America’s Top 13 Haunted Houses and Attractions

If the 6-6-6 on Haunted Locations has taught you anything, it’s that wherever you are in the United States, you don’t have to look far to find something that’s haunted. Since the mid-1990s, haunted houses (or haunted attractions, as they have become known) have been popping up all over the country. These places don’t go for the cheap thrills implemented in classic horror films (I’m looking at you, Ghost Face)–we’re talking serious, professional haunts designed to scare the pants off you with the latest special effects, animatronics and live animals (think giant snakes).

All prices quoted are for the 2011 season and for adults. Many haunts are cash only, so check their website for ticket information.

1. Headless Horseman Hayride & Haunted Houses – Ulster Park, NY – $37.95

One of the best Halloween attractions in the country, the Headless Horseman Hayride & Haunted Houses offers all your favorite fall activities in one: a spooky hayride in the woods as well as a traditional, creepy haunted house. About an hour’s drive from Albany, this haunted attraction is well worth the trip due to the value of your ticket and its location in the Hudson River Valley. At the end of the hayride, beware the approach of the Headless Horseman!

2. The Darkness – St. Louis, MO – $20

Missouri is home to a number of high-quality, professional haunted attractions, not to mention the annual TransWorld Halloween and Attractions Show. The Darkness is held by Soulard Market, just two miles south of the Gateway Arch, in a 20,000-square foot warehouse. Expect nothing but the best at this haunted house with creepy rooms, dragons, snakes (yes, real ones!) and CGI effects.

Photo courtesy of The Darkness.

The 6-6-6 on Haunted Locations in the U.S.

Halloween is just a few weeks away now, not that we’re counting or anything. In the coming weeks there will be a slew of TV specials about ghosts, Halloween attractions and haunted sites. We’ve weeded through the pumpkin patch of purported haunted restaurants, hotels and attractions around the country to bring you a list of the top 6-6-6 haunted locations around the United States. Most of these venues have special events, tours or haunted houses during the months of September and October.

Top 6 Haunted Attractions & Museums

1. Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, CA)

The residence of Sarah Winchester (widow to the rifle fortune) was built with the guidance of the spirit world, with the warning that the ghosts of those who died at the hands of her family’s weapons would seek their vengeance if construction ever stopped.

2. Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia, PA)

Eastern State was in operation from 1829 to 1971, housing inmates in dark, solitary cells for 23 hours a day. Some of the ghosts at this prison include former guards and inmates, such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton.

Photo courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary.