Haunted Houses
Stepping into a haunted house feels like crossing into another world, one where shadows twist and unexpected noises echo around every corner. These attractions draw crowds each fall, offering a mix of chills and excitement that’s hard to beat.
The rush can be a lot of fun. The sudden jump scares send your pulse racing. It’s a safe way to face fears, surrounded by people who share the screams and the grins afterward. Groups often bond over the close calls, turning strangers into instant allies in the dark.
Halloween amps up the appeal of haunted houses even more. This time of year, haunted houses fit right in as the Halloween activity. Dress up in costumes if the place allows it, grab some candy on the way & let the spooky vibes take over.
You buy tickets outside under string lights, the line buzzing with anticipation. Inside, the air grows cooler, thicker with fog and the faint scent of dry ice. Dim lights flicker as you navigate narrow halls lined with creaky doors and dangling cobwebs. Actors lunge from hidden spots. You see a a zombie here, a mad doctor there with each scene building tension with props like fake blood and rattling chains. Some houses stretch on for what feels like miles, with themed rooms from haunted asylums to cursed forests. You might crawl through tight spaces or cross shaky bridges, heart pounding until the final room unleashes the biggest surprise. By the end, you’re breathless, exhilarated and ready to swap stories over hot cider.
Across the nation, there are some haunted houses that stand out for their history or odd twists. Take the Whaley House in San Diego, California, often called one of the country’s most haunted spots. Built in 1857, it’s a real Victorian home where visitors report ghostly footsteps and apparitions tied to its past as a courthouse and gallows site. Tours let you explore rooms where tragedies unfolded.
For something truly strange, head to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. This sprawling mansion, started in the 1880s by Sarah Winchester, defies logic with staircases leading to ceilings, doors that open to blank walls, and skylights over unfinished basements. Legend says she built it nonstop to confuse spirits of those killed by the Winchester rifle fortune. Guided walks reveal the architectural puzzles & some swear they’ve felt unseen presences in the mirrored hallways. They usually have some cool Halloween versions of the tour around the holidays, so check their website for details.
The Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas is a small 19th-century home infamous for poltergeist activity. Named after a girl who supposedly died there during surgery, it’s drawn investigators for scratches, thrown objects & sudden temperature drops. Overnight stays are available for the brave, though many leave convinced something watches from the corners.
If you are searching for things to do during Halloween, you should definitely consider a haunted house.
What is the top haunted house in the United States?
Rankings shift year to year, but The 13th Gate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, frequently tops the list. The attraction is over 30,000 square feet and it features everything from voodoo swamps to medieval dungeons, with actors who stay in character through multiple levels. Other strong contenders include The Darkness in St. Louis, Missouri, praised for its detailed horror movie-style rooms + Sacramento Scream Park in California, which mixes multiple attractions like zombie paintball for a full evening of frights.