Heyyyy Norman Bates and his mother
With less than two weeks to go before the big day, why not enjoy some time at a local haunted house or hayride. They are everywhere, though some are far freakier than others. So, with this in mind, we present the five best places to go get spooked before Halloween.
Terror Behind the Walls (Philadelphia, PA) — The abandoned Eastern State Penitentiary serves as the setting for this delightful thrill house. Like all haunted houses it is dark and there are noises and there are lots of terrifying actors (how does one get that job?), but the kicker is simply the fact that it is a giant, cold concrete maze that used to be a prison. Creepy. On the plus side, you can indulge in friend Snickers when you finish as a reward for making it through. Horray!
Nightmare Fairy Tales (New York, NY) — This production is an all out extravaganza dedicated to making sure you are petrified from start to finish. This year they explore the gruesome and often petrifying stories behind fairy tales, ruining any childhood memories you likely had of enjoying Disney movies or picture books. What makes this so scary is that it is directed by actual Off-Broadway directors who know how to incite emotion from the crowd. Terrifying emotion.
The Darkness (St. Louis, MO) — We journey away from the Northeast for this Midwestern delight. In addition to holograms and the normal scares, this joint adds some reptiles! Snakes, alligators, basically any creature you would not want to encounter in a dark area. There is also a tranquil Buddha statue that ends up being not so tranquil.
Headless Horseman (Ulster Park, NY) — So it may not be the scariest thing ever but nothing says fall and Halloween quite like Sleepy Hollow. There is a corn maze, hayride and, of course, a headless horseman. This is one kids can check out as well, a sometimes rarity with the more extreme haunted houses and hayrides.
Zuccotti Park — Large struggling crowds, mists of pepper spray and the fear of arrest are just a few of the thrills at this outdoor venue. But, apparently, tons of free food!
