Where to Find Scariest Haunted Houses in NYC and Beyond
So, you think you’re brave. You’ve watched all the horror movies and you’re ready to trade the jump scares on screen for the real deal. When October rolls around, the city gets a little darker, a little spookier, and if you’re looking for a good scream, you are probably on the hunt for the scariest haunted house in NYC. From full-contact nightmares to high-tech ghostly encounters, I’ve been digging through all the Reddit threads and TikToks to find the places that will genuinely mess with you this season.
Just a heads up, spooky season dates and ticket prices can be a moving target. It is always a good idea to check the official websites for the most current 2025 information and book your tickets before they sell out.
NYC’s Scariest Haunted Houses: The Ultimate Fright Guide
The Main Event: NYC’s Top Contender
Blood Manor
When people talk about a haunted house NYC, this is usually the one they mean. Blood Manor is, hands down, the top haunt in Manhattan for pure, high-intensity scares. This place is not for the faint of heart. You’ll make your way through a winding maze of themed rooms and tight corridors, where incredibly dedicated actors are waiting for the perfect moment to make you scream.
- Price: $$$
- Location: 359 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
- Contact: https://www.bloodmanor.com/ | (212) 290-2825
- Pro Tip: The lines here are legendary. Seriously consider buying the “RIP Express Entry” pass online. It costs more, but it can save you hours of waiting, especially on a weekend.
Other Frights Within the City
Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel
For a different kind of scare, check out this amazing Haunted House Brooklyn. The Gravesend Inn is a high-tech, theatrical production run by the students and faculty of New York City College of Technology. It’s less about jump scares and more about incredible atmospheric effects, detailed sets, and a creepy story that unfolds as you walk through.
- Price: $$
- Location: 186 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Voorhees Theatre)
- Contact: http://gravesendinn.org | (718) 260-5200
- Good For: People who appreciate amazing special effects and theatricality over pure gore. It’s a really cool and unique production.
Nightmare: Dollhouse
This isn’t a walk-through haunt; it’s an intimate and deeply unsettling immersive experience. Set in a historic building, you and a small group participate in a Victorian-style seance that aims for genuine psychological horror. It’s one of the more unique and truly creepy attractions you’ll find.
- Price: $$$
- Location: 107 Suffolk St, New York
- Contact: https://www.nightmarenyc.com | info@nightmarenyc.com
- Pro Tip: This is for a mature audience that enjoys psychological horror. It’s not about monsters jumping out; it’s about the fear that lingers after you leave.
Merchant’s House Museum Candlelight Ghost Tours
They say the Merchant’s House is Manhattan’s most haunted house, and you can experience it for yourself. On their candlelight ghost tours, you’ll explore the 19th-century home in the dark, hearing stories of the Tredwell family who lived—and died—there. It’s more historically spooky than a haunted attraction, but many people report paranormal experiences.
- Price: $$$
- Location: 29 E 4th St, New York
- Contact: https://merchantshouse.org
- Pro Tip: Tickets for these tours are extremely limited and sell out months in advance. This is one you need to plan for way ahead of time.
A Slice of Brooklyn’s Halloween Tour
For something different in the city, this is a guided bus tour that explores some of Brooklyn’s spookiest and most decorated neighborhoods. It often includes a stop at a real haunted location and tells the borough’s creepiest tales. It’s a fun, festive, and comfortable way to see a haunted house Brooklyn and more.
- Price: $$$
- Location: Starts and ends in Manhattan (Union Square).
- Contact: https://www.asliceofbrooklyn.com | (212) 913-9917 | info@asliceofbrooklyn.com
- Pro Tip: This tour sells out every year. It’s perfect for those who want a guided experience without all the walking. You get to see a ton of amazing decorations.
Worth the Trip: Long Island
Bayville Scream Park
If you’re looking for a haunted house Long Island experience, this is a whole Halloween theme park. Bayville Scream Park takes over a small amusement park on the water and features multiple haunted attractions, from a creepy funhouse to a haunted mansion and a spooky asylum. It’s a full night of scares.
- Price: $$$
- Location: 8 Bayville Ave, Bayville, NY 11709
- Contact: https://bayvillescreampark.com/ | ghost@bayvillescreampark.com
- Good For: A group of friends who want a variety of haunts in one location. You can easily spend a few hours here.
Schmitt’s Farm Haunt
Another classic haunted house Long Island destination, located on a real farm. They offer a walk-through haunted mansion and a terrifying haunted corn trail. There’s something extra creepy about being out on a dark farm at night.
- Price: $$
- Location: 26 Pinelawn Rd, Melville, NY
- Contact: https://schmittsfarmhaunt.com/ | (631) 271-3276
- Pro Tip: Go later in the evening when it’s fully dark for the best corn trail experience. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little dirty.
Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse
Located in an old, historic theater, this haunt has a genuinely creepy atmosphere before you even start. Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse is known for its incredible detail and theatricality, with amazing sets and dedicated actors. It consistently ranks as one of the top haunts in the region.
- Price: $$$
- Location: 215 S Country Rd, Bellport, NY
- Contact: https://gatewayshauntedplayhouse.com/ | (631) 286-1133 | info@gatewayshauntedplayhouse.com
- Pro Tip: Because it’s run by a professional theater company, the level of acting and set design is a step above many other haunts.
Destination Scares: Upstate NY & Beyond
Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses
Many people consider this the scariest haunted house in America, and it’s just a couple of hours outside of NYC. This is a massive event with a one-mile haunted hayride, a corn maze, and multiple haunted houses. The production value is off the charts, making it a bucket-list destination for serious horror fans.
- Price: $$$$
- Location: 778 Broadway, Ulster Park, NY
- Contact: https://headlesshorseman.com/ | (845) 339-2666 | info@headlesshorseman.com
- Pro Tip: This is a huge, popular event that draws people from all over. Buy tickets online well in advance and plan to make a full day or night trip out of it.
Pure Terror Scream Park
This place holds the Guinness World Record for the longest overall walk-through horror attraction, so you know it’s serious. Located a bit upstate, Pure Terror features multiple, movie-quality haunted houses all in one location. The sheer scale and variety make it a top-tier destination for anyone looking for a full night of terror.
- Price: $$$
- Location: 299 Museum Village Rd, Monroe, NY
- Contact: https://pureterror.com | 845-300-4448
- Pro Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes; you will be on your feet for a long time navigating all the different houses. This is another one to buy tickets for online in advance.
Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure
Just over the bridge in New Jersey, Six Flags’ Fright Fest is a massive event. By day, it’s family-friendly, but at night, the park transforms into a terrifying landscape with scare zones full of roaming monsters and several high-production haunted mazes. Plus, riding coasters like Kingda Ka and El Toro in the dark is a whole different level of scary.
- Price: $$$$
- Location: 1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ
- Contact: https://www.sixflags.com | (732) 928-2000
- Good For: A full theme park experience combined with haunted attractions. It’s a great value if you love both rollercoasters and haunted houses.
Brighton Asylum
This is another top-rated haunt in New Jersey that is well worth the trip. Set in a real, old asylum, Brighton Asylum is known for its incredible detail, interactive elements, and intense scares. They often have other attractions on-site like escape rooms and axe throwing to round out your night.
- Price: $$$
- Location: 2 Brighton Ave, Passaic, NJ
- Contact: https://brightonasylum.com | (201) 848-2517
- Pro Tip: This is a very popular, high-intensity haunt. To get the most out of it, consider their “RIP” or “No-Line” passes to skip the long general admission queues.
Field of Screams
This one is a bit of a trek in Pennsylvania, but it consistently makes the list for the scariest haunted house in America. If you are a die-hard horror fan, this is a pilgrimage you have to make. They have multiple attractions, including a haunted hayride, two haunted houses, and a terrifying haunted woods trail. The quality and intensity are world-class.
- Price: $$$$
- Location: 191 College Ave, Mountville, PA
- Contact: https://fieldofscreams.com/ | (717) 285-7748
- Pro Tip: This is a major destination. Plan to spend the entire night here. The lines can be very long, so a “VIP Fright Pass” is highly recommended.
The Legends & Lore of NYC Haunts
What About the Blackout Haunted House NYC?
You might have heard whispers about the legendary Blackout haunted house NYC. This was a notorious extreme haunted house New York was famous for. It was a full-contact, psychologically intense, solo experience that was truly terrifying. However, it’s important to know that Blackout has not operated in NYC for many years. While its legend lives on, you can’t currently attend it.
Can You Visit the Amityville Horror House?
The infamous Amityville Horror house is a real place on Long Island. However, it is a private residence. It is not a tourist attraction or a haunted house you can tour. Please be respectful of the owners and the neighborhood and do not trespass or disturb them. The real horror would be getting the cops called on you.
Need a Drink After All Those Scares?
Once your heart rate has returned to normal, you’ll probably need a spooky cocktail to calm your nerves. Check out our guide to the Best Halloween Bars In NYC.
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