Local Haunts for Halloween
October means cool nights, pumpkins, and of course – Halloween mania. Halloween has become the second-most popular holiday here in the US (thankfully, Christmas still reigns as the holiday champion), and there are those that wait all year for the chance to get their fright on. There are plenty of opportunities in the local four-state area to have the bejeezus scared out of you (if you’re into that), so check out these local attractions this holiday season (but just don’t ask me to go along with you).
Creekside Manor
11759 Sung Harbor Lane, Williamsport, MD 21795
Providing disturbing haunts since 2003, this year the Manor’s sixteen haunted rooms contemplate “Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned”, featuring jilted bride Mabel and a clown by the name of “Matchbox”. Per the website, this attraction is quite intense and not recommended for anyone under the age of twelve, so be warned.
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays through October 4, 2019
Hours: Doors open at 7:30 PM each night – last ticket sold at 10:00 PM
Cost: $17 (contact the box office to inquire about group rates)
Phone: 301-223-6663 or 301-223-7571
Website: https://www.creeksidemanor.com/
Hagerstown “Ghost Tours”
Jonathan Hager House, City Park, and the Train Hub, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Explore the dark and eerie history of the Jonathan Hager House, learn about local haunted lore and legends of the Hagerstown City Park on a walking tour, or venture out with the Oculus Paranormal Investigative Team (using real detection equipment) among the retired rail cars of the Train Hub. Pre-registration for these events is highly encouraged, so sign-up early.
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays in October
Hours: 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM nightly
Cost: $7 – $15 (depending on event)
Phone: 301-739-9577 (x170)
Website: https://www.hagerstownmd.org/309/Jonathan-Hager-House-Museum
Haunted Nightmares at Hill High Farm
933 Barley Lane, Winchester, VA 22602
A wide variety of attractions is offered here, from hayrides (daylight and moonlit), a corn maze, escape rooms (non-scary), a “buried alive” simulator (creepy), and of course – the haunted house (a “milder” version of this attraction is offered for the younger set during weekend daylight hours).
Dates: Thursdays – Sundays in October (check website for specific dates)
Hours: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM on weeknights, 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM on weekends
Cost: $12-$15 for haunted house, $6 for corn maze or hayrides
Phone: 540-667-7377
Website: https://www.hauntednightmares.net/
The Haunted Trails of Gettysburg
200 Sanders Road, Gettysburg, PA
Want to experience the “real deal”? Walk the trails, explore basements and cellars, and check out the dark woods where paranormal events, ghosts of the Civil War, and other weird and eerie happenings occur on a regular basis. These are considered “public investigations” and could get extremely intense. See for yourself!
Dates: Friday nights in October (one Saturday trail walk – check the website for details)
Hours: 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM for trail walks, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM for cellar tours
Cost: $25 – $50 (depending on the event)
Phone: 248-991-4147 or 248-636-6599
Website: https://thehauntedtrailsofgettysburg.com/
“Apolloween” at the Apollo Civic Theatre
128 East Martin Street, Martinsburg, WV
Take part in a real paranormal investigation, check out “The Addams Family” movie (for free), or experience the wonder that is the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays in October
Hours: Varies by event – check the website for more details and specific times
Cost: Free – $25 (depending upon event)
Phone: 304-263-6766
One thought on “Local Haunts for Halloween”
While it’s fun to see little kids all dressed up, I’m not into the heavy scary stuff. Don’t understand where the “fun” is in being frightened.