Ready to get your adrenaline pumping this Halloween? We’ve rounded up the most terrifying haunted houses in the USA guaranteed to deliver a hair-raising experience. Whether it’s an abandoned hospital or a legitimately haunted mansion, grab your crew and get ready to scream your fabulous hearts out.
Top Haunted Houses in the USA to Visit for a Hair-Raising Experience
New York City: Blood Manor
Honey, get ready for 5,000 square feet of pure terror in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood. A quick trip on the C or E train drops you at the doorstep of Blood Manor, where you’ll scream your way through nightmareous rooms. This year brings three new rooms and killer costumes by designers from Abracadabra, NYC’s iconic Halloween shop. Trust us, don’t miss it.
Chicago: 13th Floor Haunted House
Why settle for one scare when you can have two glorious nightmares? The 13th Floor Haunted House is serving up a double dose of terror this year, with “Shattered Skyline: The Dead City” throwing you into a post-apocalyptic Chicago filled with crumbling bones and deranged survivors, and “Nightmare 1893” revealing a sinister methodical monster hunting behind the dazzling displays of the World’s Fair. With over 30,000 square feet of pure, unadulterated fear, this Windy City favorite gives you maximum screams for your buck—and we are absolutely here for it.
Fort Worth: The Cutting Edge
Touted as the World’s Largest Haunted House, The Cutting Edge traps you in a century-old, abandoned meatpacking plant for a horrifying 55-minute journey—if you can even make it to the end. The production value is absolutely insane, leaving you both terrified and begging for more like the thrill-seeking queen you are.
Miami: House of Horror Haunted Carnival
South Florida’s biggest scare fest, the House of Horror Haunted Carnival, unleashes four attractions: Silent Mall, Drown Town, Insanitorium, and Scare Studios. If you survive the tour through abandoned houses and supernatural encounters, calm your nerves on the carnival rides. Good luck, babe.
San Jose: Winchester Mystery House
This one’s not just a haunt—it’s the real deal. The Winchester Mystery House, built by a firearms heiress, is authentically creepy with actual ghost sightings, staircases to nowhere, and doors that open to a two-story drop. Be careful what spirits you take home with you—we don’t need any unwanted roommates.
Philadelphia: Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Get ready for a haunted house experience inside a real, decommissioned prison. Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary features five haunted houses that drag you through the prison’s terrifying past. Walk the actual cellblocks and death row—and try not to scream (spoiler: you will).
Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
This isn’t your average hayride, darling. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is a fully immersive horror show that throws you into an eerie, haunted zoo. With incredibly detailed sets and a cast of terrifyingly talented actors, this event will leave you with chills long after it’s over.
Austin: The House of Torment
Austin’s ultimate haunted attraction, The House of Torment, serves up three unique nightmares. Survive a demonic possession at The Possession, creep through terrifying catacombs in The Awakening, and fight for your life in an interactive zombie apocalypse. This is definitely not for the faint of heart.
New Orleans: City of Ghosts
As America’s most haunted city, New Orleans takes Halloween to another level—and we’re obsessed. New Orleans Ghosts offers spooky tours of every flavor—ghost walks, cemetery tours, and even vampire excursions. This city is crawling with haunted houses that are guaranteed to give you a serious thrill.
These haunted houses offer an unforgettable dive into horror and suspense. Each one has a unique way of drawing in thrill-seekers from all over. Whether you’re into real supernatural vibes or just looking for a good scare, these spots promise a frightful experience that’ll have you talking about it for months.
How to Score Tickets and Save Cash
Looking to join the fright fest without your wallet screaming in terror? Smart move. Most haunted houses in the USA and Halloween events offer early bird discounts or special online pricing, so booking ahead is your best bet. Check their official websites for promo codes—because who doesn’t love a good deal? Planning with your crew? Look for group rates or bundled passes to save even more. Remember, weekends sell out fast, so lock in your spot early.
When to Go and What It Costs
Opening times and prices vary, obviously. For instance, Blood Manor is open on select nights now through November 8. Tickets change depending on the night and package, from general admission to VIP skip-the-line passes. We always recommend buying tickets online in advance, especially for weekends. Prices often go up as Halloween gets closer, and the best slots disappear faster than your straight friends when you mention Pride.
Level Up Your Scare: VIP & Upgraded Experiences
If you’re ready to take the fear up a notch (and let’s be honest, you are), most attractions offer VIP perks that are totally worth it. Think exclusive lounges in creepy historic cells, secret speakeasies, and after-hours flashlight tours where it’s just you and the darkness. A VIP ticket can get you a themed cocktail in a prohibition-style bar or a solo trip through the scariest corners of an abandoned hospital. Plus, you get to skip the lines—because waiting is so not cute.
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