“The season that we begin shooting in June is going to be about the election.”
Say WHAAAAAAT????
“Maybe” is what AHS creator Ryan Murphy answers after being asked if there will be a Trump character. Which begs the question, will we see Hillary? Bernie? I’m starting to think this may be the greatest television show ever!
I know what you are thinking: the Super Mario Bros movie sucked! And what about the Double Dragon Movie? Surely a good video game adaptation will never be any good, right? We can’t promise you anything, but Netflix is going to try really hard to break the curse with its Castlevania animated series coming out later this year. They feel so good about it that they already green-lit season two for 2018. Did we mention that it’s going to be gory… reaaaallllllyyy gory?
The word in the castle of Netflix is that the series “is not for kids” and it will be super violent. We’re in!
Just in case you haven’t dusted off your Nintendo in a while, here’s a refresher. Castlevania, released in 1986 by the Japanese entertainment company Konami, is about a family of vampire hunters (The Belmonts) and their relentless pursuit to kill Dracula. 100 hundred years after they kill him, Dracula is resurrected and the Belmont descendants have to kill him again. This went on until the last game from the franchise in 2015.
Series producer, Adi Shankar, of Dredd and The Grey, says that it has a “Game of Thrones vibe to it.” Intriguing! He also states:
I’m personally guaranteeing that this is going to be the best f–king video game adaptation ever made to date. I’ve seen it, and it’s f–king amazing. – Producer, Adi Shankar
2 seasons at 4 episodes each have been confirmed. Each episode to be 30 minutes in length.
The first season will land on Netflix in late 2017 with no official date. The second season begins in 2018.
Rather than stick with some of the previous Castlevania characters, it’s been said the series will introduce a new Belmont clan character. Plans for other characters are still in development, so it’s safe to hold out hope to hear from Alucard and John Morris in the series at some point. Adi Shankar has confirmed the story will be based off of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse.
Ready your whips, daggers, swords, cudgels, and “special weapons.” It’s going to be a blood bath.
Mankind ill needs a savior such as you.
Not only does Sinful Audio produce some of the best sound effects for movies and television, but they make haunted houses and escape rooms that much scarier. Ever been through a silent haunted house? Guess what?!?! It’s not a haunted house.
Sinful’s sound effects bring scary things to life. Simply put, it’s sound designed for terror and the mind. That’s why when Ken at Sinful Audio told us about his new Buccaneer tracks we were all aboard! So just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale. A tale of a fateful trip…
New Pirate Audio and Effects
Sinful Audio’s newly released Buccaneer, a collection of sound effects and voice-overs for your pirate themed project or escape room. Buy it before April 1st 2017 and save a bunch on your booty. Don’t be a Scallywag! Click here to get started, or walk the plank!
The infamous Amityville Horror house has been sold. The sale of the Amityville, NY home closed on February 9th, 2017. The asking price for the home was just over $850,000. However, the history and stigma of the home plunged its sell price to $605,000, nearly $200,000 below market.
Coldwell Banker Harbor Light listed the home, but the buyers and their agents have declined comment.
The plagued 1927 Dutch Colonial home had been listed since June and had been on the market for 165 days. The home had listed as high as $1.15 million in previous years.
Much has been made of the ghastly history of the home. The murders by Ronald DeFeo Jr. who shot and killed his 4 siblings and parents in their beds in cold blood claimed he was possessed. Several Amityville Horror movies have told the story of ghosts, paranormal activity, and possession. Will the new owners live their own horror? Will the ghost of the boy return? Will Ryan Reynolds get a shot at Amityville Horror 2?
This is a picture of what’s said to be the ghost of one of the murdered DeFeo children of the Amityville house.
The devilish windows of the Amityville home have since been removed.
The home has since been renovated to try and rid itself of some of the home’s more dramatic and memorable features. The 2 quarter-moon windows have been adjusted. The home looks less like the face of the horror as it once did. Regardless of the upgrades the horrors both real and paranormal will always haunt this beautiful home.
Remodeled Amityville Horror home circa 2017.
The teaser trailer for It Comes At Night by writer-director Trey Edward Shults will have you gasping for breath. I almost hit my head on the monitor as I peered in as if I was walking down the hallway.
I almost hit my head on the monitor as I peered in as if I was walking down the hallway.
Trey Edward Shults follows up his writer-director debut of his family drama, Krisha, which was set in the style of a psychological thriller. It Comes At Night follows a family set in “a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world,” according to IMDB. As an unexpected family arrives seeking refuge, things begin to unravel as tensions build. The trailer and plot remind you of the psychological thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane which had twists and turns that kept you off balance throughout the film.
It Comes At Night stars Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough, and Christopher Abbot of James White. Edgerton and Shults worked together on Midnight Special.
A24 will handle distribution rights and looks to add another pulse pounding hit after its recent successes with Green Room and The Witch.
It Comes At Night movie poster
The production schedule for The Strangers sequel has been as on-again, off-again as Brad and Angelina, but without all the tabloid trash talking.
The sequel to the 2008 horror flick was said to be in production in early 2011, and later announced to be released in 2014. While both of those release dates have come and gone with no trace of the trippy trio of masked intruders, it has now been undeniably confirmed that a sequel is imminent. The script is currently being penned by Bryan Bertino, who both wrote and directed the 2008 film.
The Strangers, which grossed over $82 million internationally, starred Liv Tyler as Kristen McKay, and Scott Speedman as James Hoyt, and was not well-received by critics, despite being a major box office success. The film currently holds a 45% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Matt Mueller of Total Film gave the slasher 3 out of 5 stars calling it “Lean, mean and razor-edged, this nasty little home-invasion thriller drags you by your white knuckles on a horror chill-ride while flicking its middle finger at Funny Games. Prepare to be scared something rotten.”
The sequel plans to take viewers on a road trip gone wrong, following a family who finds themselves holed up inside an abandoned trailer in a roadside RV park.
Immediately our minds conjure up a Hills Have Eyes scenario and we imagine a landscape plagued by grotesque, disfigured hill-people, but writer Bertino has plans for a more familiar cast of characters. The masked invaders who terrorized Kristen and James in the original will once again don their death masks and stare eerily through the shadows at unsuspecting strangers.
Critics and fans agree that there is nothing creepier than the masked psychopath staring in at Tyler through the kitchen window. If The Strangers 2 lives up to the hype, it will leave us all double-checking the locks when it finally hits theaters, hopefully sometime in 2017.
Liv Tyler has confirmed that she will return for the sequel, however, her role is expected to be minor. Filming is set to begin this summer.
Fans of FX’s American Horror Story are undeniably loyal to the anthology horror series, yet some didn’t care for AHS 6’s plot-twisting, “Roanoke” and hope that a similar theme won’t be repeated. One fan Tweeted: “I can’t believe the ending of this AHS season is a fake tv show about a fake tv show, based off of the first season of a fake tv show.”
The finale drew mixed reactions, and while it is still too early to draw any solid conclusions, AHS creators may have began hinting at a possible theme for the follow up season…
A Tweet posted by the show’s Twitter account immediately following the finale of season six revealed that the theme for season 7 might somehow involve water. Show creator Ryan Murphy says that only three people other than himself know what the theme will be including the series regular, Sarah Paulson. We’ll find out in due time if this was misperceived or more misdirection.
Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson have starred in all six seasons of American Horror Story thus far, and Murphy confirms that they each will return for season 7. No word on Lady Gaga, whose season 6 return had a few fans upset at how limited her role was.
Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson return to American Horror Story Season 7
Traditionally the show’s producers have created anticipation and media buzz about upcoming seasons by creatively unveiling plotlines, new and returning cast members, and themes in early spring. But last season, Murphy and company broke with that tradition.
The theme of AHS season six was only mildly hinted at in July of 2016, but plotlines were not unveiled until the season premiered on September 14th. Until that point, there had been very little chatter about the season’s theme; show’s producers revealing only that it could be expected to be even more dark and offbeat than seasons past.
I don’t know that we’d do [a surprise reveal] again. Maybe we would release [season 7 theme hints] earlier. I just started writing it. I haven’t decided how to do it yet. – Ryan Murphy
Will Murphy and AHS keep us on the edge of our seats before the season starts? Murphy said, “I don’t know that we’d do [a surprise reveal] again. Maybe we would release [season 7 theme hints] earlier. I just started writing it. I haven’t decided how to do it yet.”
The theme of American Horror Story changes each season, telling a different narrative using the same cast playing different characters. The innovation has been hailed as “genius,” “insane,” and ultimately terrifying by fans and critics alike.
While season 2 titled “Asylum” took viewers back to 1964, and season four was set in 1952, all other seasons were set in the present day. When questioned about the upcoming season of AHS, Murphy revealed that it will be set in modern day.
Fans have long predicted that all previous storylines actually exist within the same fictional universe, and season six all but confirmed that theory. Murphy recently went on record that there are plans to create a season that does exactly that.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Murphy told a crowd in Los Angeles: “It’s not going to be next season, but we are going to do a season that’s a crossover between Murder House and Coven together, which is very bizarre.”
Murphy promises to reveal more about the upcoming season’s theme this spring. And in true American Horror Story style, it is sure to be an interesting reveal.
Murphy began writing the script for season 7 in January and while filming has historically taken place during the summer, it is unknown when cameras will roll for the upcoming season. No air date has been confirmed, but is likely to debut in September or October.
AHS is slated to continue for at least another 3 seasons.
More questions than answers remain: In what shocking way will the show’s creators reveal the plot for season seven? Will they somehow weave Jessica Lange’s characters back into the show’s bizarre universe? Doubtful!?! Will Lady Gaga return with more screen time than the paltry few minutes she had in all of season 6?
The knowledge of the theme is in short supply right now.
There are only three people in the world who know what [American Horror Story Season 7 is about] And that’s FX CEO John Landgraf, [studio executive] Dana Walden, and Sarah Paulson.
Is water a part of the theme? There’s a lot of doubt that the watery teaser from Twitter was related. What do you think?
The Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Conference (HAuNTcon) is an expo and conference “Designed by Haunters, for Haunters” of every age and level of experience. CLICK HERE for tickets to HAuNTcon 2017.
HAuNTcon brings together people who love Haunted Houses, Halloween and scaring people, for a fun-filled four days and nights of Haunted Attraction Tours, Haunter Education, Halloween Tradeshow, Haunted Garage Sale, FX Makeup and Prop Building Demonstrations, rounded out by a Networking opportunities like the amazing annual Costume Ball.
The best investment you can make in your Halloween event! – 40 Year Haunt Veteran and event coordinator – Leonard Pickel, Hauntrepreneurs, Haunt Consulting and design Firm
Creative Sessions, Business Seminars, Hands-on Workshops, Make Up and Product Demonstrations all designed to provide information and teach you techniques to do what you do better, faster and easier this next haunt season. Learn new money saving techniques and time saving tips and tricks. January 26th- 29th – ALL INCLUDED in your admission. PLUS an all day in-depth workshops on January 30th.
This convention is a good place to learn new things, tips and skills while also meeting up with fellow haunters sharing ideas and great suggestions to better your business!! – Julie Edwards, Creepy Hollow Haunted House
Get your hands on the latest and greatest in, Props, Set Design, Costumes, Makeup Supplies, Animatronics, Special Effects, Masks, Marketing & Promotions, and more on the Haunted Tradeshow floor! January 27th-29th
Looking for a unique haunt item? Find what you have been looking for at great prices at the Sunday HAuNTer’s GARAGE SALE January 29th! You never know what you’ll find at rock bottom prices.
Sponsored by Froggy’s Fog, the 2017 PRE-SHOW INSPIRATION BUS TOUR Wednesday, January 25th & Thursday, January 26th, includes admission to 13 haunted attractions at 8 different locations. PLUS, a historic plantation and warehouse tour.
The THURSDAY NIGHT HAUNT TOUR January 26th is of the massive Haunted Hell, 3930 Apache Trail, Antioch, TN, In it’s 4th year, Haunted Hell invites its guests to face their fears among the rotting ruins and grueling landscapes only seen in nightmares.
The SATURDAY NIGHT HAUNT TOUR January 28th is of Nashville Nightmare, a massive 50,000 SF, four element event at 1016 Madison Square, Nashville, TN, consistently ranked among the top Haunted Houses in the nation.
The SUNDAY NIGHT HAUNT
TOUR January 29th is of the monstrous Slaughterhouse at 3445 Lebanon Pike, Hermitage, TN. Nashville’s longest running haunted attraction, now in its 30th season, Slaughterhouse a huge 12,000-square-foot single haunted house.
Friday Night HAuNTcon COSTUME BALL, January 27th is a once a year opportunity to get your Halloween fix at an off season rocking party. Join Haunt owners actors, makeup artists and Halloween fanatics from around the world for a ghoulishly fun night of networking and haunting fun. It is THE haunt networking event of the year. Free beer sponsored by Froggy’s Fog.
Seriously… why would you not go? The education you receive while connecting with your peers from all over the world is worth the cost. You get ideas and tips available ONLY among other haunters. A++ – Dana Martin, Talladega Frights Haunted House
HAuNTcon 2017 is at the Sheraton Music City Hotel and Conference Center, 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. CLICK HERE to get your hotel discount and reserve your room. If you are flying into Nashville, take advantage of the FREE Airport Shuttle Service to and from the Sheraton Hotel.
Imagine, getting the newest scare concepts, best makeup effects, bullet proof business and promotion strategies before your competition does. Everything you buy, learn, and share during this convention is guaranteed to help your attraction grow and stand the test of time.
Awesome Haunt Tours, an excellent Education Series combined with some of the best haunter social events and a great trade show! HAuNTcon never disappoints! – Dan Hower, Fright Farm Haunted House
HAuNTcon 2017 gives you unrestricted access to haunt owners, industry vendors and fright experts that will make this next Halloween season a game changer. No more scavenging through the internet looking for “tutorials,” “how-to” articles and videos hoping to find something you can use this year in your haunt. HAuNTcon will give you everything you have been looking for in one weekend.
Go to www.hauntcon.com for more details or CLICK HERE for tickets to HAuNTcon 2017.
It’s that time of year. I don’t think I’m building a snowman tonight.
Stay up to date with our Friday the 13th Calendar.
Finnair landed flight AY666 in Helsinki today. Not only is the 666 ominous, but Helsinki’s airport code is actually HEL. And of course, it departed during the 1300 hour. You have to wonder if they planned that. Not only is it on Friday the 13th, but it also happened on the third day of the first full moon of 2017.
The pre-flight checklist looked something like this:
Would you actually book a trip on Flight 666 to Hel? On Friday the 13th?
Death was busy in 2016. We lost horror icon Angus Scrimm, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, musical geniuses David Bowie, Prince, and George Michael. And then Princess Leia… The list runs long and cuts deep. Everyone be safe and cherish the memories of those we lost. I’m ready for 2017. Let’s party like it’s 1999.
But Max Landis hopes to do just that, with his upcoming adaptation of his father’s cult classic, An American Werewolf in London. John Landis, who wrote and directed the original 1981 horror-comedy, is expected to executive produce the remake. His son, Max, who is a young, but renowned screenwriter, producer, director, and comic book writer, will write and direct the film 35 years after the films original release.
Additional to Max Landis, David Alpert and Robert Kirkman of The Walking Dead are signed on to produce the film’s remake as well.
In the original film, college pals Jack and David are backpacking through the moors in London when they are attacked by a hulking, wolf-like creature. After leaving a pub suitably called “The Slaughtered Lamb,” the teens suspect they are being stalked by a wild dog. Unable to elude the beast, Jack is mauled and abruptly killed. The creature then turns on David, who is bitten and badly injured, but saved by a group of locals who arrive and shoot the creature before it can finish him off. While lying helplessly on the ground, David catches a glimpse of the remains of the beast and shockingly sees not a dead wolf, but a naked and bleeding man.
David, who is left with no memory of the attack, wakes in the hospital weeks later. He is visited by Jack’s reanimated corpse, who tells him his terrifying fate: that he will transform into a werewolf with the rising of each full moon. Jack advises his friend to take his own life before he fulfills the murderous prophecy. David does not heed Jack’s warning and predictably begins slaughtering innocent Londoners on the night of the next full moon.
In quite possibly the most hilariously grotesque scene of any movie of its time, David’s transformation into a bloodthirsty werewolf is set to the the 1960 classic, “Blue Moon,” by Sam Cooke. David screams in agony as his hands begin to lengthen, his bones cracking as they transform into gnarled paws; his nose elongating into a snarling snout, and his teeth sharpening into lethal fangs, while fur sprouts from the skin on his mangled back; and all the while, Cooke’s soothing vocals contrast in an odd harmony with the hair-raising scene.
The scene took months of planning, considering this was shot well before the age of digital animation. The scene was revolutionary for film and makeup and the film earned an Oscar for Best Makeup, becoming the first to win the newly created award. In this age of special effects, can the American Werewolf in London remake do it again? One might say it’s harder for a film to step beyond without an enormous budget.
The original film score included such classics as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising,” and Van Morrison’s “Moon Dance,” which begs the question: Will the remake feature another soundtrack of moon references? Or will the younger Landis select a different theme for his version? We’d be excited to see Warren Zevon’s 1978 hit “Werewolves of London” make it into the remake.
With not much in the way of a precursor, John Landis was uncertain about the reception of his grisly production. In anticipation of audiences’ reactions to the graphic film, he cut part of a scene in which David – as beastly incarnate – attacked a group of homeless people. In an interview with SCI-FI LONDON, John Landis recalls the early criticism the film received: “Even by today’s standards, the picture is very, very gory and violent.”
Thirty-five years have passed since An American Werewolf in London was released. Let’s hope the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Stick around for more updates on the American Werewolf in London remake as we learn more in the coming months.
American Horror Story Season 7 Update
Updates on AHS 7. Who’s back? Is Gaga signed on yet? When will season 7 begin and what the heck is the theme?
Stephen King’s IT Remake
Can Skarsgaard stay true to the greatness that was Tim Curry’s Pennywise? Part 1 is progressing toward the big screen.
Is Hopper being forced to work for the diabolical Dr. Brenner? Is part of Will still trapped in the Upside Down? Where is Eleven and will she find her Eggos? These questions and more are sure to be answered in season two of NetFlix’s Stranger Things, returning sometime in 2017.
Fans of the acclaimed sci fi-horror-drama, can rest easy knowing that the cast is back to work filming the second season of Stranger Things. In a surprise announcement, Stranger Things tweeted an upside down photo of the cast with the text: “Back in production. See you next year. #StrangerThings.”
NetFlix released a teaser last week that listed what appear to be episode titles, including “Madmax,” “The Storm” and “The Boy Who Came Back to Life.” While not much is known about the plot of season two, the show’s producers have made it clear that most of the original cast will return.
And while Barb is unlikely to return from the purgatory of the Upside Down, the quirky crew of Will, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin will likely pick up right where they left off: Playing Dungeons & Dragons and saving the world from demented demogorgon.
The ghouls have spoken. The undead have risen. The clowns have done that weird thing that is freaking everyone out, whilst gaining national attention. FrightFind’s annual guide of haunts is here. We’re not here to rank or tell you whose chest is hairier, but to bring you at least one haunted house to visit in every state. With thousands of haunted attractions across the nation, some states are laden with frights, while some states are lucky to have even one. This year, we lost a few friends, but they’ll be back or, so they say. Behold FrightFind’s guide to the top haunts in every state!
To see the most recent Top Haunted Houses in America click here.
Located in Fultondale, Nightmare at 3008’s tag line is “Where Nightmares Become Reality.” Yep, that’s about right. And there are many ways they bring your nightmares to life. You can tour the Abandoned Still Yard, a haunted junkyard that includes a quarter-mile trail filled with horrific misfits eager to make it the worst walk of your life. After you wet your pants outside, walk (or crawl) inside to the Terror Within where the dark and twisting hallways threaten to swallow you whole. All screams aside, Nightmare at 3008 is also a scare that cares. Each year this haunt raises money for charity, and the cause for 2016 is childhood cancer research. The folks running this attraction have a lot of heart – even if they’re trying to stop those of their guests. FrightFind salutes them for giving to such a worthy cause.
FrightFind It: Nightmare at 3008 in Fultondale, AL
Runner Up: Insanitarium in Pinson, AL
More Top Haunted Houses in Alabama
Founded in 1985, Fright Night Manor is one of the oldest and longest-running haunts in Anchorage. Located in the Northway Mall, the 10,000-square-foot haunted house features lots of jump scares, ghoulish props, and especially good use of 3D effects most of which are on creepy rather than gory side. It’s accurately billed as a family-friendly haunt, but be advised that it’s scary enough to not be suitable for younger kids. It’s also wheelchair accessible.
FrightFind It: Fright Night Manor in Anchorage, AK
See all our Haunted Houses & Places in Alaska
Want a recap of our 2015 guide to the top haunted houses in America?
FrightFind’s top haunt for Arizona for the second year in a row, the 13th Floor Haunted House is a real pro operation. Spread over multiple floors of a single horror-filled building in downtown Phoenix, you get access to two terrifying attractions for your ticket: “The Deadhouse” and “The Frenzy.” The former is occupied by zombies that are actually manifestations of childhood nightmares, while the latter is described as a “visceral manifestation of humanity’s most crippling fears.” And they nail it. Designed by award-winning haunted house designers, this is the real deal. Be prepared to be scared.
FrightFind It: 13th Floor Haunted House in Phoenix, AZ
Runner Up: Sanctum of Horror in Mesa, AZ
More Top Haunted Houses in Arizona
A two-time FrightFind winner, Fear Factory 501 is located in Jacksonville but worth the drive if you’re anywhere in the region. Of course, you might regret going at all if creepy clowns make your skin crawl because this place is known for them. Overall, there are some great actors prowling the attraction and some over-the-top gory features that both terrify and impress in their attention to detail. The attraction will have a special “Kid Friendly Night” on October 23, but otherwise probably too scary for younger children.
FrightFind It: Fear Factory 501 in Jacksonville, AR
Runner Up: Carpenter’s Mortuary in Gentry, Arkansas
More Top Haunted Houses in Arkansas
Located in Tustin in Orange County, the 17th Floor is for mature audiences only and definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart. Billed as “34 minutes of psychological terror,” the haunt leads you through 21 horrific rooms built around the story of an unhinged and haunted college student trying to come to grips with a suicide attempt, a stint in a mental institution, and a traumatic pregnancy. It’s a mind-bending endurance test for visitors that hits all the senses. Totally twisted.
FrightFind It: 17th Door in Tustin, CA
Runner Up: Fear Overload in San Leandro, CA
More Top Haunted Houses in California
Located not far from Denver in Henderson, Colorado, City of the Dead is three seriously freaky haunted houses in one: City of the Dead, Curse of Darkness, and The Carnival of Carnage. Voted “Best Denver Haunted House” eight times, it’s also a nationally known attraction, and for good reasons. With a huge cast of actors roaming the building and the grounds, you’ll be assaulted the minute you get out of your car. This professional-level haunt really delivers the goods. Get ready to scream for your life.
FrightFind It: City of the Dead in Henderson, CO
Runner Up: 13th Floor in Denver, CO
More Top Haunted Houses in Colorado
Creepy is right. Located in Hamden and advertised as an “emporium of the bizarre,” Creeperum delivers a sensory overload of chills and horror. This warehouse attraction features a maze of corridors and rooms filled with optical illusions and a cast of horrific creatures from the lab of demented inventor and occultist Nikola H.P. Crowley. And he’s one twisted doctor indeed. Not recommended for kids under 10. And that’s probably pushing it.
FrightFind It: Creeperum in Hamden, CT
Runner Up: Fright Haven in Stratford, CT
More Top Haunted Houses in Connecticut
Now in its 20th year, Frightland is made up of several different attractions including The Attic, Zombie Prison, Idalia Manor, Ghost Town, and others. There’s also a two-mile haunted hayride and a full amusement park with rides making this a great choice for those who like variety and want hours of scary fun. Located in Middletown, Frightland has been named a “Scariest Haunted Attraction” by the Huffington Post and the Travel Channel. The attraction also donates part of their profits to support the Leukemia Foundation of Delaware, so you’re putting your screams to good use.
FrightFind It: Frightland in Middletown, DE
Runner Up: Screams at the Beach in Georgetown, DE
More Top Haunted Houses in Delaware
Located in Boca Raton, Enigma Haunt has three new indoor attractions for 2016: Pandemic, Into Oblivion, and Realms of Terror. Each is a full-blown madhouse of twisted imagination with impressive realism and attention to grisly detail. Spread over two floors and 19,000-square-feet, it takes more than an hour to tour the entire facility and endure all three attractions. But much longer to recover. But as they at Enigma Haunt, “death is always an option.”
FrightFind It: Enigma Haunt in Boca Raton, FL
Runner Up: The Scream Park in Green Cove Springs, FL
More Top Haunted Houses in Florida
A FrightFind winner for the second straight year, it’s tough to beat Netherworld Haunted House in Norcross, GA. The costumes and special effects are Hollywood worthy as are the more than 100 actors roaming this sprawling walk-through attraction. It’s rated one of America’s top haunted houses by multiple sources and simply a must-see for true enthusiasts. Do yourself a favor and get there.
FrightFind It: Netherworld Haunted House in Norcross, GA
Runner Up: Fear the Woods in Stockbridge, GA
More Top Haunted Houses in Georgia
A FrightFind winner for the second year in a row, the Haunted Plantation in Waipahu on the island of O’ahu is reported to be on the site of an actual haunted village. Billed as Hawaii’s scariest haunt, it’s been the subject of paranormal shows on The Travel Channel and SYFY and on the short list of must-sees for horror fans. The walk-through attraction boasts a gruesome setting populated by more than 60 actors in professional level makeup who will torment you the moment you’re on site. Be aware: according to the haunt’s own website, the attraction “is not for children under 13 years of age, pregnant women, or people with heart or breathing problems.” It’s also a “physically demanding environment.” Enough said.
FrightFind It: Haunted Plantation in Waipahu, HI
Runner Up: Nightmares Live in Wahiawa, HI
More Top Haunted Houses in Hawaii
A two-time FrightFind winner, the Haunted Mansions of Albion in Albion, ID, is one of the biggest haunted attractions in the Pacific Northwest. The theme is a “school of chaos” that includes a “House of Clowns” and the “Zombie Academy.” The setting also has a colorfully creepy backstory. Originally opened as a school in 1893, it went through several incarnations until it closed for good in 1969. Since then there have been rumors of rampant paranormal activity on site that has clearly infected the place. If clowns freak you out, this place is for you. Or not.
FrightFind It: Haunted Mansions of Albion in Albion, ID
Runner Up: Dr. Slaughter’s House of Terror in Idaho Falls, ID
More Top Haunted Houses in Idaho
A 2015 FrightFind winner, the Statesville Haunted Prison offers a self-guided tour of 23 gruesome cells filled with unimaginable horrors, gore, and carnage. The haunt is wildly intense and claustrophobic at times and you will scream your head off. It’s also “vulgar, disturbing, and aggressive” according to its own website – a description we’d agree with. Be advised that children under 10 are not admitted, and those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
FrightFind It: Statesville Haunted Prison in Lockport, IL
Runner Up: Nightmares Basement of the Dead in Aurora, IL
More Top Haunted Houses in Illinois
Last year’s runner up, the Indy Scream Park in Anderson has been voted one of America’s best haunts by both local and national sources and its reputation is deserved. Prepare to spend some time here – and to leave exhausted and emotionally shattered. The park has six attractions for one price. The newest for 2016 is Pandemic along with a redesigned Zombieland Apocalypse. The others include Rage 3D, Brickmore Asylum, and Backwoods. There’s also a Monster Midway when you need to take a breather and grab some food and drink and play a few games to calm your nerves. This is a seriously pro operation where a terrifying time is guaranteed.
FrightFind It: Indy Scream Park in Anderson, IN
Runner Up: Fear Fair in Seymour, IN
More Top Haunted Houses in Indiana
Located in Waterloo, the Heart of Darkness offers plenty of variety. You get 10 haunted attractions to choose from – or the truly demented can tour them all. Among the choices are the Killer Circus in Full 3D, the Haunted Bus, the Zombie Survival House, and the Coffin Catacombs. It’s Iowa’s largest haunted attraction and also includes a Monster Midway with live entertainment, food, and plenty of other distractions and fun. The Heart of Darkness definitely makes it worth your while.
FrightFind It: The Heart of Darkness Haunted Complex in Waterloo, IA
Runner Up: Thrasher’s House of Terror in Mount Pleasant, IA
More Top Haunted Houses in Iowa
Last year’s runner up, Field of Screams in Maize is where “the fields are sick.” It’s also where the infamous “vigilante murders” took place at the Spurlock family farm, the main part of the attraction. Along the way is Jebediah’s Field, a 20-minute escape room in Jeb’s shack, and Clown Town 3D with its mazes and top-notch effects. Build it, and they will scream.
FrightFind It: Field of Screams in Maize, KS
Runner Up: Shattered Souls Haunted House in Independence, KS
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Located in Louisville, the Devil’s Attic plays homage to scenes from many classic horror films. Populated by a cast of evil souls trapped by the Devil himself, this walk-through attraction is known for its attention to detail and interactive approach, and is why the haunt has won dozens of major industry awards. The Devil’s Attic will scare the hell out of you.
FrightFind It: The Devil’s Attic in Louisville, KY
Runner Up: Mayhem Mansion in Morning View, KY
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Widely recognized as one of the most realistic and graphic haunted attractions in the U.S., the 13th Gate in Baton Rouge is incredible – and terrifying – in its detail. The 13th Gate attraction takes visitors through 13 realms, each grislier than the one before. The haunt also has Necropolis 13, a tour through a haunted New Orleans-style cemetery, and the 13th Gate escape room game.
FrightFind It: The 13th Gate in Baton Rouge, LA
Runner Up: The House of Shock in New Orleans, LA
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Located at historic Fort Knox, this haunted location has been featured on Ghost Hunters and is well known among paranormal enthusiasts. Voted the “best Halloween experience in Maine” from Down East magazine, the attraction has creeps and thrills for the whole family.
FrightFind It: Fright at the Fort in Bucksport, ME
Runner Up: Destination Haunt in Lebanon, ME
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Located only 100 feet from the boardwalk, this 2 story haunt is waiting for any brave souls to come aboard. Can you make your way through this “ship” before being ripped to shreds like most of the previous crew members? You will love the gorgeous sets and animation as well as the pro actors. Don’t miss the grand opening of this amazing haunt.
FrightFind: Ocean City Screams in Ocean City, MD
Runner Up: Field of Screams in Olney City, MD
More Top Haunted Houses in Maryland
For two years running, Barrett’s Haunted Mansion takes first place for top haunt in Massachusetts, although this is the 25th year that Barrett’s has been in operation! Set within a post apocalyptic world, the Compound with its gangs of cannibalistic cretins will leave you yelling and screaming for help. On select nights, the lights go out and the rules go out the window for “Darkness Unleashed,” a thrilling, no holds barred event that is so intense you’ll barely survive the madness! They offer a special “Bite and Fright” on Sunday and Thursday which includes a meal at the neighboring Alehouse. This haunt is not recommended for children under 13.
FrightFind It: Barrett’s Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA
Runner Up: Hysteria at Connors Farm in Danvers, MA
More Top Haunted Houses in Massachusetts
Exit 13 takes you on a highway of horror with its indoor maze featuring live actors who use physical tactics to keep you fully freaked out! When you set foot inside this haunt, you’ll be touched, pushed, and jostled by a cast of characters created to creep you out! On your way to the bloodiest of boulevards, you may find yourself separated from your friends, alone in a dark room, wondering if you’re the last person left on this hellish highway. “Think you have what it takes to survive? We dare you to get off at Exit 13, your destination for terror.”
FrightFind It: Exit 13 Haunted House in Flint, MI
Runner Up: Haunt North Woods in Ishpeming, MI
More Top Haunted Houses in Michigan
Situated just outside of town, Scream Town is surrounded by a 200 year old forest. This massive haunted house and corn maze features 8 separate attractions in one! Visitors who enter the Redneck Resort will wish they had never crossed paths with Bubba and his hillbilly cousins! The Ludicrous Labyrinth has so many terrifying turns and defeating dead ends, you may start to believe you belong in the Circus Asylum! Ticket prices start at the low price of $25 per person and go up to $59 for VIP and Fastpass options.
FrightFind It: Scream Town in Chaska, MN
Runner Up: The Dead End Hayride in Wyoming, MN
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Enter the haunted forest and you will encounter gaggles of ghosts, ghouls, and goblins! Continue into the Haunted Firehouse and you may find yourself face to face with Jason Voorhees and his chainsaw or a maniacal Mike Myers! For the second year in a row, Bailey Haunted Firehouse wins best haunt in Mississippi! The Firehouse has been scaring the pants off adults and kids alike. Jamie said, “I literally left running! It was well worth it! My heart is still pounding…” The best part? Bailey Haunted Firehouse is a charity event and the cost of admission is only $10!
FrightFind It: Bailey Haunted Firehouse in Meridian, MS
Runner Up: Hurricane Haunted House and Forest in Thaxton, MS
More Top Haunted Houses in Mississippi
Where else will you have the chance to get up close and personal with a live alligator but at The Beast Haunted House in Kansas City Missouri? The Beast was one of the first haunts to take on an “open-format” design that allows guests to experience the hair-raising happening without the constraints of a typical scene-by-scene haunted story. Live actors, as well as animatronic characters take turns scaring the daylights out of thrill-seekers in what one patron calls, “The most fun and unique haunted houses I have ever been to.”
FrightFind It: The Beast in Kansas City, MO
Runner Up: Phobius Haunted House in Wright City, MO
More Top Haunted Houses in Missouri
A repeat winner from last year, this outdoor haunt boasts being Western Montana’s number one attraction—and for good reason. If you dare enter, you’ll first have to navigate through a dense, tall, cornfield filled with…well, who knows what. As you push through shrinking tunnels, graveyards, and playgrounds, you’ll meet some less-than-friendly clowns, ghouls, and maybe—unless you’re lucky—a chainsaw-wielding madman. For weaker stomachs, this haunted attraction sells Depends underwear. No kidding.
FrightFind It: Field of Screams in Victor, MT
More Top Haunted Houses in Montana
Though located in Omaha, Nebraska—the cornhusker state—this enormous park is far from corny. The twenty acre plot of land hosts three bone-chilling attractions—Master’s Castle, Haunted Woods, and House on the Hill—all for the price of one. With insane surgeons, mutant clowns, zombies, and plenty of gore, this place might just put you in the fetal position. The layout of each attraction varies from year to year, so even return customers don’t know what to expect. Just expect to be scared.
FrightFind It: Scary Acres in Omaha, NE
Runner Up: Haunted Hollow in La Vista, NE
More Top Haunted Houses in Nebraska
This Las Vegas haunt wins again! Even though the Asylum/Hotel Fear Haunted Houses’ rooms are assembled out of repurposed shipping containers and semi truck trailers, don’t expect to be any less convinced by this haunted house’s horrifying narratives. In fact, walking from container to container, even the smallest of hotel “guests” are likely to feel claustrophobic, especially when the zombies and psychos start to move in on you. It’s largely thanks to this unsettling funhouse effect that the site was picked as the setting of the 2015 slasher film, “Rust.” In fact, there’s even a rumor that some characters from the movie may have permanently set up shop there…
FrightFind It: Asylum/Hotel Fear Haunted House in Las Vegas, NV
Runner Up: Freakling Brothers’ Trilogy of Terror in Las Vegas, NV
More Top Haunted Houses in Nevada
This New England treasure was a runner-up last year. Haunted Overload is one of the few entries on our list with strictly family-friendly options on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day. Children and the fainthearted can enjoy the impressive set decorations and the shrieking actors during Day Haunt or Fright Nite Lite. However, once the sun goes down on the other days of the week, the ghouls come out. And boy, they don’t hold back. To see truly breathtaking set decoration artistry and maybe even pee your pants a bit, go in for the full Haunted Overload experience.
FrightFind It: Haunted Overload in Lee, NH
Runner Up: Fright Kingdom in Nashua, NH
More Top Haunted Houses in New Hampshire
Legend says that cars sometimes roll uphill and defy gravity around this 5 acre farm, though I wouldn’t stick around to see what causes it. This attraction appeals to most types. You can either walk through the haunted woods, shoot some zombies with paintballs, or both. While this still isn’t a huge operation compared to some of the others on our list, a lot of heart goes into making this attraction deeply enjoyable. Then again, some of those hearts seem to have been ripped back out.
FrightFind It: Nightmare at Gravity Hill in Jackson, NJ
Runner Up: Brighton Asylum in Passaic, NJ
More Top Haunted Houses in New Jersey
Albuquerque’s Realm of Darkness packs a monstrous punch. In 2010, the management decided they wanted to start a haunted house that would serve the community and it terrified. It has since employed high school groups like athletic teams and extracurricular clubs as volunteer actors, who in turn receive a huge portion of the proceeds to benefit their organizations. The combined passions of the haunt owners and the students manifests into one of the most horrifying attractions in the Southwest. With impressive theatrical set designs, nightmarish creatures that change daily, and an inventive layout—all for a good cause—this haunted house is a must visit.
FrightFind It: Realm of Darkness in Albuquerque, NM
Runner Up: McCalls Haunted Farm in Moriarty, NM
More Top Haunted Houses in New Mexico
One of the most popular and critically acclaimed haunted attractions in the country, it strikes fear in the hearts of some of the most tenacious people in the world—New Yorkers. With its massive budget, thanks in large part to Mark Cuban of Shark Tank, this hayride has it all: ghosts, demons, Deliverance-esque hillbillies, cultists, you name it. Once you make it to the end, grab a (very dim) lantern and try out the brand new House of Shadows, a complicated pitch black maze filled with disfigured creatures of the night. Lastly, unwind a little it in Purgatory, where you can pick up a couple concessions and relax—that is, unless you get picked to participate in one of the reenactments of famous horror movie scenes. Even if you don’t have polished acting chops, you’ll luckily have already gained plenty of experience screaming your head off.
FrightFind It: NY Haunted Hayride in New York, NY
Runner Up: Darkside Haunted House in Calverton, NY
More Top Haunted Houses in New York
Very deserving of a second win, Kersey Valley Spookywoods of Archdale, North Carolina is one of the most successful haunted houses in America. The haunted park has remained in operation for over thirty years and its legacy is hard to beat. Not only does one ticket buy you in to THIRTEEN discrete, horrifying attractions, but you can even opt to ride a zip line over the valley for a witch’s-eye view of the mayhem. A must visit.
FrightFind It: Kersey Valley Spooky Woods in Archdale, NC
Runner Up: Pinhead’s Graveyard in Canton, NC
More Top Haunted Houses in North Carolina
Located in Leonard, North Dakota, this haunted attraction has a whole lot of personality. You’ll scream, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream some more. Walk through the woods, the corn field, and old Leonard High School to meet some incredibly developed, zany, oh-so-spooky characters. Then, immediately turn tail and run far away from them.
FrightFind It: Acres of Terror in Leonard, ND
Runner Up: The Crypt at Jacobs Manor in Leonard, ND
More Top Haunted Houses in North Dakota
A past winner with Fright Find as well as many other major publications, Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati, Ohio is widely considered one of the scariest haunted houses in the country. The Dent crew has some of the highest standards of acting, makeup, set design, and storytelling in the business. In fact, the legend that surrounds the 1800’s schoolhouse alone is enough to get your heart pounding—think missing (murdered) children and a homicidal Freddy Krueger-esque janitor. Hit this attraction and you’ll long for the days when your worst school-related nightmares were about forgetting to study for an exam. Top marks if you don’t tap out early.
FrightFind It: Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati, OH
Runner Up: Paranormal Penitentiary in Mansfield, OH
More Top Haunted Houses in Ohio
Near Tulsa, The 13th Ward is a Broken Arrow gem. Themed as a medical rehabilitation facility for the country’s most violent and dangerous criminals, this haunted house pushes the trope’s boundaries and horrifies its patrons in unexpected ways. The House even donates a portion of its proceeds to the River Wallace Luck Benefit fund and The American Cancer Society. Pure terror has never felt so good!
FrightFind It: The 13th Ward in Arrow, OK
Runner Up: The Hex House in Tulsa, OK
More Top Haunted Houses in Oklahoma
Located in Gresham—just 15 miles out from Portland—this haunted house is very R-rated. All seven attractions, a few of which we can’t even name, are full-contact and based on some awesomely taboo themes. This haunt is physically charged and recommended for the most seasoned of haunt-goers. Expect to be really, really freaked out—especially if you don’t like small spaces.
FrightFind It: House of Shadows in Gresham, OR
Runner Up: Fright Town in Portland, OR
More Top Haunted Houses in Oregon
Also a previous winner, this extremely controversial haunted attraction’s dark history—along with management’s high standards of actors, makeup, CGI effects, animatronics, and attention to detail—makes for a profoundly horrifying experience. A combo pass will take you through Pennhurst Asylum, Dungeon of Lost Souls, and the Tunnel Terror, which runs underneath the grounds of the former state school, formerly known as Pennhurst Home for the Feeble Minded and Epileptic. That’s right, the attraction was once an actual mental health facility, and not a nice one. Since it was shut down in 1987 for overcrowding and horribly inhumane treatment of “patients,” many believe the grounds are haunted by very angry ghosts. In fact, the especially brave can even pay to embark on a self-guided ghost hunt in the Mayflower Building—which has been featured on both Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters—armed with nothing but a flashlight. But don’t worry, they usually check the batteries.
FrightFind It: Pennhurst Asylum in Spring City, PA
Runner Up: Field of Screams in Mountville, PA
More Top Haunted Houses in Pennsylvania
Why change a good thing? Also featured on last year’s list, Field of Screams offers three classic haunt experiences for the price of one. With a dungeon crawl, a haunted hayride, and the clown themed Cirque de Souls, you’re guaranteed to tap into one of your deep-seeded fears. They also have one of the coolest zombie paintball courses we’ve seen. Board a 30 foot, 5 ton military truck with mounted paintball guns and ward off the undead horde before you and your peers get overrun. George A. Romero, eat your heart out….
….(so to speak).
FrightFind It: Field of Screams in West Greenwich, RI
Runner Up: Haunted Labyrinth in Cranston, RI
More Top Haunted Houses in Rhode Island
Winning again this year, we have Greenville’s own Nightmare Dungeon. Thought to be legitimately haunted, the 110 year old two-story farmhouse hosts four discrete spine-tingling attractions. The place is loaded with inventive characters, each of whom seems to want nothing more than to gobble you up, sometimes immediately, sometimes with refrigeration in mind. Be prepared, these folks are truly dedicated to the art of scaring.
FrightFind It: Nightmare Dungeon in Greenville, SC
Runner Up: Deceased Farm in Lexington, SC
More Top Haunted Houses in South Carolina
If you are freaked out by the true tales of creepy clowns wreaking havoc on cities and towns across the country, then prepare to be petrified by South Dakota’s largest haunted house: Terror in the Dark, with live actors dressed as demented clowns. Scary as it may be to many, the attraction is considered “safe” and “fun” according to their Facebook page, though young children will not be permitted. Proceeds benefit various charities and youth groups. The attraction features a 12,000 square foot haunted house, including a maze and an exclusive VIP zone.
FrightFind It: Terror in the Dark in Rapid City, SD
Runner Up: Fear Asylum in Brookings, SD
More Top Haunted Houses in South Dakota
Featuring live actors and a very serious warning, the 13th Realm takes the top spot for Tennessee. The haunt takes 30 to 45 minutes to traverse and is mostly outdoors, but features live cast members within tight tunnels and narrows corridors, “intense audio, lighting… moving floors, special effects… and an overall physically demanding environment…” While children are allowed, no refunds are issued to those who are forced to flee. The attraction includes a Minions Lair, which is a great place to hang out and still get some scares.
FrightFind It: The 13th Realm in Atwood, TN
Runner Up: Ruby Falls Haunted Caverns in Chattanooga, TN
More Top Haunted Houses in Tennessee
One of the largest haunted houses in the United States, Cutting Edge is located within a 235,000 square foot multi-level warehouse. The attraction features a haunted maze with live actors and in the fine print boasts that patrons will “receive ELECTRICAL SHOCKS.” Guests will get covered in bubbles and foam from head to toe, so be prepared to be cold and wet when you leave. Cutting Edge is “the longest adrenaline rush money can buy,” according to the Denton Record Chronicle. Definitely lives up to the hype.
FrightFind It: Cutting Edge in Fort Worth, TX
Runner Up: Phobia in Houston, TX
More Top Haunted Houses in Texas
Nightmare on 13th was once featured as one of The Travel Channel’s scariest attractions in the United States. It has been in operation since 1990 and continues to terrorize throngs of patrons with new nightmarish themes year after year. They spare no expense in creating the most realistic reenactments from your favorite Halloween classics. Its 36,000 square feet feature the grotesque half-humans of The Hills Have Eyes, who compete with the Freddie himself in this scream-inducing house of all too familiar horrors.
FrightFind It: Nightmare on 13th in Salt Lake City, UT
Runner Up: Haunted Forest in American Fork, UT
More Top Haunted Houses in Utah
For the second year in a row, TerroRealm has been named the Top Haunted House in all of Vermont, and are also Vermont’s largest haunted happening. Frightened visitors will enter the Dementia Asylum, from which they may never return… TerroRealm moved locations this year, but don’t worry they moved the graves with them. There are rumors of a supposed staff member who locked every inhabitant of the facility inside – doctors, nurses, and patients alike – and a deranged doctor who performed bizarre medical experiments on them. “Although the old asylum is now abandoned, those who dare go near the old asylum hear screams of torture and madness emanating from within the darkened halls.” Enter if you dare.
FrightFind It: TerroRealm in Danby, VT
Runner Up: Dead North in Danville, VT
More Top Haunted Houses in Vermont
Madhaunter’s Madhouse has been terrorizing tourists since 2013, but this year’s new location is within the walls of the Old Lorton Workhouse Prison. While the prison is no longer housing inmates, the institution is be open to the public until Halloween, and Madhouse visitors can traverse the maze of homicidal history in under 30 minutes. The website claims that the attraction will bring “nightmares for those brave enough to enter,” and warns that inmates – I mean, visitors – may be showered with various liquids throughout the malefic maze. This venue is not suitable for children under 10 years old.
FrightFind It: MadHaunter’s Madhouse in Lorton, VA
Runner Up: Darkwood Manor in Luray, VA
More Top Haunted Houses in Virginia
Seattleites, put down your espresso and head south to the dark hills of Buckley, Washington. The Fright Factory haunted house has everything from clowns and ghouls to pitch black mazes that may drive you insane. Not for the faint of heart and not recommended for young kids, but recommended for those ready to look into the abyss. At only $12, the Fright Factory is a killer deal. Bring some canned food for donation and save a buck. Don’t and you’re pressing your luck.
FrightFind It: Fright Factory in Buckley, WA
Runner Up: Georgetown Morgue in Seattle, WA
More Top Haunted Houses in Washington
For the second year running, The Asylum Haunted House has claimed the top haunt for West Virginia. “In the halls of what once was the area’s most reputable hospital, a demented doctor has brought his patients’ nightmares to life,” their website claims. The Asylum Haunted House “MALICE” is located at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, previously known as Weston State Hospital. In the 1800’s the hospital housed some of the state’s most delusional and deranged patients. These damaged souls continue to serve the doctor who entrapped them, clawing and scratching at throngs of thrill-seekers as they make their way through the hospital’s blood-stained halls. “Can you survive a journey into the Asylum, where the veil between life and death has been lifted?”
FrightFind It: The Asylum Haunted House Presents MALICE in Weston, WV
Runner Up: Fright Nights in Daniels, WV
More Top Haunted Houses in West Virginia
Last year’s runner up is this year’s penultimate paranormal attraction for the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Fear Grounds features THREE haunted houses in one! “Twisted” promises to torment you until you lose your sanity; “Unstable” occupies both indoor and outdoor space, giving the illusion that there is nowhere to hide; and “Zaszu” offers a challenge to escape in under 5 minutes before having your soul consumed by evil! Wisconsin Fear Grounds offers yet another unrivaled experience with Night Terrors: 13 hours of fear! – a unique opportunity to camp overnight, to those who can handle the horrors that lurk in the dark.
FrightFind It: Wisconsin Fear Grounds in Waukesha, WI
Runner Up: Burial Chamber Haunted Complex in Neenah, WI
More Top Haunted Houses in Wisconsin
For the second year in a row, Nightmare on 17th Street takes the top haunt for Wyoming. Spawned in 1989 by members of an international, non-sectarian fraternal order, the Knights of Pythias, the attraction terrifies 2,500 to 3,000 victims every year. Featuring 15 scenes so shocking, you’ll have to leave pregnant women and young children at home. And on one exceedingly creepy night, guests are welcome to wander the haunted halls in complete darkness.
FrightFind It: Nightmare on 17th St in Cheyenne, WY
See all our Haunted Houses & Places in Wyoming
Want a recap of our 2015 guide to the top haunted houses in America?
Roughly 20 miles south and east of Washington’s capital city of Olympia sits the old mill town of Bucoda. In the best way, this a town of yesteryear. Population 562 with hundreds of stories to tell around the campfire, town hall, or in one of several purported haunted spots around town. Whether it be the park, where tales are told of flaming trees; or near the site of the former first Washington Territorial prison that has stories of apparitions of former inmates; or the site of the Scary-Nights Haunted House located in the old 1939 high school gym. Bucoda is clearly a perfect place to get your spook on.
The original name of Bucoda, dubbed by settler Oliver Shead in the 1860s, was “Seatco,” a Native American word for Evil Spirit or Devil. Understandably, the name was later changed to the present Bucoda by borrowing from the names of 3 local investors: Buckley, Coulter, and David. But the DIE had been cast: the original name, even though changed, has stuck. Tales are told of the administrators who ran the prison that was dubbed “Hell on Earth.” The harsh conditions on the inmates have left a lasting impression on the jail. Several sightings of the ghosts of inmates at the facility have been reported. Many living near the old facility will have a story that reeks of the paranormal.
Entering it’s 5th year, the Bucoda Scary-Nights haunted house is getting into a groove. In the first couple of years, the organizers relied on the talents of their live actors. Now, more props, an updated layout, and many more animatronics are in use along with those talented live actors. The audience will tell you that the owners do a horrifying job of setting the tone and prepping you for the scares ahead, but it is also a safe atmosphere that can be fun for the whole family.
The 1939 gym, which houses the Scary-Nights haunted house has actually been investigated for paranormal activity. The investigators visited the gym, took EVPs, and scoured for evidence, but in the end they didn’t find what they were looking for. However, upon further investigation of their material, the investigators sent this picture to the Mayor of Bucoda which has 5 orbs circled by the team.
Noises and footsteps are often heard when nobody else is around. People have reported they feel like they’re being watched and doors open and shut by themselves. All could be explained, but the orbs are another matter. The town and anyone that spends a decent amount of time in the building are convinced this place has some paranormal ties.
When the prisoners came in from work, the sight and clatter of chains was deafening and damnable, nearly all being in heavy double irons, riveted to their legs, wearing them day and night, sick or well, all the time.
The Bucoda train tracks and prison have left an eerie spirit on the town. The conditions that the prisoners of Seatco Prison lived under were harsh. They were forced into treacherous labor conditions and many did not survive. The train tracks have seen derailments and several deaths. The 1939 Union Pacific derailment of a passenger train that hit and killed the driver of a logging truck also resulted in several passenger and train crew fatalities. Both of these stories have surmounted to reports of seeing ghostly shapes and figures on the tracks and many home owners near the old prison will comment their house has some sort of paranormal activity associated with it.
I lived in Bucoda and had very strange happenings in our home growing up.
One of the things to look for while in the Scary-Nights haunted house is Abby, a famously precocious doll. Abby often stays with Rosemary, one of the managers of the haunted house. Depending on Abby’s mood, she may give you the chills, or just give you the cold shoulder. You see, Abby lives at the house year round, but she starts getting really excited to scare around Halloween.
A couple years ago, a visiting artist was painting murals on the walls of the haunted house’s maze, he started to get the distinct feeling he was being watched. He kept looking around and yelling for whoever it was to come out, but no one was there. He tried to shrug it off, but then he heard giggling and someone or something running across the floor in the old bleachers above him. He bolted, and said he wasn’t going back there alone. Rosemary found Abby, who hadn’t been brought there by anyone, and decided to give her a place of honor near the front of the house. The doll is believed to be spooked and has said some statements that aren’t necessarily normal doll behavior.
Simply put, visit Bucoda at your own risk. Come for the Scary Nights Haunted House. Stay for the Bucoda Hauntings!