All over the country, the scare-tainment season will officially kick off over the next few days. Here at USA Travel Guide, we thought, what better time to release our list of the Top 13 Haunted Houses in America!
What are we looking for? Obviously, fright is the number one thing. Any haunted house, scare park, or haunted attraction that delivers true terror deserves the adoration of scare-fans everyone, because that’s no easy thing to pull off. So difficult, in fact, that we can’t base our list on scares alone.
We’ve also taken into consideration the design, both set and creature, the variety, the guest value, the creativity of the haunt and for me personally, the story. We’re looking for more than a cheap thrill. We want to be taken on a journey. Follow our picks below, and that’s just what you’ll get.
Find below our pick for Best Haunted House of 2009 as well as the 12 runners-up in no particular order. Please enjoy our Top 13 Haunted Houses in America.
The #1 Haunted House of 2009
The Darkness in St. Louis, Missouri
The Darkness is kind of a big deal. This 2 million-dollar haunted attraction features beyond-Hollywood quality set work, fifty live actors and more than one hundred animated monsters in a massive complex. The Darkness does things at a remarkable scale, with a kitchen-sink approach segueing one fascinating room to the next. 
Surprisingly, the results are demonically delicious and not the least bit tame, commercial or “Hollywoody”. After collecting your calm, you’ll understand why The Darkness continues to rake in the awards after 15 years of frightful success.
September 18 – October 31; days vary. Web site.
The 12 Runners-Up (in no particular order)
Terror Behind the Walls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Located in the decommissioned Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA, Terror Behind the Walls is definitely one of the top haunted houses in America. Out of season, the prison is already notorious for hauntings and being the one-time home of gangster Al Capone. Special Halloween programming only ratchets up the terror, putting the naturally frightening environment to devilish good work. Our favorite attraction is “Night Watch” a super-intense stroll with only your flashlight to lead the way.
September 18 – November 7; days vary. Web site.
Erebus Haunted House in Pontiac, Michigan
Boy do they line up for this one! Erebus in Pontiac, Michigan is perhaps best known for its sheer enormity. In 2005, the 4-story, single haunt attraction was recognized as the world’s largest walk-through haunted house by the Guinness Book of World Records (this record was later stolen by Cutting Edge in Fort Worth, Texas). Incredible effects stand out the most, drenching every last scare room in gory detail.
September 25 – November 1; days vary. Web site.
Cutting Edge Haunted House in Fort Worth, Texas
Almost as soon as it had come, the “World’s Largest Haunted House” moniker left Pontiac and came down to Dallas-Fort Worth and Cutting Edge Haunted House. Despite the immense size (235,000 sq. ft.), Cutting Edge doesn’t use too many over-the-top antics, instead relying on classic scare-tactics like atmosphere and good design. Unusual among professional haunts, Cutting Edge encourages guests to wear costumes. Definitely not for the snake-averse.
September 5 – November 13; days vary. Web site.
Bates Motel in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
While the Bates Motel haunted house is good for a scare or ten, it’s actually the twenty-minute haunted hayride that beckons guests back year after year. Always changing, always getting better, this may be the best and certainly the scariest haunted hayride in the country. While the awesome sets and ghoulish characters offer plenty a disturbing sight, the safety of the format makes this a perfect option for kids and squeamish adults alike. The haunted corn maze is also worth a walk, because as we all know, corn is scary.
October 2 – November 1; days vary. Web site.
Asylum & Hotel Fear in Las Vegas, Nevada
An ideal example of the story-driven scare. Asylum and Hotel Fear, hosted at the same location for the first time in 2009, each tells the story of Mortimer Feoray, troubled child turned madman. Visit the subject’s former home at Hotel Fear, then experience his new “haunt” at the Asylum. The settings have creep-factor to spare, and it’s fun to see two entirely unique houses reveal unexpected connections over the course of your night. Doubtless two of the best haunted houses in Las Vegas.
October 1 – November 1; days vary. Web site.
House of Shock in New Orleans, Louisiana
Going from your average haunted attraction to the House of Shock in New Orleans is like going from Papa Roach to Cannibal Corpse. Fire, freaks, blood, pentagrams, devil-worship – House of Shock goes there, and it’s got the reputation to prove it. The actual house is terrible in all the best ways, with an affronting, in-your-face style that goes further than most (and may put off some). Unique also is the pyro-erotic (pyrotic?) stage show featuring fire, stunts and more fire. A freak sideshow only adds to the otherworldly appeal.
October 2 – 31; days vary. Web site.
USS Nightmare in Newport, Kentucky
The official slogan of the USS Nightmare is “Prepare to Have the Ship Scared Out of You”. Does that even qualify as a pun? Levity aside, building a haunted maze into a real-life steamboat proves a killer idea. The imagery and atmosphere of the USS Nightmare is unsettling, but not too gruesome, making it one of the best haunted houses in America for families. Be sure to read the story of ship on the Web site before you go to get yourself in the proper mood.
September 21 – November 1; days vary. Web site.
Netherworld Haunted House in Atlanta, Georgia
Not for the faint of heart, Netherworld offers two super-intense haunted attractions, both of which deliver that all-important thing: terror! We like a lot of these attractions for a lot of different reasons, and we like Netherworld because it is truly scary. Masterfully crafted sets emphasize just the right details, the kind of horror that can shake you to the bones with just a glimpse. And a glimpse is often all you will get, as both attractions are very dark. Arrive early to avoid the lines. Like ravenous zombies, people show up for this one in hordes.
September 25 – November 14; days vary. Web site.
Dreamreapers in Melrose Park, Illinois
If you’re in the mood for a little Chi-town terror, then Dreamreapers is the place to go. While they do use hi-tech wizardry from time to time, Dreamreapers actually has an old-school vibe that we really get into. The scares are based on performance and misdirection, not always the most impressive gadget. Unusually, Dreamreapers features scented rooms, transporting the mind’s eye to unseen nightmares all the more unnerving.
September 25 – October 31; days vary. Web site.
13th Gate Haunted House in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Another easy choice for our top haunted houses in America. The folks at Midnight Productions are professional scare-meisters who spend all year dreaming up, and building, new ways to scare the crap out of you. The best of their best ideas make it into the 13th Gate, a lengthy journey through 13 themed zones aimed at everyone’s worst nightmares. While there is plenty of ghoulish blood-letting to be had, 13th Gate is particularly adept at exploiting your natural fears, from claustrophobia to live snakes and bugs to so many others. For even more fun, show up on any post-Halloween date to experience the entire attraction gone dark. Only weak LED flashlights guide you through the dark.
September 24 – November 13; days vary. Web site.
7 Floors of Hell in Cleveland, Ohio
Don’t jump to conclusions based on the name. This is not the haunted house that gives you your money back if you make it to the top. That place doesn’t exist, because it would go out of business two days into its first season. However, 7 Floors of Hell is an incredible seven haunted attractions offered at one very reasonable combo price (seriously, they are undercharging). Every house offers a new theme – zombies, human butchery, dark magic – and a new kind of terror. 7 Floors of Hell is a great deal, a great night and one of the best haunted houses in America.
September 25 – October 31; days vary. Web site.
The Beast & The Edge of Hell in Kansas City, Missouri
You’ll pay for the combo ticket, and we just hope you have the fortitude to queue up for that second haunt. The Beast & The Edge of Hell in Kansas City, Missouri scare up a good time on a huge scale. Both attractions are large enough to fit several average haunted houses inside, and fortunately for you, with big digs come big frights. Along with spooky set work and menacing monsters, both The Edge of Hell and The Beast incorporate live animals in the show. In fact, The Edge of Hell is quite possibly the world’s scariest zoo, and The Beast is just one of the top Halloween attractions period.
September 4 – November 1; days vary. Web site.
There, enough bloodcurdling horror to shake you right out of your boots. Please let us know what your think of our Top 13 Haunted Houses in America in the comments below. And please, recommend your favorites for the best haunted houses in America.
Let’s all work together to make this season a real Shocktober!
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9 Comments
New haunted house in NYC that’s only for adults 18+ and every single person has no choice but to walk through ALONE!!!
http://www.NycHalloweenHauntedHouse.com
NOT FOR THE SNAKE-AVERSE? o_O
That sounds horrible.
If anyone is making a Halloween haunted house and some mannequins to turn into zombie, monsters, ect. please let us know. We also sell used mannequins year round if your just looking to rip them apart anyways.
Thanks
http://www.lvmannequins.com
cutting edge is the best haunted house in dallas
Out of curiousty, how do you make these determinations for rankings? Who actually visits and votes on these houses?
Hi Haunt fans,
2 of the pictures in this article ( the man in the graveyard & the headless horseman ) were taken by Artifact Images at Haunted Overload in Lee, NH.
Strange how Haunted Overload didn’t make the list but the pictures did.
Haunted Overload consistently makes many Top Haunt lists each year including Hauntworld’s as well as Fangoria’s.
Check out all the details & more pics at
http://www.HauntedOverload.com.
Hi Tom, thanks for writing in.
We are familiar with Haunted Overload’s impressive reputation; unfortunately we just haven’t made it out yet. We wish you a great season. The photos were chosen to add atmosphere to the piece, but your point is more than valid. I apologize personally for their use, and I’ve removed the photos.
Michael, thanks to you as well. Determinations are made internally by USA Travel Guide and WRS staff. No one person visited all locations, however all locations were visited by multiple people. The list is arrived at by cumulative impression and debate.
As mentioned in the opening lines, criteria included the fright factor, the quality of the sets and creature designs, the originality and creativity of the haunts, the guest value, the novelty of the story when applicable, and finally that intangible “it” factor. The unnamed something that makes you say, “Well, it didn’t have this or that, but it hit me just right.”
Of course, these are opinions by non-experts. We do not work in the haunted entertainment industry. We believe that average haunt fans will find the quality at our selections first rate, but, as it is with all ranked lists, to each their own.
Thanks, everyone, for writing in. Keep it coming!
I don’t know why this isn’t up here, but I’ve been a haunted house buff for about 15 years. I’ve been everywhere in the west and no one has even come close to the free standing haunted houses from the Freakling Bros. I’ve been through the Circus of Horrors, Castle Vampire, and the Mortuary and let me tell you I’ve never had my heart pounding so hard in all my life. They are really amazing. Each has a final scare that just is out of the ordinary. I was expecting a chain saw or something like that but what I saw I couldn’t believe. Trust me, if you want a good scare, take a look at the Freakling Bros. haunted houses. I wasn’t a fan until this year, you really should look into it.
- Kevin
Thank you Kevin. I was part of the Mortuary and we tried hard to give everyone a great scare. The best part of the night was counting our “wet kills” “brown kills” and “technicolor kills.” Hope you were one of them.