3 Pennsylvania Haunted Attractions Named Best in the Nation
Halloween is a time for fun costumes, spooky movies, and haunted attractions. Some Halloween enthusiasts often seek out haunted houses and attractions. USA Today, 10Best has compiled a list of the ten best haunted houses and attractions in the U.S.
They had a group of experts put forward the nominees. Then, their editors narrowed it down to the final ones. From there, readers got to have their say and vote on the ultimate winners. “These ten haunted houses/attractions have been voted by our readers as the best in the country for the quality of their actors, set designs, and special effects, as well as value for money,” USA Today wrote.
3 Pennsylvania Haunted Attractions and Houses Make the Top 10
Securing the second spot on the list is Field of Screams, located in Mountville, which received recognition for offering visitors four distinct and immersive experiences. These include the Haunted Hayride, two haunted houses known as Den of Darkness and Frightmare Asylum, and the Nocturnal Wasteland.
Moving down the list to the ninth spot is the Bates Motel, located just outside Philadelphia on Arasapha Farm. Guests can check into this motel and experience an elevated level of horror, with state-of-the-art special effects and lighting that include features such as levitating spirits and portraits with an uncanny ability to track your movements. The Bates Motel also offers a haunted hayride, a 25-minute journey through the forest featuring meticulously designed Hollywood-style sets and props, imposing monstrous figures, and spectacular pyrotechnics.
Wrapping up the top ten is Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. This historically significant site was once one of the world’s most expensive prisons, housing infamous inmates like Al Capone and “Slick Willie” Sutton. Visitors looking for a unique experience can explore five haunted houses. Diving into the prison’s rich history through guided tours and check out themed bars and lounges.
See their complete ranking of the top 10 best haunted houses and attractions here.
Best Haunted Houses in America
‘Tis the season for haunted houses in America. I love the spooky season, even though I’m more of a spring girl. I actually wish Halloween fell in the spring. But, fall is a good time for all things haunted. America has some incredible haunted attractions. Getting scared is definitely an American thing. So, what are the best haunted houses in America?
What’s neat about haunted houses is that they are popular across American, not just in one part of the country. In a sense, a love for Halloween and spooky things brings Americans together. Often, folks overseas haven’t celebrated Halloween much until recently, though. In fact, I was shocked to learn that my friends in Europe have never heard of or tried candy corn. What’s wrong with this world?
Even though Europeans may not be as familiar with Halloween, or at least the Europeans I know, it’s worth noting that Borley Rectory, in England, was widely considered the most haunted house in the world. “This particular rectory was built on the same site as a Cistercian priory perhaps several hundred years older in what is now Borley, Essex, United Kingdom,” according to Skeptoid.com. Is it still haunted today? Who really knows, right?
When it comes to haunted houses in America, different outlets have their favorite picks. I’ve decided to do some research and pick five must-see haunted attractions across the U.S. that I think you should visit this year. I picked a selection of haunted attractions geographically across the country, so hopefully you live near one. I would love to visit all of these at some point, but truth be told, I’m easily scared, so maybe I’m best to try kiddie haunted houses. Reach out to me with your favorite haunted houses and attractions across America here.
Best Haunted Houses in America
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.