolhouse halls, where town lore says the missing children were, in fact, murdered. This year marks the 26th season of one of the best haunted attractions in the U.S. and true thrill-seekers can experience the Dent Schoolhouse in complete darkness each fall.
10. Erebus Haunted Attraction - Pontiac, Michigan
Erebus Haunted Attraction, 18 S Perry St, Pontiac, MI 48342, USA
There's a word for that thrilling shiver you feel when delighting in a dark, frightening experience: frisson. This "thrilling shiver" is something many seek out, and you'll be feeling all the frisson at Erebus in Pontiac, Michigan. This fright fest features four entire floors of terrors and scares, complete with Hollywood-level special effects. One of the largest indoor haunted houses in the world, Erebus is a bucket-list must for those seeking superlative thrills and chills. Check out the Erebus Haunted House Attraction Facebook page for more information, if you dare.
11. Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride - Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
Bates Motel, 1835 Middletown Rd, Glen Mills, PA 19342, USA
The Bates Motel has a name that precedes it, and this Pennsylvania attraction certainly delivers... and then some. This half-mile haunted hike -- the former hayride route -- is dubbed "Psycho Path," and it will undoubtedly be the longest and most terrifying 20-minute trek of your life. Figures materialize out of thin air, creatures jump out at every turn, and eerie pyrotechnics complete the scary scene. If you're up for more, check into the eponymous Bates Motel, which is somehow more horrific than its namesake. For over 25 years, The Bates Motel has repeatedly been selected as one of the best haunted attractions in the U.S. and the world on a hayride, and after visiting, you'll undoubtedly agree. Learn more on the Bates Motel website, about this scary space open through Oct. 31.
12. Field of Screams - Mountville, Pennsylvania
Field of Screams, 191 College Ave, Mountville, PA 17554, USA
Pennsylvanians must have an appetite for the macabre; Field of Screams repeatedly ranks as one of the best haunted attractions in the U.S. *and* state. For 30 years, Field of Screams is a wicked world unto itself, complete with a haunted hayride, two haunted houses, and a haunted woods experience. To date, this destination has terrified over one million souls; visit this Pennsylvania haunted attraction this fall and you can count yourself among this brave and elite group.
13. Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses - Ulster Park, New York
Ulster Road, Ulster Rd, Putnam Lake, NY 10509, USA
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" has nothing on this haunted attraction; Headless Horseman has been terrifying guests for nearly 30 years. In Ulster Park, New York, this seasonal attraction is located in a historic manor that hails from 1793. A perennial favorite in virtually every "Top 10" list, Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses is a depraved destination that's inextricably tied to its unsettling landscape. The attraction is set on 65 acres of foreboding woods, ponds, and orchards, and the man-made effects and natural scenery combine to create something truly terrifying. Headless Horseman is a unique, immersive experience with a theme that changes each Halloween season. For more information, visit the Headless Horseman website.
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14. Haunted Overload - Lee, New Hampshire
Haunted Overload, 20 Orchard Way, Lee, NH 03861, USA
New England is a place of immense mystery and intrigue, where the ghosts of American history hang heavily in the air. New Hampshire's Haunted Overload attraction takes full advantage of the region's lore, creating a haunted trail through the New England woods that seems to swallow you whole. In an effort to appeal to all thrill-seekers, Haunted Overload has three "levels of fear" from which to choose: The Day Haunt happens in the light of day and allows guests to simply look at the sets; Fright Night Lite happens at dark, letting guests enjoy the lighting effects minus the scares; and Haunted Overload, the no-holds-barred, award-winning event that's a total nightmare (in the best possible way, of course). This epic haunted event happens annually through Halloween and is really something all New Hampshire scare-seekers must experience. Get tickets on the Haunted Overload website.
There’s something wholly delightful about being scared silly – especially when you know it’s all in good fun at one of the best haunted attractions in the U.S. The Halloween season goes by in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, it will be all Santas and reindeer, sugar and spice. So embrace the spirit of frightful fun, and enjoy these epic, best Halloween attractions in the U.S. while you can!
If you need a Halloween costume, check out Etsy’s website. And if you have the nerve, stay the night at a 65-year-old inn, and one of the most haunted places in Connecticut.
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More to Explore
Best Haunted Attractions In The U.S.
Sarah M.|August 25, 2022
What are some of the best haunted places in the US?
Prefer to be spooked by real-life cemeteries and ghost towns? Then pack up and head out to one of these most notorious ghost towns in the US. Our country is full of ghost towns: In the West, abandoned areas remain from the days of the Gold Rush; in the Pacific Northwest, evidence of old homesteads exists along the Oregon Trail; the Midwest is full of towns that once thrived during the Great Migration; while the South and Mid-Atlantic regions have their own ghost towns which harken back to the very first days of America. Some of our favorite American ghost towns to explore during the spooky season include Shaniko, Oregon; Marfa, Texas; Nevada City, Montana; Bannack State Park, Montana; Bode, California; St. Elmo, Colorado; Old Cahawba, Alabama; Blue Heron, Kentucky; Thurmond, West Virginia; and Centralia, Pennsylvania.
What is one of the best Halloween attractions in the U.S.?
North Dakota's haunted fort is one of the scariest places in America. Who knew the beautiful Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park with a significant historic presence, is also one of North Dakota's most haunted places? If you have the nerve, see Fort Abraham Lincoln in a new way as the horrifying Haunted Fort, offering different themed nights among the famously haunted grounds. You never know what might pop out at you along the way.
