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The scariest haunted houses in NYC

Get ready for Halloween at these frightful haunted houses in NYC.

While some of us spend fall dreaming of hot apple cider, hayrides and picking apples and pumpkins , others are eagerly planning for the upcoming terror-fest that is Halloween in NYC . In addition to finding a costume (check out the best Halloween stores in the city) and choosing which Halloween events to attend, it’s time to start thinking about all the haunted houses in NYC to hit up. These haunted houses are intense with thrills and chills that will shake you to your core. You’ll experience ghouls, gore and plenty of undead action, but don’t we all love a good scream around Halloween? If you’re looking for a real-life creep-out, there are plenty of haunted places and spooky spots in the city that will give you the willies any time of year, but these haunted houses in NYC offer peak terror that’s perfect for the Halloween season. So take in a few of the best horror movies and head out to celebrate the scariest time of year.

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The best haunted houses in NYC for a scarily good time

1.  Nightmare Dollhouse

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The premise for this haunted house is a terrifyingly simple one: "Nightmare Dollhouse" is a petrifying roadside attraction in the middle of nowhere that’s home to all of the world's scariest dolls (and we can think of plenty!).

"Nightmare Dollhouse" premieres at Teatro SEA at the Clemente at 107 Suffolk Street by Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on October 13. The limited engagement will run through October 31, with an official opening date of October 18.

"At first it may seem like a serious museum, but beware, the demonic and bloodcurdling lurk around every corner," reads the chilling official description. "The dolls have come to life and want to make you one of them! Can you escape with your soul intact, or will you succumb to the evil in the Nightmare Dollhouse?"

Tickets are available for purchase right   here . Bonus: Ticketholders get access to a full bar.

2.  Blood Manor

Prepare to scream in horror.   Blood Manor  is back through November 4 , marking the haunted house's 20th season in the city. 

To celebrate two decades of terrifying New Yorkers, Blood Manor will present yet another theater-quality production. The space in Soho at  359 Broadway will include  three new rooms, and brand-new costumes by designers from   Abracadabra , Manhattan's iconic Halloween store. The multiroom immersive experience employs professional actors, set designers and makeup artists, and promises to leave visitors more afraid than ever in 2023. 

Blood Manor’s most infamous attractions will return for repeat visitors looking to relive their self-induced terrors, and the space will be revamped, and amplified to intensify the fear factor. Visitors will journey through dark, sinister corridors filled with twisted characters and jumpscares at every turn.

And be prepared: It's legitimately really scary. You'll wanter through 10,000 square feet of themed rooms, corridors, and a labyrinth of passageways designed to to maximize one's fears.

3.  TerrorVision

Times Square is a nightmare for so many of us already (cue the unkempt Elmos and the smelly, zombie-like crowds), but now it's even more terrifying.

"Horrorwood Studios" is now open in Times Square at 300 West 43rd Street for a spooky season of "heart-pounding" immersive experiences from artistic directors Will Munro and Katie McGeoch. (The duo has spent more than two decades as the heads of Six Flags’ Fright Fest.) 

Under the guise that you’re behind the scenes at the filming of an upcoming TerrorVision Halloween episode, you’ll live out your Samara dreams and step through a flickering TV screen into a horrible scene, filled with 140 actors across 20,000 square feet—what could be the largest haunted house in NYC.

Tickets  cost $39 per person.

4.  Halloween House at The Oculus

If you want your spooky celebrations to be more festive and less frightening, Halloween House is serving up a fear-free All Hallows Eve attraction at  The Oculus  this fall.

Kicking off on Friday, September 29, and running through Wednesday, November 1, Halloween House —which welcomed 100,000 visitors across its various locations last year—will take over the transportation and shopping hub at 185 Greenwich Street with an array of immersive, intricately designed themed rooms: a Glow in the Dark space, a mysterious Vampires' Lair, a Horror Movie Graveyard and an indoor pumpkin patch, among others. 

Unlike traditional haunted houses, the all-ages Halloween House "sets itself apart by delivering entertainment through meticulously detailed environments, devoid of actors, jump scares, and strobe lights," reads a press release. In terms of decorations, expect more ghouls and graveyards, not gross-out gore or ghastly characters.

You can get tickets at the  Halloween House website ; adult entry costs $40, while tickets for kids and under are set at $35. 

5.  Headless Horseman

Ulster Park's   Headless Horseman Haunted Hayrides and Haunted Houses  is back for 2023 with plenty of terrifying attractions. There's the classic hayride, a hauting walking trail, a corn maze and several haunted houses. 

All give New Yorkers an opportunity to slowly pass the creepy crawly things in the darkness and maybe even see the headless horseman himself.

6.  A Haunting in Hollis

Walk three floors of a real house (including a basement) that's been transformed into a haunted nightmare, plus two pitch-black outdoor mazes with more than 20 live actors at A Haunting in Hollis . As goblins and ghouls and zombies try to get a piece of you, make your way through horrific mazes and into the experimental labs where zombies chase you and all things go wrong. 

Looking for more scares?

Check out the most haunted places in NYC

Learn what’s lurking around town at the most haunted places in NYC—and then decide whether or not you want to go out

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6 Best Haunted Houses In NYC To Spend A Scary Evening At

For an ultimate fright night and to feel your bones chill, get a thrill this spooky season and head to one of these creepy haunted houses in NYC!

It’s officially fall which means the Halloween countdown is officially on, and while you may be balancing what Halloween events to hit this month or spending your time visiting NYC’s most extravagantly decorated neighborhoods , you might as well add a haunted house to your list! 

Nothing’s quite scarier than walking through a dark mansion and facing ghoulish demons and gory characters, and NYC and its surrounding areas have some great options for you. Are you ready? Get ready to let out some screams and feel your bones chill as you walk through these terrifying adventures!

1. A Haunting in Hollis , Queens

Rated the #1 haunted house experience in the Tri-State area, so obviously a go-to on the list of haunted houses in NYC, what makes A Haunting in Hollis so unique is that it’s actually set up in a residential neighborhood . Yes, that’s right! This home is transformed into the scariest house in Queens all throughout the month of October.

Inside you’ll come face to face with gory actors waiting to jump out and terrorize you, and you’ll have to escape mazes, evade zombies, and confront chaos in a terrifying lab. Plus you can even wield zombie laser guns to vanquish ghouls! Get tickets to this nightmarish experience here.

📍 21117 Hollis Avenue, Queens

2. Headless Horseman Haunted Attractions , Ulster Park

Although the Headless Horseman haunted house is around 2.5 hours out of NYC, it’s worth a fall roadtrip to take the Upstate journey. They have multiple haunted houses here that you can choose from, meaning you can spend hours exploring the horrifying estate.

Try walking through “Glutton’s Diner and Slaughter House” attraction without getting scared, or even surviving their blood-curdling “The Lunar Motel” in one piece. They have other less-scary activities too, and although it’s out of the city, it’s a must-hit if you love Halloween. Read more here.

📍 778 Broadway, Ulster Park, NY

3. TerrorVision Haunted House, Midtown

Brand new to the collection of haunted houses in NYC as of last year, TerrorVision is once again ready to take you on a twisting and dark journey through the film set of Bobby Castle’s new TerrorVison Halloween episode.

This 20,000 square foot haunted house is more like three houses in one, in which the audience becomes the star of the show. Learn more about it here , and get ready to uncover some mysterious secrets.

📍 300 W. 43rd Street

4. Nightmare Dollhouse, LES

Nightmare Dollhouse is one of the creepiest haunted houses in NYC and pretty much everyone’s worst nightmare–the dolls have come to life and want to make you one of them! All you have to do is escape with your soul intact, or you’ll succumb to the evil found in the house.

Compared to other haunted houses, this one focuses heavily on a plot and storyline  as you navigate your way through the experience. It’s in Lower East Side and is filled with intensity and emotion. Do you have what it takes to reach the end? Learn more about it here .

📍 107 Suffolk Street

5. Bayville Scream Park, Bayville, NY

Baville Scream Park on Long Island is agonizing, breath-taking, and straight up scary. Whether you decide to try and escape the “Bloodworth Haunted Mansion” or the “Bayville Asylum,” these are only a few of the mind-twisting immersions you can pick from here.

Along with their scary haunted houses, they also have other fun activities like mini golf, axe throwing, and spooky cocktail bars. No matter your age or fear tolerance, you’ll find something that will properly spook you out. Learn more here .

📍 8 Bayville Avenue, Bayville, NY

6. Pure Terror Scream Park, Monroe, NY

Lastly, Pure Terror Scream Park actually holds a Guinness World Record for the longest walk-through haunted attraction in the world, and that’s why it makes our list. They have 13 haunted attractions which are all equally horrifying, including the new “Jungle Rot” which is new this year.

Battle everyone from vampires to clowns to zombies as you work your way around the park that will leave you with nightmares. The park is about 2 hours from NYC but we definitely recommend it if you can swing it. Learn more about it here !

📍 1010 NY-17M, Monroe, NY

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Haunted Houses & Halloween Attractions in New York

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If you're located upstate, in one of the Burroughs, on Long Island, or anywhere in between, NewYorkHauntedHouses.com will provide you with all of your haunted Halloween needs. The haunt season can provide you with a handful of Fall activities – whether you're interested in Ghost Tours, Home Haunts, Pumpkin Patches, or anything in between, this is your source for one-stop information. Browse by Event Type or Area to find a spooky attraction that grabs your attention. Haunted houses on the East End of Long Island and Scream Parks in upstate New York bring a variety of fun to the table for this year's Halloween festivities – don't miss out on a minute of the fun!

• 13th Hour Rising Haunted Hayride

Located in Fulton 315-678-2046--> Next open 10/20/23

Season 2023 opens as we celebrate "10 YEARS OF FEAR!!!" NEW screams and NEW scares for 10 Blood soaked nights on our scare grounds !! First up is our Award Winning Haunted Hayride (Our Fan Favorite!) Get ready for a ride in Multiple Dimensions! the Fires are stoked, Sirens Scream, Spirits Stalk You... then, they enter your dreams! Prepare yourself...... Read More

• NIGHT OF TERROR at Creamy Acres Farm

Located in Mullica Hill 856-223-1669--> Next open 10/19/23

Night of Terror at Creamy Acres Farms The most fun you'll have, being scared! Attractions: The Ride of Terror The Harvest The Playground Dark Dreams Haunted Paintball Hayride - Celebrating 10 Years ! Read More

• Legends of Fear - Fairview Tree Farm

Located in Shelton 203-944-9090--> Next open 10/20/23

Haunted Hayride Celebrating 21 Years! Experience one of the most unique haunted traditions in New England. Board our tractor pulled hay wagons into our fields and forest of fear for thirty minutes of spine chilling fun. You may try and huddle together for safety, but in our domain we live to hear you scream! Into the darkness you will descend imprisoned on our sinister ride… deeper ... Read More

• Chambers of Hell - Three Haunts For The Price Of One! Laser Tag, Escape Games & More!!

Located in Hauppauge 631-686-4424--> Next open 10/19/23

This Fall, Chambers of Hell, New York's #1 Rated Haunted Attraction is Back...Bigger and Better than Ever! We will be featuring 3 BRAND NEW, mind-blowing haunts unlike any you have seen before! Yes, that's 3 haunts for the price of 1! First up... The Bourbon Street Massacre - Embark on a chilling journey through New Orleans, where you will encounter Witches, Vampires,... Read More

• Halloween House NYC

Located in New York (201) 402-2880--> Next open 10/17/23

Redefining Halloween Attractions Our goal is to give you an amazing Halloween experience, not scare you to death or make you uncomfortable. No fear. Just fun. • No actors • No jump scares Halloween Heaven... New York City's #1 ranked Halloween attraction for all ages. If you love the decor of a haunted house, but don't want the stress of being touched an... Read More

• Rolling Hills Asylum, A Truly Haunted Asylum with REAL Ghosts!

Located in East Bethany 585-502-4066--> Next open 10/17/23

October, the scariest time of the year is here! Come get Committed to an Asylum with real ghosts! Rich in history and extremely haunted! Rolling Hills Asylum in East Bethany is the #1 most haunted asylum in the country and has been featured on all the paranormal shows such as Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, Ghost Asylum, Haunted USA, Legendary Locations, Destination Fear a... Read More

• Darkness Rising

Located in Copiague 516-799-4747--> Next open 10/20/23

Darkness Rising will return with TWO back to back haunted attractions: Jack the Ripper's Reign of Terror and The Coven's Curse! Don't wait to get your tickets as attendance will be limited and tickets WILL sell out! Read More

• NYC Ghosts Unveiled: Stroll the Spectral Streets

Located in New York (757) 532-8805--> Next open 10/17/23

Stroll amidst the phantoms that haunt the gritty avenues of New York's past, as centuries of stories linger beneath the cobblestone lanes of Greenwich Village. Delve into the shadows that enshroud the city that never sleeps. Amidst life and death, unveil the chilling truths of the heart of the Big Apple. Tonight, join us as we traverse the streets that harbor tales of the supernatural. S... Read More

• Hallows End

Located in Staten island 513-394-6860--> Next open 10/20/23

This Season Hallows End and the chilling spirits have descended upon our beloved SIUH Community Park, transforming it into a realm of eerie wonder and heart-pounding frights. As you enter, you'll be engulfed by the mysterious ambiance of the stadium under the moonlit sky. The distant echoes of cheers and the crack of a bat have been replaced by the whispers of the otherworldly and the creaking ... Read More

• Halloween House Long Island

Located in Hicksville (201) 402-2880--> Next open 10/17/23

• Demon Acres Haunted House & Hayride

Located in Hannibal 315-564-8070--> Next open 10/20/23

Demon Acres sits on 25 rural acres in Hannibal, NY. We currently feature three Haunted Attractions, Jail Break, Demon's Den and Depths of the Dark Forest. These attractions feature High Tech Special Effects and Hollywood Quality Sets to provide you with the scariest time possible. Don't miss our Insane Asylum Attraction! Experience true insanity! Join us at 341 County Route 36 in Hannibal, NY to... Read More

• Bayville Scream Park

Located in Bayville 516-62-GHOST--> Next open 10/17/23

Long Island's Halloween Theme Park at Bayville Scream Park Every year the doors of the Bay Family Mansion are unlocked. The ghosts and ghouls come out to play. They invade all of Bayville Adventure Park. Bayville Adventure Park transforms into a spooky world of frights and surprises to become Bayville Scream park. Featuring Bloodworth Haunted Mansion, Uncle Needle's Fun House of Fear, T... Read More

• Cayo Industrial Horror Realm

Located in Rome --> Next open 10/20/23

Cayo Industrial is a walkthrough horror haunted house style attraction inside an industrial warehouse in Rome, NY. Cayo is original themed of a post-apocalyptic nature. 2023 marks the 21st Season of Cayo Industrial Horror Realm. Cayo has been a seasonal staple and tradition for Halloween haunted house style entertainment destination to everyone in the CNY area and Northeast. 20... Read More

Featured 2023 Halloween Events

• Dark Matter Scream Works
• A Haunting in Hollis
• Souls of Roberson Mansion Tours
• Wood Creek Hollow Haunted Nights
• The Crop Circle
• C Casola Farms Haunted Attractions
• CMC's Haunted House
• Atrophy Escape Ward - Escape Room Experience
• The Last Ride Haunted Hayride

New York Halloween Events

Halloween event list including haunted houses, corn mazes, hayrides, spookwalks, home haunts, and more.

• Haunted Houses (38)
• Haunted Hay Rides (17)
• Zombie Hunts & Shootouts (5)
• Haunted Mazes / Haunted Corn Mazes (15)
• Haunted Trails (15)
• Pumpkin Patches (140)
• Home Haunts (14)
• Paranormal Events (1)
• Theaters & Plays (6)
• Halloween Festivals & Parades (22)
• Ghost Tours (8)
• Halloween Parties & Nightlife (12)
• Escape Games (27)
• Scream Parks (7)
• Hay Rides (Kid Friendly) (88)
• Not-So-Scary Haunted Houses (Kid Friendly) (12)
• Kids Parties (10)
• Safe Trick or Treating (20)
• Pub Crawls (1)
• Mazes / Corn Mazes (Kid Friendly) (59)
• Other Events (98)

• Brighton Asylum: The Bleeding Grounds
• Queens Farm Fall Festival
• Brighton Asylum
• The Barn of Terror
• Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion
• Andover Haunted House
• The Gravesend Inn, A Haunted Hotel
• Phantom PhrightNights at Bradley Farms
• Nightmares at Liberty Ridge Farm
• Barton Orchards
• Six Flags Fright Fest at The Great Escape
• Phelps Haunted House
• Stonewell Haunts Haunted House
• Long Island's Dark Night Halloween World
• Little Theater on the Farm Haunted Barn
• Jekyll & Hyde Haunted Asylum
• Terror on Totten

• Boo at the Zoo
• Double M Haunted Haryides
• VerHulst Haunted Hayride
• Hilltop Hauntings
• Haunted Hayride at Wheatfield Pumpkin Farm
• The Haunted Forest
• Haunted Hayrides at Crow Creek
• Nightmare Hayrides on Sommerville Street

• Behling Orchards Zombie Paint Ball
• Third Alarm Paintball

• Ellms Family Farm
• Schuyler Farms Haunted Corn Maze
• Fort Ticonderoga's Heroic Maze
• The Haunted Corn Maze at Country Dreams Farm

• Harvest Festival at Pier 6
• Haunted Carousel at Prospect Park
• Penny's Country Farm
• Will's Cackleberry Castle Pumpkin Farm
• Dark Forest Fright Walk at Burn Brae Mansion

• New York's Annual Village Halloween Parade
• Rocky Horror Halloween Party at NuBar
• Industry Magazine's The Vanderbilt Blood Ball
• G&S Loft Halloween Dark Open
• Halloween Booze Cruise
• Halloween & Spirits Festival at Weed Orchards & Winery
• Bar 13 Halloween Party
• Night of the Crawling Dead Bar Crawl
• NYC Halloween All Access Party Pass
• Halloween Party Pass Lower East Side
• The Forbidden Palace Slate Halloween Party

New York Real Haunted Places

Check out New York's Real Haunts, where ghosts, ghouls, and apparitions make their home year round! Across New York, there are tons of houses, cemeteries, and places that are truly haunted - get all the gory details about New York's Real Haunts right here!

• Real Haunted Houses (72)
• Real Haunted Lakes & Waterways (8)
• Real Haunted Hotels & Lodging (32)
• Real Haunted Cemeteries (38)
• Real Haunted Bridges & Overpasses (2)
• Real Haunted Places (125)
• Real Haunted Army Posts / Battle Grounds (14)
• Real Haunted Hospitals & Asylums (13)
• Real Haunted Colleges (43)
• Real Haunted Theaters (19)
• Real Haunted Museums (23)
• Real Haunted Nature & Outdoors (ie. Haunted Woods) (1)

Halloween time in New York is a time of year not like any other. NewYorkHauntedHouses.com provides locals with an endless amount of seasonal things to do, both family-friendly and super scary to assure you make the most out of the Fall Season. Whether you live on Long Island, near New York City, in one of the boroughs or Upstate, there's a large variety of events that are sure to keep you busy well until Winter arrives. From Haunted Houses , Scream Parks, Haunted Hayrides, Haunted Corn Mazes, Spook Walks and Haunted Trails to Zombie Shootouts, Escape Games and Ghost Tours, there are a bloody-good amount of fun things to do for all those thrill seekers out there who celebrate the Halloween Season with tons of terror. For those interested in more Kid-Friendly Halloween events & attractions, we a bunch of those, too! Whether you're in search of a local Pumpkin Patch , Hayride , Festival or Corn Maze , we've got you covered. There's even events that take place for the little ones to enjoy Safe Trick-or-treating and Not-So-Scary Haunted Houses that feature toned down scares, all while still providing guests with a taste of the spooky side of Halloween. Our Calendar of Events lets locals know what Haunted and Fall Fun is happening all throughout the season, that way plans can be made ahead of time to assure the season gets thoroughly enjoyed by those of all ages! So no matter what type of event you're interested in going to, New York Haunted Houses gives locals (and tourists, too!) the most recently updated information. Before starting on your Haunting Journey, you can check out an attraction's reviews right here on our site, that way you know ahead of time just how scary it is, and whether or not you think you and your friends will be able to make it all the way through! The review section allows everyone to let others know about their experience, and is also a great way to let the attraction know just how much fun their haunt was! Each review helps generates the Attraction of the Year, which is announced after each Halloween Season. Winner(s) and nominees are then listed on the New York Haunted Attraction of the Year page ! One more thing to do before heading to an attraction - be sure to check out our Coupons page to see if the haunt you're interested in going to has any special discounts taking place. Some will offer coupons, or will allow discounted admission for students or military members. It's always good to keep some money in your pocket, especially during the Halloween Season (gives you more money to spend on your costume!) If you're not one to take on the terror, that's okay! We have a ton of additional Halloween events that are ideal for families , and those who enjoy spooky fun, just with a little less scares. These include Not-So-Scary Haunted Houses, Zombie Hunts and Shootouts, Hayrides, Pumpkin Picking, Festivals, Corn Mazes and even Safe Trick-or-Treating events where the little ones can enjoy Halloween in a safe setting! An additional way to celebrate the Halloween Season is by checking out some places nearby to your neighborhood that are truly believed to be haunted. Whether it's a haunted house that your whole town knows about, or a theater you grew up going to, NewYorkHauntedHouses.com has all the best Real Haunts throughout the entire state of New York . So if you reside on Long Island, in New York City, one of the five boroughs or Upstate - we've got some eerie locations that have some seriously spooky ghost stories attached to them. And the best part about Real Haunted Places in New York is that you can check them out all throughout the year, as long as the public is allowed to enter. Once you click on a Real NY Haunted Place listing, our site lets you know if a certain location is open to the public or not, this way you know if you can go exploring the paranormal there or not! Be sure to come back and visit NewYorkHauntedHouses.com during the Halloween Season to stay updated on the endless events taking place throughout New York State. Visitors can also sign up for our in-season Halloween email Newsletter , which features local haunt information, updates, coupons and discounts - delivered right to your inbox! And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google+, where we keep the Halloween Spirit alive throughout the entire year!

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Creepy Places and Real Haunted Houses in New York

Sep 07, 2023 by Ross D. Levi

For those who seek it, New York State has a darker side to show off to fans of the offbeat, eerie, or macabre. Discover ghosts, haunted hotels, and creepy graveyards when you check out these spooky spots. 

Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines . Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available. 

Originally published: 9/2/22

Discover the paranormal on the  haunted history trail.

The best collection of all things paranormal is the Haunted History Trail of New York State, with opportunities to discover over 400 years of history and maybe make some disembodied friends along the way. Their website is chock full of creepy locations, spirit hunts, guided tours, haunted inns, ghostly events, and even other-worldly dining all across New York State for the paranormal-curious, even some locations that cater to spectral investigation teams.

Stay in a haunted hotel

Credit: amityphotos.com.

The Sagamore Resort on Lake George (pictured) has been recognized as one of the Best Haunted Hotels in the US. Visitors have been said to come across a ghostly couple in the restaurant, a woman in a pinkish-brown dress on the porch, a young child on the golf course who pranks golfers, and a ghost in the elevator, among other spirits. Ghostly stories have also been reported at Fainting Goat Island Inn in Nichols and Belhurst Castle in Geneva.

Tour a historic asylum

Rolling Hills Asylum  in the Greater Niagara town of East Bethany is not a theatrical attraction—it is an actual historical asylum and one of the most haunted locations in the world, featured on shows like  Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures . There are two-hour historical flashlight walking tours, plus private and group Ghost Hunts. There are a variety of events and tours to book, including a two-hour historical flashlight walking tour, plus private and group Ghost Hunts.

Medical museums to make you shiver

Medical practices that were once considered cutting-edge can now seem outlandish. The  Dr. Best House & Medical Museum  in Middleburgh is a step back into a historic Victorian home and medical office. The site features a myriad of preserved items, including antique medical equipment like Dr. Best's bottles of potions that range from Hemlock Oil to Digitalis to Calamine Powder. Special paranormal programs are held at various times of the year as well. In addition, the Saranac Laboratory Museum tells the fascinating story of Saranac Lake's role in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Explore castle ruins

On an island just off the shores of the Hudson River are the mysterious, ornate, still-standing remains of  Bannerman Castle . It was once an ammunition storage facility modeled on a Scottish castle. Now the Bannerman Castle Trust hosts tours , special dinners , theatrical experiences , and outdoor film screenings .

Find great graveyard tours

Graveyards are inherently creepy for some, but they can also be educational and even serene. A number of cemeteries across the state offer tours that run the gambit from the historic to the chilling.

During the day, the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (pictured) offers a guided walking tour focusing on Washington Irving and his famous story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, as well as ones focusing on all the important people buried there. They include steel titan Andrew Carnegie and industrialist William Rockefeller, among many others. There are also nighttime tours by lantern-light like "Murder & Mayhem" available for advanced purchase.

The Mischief, Murder and Mayhem Tours of Mount Hope Cemetery include intriguing stories from Rochester's history, as do daytime themed tours that focus on the luminaries who are interred there, like Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony.

Elmira GhostWalk tours of Woodlawn Cemetery in the Finger Lakes include "appearances" by notable tenants of the cemetery. This event sells out so grab your tickets in advance.

The 269-acre Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo has unique offerings like Civil War history and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. Experience it with walking and trolley tours .

Jamestown is the final resting place of Lucille Ball and home of the Lucy-Desi Museum and the  National Comedy Center ; the Fenton History Center (pictured) offers tours of Lake View Cemetery .

Famous New York City cemeteries with tours include: Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, home of Leonard Bernstein, Boss Tweed, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, with trolley and walking tours and concerts; and Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx (pictured), with residents like Miles Davis, Robert Moses, and Joseph Pulitzer, and tours like "Illuminated Mausoleums."

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Author: Ross D. Levi

Ross D. Levi is the Executive Director & VP, NYS Division of Tourism / Empire State Development. He also did marketing in the film industry for studios including Universal, Miramax and 20th Century Fox, and is a published author and lecturer on cinema.

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The 10 Best Haunted Houses in and Around NYC

Spooky season has officially arrived! And few cities are as dedicated to all things creepy, gorey and Halloween -adjacent as NYC . If you love a thrill, a jump scare, and lots (we’re talking lots ) of fake blood, you’ve got to stop by one of the Big Apple’s haunted houses, mansions and asylums this October. For kids, adults and horror connoisseurs, we’ve found shrieks, screams and horror-filled experiences fit for everyone. Below, you’ll find the scariest, creepiest, and overall best haunted houses in and around NYC

The 17 Most Haunted Places in and Around NYC

1. Blood Manor

• Location: Tribeca
• Ages: 14+; children under 14 permitted with a parent or guardian
• Dates: September 30 to November 5

Ready to be spooked? There’s no better place to start than Blood Manor, by far one of the scariest spots on this list. With both classic favorites and all-new spine-chilling features, like the Crypt, Maggot Invasion, Hannibal’s Hell, Killer Clowns and more, owner Jim Lorenzo says that Blood Manor is “a theatrical quality production, with trained actors, set designers, and make-up artists—the difference is that the audience walks right onto the stage and into the performance.” For the extra courageous guests, stop by for one of the Lights Out Nights on November 4th or 5th where each group travels through the house with minimal lighting and only one glow stick. Halloween aficionados may already know that the location is believed by many to be actually haunted , and this is the first year they’re incorporating their own historic battlefield into the show.

2. The Horseman’s Night of the Shadows

• Location: Ulster Park, NY
• Ages: 13+; 1+ for children’s days
• Dates: September 30 to October 30; children’s days are October 8 & 22

Located just up the Hudson River in Ulster County, Headless Horseman’s Haunted Attractions were named the No. 1 Haunted Attraction in America by USA Today —and they deserve it. Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, the new theme highlights the shadows of those who have walked through Crow Hollow Cemetery before, and, of course, the undead have been summoned to spook those who dare enter. But that’s not all! Once you make it through the cemetery, you can traverse through nine other equally gorey attractions: the Lunar Motel, the Nightshade Greenhouse, Glutton’s Diner and Slaughterhouse, Mama Rose’s Swamp Shack, Evil Reaping: Dark Harvest Corn Maze, Dr. Dark’s Black Spider Side Show, the Horseman’s Tomb, The Feeding: Blood Thirsty, and Two Ravens Manor.

3. House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée

• Location: Financial District
• Dates: October 1 to 31

Now this is how adults trick-or-treat. At House of Spirits, guests are treated to an immersive, theatrical cocktail party located in a 40,000-square-foot haunted mansion in Downtown Manhattan, known as Volkov Manor. Guests will spend two hours freely roaming the house, finding spooky magic in every nook, from tarot readings to secret games to a disturbed hypnotist-psychiatrist, all while sipping on craft cocktails inspired by different rooms in the house. There are three ticket tiers: Standard ($70, comes with four mini cocktails); Plus ($75, comes with five mini cocktails); and brand new this year, Premier ($90, comes with five mini cocktails, French chocolate truffles, expedited check-in and first entry). And don’t forget to dress up, be it in costume, cocktail attire, or your favorite time-period clothing!

4. Nightmare: Gothic

• Location: Lower East Side
• Ages: 12+; if 16 or under, a parent or guardian is required
• Dates: October 17 to 31

NYC’s longest-running haunted house is back in the Lower East Side and is better than ever. The story follows a rural town where a young boy has gone missing—and it’s every visitor’s task to help find out what happened to him. With a focus on intimacy and ambience over crowds and spectacle, every guest receives a headset with audio triggered based on your location in the space and story. Worried it’s too tame? Trust us—the space is filled with gore, eerie characters, intense emotional storytelling, shocking twists, and plenty of horror. Save $5 by purchasing tickets online in advance.

5. Brighton Asylum

• Location: Passaic, NJ
• Dates: October 1 to November 5

Named “The Scariest Place on Earth” by The Today Show , you know you’re in for a spooky time with this New Jersey attraction. The actual Brighton Asylum shut down in 1952 due to intolerable living conditions and countless staff and patient disappearances—and now, the cursed grounds are open once again. With three award-winning haunted houses, live entertainment, immersive escape rooms, larger-than-life photo experiences (and even snacks!), it’s worth the trip to this series of old, decrepit warehouses that once housed the mentally unstable, psychologically damaged and extremely violent. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Make sure to plan your trip soon, as it’s known to sell out every night!

6. Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park

• Location: Fulton, NY
• Ages: Not recommended for kids; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
• Dates: September 30 to October 29

Nestled in the backwoods of Central New York, Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park offers a premiere, immersive Halloween experience perfect for the horror-obsessed. With four award-winning attractions—the Haunted Estate, Twisted Labyrinth, Condemned Mine Trail, and Frightmare Forest Hayride—plus two brand new adrenaline rooms, visitors only pay for the attractions they want to see, and there’s sure to be something for everyone looking for a fright. With intensely detailed sets and scarily creepy professional actors, nightmares are basically guaranteed!

7. A Haunting in Hollis

• Location: Hollis, Queens

Navigate through the dark with flashlights and laser guns as zombies, demons and ghouls lurk in the shadows and lunge at you at every wrong turn at this Queens haunted house. With over 250 walls creating an 80-foot double maze filled with deadends, the brave souls who make it past the first one will traverse through an intense five-story haunted house from the basement to the attic while being chased by the living dead—in the dark. The only way out? Satan’s Slope: a new 20-foot slide that drops into yet another dark, eerie maze. Boasting 13 rooms, 20 live actors and two outdoor mazes, the frights at A Haunting in Hollis are as real as they get. But don’t worry, there’s a safe word (“peanut butter”) if you really need it! Footage of your ride down Satan’s Slope is available for purchase.

8. Darkness Rising

• Location: Copiague, NY
• Ages: All ages
• Dates: September 30 to October 31

This Long Island haunted house features two extremely sinister attractions: The Haunting of Black Gulch, an old, ghost-ridden western town; and Gentec Laboratories, a genetic experiment gone wrong (hint: you’ll have to make it past a few violent psychopaths). For $35, you can get into both attractions, and for $50, you get to skip the line—plus, this year there’s a snack bar, a café, reserved ticketing, photo ops, and even a gift shop. What’s more? A portion of the proceeds go to the YES Community Counseling Center , which focuses on personal and community issues, preventing and treating substance abuse, and promoting healthy families and a safe community. Get scared for a good cause!

9. Madhouse on Mulberry

• Location: Little Italy
• Ages: All ages, but 21+ to enter the bar; kids under 13 must be accompanied by an adult
• Dates: October 1 to November 6

Known as Manhattan’s only proper boozy haunted house, this Madhouse is exactly that: mad! Enter an elaborate 5,000-square-foot labyrinth of spooky rooms ripped out of your worst nightmares that’s said to be an actual abandoned asylum that housed patients over 200 years ago. Scared yet? Walk (or run) through the phobia area, the butcher’s area, the doll area, the demon area, and finally, the bar area for a little liquid courage to finish off the night. Enjoy a well-deserved cocktail, beer, or other alcoholic beverage—or opt for the V.I.P. package that offers adults an additional welcome beverage upon arrival.

10. Bronx Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo & Dinosaurs in Darkness: The Hatching

• Location: The Bronx
• Ages: Boo at the Zoo is all ages; Dinosaurs in Darkness: The Hatching is 13+
• Dates: Boo at the Zoo is October 1 to 30; Dinosaurs in Darkness: The Hatching is October 7 to 29

While neither event is technically a haunted house, these are great picks for families. Boo at the Zoo is back again for another year with professional pumpkin carving demonstrations, magic and mind-reading shows, trick-or-treating, a spooky extinct animal graveyard, costumed stilt-walkers, and plenty of live animals up-close and personal. And for the first time ever, the Bronx Zoo has introduced an after-dark haunted experience, Dinosaurs in Darkness: The Hatching. This walk-through event transforms the fan favorite Dinosaur Safari into a spooky nighttime extravaganza centered around a rare dinosaur egg that’s finally ready to hatch, sending guests on an adventure that brings them up close with prehistoric creatures in a whole new way. Note that Dinosaurs in Darkness is ticketed separately from the zoo’s admission.

The 26 Best Haunted Houses for a Seriously Scary Halloween

Freelance PureWow Editor

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Pure Terror Scream Park

The Worlds Largest Haunted Attraction

 OPEN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 2023

(rain or shine + umbrellas/ponchos allowed), guinness world records longest horror attraction in the world since 2015.

One of the top-rated haunted attractions in America. Featuring 13 terrifying haunted attractions at one location, only 40 miles from New York City!

3 All New Attractions for 2023!

Pure Terror introduces 3 all-new attractions for the 2023 season! Including Jungle Rot, Pumpkin Alley, and the Monster Midway where you can get one-of-a-kind pictures with our monsters!

13 haunted attractions at one massive location with a food court, gift shop, music, and FREE photo ops.

Pure Terror is located near New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. A short drive from anywhere in the tri-state area, only 40 miles from NYC! We are also a few miles from Legoland NY Resort and the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.

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Find out about special events at Pure Terror Scream Park! Get early notice on special discounts and exclusive ticket deals!

Warning: This Attraction reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone! You will experience intense audio, lighting, extremely low visibility, strobe lights, damp or wet conditions, special effects, and a physically and emotionally demanding environment. You SHOULD NOT enter if you suffer from any of the following health ailments: asthma or respiratory condition, any heart conditions, are prone to seizures, pregnant, or suffer from any form of mental disease such as claustrophobia. DO NOT enter the attraction if you are wearing any form of medical brace, cast, using crutches or have any physical limitations. NO smoking, drinking, eating or running in any of the attractions. NO touching of the props, customers or the actors in the attraction. No video or flash photography is allowed inside the attraction. You will not be admitted and will be asked to leave the property if any of the above rules are not followed. NO REFUNDS! Legal: This ticket is a license to enter at your own risk! All Patrons assume ALL risk and DANGER incidental to Pure Terror Scream Park before, during or after the tour. NOT RECOMMENDED for pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, neck, hearing, or heart ailments. NO PACEMAKERS! Parental discretion is advised, and recommended for children 10 and over. NO CHILDREN UNDER 10 ARE ADMITTED WITHOUT A GUARDIAN . Children under 10 yrs old can attend with a parent or guardian. This is at Parental/Guardian discretion. You may be videotaped, photographed, and broadcast on our website and/or our social media platforms without compensation. By entering Pure Terror Scream Park, you waive any injury or talent claims and accept these terms and conditions.

Ticket Information: Pure Terror Scream Park is an outdoor attraction, we cannot control the weather. In the unlikely event that weather forces Pure Terror Scream Park to close for the evening, all existing tickets for canceled events can be used on any other evening for the remainder of our current season. All patrons acknowledge and accept that tickets must be used for the 2023 season. There are NO REFUNDS!

299 Museum Village Road  1010 Route 17M   Mailing Address Monroe, NY 10950 Ph:   845-300-4448

Guinness World Record holder for the longest overall haunted attraction in the world. Pure Terror Scream Park offers all-new, mind-altering haunted houses. Located in the mid-Hudson Valley, Orange County NY, and easily accessible from New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and the entire Tri-State Area!

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7 Most Haunted Places in New York City

Indoor ghost walk: the ghosts of grand central.

This well-rated tour by the Ghosts of New York Group explores indoor hauntings of the NYC transit system. Book a haunted New York tour for some hair-raising stories — or at least a unique beginning to a fall night out in New York. You’ll never pass through Grand Central Terminal again without thinking about the past and all that has occurred since the station opened in 1913.

Additional Haunted Ghost Tours in NYC include the Greenwich Village Ghost Tour and the New York City Phantom Pub Crawl.

The White Horse Tavern

Historically a favorite haunt of writers, the White Horse Tavern opened its doors in 1880 and welcomed such famous authors, poets and musicians as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Dylan Thomas, Norman Mailer, Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison. The self-proclaimed second-oldest continuously run tavern in the city is perhaps most famous because the 39-year-old Dylan Thomas claimed to have downed 18 straight whiskey shots there before his demise in late 1953. His ghost is said to hang about the tavern from time to time. At the very least, patrons can see his photo gracing the walls while they enjoy a bite and a beverage.

The Campbell Apartment

This lush cocktail bar in Grand Central Terminal is said to be patronized by an otherworldly and well-dressed older couple sharing drinks and a moment together in the upstairs balcony, even when the bar is closed. Have a drink with friends, and then wander down to the terminal after closing time, keeping your eyes on the seats near the edge of the balcony. The Campbell Apartment is a great refreshment stop along the way as you tour Archer’s 7 Most Haunted Places in New York.

St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery

This stately church is said to be haunted by Peter Stuyvesant, the mythically well-known governor of New Amsterdam during the mid-1600s. The good news is that he seems to be more interested in singing hymns in Dutch and inventorying rum loudly during services than in scaring the living. Still, some people believe they’ve heard the rapping of Stuyvesant’s wooden leg on the church floor — and that can’t be described as anything less than creepy.

The Woodlawn Cemetery

This cemetery is the resting place of hundreds of thousands on Webster Avenue at East 23rd in the Bronx. Your party may or may not encounter a fellow with a flashlight, frantically (and silently) shouting and waving it around behind the Frankie’s Castle monument. You’ll definitely find some outstandingly lovely memorial structures, designed (and, in some cases, forever inhabited) by famed architects. Check out the cemetery map as you enter, and wander the grounds respectfully.

The Algonquin Hotel

The Algonquin Hotel may still be visited posthumously by poet Dorothy Parker, performer Harpo Marx and playwright George Connell. In a group of often-discussed  possibly haunted New York City hotels, the Algonquin stands out on many haunting-related lists. Children once claimed that Ms. Parker shushed them when they were being too noisy at this West 44th Street hotel.

The Dakota is the gothic (visual) anachronism of a residential building nestled between modern structures near the edge of Central Park West. This location of a scene in Roman Polanski’s film “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968) and the ill-fated spot of John Lennon’s assassination (1980) attracts seekers of spooky spiritual experiences along its sidewalk. Maybe it’s the Dakota’s mystique and exclusivity (it’s been the most-viewed co-op listing online for Manhattan and the Upper West Side) that draws the curious, and maybe it’s something more. Unable to enter the building, visitors wander along its 72nd Street and Central Park facade in awe. Are they paying respect to Lennon, remembering Rosemary’s horrifying experience or channeling something else?

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