Haunted houses have come a long way from the amateur, low-budget operations of a generation ago, cobbled together a few weeks before Halloween by local civic groups and typically featuring the traditional lineup of seasonal specters: witches, vampires, mummies and Frankenstein’s monsters.
Today they are sophisticated, special effects-laden hotels of horror, drawing die-hard thrill-seekers from near and far and operated by professional fright mongers who populate them with demented psychopaths, deranged homicidal maniacs, demonic clowns and zombies. Blood, gore, and mayhem are their stock-in-trade and thanks to the wonders of modern makeup, the dozens of trained “actors” underneath it can be terrifyingly realistic when they jump out in front of you as you creep apprehensively down eerie strobe-lit corridors or wander through elaborate outdoor sets.
And make no mistake, their purpose is to scare you — really scare you — and do it repeatedly. So proficient are they at it that the best haunted houses come with age restrictions (or recommendations), health warnings, and provide emergency exits (but no refunds) for the faint of heart, stomach or even bladder.
Profiled here are several the most frightful attractions in the NYC area, each consistently ranked in HauntWorld Magazine’s top 31 nationwide. Check them out if you dare — but don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Note: Nothing detracts more from a good night of frights than excruciatingly long lines. As a result, most commercial haunted houses offer VIP passes for expedited access. To avoid being shut out altogether, purchase your tickets online and in advance.
