The Best Haunted Houses in the U.S.

Every year, Americans line up and pay money to be corralled into dark rooms and narrow hallways, screamed at and chased with weapons, all for the purpose of entertainment. It doesn’t really make sense on paper, but there’s something exhilarating about a good haunted house, especially one artfully designed with innovative gimmicks and talented actors. If you’re a scare junkie, branch out this year and take a charter bus to some of the best haunted houses in the country.

Erebus (Pontiac, Michigan): Until 2009, this four story haunted house that fills an old warehouse in the Rust Belt city of Pontiac, Michigan was the largest in the world. Though it lost the world record, Erebus is still one of the best haunted houses around, featuring giant animatronic monstrosities and top-notch special effects and make-up

Headless Horseman  (Ulster Park, New York): Located in Ulster Park, New York, only about an hour and a half north of Manhattan, Headless Horseman incorporates six different haunted houses, including a Victorian estate, a giant corn maze and a hayride. There’s over 45 acres of haunted attractions to explore in all, so plan to stay a while.

Pennhurst Asylum (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania): No other haunted house in the world can beat Pennhurst Asylum’s location, which repurposes the administrative building of an actual mental asylum closed following decades of controversial treatment. Now the already creepy remains of this decaying institution have become the setting for one of the best haunted attractions in the world.