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Every October, two very different kinds of haunted house open their doors. One is a historic home with a real past and a ghost story attached. The other is a scare attraction built for screams, with actors, fog machines and jump scares. Both are fun, but they make for very different nights out. This guide helps you choose the right one, book it and get the most from your visit.
Two kinds of haunted house
Historic haunted houses
These are real homes, many of them museums, inns or restaurants, where ghost stories have built up over the years. A tour usually mixes history with legend: who built the house, what happened there and what visitors say they have seen. The scares are quiet ones, like a cold room, a creak on the stairs or a story told by lamplight.
Good examples on this site include the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, which has long offered ghost tours, and Hull House in Chicago, a museum whose staff, for the record, deny any haunting.
Scare attractions
These are built to frighten. Expect costumed actors, dark mazes, loud sound effects and the odd chainsaw (with no chain). They are great with a group of friends who like to scream, but they are not for small children or anyone who hates being startled.
How to choose
- Who is going? Young kids and nervous guests do better on a daytime historic tour. Teens and thrill-seekers will love a scare attraction.
- What do you enjoy? If you like history and atmosphere, choose a historic home. If you want adrenaline, choose an attraction.
- How long do you have? Historic tours often run an hour or so. Popular attractions can mean long waits on Halloween weekend.
- Is it accessible? Old houses have narrow stairs and uneven floors. Ask ahead if anyone in your group needs step-free access.
Booking tips for Halloween week
Book early
Evening and ghost-themed tours are the first to sell out in late October. Weeknights are usually easier than the weekend right before Halloween.
Check the details
Look for age limits, start times, what is and isn’t allowed (photos, flash, bags) and whether the tour is indoors, outdoors or both. Many historic homes change their hours in the fall.
Read the house’s own story first
You will enjoy the tour more if you know the legend before you go. Before visiting a house like the Ferris Mansion or Gaineswood, read up on the family and the ghost stories so you know what to listen for.
What to bring
- A small flashlight with a red or dim setting (and ask before using it).
- Comfortable, quiet shoes for old floors.
- A light jacket. Old houses and cellars get cold.
- A notebook, if you like to record anything odd.
- Something to read on the way home. A collection like Haunted Castles, Haunted Mansions, Haunted Houses or True Paranormal Hauntings keeps the mood going.
Shop the gear
- Haunted Castles, Haunted Mansions, Haunted Houses (book)
- True Paranormal Hauntings (book)
- The Haunted House framed canvas art
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Haunted house etiquette
Historic homes are fragile, and many are also someone’s workplace or home. Follow the guide, stay with your group and don’t touch furniture or artifacts. Keep voices low in rooms where others are listening. Never visit a private house without permission, even one with a famous legend: Captain Mull’s house was last known to be a private home, so admire it from the road.
At scare attractions, the rule is simple: the actors won’t touch you, so don’t touch them.
Bring the haunted house home
If you can’t get to a tour this year, set the mood at home. Dim the lights, tell a ghost story from one of our posts and hang something eerie on the wall. A haunted Victorian house canvas makes a great backdrop for a Halloween party and works all autumn.
FAQ
Are haunted house tours scary for kids?
Historic tours are usually gentle and work well for older children. Scare attractions often set minimum ages, so check before you buy tickets.
What is the difference between a ghost tour and a haunted house?
A ghost tour tells real legends, often while walking a town or touring a historic building. A haunted house attraction is a staged experience built to scare.
Can I take photos?
It depends on the house. Many allow photos without flash. Always ask.
Which haunted house should I read about first?
Start with the Bell Witch legend, one of the most famous hauntings in America.