Feeling like a good scare? Gather your friends and family and plan a scary night out — the more the merrier. There is strength in numbers as you make your way through macabre mazes, horrifying haunted houses and other spine-chilling and spooky settings. Tickets for these attractions are limited, so venues encourage guests to buy their tickets early. Protective masks (not the scary kind) and social distancing are recommended at most venues.
Creekside Manor
This eerie mansion dares you to walk through its gates, pass its creepy cemetery and through its narrow, winding halls. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Manna House, which helps families in need with food, financial and other assistance. Through Oct. 31 at 2411 Plainview Road, Midlothian. $20, $15 for kids under 12.
Cutting Edge Haunted House
Located in an abandoned meatpacking plant in Fort Worth’s legendary Hell’s Half Acre district, Cutting Edge was voted the No. 1 Best Haunted Attraction in the country by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2021 awards. The terrifying 55-minute experience features live actors, special effects and a human maze. Due to the coronavirus, the attraction is limited to 50% capacity and using timed ticketing and a virtual queue line to social distance guests. Through Oct. 31 at 1701 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth. $45-$50, $60-$70 for a fast pass. Buy a combo ticket for $72.25 ($90 on-site) and get access to both Cutting Edge and Thrillvania in Terrell.
Dark Hour Haunted House
Journey into the unknown as you explore Coven Manor and Annabelle Noire’s Asylum, which come alive through animatronics, Broadway-worthy sets and professional actors. This year, the 13 witches of the Dark Hour Coven have awoken to cast the Dark Hour Spell, which will plunge the world into the darkest dimension imaginable. Guests can check out the behind-the-scenes operations of Dark Hour during backstage tours held Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. for $40. The venue encourages all customers to wear masks, and temperatures will be checked upon entering. Through Oct. 31 at 701 Taylor Drive, Plano. $32-34 for Dark Hour admission only, $45-$47 for combo admission to Dark Hour and Annabelle’s, $52-$54 for a Dark Hour fast pass, $90 for VIP admission.
Fright Fest
Zombies and ghouls take over Six Flags Over Texas during Fright Fest, which features haunted attractions, scare zones, rides with frightening surprises and spooky shows. For a tamer experience, families can visit the park during the day; scarier activities begin after dark. Guests ages 10 and younger can wear costumes. Unvaccinated attendees are encouraged to wear masks. Through Oct. 31 at Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington. $39.99-$64.99 general admission, plus $24.99-$34.99 for Fright Pass.
Hangman’s House of Horrors
Take a 45-minute walk through this haunted attraction, which is located on a military base that was originally built in the 1910s as a helium production plant. In addition to a full tour of the haunted house, tickets include access to two other terrifying attractions — zombie-themed Outbreak and the new interactive art exhibit “The Beauty of Horror.” Younger children and those too afraid for the regular frights can visit on Oct. 10 and 24 for Scaredy Cat Nights, where the lights will be on and kids will get a free Halloween gift while supplies last ($19 admission). All actors will wear masks, and customers’ temperature will be screened prior to entry. Through Oct. 31 at 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth. $49. Use promo code HANG10 and get $10 off. Parking is $10.
Hatch and Kraven’s Slaughterhouse
This hair-raising haunt features actors in elaborate costumes scattered throughout the terrifying Trail of Fear. The 2021 theme is “Unleash the Beast.” Masks are encouraged. Through Oct. 31 at 2316 E FM Road 120, Denison. $25.
Haunted Shadows Lake Trail
The daunting self-guided journey of over one mile takes attendees through the woods and weeds along the shore of Lake Lewisville. The average time it takes for a group to complete the nighttime trail is 40 to 45 minutes. There is a PG-rated version of the attraction for groups with young visitors. Through Oct. 31 at Blue Sky Sports Center, 7801 N. Main St., The Colony. $25, on-site only.
J & F House of Terror Haunted House
The haunted house maze complete with actors performing terrifying scares is located inside Firewheel Mall this year. All customers will have their temperature taken before entering the haunt. Through Oct. 31 at 240 Cedar Sage Drive, Garland. Timed-entry tickets are $22-$27. Tickets are not available on-site.
Junkyard Haunted House
Junk Guys DFW hosts this creepy experience in a real junkyard, with scary scenes around every corner. This haunt is not recommended for kids. Oct. 22-24 and 29-31 at 2309 Langford St., Dallas. Cash donations accepted. 214-777-3095.
Moxley Manor Haunted House
The Bedford attraction kicks off its 12th season this year. Tickets include access to three haunted houses — Moxley Manor, the new Regan’s Revenge and the interactive, circus-themed Big Top Terror. Through Oct. 31 at 510 Harwood Road, Bedford. $30-$35 general admission, $45-$50 for fast pass.
Reindeer Manor Halloween Park
Visit four haunted houses at this location — Reindeer Manor, where Theta Omega Kappa is throwing a Halloween Party with a murderer on the loose; 13th Street Morgue, where you can work to unravel the Maybrick murders; Dungeon of Doom, an ‘80s-inspired 3-D haunted arcade game; and The Bunker, which follows the survivors of biochemical outbreak as they battle mutant-like creatures. Other things to do and see include live entertainment and axe throwing. Through Oct. 31 at 410 Houston School Road, Red Oak. $35 general admission, $55 for VIP fast pass. Children’s Halloween Village admission is $20.
Screams
The immersive Halloween theme park features five haunted houses — each with a different theme — plus a haunted New Orleans-style cemetery, live entertainment, Scary-Oke, games of skill, a food court, four pubs, a full-service restaurant and bar, tarot card and palm readings, face painting and henna tattoos. The 2021 haunted houses are Zombie Wasteland Apocalypse, Time’s Up Maze, Hotel D’Feers, Curse: The Witches of Terra Mythica Castle and Klown in 3-D. Screams strongly recommends protective masks for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status. Through Oct. 30 at 2511 FM66, Waxahachie. $36.71, $42 on-site. Fast passes are $26.35 extra. screamspark.com.
Tayman Graveyard
This complex of haunted houses combines theatrical sets, professional costumes, animatronics and actors to create a thrilling experience. Attractions include the Graveyard, Tayman Funeral Home, Tayman Mining Co. and Fappy the Clown’s Theatre of Wonders. Through Oct. 31 at 4721 Cecilia Ave., Midlothian. Bring two cans of food for the North Texas Food Bank or two pet items for the Hood County Animal Shelter (food for dogs or cats, small pet toys or kitty litter) and get a discount at the ticket booth. $20-$25 without donation, $15-$20 with donation.
Texas Scaregrounds
This megaplex of spooky spots includes the Chaos Haunted House, Mayhem Manor and the Oddities Museum. Social distancing and masks while in line are encouraged. Through Oct. 31 at 832 Hood Road, Mineral Wells. $30 for access to all three attractions, $50 for VIP fast passes. Bring five canned goods and get $5 off the $30 pass. Individual attractions are $5-$25.
Thrillvania Haunted House Park
Thrillvania comprises three haunted attractions — the World Famous Haunted Verdun Manor, Cassandra’s House of Clowns and Sam Hain’s Trail of Torment — on 50 acres. Due to the coronavirus, the attraction is limited to 50% capacity and uses timed ticketing and a virtual queue to social distance guests. Through Oct. 31 at 2330 County Road 138, Terrell. Tickets are 10% off opening weekend Oct. 8-10. $35.95-$39.95 general admission, $49.50-$55 for fast pass. Buy a combo ticket for $72.25 ($90 on-site) and get access to both Thrillvania and Cutting Edge in Fort Worth.
