This content originally appeared in my weekly Halloween newsletter, Treats Not Tricks.
It's October, and a-haunting we will go! And if you haven't located your local haunt yet…this post is for you!
There’s nothing quite like stepping into a professional haunted house to take your Halloween season to the next level.
Sure, pumpkins and costumes set the stage, but it’s the fog-filled hallways, jump scares, and heart-pounding moments that really make the holiday unforgettable.
For Halloween lovers, a night at a haunt isn’t just an activity—it’s an experience that delivers the kind of thrills, chills, and memories you’ll be talking about long after October 31st has passed.
Over the years, this Halloween lover has learned to love haunts by trial and error. Attending Midsummer Scream has certainly helped! So has exploring different types of haunts, like outdoor or immersive experiences.
But you can bet I’m still going to jump, scream, and run when I hear a chainsaw anywhere nearby me…
Hall of Shadows at Midsummer Scream 2023.
Why you should support local haunts
So why do I keep going back? Well, in addition to being a fun Halloween tradition, local professional haunted houses are vital to building our Halloween community!
They support local creatives
Behind every haunt are artists, set designers, actors, and makers pouring time and imagination into building an experience. Buying a ticket helps keep those jobs and passions alive so the talent can return year after year.
The Experience is Ever-Evolving
Haunts thrive when fans come back annually. That steady support gives creators the resources to expand, improve, and surprise guests with fresh scares. Your repeat visits help ensure each year is bigger and better than the last.
They’re Small Businesses That Need Community Support
Many haunted houses are independently owned and run on tight budgets. Just like your favorite Halloween shops or artists, they rely on loyal fans who return each fall. Supporting them means your money stays local and fuels future events.
A scene from Onionhead’s Revenge at Mall of America in 2023.
How to find haunts near you
Every Halloween fan knows the thrill of stepping into a fog-filled maze or brushing past a monster in the dark. But finding out where to get your scares? That can be the real nightmare.
Luckily, I’ve got three go-to resources that make hunting down haunts a whole lot easier.
1. Haunts.com
Trigger warning: this site does use some creepy-crawly spider graphics (perfect for Halloween lovers, not so much for arachnophobes). If you’re brave enough, you can search their nationwide database by state and discover what’s lurking nearby.
Here’s a fun bonus: don’t just check in October! Many haunts now open for off-season thrills — think Christmas slashers, bloody Valentine’s frights, shamrock scares, and even Halfoween in the spring. A quick visit back to Haunts.com in the off-season could land you a terrifying new tradition.
2. Haunted Attraction Network
Phil Hernandez has built one of the most robust resources for haunt lovers in the U.S. The site includes state-by-state listings, but the real treat is digging into their Hauntathon archives from 2023 and 2024.
Through video tours and behind-the-scenes coverage, you can virtually step inside attractions across the country. It’s the next best thing to being there and an excellent way to discover new must-visit haunts to add to your road trip list.
3. Google (Yes, really!)
Sometimes the simplest tool is the most effective. It’s all about knowing the right spells — ahem, keywords to cast.
Try searches like:
professional haunted house + CITY
professional haunted house + NEAR ZIP CODE
professional haunted house + NEAR ME
top haunted houses + CITY/NEAR ME
best haunted houses + CITY/NEAR ME
With these phrases, you’ll cut through the hayrides and yard haunts to uncover the big, professional attractions.
Bonus Tip: Use AI to Carve Through the Noise
Google searches are trickier these days thanks to a growing number of ads and AI-generated info cluttering the page.
If you’re comfortable experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT, it can actually save time by giving you a cleaner starting place. (Verify info on the haunt website, though — ChatGPT doesn’t always get all the details correct.)
Here’s a ready-to-use prompt:
Give me a list of professional haunted houses within a [X] mile radius of ZIP code [#####].
Replace the placeholders with your info, and you’ll get a curated list in seconds — perfect for mapping out your next night of screams.
How do you find local haunts?
Drop your best tips, tricks, or even your favorite spot to visit in the comments!
