It's this time of year that I can't get Michael Jackson's song "Thriller" out of my head. DFW has the scariest haunted houses around -- and some are not appropriate for small children. Insert Vincent Price's diabolical laughter here now.
Warning: Many haunted houses aren't appropriate for small children. Some specifically advise against bringing children under age 10. Some houses may also use strobe lights, which might pose some potential health issues -- especially for those with certain forms of epilepsy.
Have a safe and happy Halloween.
Aleister Crowley's House of Pain
What: Aleister Crowley must have been one mad scientist. Ghouls, skeletons and the living dead. 100% wheelchair accessible.
When: Weekends October 1-31, 2011
Where: From I-35W: head south past I-20 to Everman Parkway (exit 42). Go East on Everman Pkwy. to Oak Grove Rd. Turn Right (South), then go one block and arrive at Aseister Crowley's House of Pain on the right. From I-20/820: head South on Campus Drive (exit 439). Campus Dr. becomes Oak Grove Road. Continue South on Oak Grove Rd. past Everman Pkwy. Go one block and it's on the right.
Cost: General admission $18 and online discount $16.
Cutting Edge Haunted House
What: Cutting Edge Haunted House is the world's largest haunted house; it's in the Guiness Book of World Records. It's inside a 235,000 sq. ft. warehouse built in the 1920's. It's supposed to be a real haunted house. Check out the scary props, spooky ghosts, frightening haunted decorations, strobe lights, fog and monsters that will haunt your dreams. You have to sign a waiver before you enter.
Where: Intersection of I-30 & I-35, 1701 E. Lancaster Ave.. Fort Worth, Texas 76102. 817-348-8444.
When: Open September 10, 17, 23, 24, 30, 2011; various dates in October and open til November 5, 2011.
Cost: $29.50 adults; $24.50 children 10 and under. Speed passes available for $49.50
Dallas Scaregrounds
This just sounds creepy to me. Are you brave enough to tour their three main attractions? Visit The Hallucinatorium, The Terrortorium & The Necrotorium, if you dare. Also check out the Walking Dead Laser Tag. Food, drinks, souvenirs and more bone-chilling fun.
When: Weekends September 24 through October 31, 2011
Where: 2001 Irving Blvd., Dallas. From I-35E (or Tollway), take exit 430A Oaklawn Exit west to Irving Blvd. and turn right.
Admission: $22 all 3 houses plus festival). Discounts for groups or online. Festival-only admission for $3.
Fatal End in the West End
What: Fatal End is the only year-round haunted attraction in North Texas. They offer 3 options. You can visit a spooky haunted house, go on a historic lantern-guided ghost tour, or you can also host your next birthday party there. (Teenagers love the birthday party option). Below the West End Marketplace, there is a lower level passage leading to an entry point to a paranormal world of darkness. No one has had access to these notorious inner chambers for years. But now a society of paranormal archeologists has prevailed in its quest to open these forbidden rooms to the public.
When: Open nightly through October 31, 2011. Off-season hours are 7-10 p.m. Fridays/Saturdays.
Where: 603 Munger Ave, Dallas, TX 75202
Admission: $25, online discounts.
Fear Factory Insanitarium
What: The Lakeside Community Theatre's ghoulish spooktacular.
When: October 7-29, 2011.
Where: 6303 Main Street, The Colony, TX 75056. 214-801-4869. (Behind the Government Center).
Cost: $15 ($2 off coupon on website)
Not recommended for children under 10.
Fright Fest at Six Flags over Texas
Six Flags over Texas has four haunted houses located within the park plus lots of other spooky fun, music and games and the Texas Giant, which was named "Best New Coaster of 2011."
When: Fright Fest opens Friday, September 30 and runs through October 30, 2011.
More information on Fright Fest at Six Flags over Texas Arlington is available.
Hangman's House of Horrors
What: This is one of the coolest haunted houses in the metroplex. They are recruiting volunteers to learn Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance in order to participate in THRILL THE WORLD at Hangman’s House of Horrors on Saturday night, October 29, 2011. Last year over 4,000 dancers participated in the world-wide simultaneous event from 10 different countries. Last year 365 did the zombie dance in Fort Worth. To learn the dance, just attend one of the free 3-hour seminars. Watch the zombie dance video.
When: Open Every Friday & Saturday September 16 through Halloween, plus nightly Oct 26-31, 2011.
Where: 2300 West Freeway, Fort Worth, TX. 817-336-4264.
Cost: $16 to $30 for everything. Free parking. Net proceeds donated to charity.
Moxley Manor
Moxley Manor benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
When: Opens September 23. Weekends through October 31, 2011.
Where: Moxley Manor is located in the Harwood Village Shopping Center at 510 Harwood Rd., Suite O, Bedford, TX 76021. 682-231-1313.
Admission: $15. Discounts available online.
Reindeer Manor
Courtesy of Reindeer Manor. Unauthorized use not permitted.
What: A real haunted house? Maybe. They neither confirm nor deny that Reindeer Manor is a real Haunted Place. They do document various sightings and occurances. Reindeer Manor is a howling good time. All proceeds benefit the Boy Scouts of America.
Where: 410 Houston School Rd., Red Oak Texas 75154. 972-218-7287. Directions.
When: Open every Friday and Saturday night in October plus November 4-5, 2011.
Cost: $35 general admission; $17 for 10 and under
Screams
Photo courtesy of Screams
What: Screams offers 5 major haunted attractions. All 5 are included in general admission and you may tour each of them as many times as you like. A few attractions for an additional fee. Henna temporary tattoos, face painting, souvenir shop.
When: Open Fridays/Saturdays through October 30, 2011. SCREAMS is closed on Oct. 31, 2011 (out haunting).
Where: 2511 FM 66 Waxahachie, TX 75167. From Dallas: Take I-35E South to Exit 399A. Go west on FM66 1.6 miles. From Fort Worth: Take Hwy 287 South to I-35E South, take I-35E South to Exit 399A. Go west on FM66 1.6 miles.
Cost: $24.99 per person
