Eerie Evenings

Oct. 23, 2015

2015’s Haunted Halloween Attractions

Ready to get scared? It’s time to pick this year’s ghostly Halloween destination, so get ready to compare your own personal Scream Scale to ours. Here’s our roundup of this year’s haunted houses (and forests and mountains…) rated from 1 to 10 (10 being the scariest). Whichever you choose, it’s sure to be an evening full of eerie surprises!

TRIPLE FRIGHT NIGHT

The Headlands, McGulpin Point Lighthouse and Heritage Village, Mackinaw City
Saturday, Oct. 24 only, admission free/ by donation
midarkskypark.org, (231) 348-1704 for exact hours

We’re easing you into this whole haunted house thing with Emmet County’s offering: a night with three separate events and three levels of spookiness. The first is the Headlands Challenge, a storytelling walk with the theme of Superstitions; the second is Heritage Village, which will feature docents in costumes from 1880–1917 welcoming trick-or-treaters; and the third is the haunted lighthouse, ready with plenty of “light scares.” SCREAM FACTOR: 4

SCREAM IN WOLVERINE

10474 S. Straits Highway, Wolverine
Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays in October, $10/ each attraction or $17.50/both
screaminwolverine.com

Kurt and Burt’s House of Terror is back for Halloween 2015 and the house is still a haunted one, as the crazy old doctor refuses to leave his laboratory. Think you’re safe outdoors? Wrong — that’s where the Swamp of Terror is, the remains of an old lumbering town that suddenly disappeared with no explanation. The Ringmaster, Digger and Chuck are only a few of the characters you’ll meet at this scream-worthy stop. SCREAM FACTOR: 9

TEE LAKE HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

3987 Tee Lake Road, Lewiston
Drive Thru all of October, dusk–10pm, free; Haunted House Oct. 24 and 31 from 7pm– 10pm, $5/person; call for overnight options
terroratteelake.com, (989) 786-2208

You might like going to the carnival, but will you like Tee Lake’s CarnEVIL? It depends on how much you like being scared. This is the last year for this Lewiston haunted house standby, so catch it while you can. It’s one of the most elaborate haunted events in northern Michigan and one you’ll want to tick off your Halloween bucket list. The Drive-Thru Haunt is free (and fun), but for the full experience visit the Haunted House or stay overnight in one of their terrifyingly themed cabins — The Witch’s Cottage or Igor’s Hideaway — and get scary souvenirs at the Voodoo Gift Shop. SCREAM FACTOR:10

BOYNE FIREFIGHTERS HAUNTED HOUSE

Park Street, Boyne City
Oct. 31 only, open at 5pm, free
boynechamber.com, (231) 582-6222

The Boyne City Firefighters return as caretakers of this haunted house (aka barn) next to the district library, a companion event to Boyne City’s Sixth Annual Halloween Parade, for which costumed participants start lining up on Pine Street at 4:30pm. After you’ve watched the parade and survived the haunted house, recover at the library, which will treat visitors to coffee, apple cider and cookies throughout the evening. SCREAM SCREAM FACTOR: 3

NIGHTMARE AT CHALLENGE MOUNTAIN

2205 Springbrook Road, Boyne Falls
Fridays/Saturdays throughout October, ending Oct. 31, 7–10pm, $10 adults/$5 kids
cmnightmare.com, (231) 675-2152

There are so many components to The Nightmare each year that it’s a full Halloween in itself. This year’s frighteningly haunted happenings, which often include history and folklore from the local area, include the Drain Maze and the Dead Branch Saloon, Boot Hill, the Wicked Woods and the Grateful Dead Cemetery. As their website puts it, “The Shadows of Michigan lurk deep in the woods, so beware of what awaits, because you are never alone.” Expect to spend at least three hours at this one. SCREAM FACTOR: 8

SCREAMS IN THE DARK

3606 Blair Townhall Road, Traverse City
Weekends throughout October, Friday/Saturday 7–11pm, Sunday 7–10pm, $5-$15
evernighthaunt.com, (231) 360-5044

The Swamp of Suffering returns for 2015, with its abandoned shacks and weed-choked walkways, alongside an updated Delirium tour (whatever you’re afraid of, Delirium will maximize it) and an expanded Pandemonium, which includes demented clowns and confusing hallways. If that’s too scary, try the Haunted Trail and Haunted Hayride, but be warned, you’re entering the dark at your own risk. So even if you run away screaming, you still won’t get a refund. SCREAM FACTOR: 9

THE GHOST FARM OF KINGSLEY

5010 Pierce Road, Kingsley
Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 23–31, 7–11pm, $9/trail $15/ all three events
facebook.com/ghostfarm, (231) 645-1447

After years of fighting the Zombie epidemic, the Kingsley Farm is now reportedly dying and on the verge of collapse. The Cursed Barn, the Invasion Haunted Trail and the Gravely Greenhouse aren’t looking too great, either. Will the crazed farmer make a deal with a monster to bring the farm back? It depends on the cost. Wait, the monsters just want a few of the guests who visit the farm around Halloween time? No one will notice when you suddenly disappear, right? … Right? SCREAM FACTOR: 7

THE HAUNTED FOREST AT CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville
Oct. 23–24 & 30, 7–10pm, $9
crystalmountain.com, (231) 668-6628

“Tiptoe into the Haunted Trail…” Crystal Mountain says. Probably a good idea, since you’re not going to want to disturb what’s lurking here any sooner than absolutely necessary. Warm yourself by the fire and gather your courage before you enter; don’t be scared by the darting shadows you see from the corner of your eye or those screams you’re hearing. It’s only Halloween, after all. SCREAM FACTOR: 6