Welcome back to Wanderfully Lost, where adventure meets parenthood. And for this blog, let’s make it a spooky adventure. Because today, we will be talking about the 11 scariest haunted houses around the US.
From the quaint townhouses in California to creepy Pennsylvian castles, there’s no shortage of chilling details.
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11. St. Albans Sanatorium – Virginia
The St. Albans Sanatorium in Virginia has long stood as a symbol of darkness. Originally established as a Lutheran school, it gained notoriety for a culture of bullying that tragically led some students to take their own lives. Later, it was repurposed as a psychiatric infirmary, where patients endured unimaginable suffering.
Today, the sanatorium is a haunted attraction that draws brave souls seeking to confront the specters of the past. Reports of paranormal activity and ghostly apparitions have become synonymous with the site.
As night falls, the atmosphere within the sanatorium takes on an eerie quality, with shadows seeming to dance in the corners of the rooms. For those who dare to enter, it offers an opportunity to bear witness to the echoes of the past and contemplate the resilience of the human spirit.
10. The Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California
In the middle of San Jose, California, there’s a very strange house called the Winchester Mystery House. A lady named Sarah Winchester, whose husband was involved with making guns, built it. The house is a bit unusual because it’s said that Sarah believed she was haunted by the spirits of people who were harmed by Winchester rifles. Because of this, she started building this house in a very big way.
The design of the house is more than just strange. With staircases that don’t go anywhere and doors that open to walls, you can really see Sarah’s strong belief in ghosts in every part of how the house is set up. When people visit, they have to figure out the puzzling hallways, and every step takes them into a world of strange architecture.
Anyone can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take guided tours to learn about its puzzling history. When you walk through its halls, you’ll feel like you’re in a mysterious place with much more to reveal than the eye can see.
9. Blackout – New York, New York
Blackout is not your typical haunted house attraction. It goes beyond the realm of scares and ventures into the realm of psychological horror. Visitors to Blackout must be willing to step into the unknown, as they navigate a deeply personal and immersive experience.
Before entering, participants must sign a waiver, acknowledging that they are about to face their deepest fears. Once inside, they are subjected to a series of intense and unnerving scenarios. Each visitor is guided through the attraction alone, allowing the actors to tailor the experience to their individual fears.
8. Blood Manor – New York, New York
Blood Manor is not for people who get scared easily because it takes you into a world of darkness and horror. You’ll come across creepy neon clowns and zombies that just won’t quit. Each room is made to really give you the shivers.
You’ll go through a dark maze of scary stuff, and every turn shows you a new nightmare. This whole thing lasts about 20 minutes, but in that time, you’ll get hit with a bunch of scares that you won’t forget. It’s like a wild ride through a world where fear is in charge.
In for a road trip with the family? Check out our road trip must-haves checklist here.
7. New Orleans Nightmare – New Orleans, Louisiana
Formerly known as the House of Shock, New Orleans Nightmare continues the legacy of terror in the heart of Louisiana.
Founded by Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo, this attraction has been a staple of New Orleans’ haunted scene for over two decades. After the closure of House of Shock, New Orleans Nightmare came into the spotlight.
The attraction features three distinct haunted house experiences, each designed to terrify and captivate visitors. From the eerie halls of The Bordello of Freaks to the nightmarish realm of The Resurrection, every step is a journey deeper into the heart of darkness. The fun part is that the attractions are changed annually so that you can be spooked even if it’s your second time around.
6. Terror Behind The Walls – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
As one of the most haunted places in the country, Terror Behind the Walls offers a haunting experience like no other. This historic landmark, with its foreboding Gothic architecture, exudes an air of mystery and dread.
When people enter the penitentiary, it’s like they’re stepping into a world where real life meets the stuff of horror movies. Literally.
Specially trained actors make sure that every step you take is filled with scary feelings. The prison has a really dark history, and with the actors’ great acting, it feels all the more creepy.
5. Fear Overload Scream Park – San Leandro, California
The Fear Overload Scream Park offers a multi-faceted experience for those seeking the ultimate scare. With two distinct attractions, Night Terrors and The Teeth Collector, visitors are plunged into a world of relentless horror.
In the Hale House, where “something very scary happened to a family”, Night Terrors takes place. It’s like a bad dream turned real. As visitors walk through the dark halls, it feels like being stuck between being awake and having a nightmare.
In The Teeth Collector, you meet Dr. Pearly, a dentist who does really scary experiments. And in this creepy place, you have to run from Dr. Pearly’s terrifying patients.
With these fictional scary stories, Fear Overload Scream Park wants you to face your biggest fears.
4. ScareHouse: The Basement – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ScareHouse stands as a collection of spine-chilling haunted houses.
Among them, The Basement offers an experience tailored for the bravest souls. To enter, visitors must be over 18 and sign a waiver, acknowledging that they are about to face what the locals have called a truly intense and immersive encounter.
The Basement immerses visitors in a half-hour-long experience that pushes the boundaries of traditional haunted attractions. Actors, skilled in the art of terror, guide visitors through a series of scenarios designed to evoke fear and trepidation. While groups of two are allowed, visitors are encouraged to walk through solo, intensifying the breadth of the experience.
3. The Dent SchoolHouse – Cincinnati, Ohio
In Cincinnati, Ohio, The Dent SchoolHouse is a spine-chilling haunted spot, capitalizing on the fear of forsaken institutions with grim pasts. This once-innocent school is now a house of horrors.
The tale unravels in the creepy halls of Dent Public School, where a sinister event occurred in the 1940s. Some students from the school went missing, and suspicion fell on the janitor, Charlie. The remains of the vanished students were later found in the basement, but Charlie was never located.
As visitors navigate the revamped schoolhouse, they encounter an air of foreboding and uncertainty. To date, no one knows the truth about the events that took place here that dreadful year.
2. Erebus Haunted Attraction – Pontiac, Michigan
Located in Pontiac, Michigan, the Erebus Haunted Attraction has earned a reputation as one of the most terrifying experiences in the country. With its inception in 2000, Erebus set out to redefine the haunted attraction experience.
Spanning from 2005 to 2009, Erebus held the record for the longest walk-through horror attraction. Every minute of the experience is designed to inspire sheer terror, with carefully crafted scenes and skilled actors. Visitors step into a world where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur, confronting their deepest fears.
Erebus invites visitors to embark on a journey through the mind of a mad scientist who dared to tamper with time. Dr. Colber’s laboratory, disguised as a haunted house, serves as the backdrop for a heart-pounding adventure. As visitors navigate the twisted corridors, they are met with a relentless onslaught of scares… and a few nasty slimy liquids.
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1. McKamey Manor – Huntsville, Alabama
McKamey Manor defies the conventions of traditional haunted house attractions. Rather than a brief walkthrough, visitors become active participants in a completely non-traditional experience.
Lasting anywhere from four to eight hours, this stands as one of the most intense haunted house attractions in the country. To participate, visitors must be over 21 years of age and present a doctor’s letter certifying their “excellent” physical and mental condition.
Before entering, visitors must sign a waiver here as well, acknowledging the extreme nature of the experience. Once inside, they are subjected to a highly interactive and immersive encounter, where survival becomes the ultimate goal.
McKamey Manor challenges visitors to confront their deepest fears and pushes the limits of what is considered a typical haunted house experience. It’s a journey into the heart of darkness, where the line between reality and nightmare dissolves.
Each of these haunted houses offer an experience like no other. With all sorts of bone-chilling stunts and encounters in the mix, there is never a dull moment. So are you ready for the adventure of your life?