Top 5: Haunted Houses

Haunted houses attract more than 10 million fear-seekers every Halloween season. Every year, the Halloween industry pushes the breaking point of terror-seekers, leaving them unsure if they want to run out screaming or lay crying in a ball on the floor. Research shows people love being scared in a safe environment, and these attractions are definitely doing more than shouting, “boo.” These are professional terror masterminds who have created the ultimate scarefests for your screaming pleasure. Here is our list for 2016 haunted houses.

The Hex House (Tulsa, Okla.)

The Hex House has been gaining nationwide attention and emerging as one of the most terrifying haunted houses in the last five years. If you’re in Northeast Oklahoma, the Hex House (http://www.tulsahexhouse.com) should be on your bucket list. The Hex House is a walk-through, extreme, intense, reality altering and multi-element haunted attraction. During your walk through you are shown no mercy; this is not your typical haunted house. This is an adrenaline pumping experience; it is also interactive, as you will be touched by, well, whatever is lurking in Hex House.

The 13th Door (Denver, Colo.)

Colorado has amazing haunted houses, but The 13th Door is legendary. Navigating through damp and dark hallways, the rooms leave you with a feeling of vertigo, fear of heights and panic. This attraction changes every year and crowds come back each year for more. The 13th Door uses multiple elements to produce terror, including visual effects to bring feelings of paranoia, claustrophobia and was named No. 1 haunted house for several years by Haunt World. If you’re in the Denver area, find out why everyone is talking about The 13th Door.

House of Torment (Austin, Texas)

House of Torment has been getting rave reviews from Haunt World while praising its “jaw dropping, crazy stunts, and extremely realistic environments.” This year, House of Torment is doubling its size to 40,000 square feet and adding three new haunted houses: “Dawn of Evil”, “The Frenzy,” and “Graveside Manor” at their new location.

Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses (Ulster Park, N.Y)

Located on 45 acres, this attraction features a labyrinth-style corn maze and a one-mile haunted hayride; this year’s theme is “Horseman’s Spawn.” Also, with 10 differently themed haunted houses, there a reason it has such a reputation as the Headless Horseman is a theatrical experience like no other. They have a children’s day for “a tiny taste of terror” on certain dates in October.

Terror on the Fox (Green Bay, Wisc.)

Terror in the Fox is celebrating 20 years of terror this year. Of all the themes I have seen this year, I believe this one terrifies me the most — “Laughterhouse” involves a circus train derailing carrying a band of clowns, disfigured and all sorts of angry. Clowns terrify me enough but Terror on the Fox went further for their 20th anniversary