Haunted House Ratings

Nightmare at Beaver Lake…Camp Counselors Wanted

There is something wonderful about a haunted house designed to bring the entire family together in their terror. It is even better when this is done for a good cause. Nightmare at Beaver Lake offers plenty of chills and thrills, but with two different shows to make sure everyone can get their fill of Halloween fright whether they are just starting out on their pursuit of terror or have been riding the adrenaline train for decades. We love that this haunt combines the isolating fear of a haunted trail and the torment of a classic haunted house for a progressive night everyone can enjoy.

Every October something strange falls over the peaceful grounds of Beaver Lake. Creatures drift across the ground like fog and bring with them the eeriness that marks the season. As evening comes, families are welcomed to explore the classic-themed horrors that mark the haunted trail and inhabit the haunted house that waits at the end of their creepy stroll through the monster-infested woods. Hold your little ones close, however. When the clock strikes 8 o’clock, the Full Scare begins and the nightmares only grow. When the families have left and all that is left is the true thrill-seekers, the darkest creatures come out of hiding and the quaint lake seems to blacken in the moonlight.

Nightmare at Beaver Lake is unique in several ways. While many haunts have taken up the trend of donating proceeds to a charity of choice, it is much rarer to find one that also offers experiences appropriate for the entire family. We would hesitate to say the youngest members of the family would be happy at this haunt, but the trail and finale haunted house make for ghoulish fun for patrons 9 and up. The haunt is also special in that the haunted trail is actually dotted with a series of smaller haunted houses and mazes. There are far fewer startle scares and gore at this haunt than others. Rather, victims get their fill of fear from the artistry and pure, classic creepiness.

Salt Lake Fear Factory…Your Shift is Up

Be still our horror-loving hearts. This haunt is another of those delightful spots where the true tortured history of the haunt rivals the twisted tales woven by the actors. The Salt Lake Fear Factory is a glimpse of the abhorrent conditions of the early industrial era. The cold floors of the sprawling former cement factory hold the blood, screams, and lingering energy of the workers who lost their lives in the monstrous machinery that crafted the factory’s wares. This haunted house takes its cues from the gruesome loss of life within the factory, but that is only the beginning of what awaits you if you are courageous enough to clock in for a shift.

In the days of the Industrial Revolution, factories were the epitome of advancement and technology. Overwhelming machines filled massive buildings and workers spent grueling days ensuring everything ran smoothly. Unfortunately, this didn’t always happen. Portland Cement Works was a gleaming example of the advancements that had happened in manufacturing in the 1800s. Inside its impressive walls, however, was a workplace rift with danger and fear. This is where workers were slowly crushed to death as they were drawn into the massive gears of the machinery or melted away in the molten metal. The factory was abandoned after years of death and mayhem, but soon it was taken over by the monsters who now call on you to step into the emptied worker stalls. Find your way through the darkened mazes, but be wary of the machinery. There are those who say those gears are still hungry for blood.

The experience of the Salt Lake Fear Factory haunted house begins as soon as you climb out of your vehicle. If you can’t find a spot in the factory lot or want to extend the party, take a ride on the Zombie Bus. As you wait you can listen to a variety of bands and take in the foreboding feeling of death around you. If the haunt itself isn’t enough of an adrenaline rush for you, hop on the Last Ride for a zip line unlike any other. For those with more academic tastes, the haunt also offers paranormal tours of the truly haunted building without the thrill of the actors and sets.

Land of Illusion…The Master Scream Park

There are trends in haunts. Sometimes it seems like once you’ve seen one haunted house, you’ve seen all of them. That can get really tedious if you crave the terror and mind-bending torment of a good haunt. We’ll admit to getting a little nervous when we saw the line-up of attractions at the Land of Illusion Scream Park in Ohio. The park promises 5 haunts, including 4 haunted houses and a haunted trail. The themes, however, sounded eerily similar to other haunts we’ve seen this year. The incredible sets and brilliant actors, however, proved to us that you can’t judge a haunt by its theming.

The laughter of the circus may lure you to the dilapidated big top, but as you work your way through the dizzying 3D maze, the Killer Klowns may just turn your giggles into pleas for mercy. There are no hopes for laughs when you descend into the Temple of Terror. Find your way along the darkened corridors of the Temple where the unleashed ghouls and animated corpses of a long-forgotten curse try to transform you into one of their number. These torments are scarcely a preparation for what awaits you in Dr. Psycho’s Sick Revenge. Here you must face the horror of a man driven mad by the tortured spirits of the criminally insane that were buried on the land where he built his home. A particular virulent spirit, that of young Agatha, possessed him and caused him to kill his pregnant wife, pushing him over the edge to murderous insanity. Step into his home to encounter the disgusting carnage that he left behind when he strung himself from the rafters and left himself for the rats to consume.

Have you ever visited the bayou in the dead of a Louisiana summer? No worries. Land of Illusion brought the darkest, bloodiest shanty out of the bayou and reassembled it right in the scream park. Here you can visit the horrifying Dubois family and learn why they call their old neighborhood Voodoo Bayou. If you have had your fill of haunted houses, let the family give you directions to their friendly neighborhood terror trail. The Middletown Haunted Trail is teeming with creatures, bloodthirsty killers, and the dark unknown. Nothing is between you and the forest floor but your own feet, so pray they don’t let you down before you make it through.

We love that there is a bit of payback available for those who want to add to their night of horror. Climb aboard the army vehicle and brace yourself for a fight to save humanity. The undead are rising from their slumber and the guns on the vehicle are the only hope for the living. Man your battle station and take aim. Getting your nervous energy out has never been so important—or so much fun. The Zombie Sniper Patrol requires a separate admission ticket, but your regular admission into the scream park gives you unlimited admission to the other five attractions all night.

Hotel of Horror/ Altered Nightmares…Bed and Breakfast of the Damned

Pennsylvania offers some of the best unexpected haunted houses, and this is certainly among the best. Falling in line with the haunts that hold that special dark place in our hearts—that is, those with truly haunted and bloody history—the Hotel of Horror and Altered Nightmares haunts offer both professional actors and legitimate creepiness.

The Lake House Hotel has had a storied reputation since it was built in the late 1800s. It was here that the workers of the nearby mines spent their nights washing away their troubles and relaxing after the long day in the arms of one of the “ladies” who lingered there. The whispers say that many miners died there, succumbing to injuries from the mines and other mysterious causes. Some say their bodies were devoid of blood. The hotel has served as many things since, including offices and retail space. Soon it fell into disrepair and now stands empty, save for the whispering spirits and creeping creatures that have claimed its halls. Unfinished business tortures souls. If you are brave enough to face the darkness, you too may find yourself a part of the history of the Lake House.

The tormenting scenes of the Hotel of Horror and Altered Nightmares are not all this haunt offers. These two haunted houses are complemented by the Museum Macabre. This self-proclaimed “creepy ass” museum is filled with authentic remnants of the gruesome pasts of the medical field, prisons, asylums, and funerals. Tucked lovingly in the front parlor of the hotel, the museum offers a glimpse of antiques, artifacts, and even actual human remains. A visit with these exhibits alone bring chills and grisly nightmares.

Trail of Fear…The Experiment Awaits

Scream parks are the hot trend in entertaining terror. These haunts let you visit several haunted houses in the same area for the maximum mind-bending horror packed into your evening. The Trail of Fear took the idea of a scream park and blended it with the time-honored concept of a haunted trail. Rather than just walking your way through dark woods and waiting for creepers and monsters to jump out at you at each turn, you are finding your way down a trail where several haunts await you. Victims are invited to brave the trail and meet with the chilling inhabitants of the individual haunted houses they stumble upon along the way.

Trail of Fear features six separate areas for you to enjoy. We have to give some respect to the Pumpkin Junction, which offers free, non-scary Halloween fun for the little ones that come along for the evening. While their parents experience their worst nightmares, the children have the chance to trick-or-treat, do crafts, or roam through the Tunnel of Light. When the young ones are safely tucked away in Pumpkin Junction, it’s time to venture down the Trail. Tour a series of excavation sites, buildings, and trails that were once used by the disturbed Dr. Michael Kultra and his team who utilized horrific surgical practices and mysterious archaeological discoveries. Escape the doctor and find yourself in Voodoo Bayou where a tormented family, the Voodoo Witch and her pet, the shape-shifting Loupe Garou, hunt you down. If you get out of the Bayou alive, take a break at the Cirque de Morte. A circus is all about fun, right? You may not have the same idea anymore once you have visited this 3D debacle of a circus. Don’t let yourself get sucked into the show as you try to get through the maze. The final two attractions, Lord Bennington’s Unusual Experiment and the Haunted Midway offer a more fun environment, including souvenir shops and an unusual spot where you can get your own coffin built for you.

Victims get drawn into a true nightmare at the Trail of Fear. More than just haunted houses, these attractions are fueled by Hollywood-quality special effects, dedicated actors, and detailed storylines that bring the horror to life. We love that there is a special space just for the little ones where they are protected from the blood and torment that awaits the older crowd.

Wells Township Haunted House…Your Guided Tour through Bloody History

Haunted houses with complex and detailed fictional concepts can be truly terrifying. When a haunt is truly steeped in blood and filled with actual spirits, however, there is a feeling that permeates the area. Victims approaching the haunt know once they step through the doors they are the mercy of the totally unknown. This is something we just can’t get enough of. Wells Township Haunted House brings this intense creepiness with a haunted history that stretches back over a century. Movie monsters creep through the outdoor waiting area, catching unsuspecting victims by surprise while they enjoy the music of live bands.

Located just outside of Pittsburg, Wells Township was the ideal spot to build a warehouse and transportation depot in 1836. 30 years later it was the ideal place to store the hundreds of bodies that racked up during the Civil War. The bodies were gathered from surrounding battle fields and laid in the building to await the barge or train that would transport them home. Thousands of fallen soldiers were temporarily kept in the building. Even years after the war ended the building was used to house bodies. One was a thief found dead and nearly frozen on the train tracks. He was strung up by the rafters in the building and left for two days until he could be buried. When the time came he was interred in a shipping crate. It is said that Civil War spirits are among the most restless in this world. Soldiers roam, confused, angry, and sad, somewhere between the battle field where they fell and the world beyond. At Wells Township Haunted House you are welcomed inside and guided through the house. In each of its crumbling rooms you will hear the sordid history of the building and fall victim to the Old School haunts that await you. Be forewarned…this is an interactive haunt. You are not just meandering through on your own, or even running in blind terror however you can. You will be lead through the haunt where you will come in close personal contact with monsters and creepers who are ready to make you a part of the show.

Interactive haunts are relatively new, but we think they add a truly terrifying layer to haunted houses. This victim’s choice haunt is particularly frightening because of its bloody history. Dedicated actors, unique entertainment, and the group guides push it over the edge.

Will you enter the woods on the haunted hayride with zombies, ghosts, and something that can’t be named? Will you face what is to come in the two haunted houses with courage, hide your face in fear, or scream until you’re hoarse? Those are your only choices when you enter the Witch’s Woods in Massachusetts.
Admission to the woods include the Haunted Hayride, the Nightmare Mansion that has terrifying scares around every corner and Castle Morbid which is a dark dungeon and may totally change your mind about what a haunted house really is. You will also be treated to the 3D Creepers Crypt. Just like any other crypt, you can get in, the question is can you get out alive?

In addition you can visit the Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree and view professionally carved pumpkins and the Haunted Chamber of Chills where you can view scenes from old horror movies. But be careful, some of the creatures in the movies may come to life while you’re watching.
Have fun and make sure you have nerves of steel before entering the Witch’s Woods.

Nightmare Haunted House…the Doctor is Out, the Mayhem is In

There is something truly stomach-turning about the idea of an abandoned, evil-infested hospital. Hospitals are creepy enough as it is, but when you add a warped doctor and a history of death, the entire place takes on an even more horrifying essence. The Nightmare Haunted House in Kentucky promises a walk through the most horrifying, disturbing hospital that has ever stood.

Mercy Hospital was once the workplace of Dr. Colin Sheppard. He was revered as the best in his field, bringing hope and health to even desperately ill patients. In the 1950s there was no better doctor available. After a few years, however, the horror began. The storms took over the area and a veil of darkness fell over the hospital. During this time Dr. Sheppard’s incredible skills began to fail. Patients died under his hand and he was cast out of the hospital under the scorn and ridicule of his colleagues. The area continued to be tormented by flooding and horrific winds. Power failed and the area seemed cut off from everywhere else.  The hospital warped, walls collapsing in on themselves and the entire building sealing its victims inside. Dr. Sheppard lingered in his isolated cottage, the nightmare that tortured him daily seeping into his very being and contorting him into a twisted, rotted specter of himself. In the hospital, things were worse. Food and water ran out, the medical professionals left became grisly mad scientists, experimenting on the dying and tormenting the survivors. Outside of the surrounding area, everyone thought the hospital had been shut down. Nearly 70 years later, however, the doors have been wrenched open and you are invited for visiting hours.

Victims visiting Nightmare Haunted House also have the chance to visit Terror on Tates Creek. This truly twisted haunt welcomes you to visit the warped carnival of Ivan, a carny whose ambitions of fame got the most of him. Whether you brave just one or both haunted houses, you are sure to leave with a few nightmares.

Hill of Terror…Your Journey to Torment

Though haunted houses are a true passion, we have to show respect for trail haunts that put the same level of sheer terror and maddening torment into the experience as the indoor scenes. The Hill of Terror is an extensive haunted wagon ride that winds its way through 100 acres of horror-soaked farmland. The disturbing isolation of the haunt grounds only increases the pure creepiness of the experience. With over 60 trained actors, the haunt is filled to the brim with blood-chilling enthusiasm.

Haunted trails are often one of several attractions at scream parks. They may even transport you from haunt to haunt. Some veteran thrill-seekers overlook the hayride as a second-rate haunt that lacks the depth and detail of haunted houses. Don’t let those misconceptions fool you. Hill of Terror is nothing short of horrifying, with scene after scene of gruesome scares throughout the seemingly endless trail. Climb aboard the wagon with the torturous knowledge that nowhere is safe. This isn’t like other haunted hayrides where if you sit in the middle of the wagon you are protected from most of the creepers and monsters who call the darkened recesses of the trail their home. On Hill of Terror you have no such safety. Your journey of torment brings you through an intense array of situations, forcing you to face your darkest nightmares in an infested barn, pitch black woods, a dizzying corn field, and the dilapidated trailer park home of crazed hillbillies. Don’t think that if you survive the trip down the hill that you are safe. There is a reason those chainsaws are sounding louder and the chill of eyes upon your back is getting stronger.

This haunt is a victim’s choice for value and detail. You can easily spend more than an hour on the Hill for one price and each time you come you will have a different experience. The actors are put through intensive training to ensure they give the victims the best experience possible. For a baby in the haunt industry, Hill of Terror is truly proving the power of a twisted mind and demented determination.

Haunted Montrose…The Devil is Truly Still in Georgia

Haunts in the South have a special touch when it comes to weaving horror and spreading torment. Haunted Montrose is located outside of the city bustle of Atlanta, but this doesn’t mean the haunted house is lacking anything. In fact, the dark, abandoned feeling of the farmland only adds to the spine-chilling eeriness of the atmosphere. With four separate attractions, this haunt tells us that when the Devil went down to Georgia, he never really left.

The Old Slaughterhouse slumbers at the edge of a dark expanse of overgrown farmland. Piles of debris give the sense that no one has been there for quite some time. Listen closely, however, and you will hear the stomach-turning sounds of the victims who have ventured into the house and never emerged. If you have the courage to step onto the property you will have the escape the bloodthirsty clan who has taken over and wants to make you one of their collection. Don’t trust the nurses in their pristine white. They do not want to help you any further than the bloody tables in the back of the slowly collapsing building. Emerge from the buildings alive and a darkened maze awaits you.

Hollywood quality special effects make this a victim’s choice for bloody horror. The haunted houses are distinctly different, yet are believable within the same haunt concept. We love the fresh take on the Slaughterhouse concept and the real terror that awaits at each corner.