Not feeling the Halloween spirit so far this season? We know what’s in order: An old fashioned tour of a totally freaky haunted house. Lucky for us, there are plenty of attractions in Massachusetts that will scare you right through to November.
OK, so whether or not every single one of these haunted houses actually manages to be fright-inducing or downright bone chilling is yet to be determined – and probably unlikely. Sure, you’re an adult now, but that doesn’t mean your Halloween has to be spent either dishing out candy to the pint-sized ghouls and goblins of the neighborhood or heading to your coworkers annually lame party in the same costume for last year.
Bring the spook back into the Halloween season by heading to one of these Massachusetts haunted houses. Who knows – you may find out you’re not so tough after all.
1. Factory of Terror
With a name like that, you know that Factory of Terror is churning out the screams year after year. One of the larger local haunted enterprises, Factory of Terror has three locations, in Worcester, Fall River and Warwick, RI. Choose your adventure and drive out to one of the properties, which is made up of different attractions. In Worcester, for instance, guests can tour Zombie Nightmare, Clown College, Zella’s Hideaway and more. Tickets and details are available online.
Hours vary by location.
2. Barrett’s Haunted Mansion
Located in Abington, Mass., Barrett’s Haunted Mansion is a tour through a, well, haunted mansion, with plenty of scare-inducing treats inside. Doesn’t sound spooky enough for you? Head to the attraction on October 21 or November 1 for “Darkness Unleashed,” a truly terrifying experience where guests are submerged into total darkness as they walk through the mansion, and the monsters inside are given free reign to touch you, and ultimately scare your pants off. Advanced reservations are required for this experience, and guests must be 16 or older (so you know it’s scary).
Open daily through November 1 except October 20 and 22.
3. Witch’s Woods
Out in Westford, Mass., you’ll find Witch’s Woods, a Halloween “scream park” that offers multiples types of entertainment. Come for a haunted hayride through the woods, a trip through Castle Morbid and Nightmare Mansion, or, if getting spooked isn’t your thing, you can find comfort in the Jack-o-Lantern Jamboree, which is a display of professionally carved pumpkins. Everyone will probably call you a baby, though.
Open Thursdays through Sundays until November 1.
4. Haunted Lights Out Adventure
This new adventure in Foxboro, Mass. presented by 5 Wits takes you on a journey through a haunted sea vessel where the captain went mad. The scariest parts? There are no lights – leaving guests to find their own way out through the dark.
Open on Fridays and Saturdays through October 31.
5. Witch Mansion
Already planning a trip to Salem this Halloween season? Then be sure to make a stop at Witch Mansion, the town’s scariest haunted house. It was opened in July, because Salem, but during October, the hours ramp up and the spooks become even scarier.
Check the website for reservations and current hours.
6. Haunted Overload
Located on a farm in Lee, NH, Haunted Overload claims it’s the “most creative and unique haunted attraction in New England.” More than just jump-out frights, the attraction hosts gigantic, 30-foot monsters lining the trails, as well as movie quality sets. Every year, guests can expect a new experience from Haunted Overload.
Open Fridays through Sundays through November 1, as well as Thursday, October 30.
7. Braintree’s Haunted House
Not looking to travel too far to get your scare on? Try Braintree’s Haunted House in its new location on Pond Street. This year, the theme is ‘Terror at Diablo Junction,’ which one can only assume means plenty of western-style skeletons. To make you feel good about being frightened, Braintree’s Haunted House raises money for the Highlands Elementary and Liberty Elementary School PTOs.
Open on October 23-25, with the “not as scary” night happening on October 23.
8. Spooky World Presents: Nightmare New England
Just a hop across the Massachusetts border in Litchfield, New Hampshire lies Nightmare New England, a collection of haunted adventures presented by Spooky World. There are five haunted houses and experiences to choose from, or do them all, depending on how much time you have. On site, you’ll find Brigham Manor, Carnage, The Colony, Raven’s Claw: The Resurrection and Freak Show 3D. I have no idea what any of those mean, but the last one sounds extra relevant, considering the current season of American Horror Story. Not into the scary stuff? There’s the Naticook Fish and Grill Restaurant also on site.
Open every night but Mondays and Tuesdays through November 1.
9. Castle of Shadows at Hammond Castle
During the Halloween season, Hammond Castle in Gloucester, Mass., which was featured on Ghost Hunters, turns into the Castle of Shadows. While the site keeps the details of the Castle of Shadows tour a mystery, one can guess that it’s a nighttime tour of the presumably haunted castle, which sounds pretty creepy.
Open October 17-18 and 24-15 from 7 to 11 p.m.
10. Boston Zombie Apocalypse
If the zombie invasion is your ultimate Halloween fantasy, then you’ll have to head to the Boston Zombie Apocalypse, which is actually located in Abington, Mass. Groups of guests will be armed with faux-rifles and prepped for war before heading out into the city landscapes and hunting the walking dead in two different zombie elimination zones.
Open on select dates through November 8. Find the full calendar here.
Image via Factory of Terror
