Ah, summer. The time of sun, fun, and barbeques. It’s all well and good, but summer simply doesn’t hold the same appeal for a die-hard horror fan that October does.
If you need to get away for a bit and slip from reality to a world where the blood and screams run free, we have a few suggestions. There are haunted attractions in most states, but we chose just a few to highlight.
You’ll find the most bang for your buck by visiting the following states: California, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Yes, Wisconsin. Here’s a short list of things to do while you’re waiting for your favorite haunted house to open back up.
California
Of course, you can count on Hollywood and Los Angeles to know how to put on a good show! We recommend checking out:
The Museum of Death– Hollywood, CA
Beetle House LA – Los Angeles, CA
Horror Escapes L A Dr X– Los Angeles, CA
The Franken Stand– Los Angeles, CA
SugarMynt ScareBNB– Pasadena, CA
Escape the Asylum – Apple Vally, CA
San Francisco is another great stop. You’ll need to visit Last Rites Bar. You’re also not far from the famous Winchester House in San Jose.
Perhaps your family is begging to go see a California mouse. Never fear, just plan a stop at The Cauldron in Buena Park, California to thrill your own dead heart.
If San Diego is the destination of choice, it’s a great time to check out Whaley House.
We also found some more “out of the way” vacation stops that just might be on your route.
Check out:
The 13th Room– Pomona, CA
Phantom Carriage Brewery– Carson, California
Stranger Stays– Bear Creek, CA
Preston Castle– Ione, CA
South Carolina
Our next stop is Myrtle Beach. When you get sick of all the sun, sand, and ocean waves. Spend the day in lovely places like these:
Depending on which direction you’re coming from, you might also want to detour two hours south to visit Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island.
Tennessee
Next stop, Tennessee. If you missed it in South Carolina, Gatlinburg hosts another Ripleys Haunted Adventure and the Mysterious Mansion of Gatlinburg. You’ll also find an Outbreak Dread the Undead in Pigeon Forge, Aretha Frankensteins in Chattanooga, Monster Burgers & Shakes in Morristown, and Spooky’s Pizza & Grill in Murfreesboro.
Wisconsin
For your final destination, we’ve found that apparently, Wisconsin Dells is the place to be if you’re a horror fan. There are ghost tours and haunting options available all year round and a ton of additional sights and sounds in the fall. Check out:
The Haunted Mansion Wisconsin Dells
You’ll also want to see if you have time on your route to stop at The Dapper Cadaver for realistic horror props in Madison or stay at Dead by Dawn Dead and Breakfast in Manitowoc, and Old Baraboo Inn in Baraboo.
Where are you headed to get your chills and thrills in the summer heat? We’d love to hear about it!
Alison Palmer is a quirky writer with multi-colored hair who lives in the middle of a land scorched by dragon’s breath. She is the mother of four children who are in training to be a Witch, a Dragon’s Princess, a Knight and a Dwarf. When she’s not actively daydreaming, she can be found searching old nooks and crannies for a brownie or house elf willing to come home and do the dishes for her. If she can’t find a brownie a pet unicorn would do.
