Last Updated on January 8, 2025
Embarking on a Halloween adventure in the NJ, NY, and CT tri-state area offers a plethora of spine-chilling experiences. I put together a list of everywhere I’ve personally visited within the last 3 years so these are based on my personal experience. Here are some top nearby haunted attractions that promise thrills and chills:
Screamline Haunted Car Wash
Location: Rockaway, NJ
Rating: 5/5
Description: Experience a unique blend of fear and fun as you drive through a haunted car wash. Live actors, intense light shows, smoke machines, and animatronics create a terrifying atmosphere—all while your car gets cleaned. I liked this so much that I went back a second time in the same year! The scare actors will literally open the door of your car, get inside, and nearly touch you! It was shockingly terrifying for a haunted car wash, hahaha. I would absolutely recommend driving through it. The tickets are a bit pricey but your car does get an actual wash out of it too! The scare factor alone makes it a must-see if you’re in the area.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Rating: 5/5
Description: Marvel at over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins illuminated in a breathtaking display. This family-friendly event features synchronized lighting, an original soundtrack, and themed exhibits.
Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses
Location: Ulster Park, NY
Rating: 4.5/5
Description: Voted one of America’s scariest haunted attractions, it offers hayrides, corn mazes, and multiple haunted houses, all themed around the legendary Headless Horseman. This is probably the largest total amount of haunted houses for a single ticket I have seen at any haunted attraction.
Night of Terror at Creamy Acres
Location: Mullica Hill, NJ
Rating: 5/5
Description: This expansive attraction includes haunted hayrides, scare zones, and the thrilling haunted paintball ride, where participants can shoot at live zombies. The haunted Zombie paintball was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Their haunted hayride was my favorite. I also found the haunted houses to be some of the scariest I’ve walked through. I was thoroughly impressed.
Scare Farm
Location: Hillsborough, NJ
Rating: 3/5
Description: Offering haunted attractions like Creepy Hollow and Paranoia, Scare Farm provides a terrifying experience with its haunted cornfields and eerie farm environment. It was fun to visit with family. It feels like it’s very much like it is designed for teenagers. The scares were mild at best.
13th Hour Haunted House
Location: Wharton, NJ
Rating: 4/5
Description: Known for its detailed sets and intense scares, this attraction features multiple haunted houses and escape rooms, providing a comprehensive horror experience. We were very impressed by the scale of their animatronics and haunted decor. They had a scary actor standing outside by the Porta Potties scaring people which we found amusing. The haunted houses indoors were overly crowded and difficult to walk through. It felt like a converted warehouse space. It was not my favorite and I’m uncertain if I would go back. The owner was very friendly though.
Curse of the Tomb Escape Room and Haunted House at Brighton Asylum
Location: Passaic, NJ
Rating: 3/5
Description: Combining a haunted house with an escape room, this attraction challenges visitors to solve puzzles while being pursued by terrifying creatures. The escape room was well done but inadequately staffed. We needed help but no one responded to our pleas for hints! Within the actual haunted house, we felt they did a good job with the scare actors but the location itself didn’t feel as eerie as we expected.
These attractions offer a diverse range of Halloween experiences, from interactive haunted houses to immersive escape rooms. Be sure to check their official websites for operating hours, ticket prices, and any age restrictions before planning your visit! 👻
