As the Halloween season gets into full swing, those who are seeking spirits, spine-tingling experiences and haunted happenings can find plenty to explore around Central Florida.
While Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-O-Scream capture a wide audience of both Floridians and tourists, there are plenty of other local haunts to hang out in as Oct. 31 approaches.
Even as Creative City Project’s Happy Frights and Haunting Nights is taking a break for this season, here are 13 other haunted attractions and experiences away from Orlando’s theme parks to explore.
Masks are hung within the costume trailer at A Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs in 2021. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A Petrified Forest
Billed as “Central Florida’s premiere scream park,” this Altamonte Springs haunt returns for another year of frights with three trails, an escape ride, an immersive theatre experience, backstage tours, laser tag, games, food trucks and special event nights. This year’s theme is “The Landlord.”
HOURS: Select nights Oct 3.-Nov. 1 (with special events on select days/nights)
ADDRESS: 1360 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs
PRICE: $15-$60 per person (before fees, tickets also available at the ticket booth)
MORE INFO: apetrifiedforest.com
Fear Reach Scream Park
This Tavares haunt is located on Far Reach Ranch, bringing three attractions to Lake County. Explore Possession of Reach Manor, Lab 12-55 and Obscura Agent Training. In addition, guests can visit the Pitchfork Parlor and Bar or experience axe throwing and carnival games.
HOURS: 7 p.m.-10 p.m. (some nights open until 11 p.m.) Friday-Saturday through Nov. 1, plus Thursday, Oct. 30
ADDRESS: 1255 S. Dora Blvd. in Tavares
PRICE: Online in advance only: $30 for general admission or $50 for general admission with “Speed Pass”
MORE INFO: fearreachscreampark.com
A.J. Martinez sits among props in movie theater seats at the Storyteller of Vennetta haunted house at 13161 Vennetta Way in Windermere in 2024. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Storyteller of Vennetta
This home haunt experience in Windermere takes place in a two-car garage that has been transformed into an abandoned movie theater. Experience the “Silver Scream — Cursed,” which brings horror characters from favorite films to life. Animatronics lurch at guests as they walk through scenes from theater to theater.
HOURS: 7:30-10 p.m. Oct. 3, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 and Nov. 1 — and until 11 p.m. Oct. 31
ADDRESS: 13161 Vennetta Way in Windermere
PRICE: Free (donations accepted)
MORE INFO: storytellerhaunt.wixsite.com
Lake Catherine Blueberries
Set in Groveland, this farm brings family-friendly festivities to the community with a fall festival, maze and pumpkin patch. After dark, explore “Catherine Returns,” a haunted Halloween maze, or visit the Dark Forest Trail of Terror.
HOURS: 7:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31
ADDRESS: 5849 Lake Catherine Road in Groveland
PRICE: $17 per person (haunted maze, advance ticket), $24 (dark forest, advance ticket)
MORE INFO: lakecatherineblueberries.com
Guests interact with friendly spirits during an investigation upstairs at the Harry Buffalo during a downtown Orlando American Ghost Adventures tour in 2018. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
American Ghost Adventures and Orlando Haunts: Orlando-based ghost tours
Two different tour operators provide year-round ghost tours of downtown Orlando: American Ghost Adventures and Orlando Haunts. Delve into haunted history during a walk complete with stories of murder, bootleggers and scandals. Both companies offer options that include stops at pubs and bars.
MORE INFO: americanghostadventures.com or orlandohaunts.com
Longwood Haunted History Tour
Join storyteller and supernatural enthusiast Michael Matson for a theatrical walkthrough of the Bradlee-McIntyre House in Longwood. This 90-minute experience is intended for mature audiences.
HOURS: 9 p.m. Oct. 4, 11 and 18 (Other dates are sold out.)
ADDRESS: 130 W. Warren Ave. in Longwood
PRICE: $30 per person (before taxes and fees), tickets limited
MORE INFO: matsonmagic-entertainment.square.site
Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail
On the grounds of Sunsational Farms in Umatilla, tempt fate by venturing into the nightmarish Squeakles’ Game, Sins of the Sacred or The Carvehouse. After 10 p.m. each night, there’s a “Lights Out” edition for extra scares. Those who don’t want to embark on the trail but want to tag along can buy a “chill” ticket to play cornhole or other creepy fun and games.
HOURS: 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 3-Nov. 1
ADDRESS: 40541 Roger Giles Road in Umatilla
PRICE: $25-$100 per person
MORE INFO: drgrimleyshauntedtrail.com
St. Cloud’s Trail of Terror
Within Peghorn Nature Park in St. Cloud, take a tour of the Trail of Terror, which has frightened Central Floridians for more than a decade. This year, experience the “Legend of Peghorn,” which is not recommended for small children.
HOURS: 8-11 p.m. Oct. 11, 17-18, 24-25
ADDRESS: 2101 Peghorn Way in St. Cloud
PRICE: $15 per person online in advance, $20 at the gate
MORE INFO: stcloudfl.gov
Tales of Terror Haunted Attraction
Central Floridians looking for a good scare can partake in tales of terror and nightmares at this rural Lake County haunt. This year, experience “The Cult: Bloodhouse” and “Deadlight Alley.” The adventure has three levels of intensity and is only open to guests ages 18 and older. Find two scare trails, an escape room, live performances, vendors and special event nights.
HOURS: 8-11 p.m. Oct. 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25
ADDRESS: 14200 Corkwood Lane in Astatula
PRICE: $15-$60 per person (before fees)
MORE INFO: talesofterrorhaunt.com
Girls react to Michael Myers at the Orlando Haunted Maze during its opening in Lockhart on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Haunted Maze
This homegrown haunt is organized by George Goldstein, who donates a portion of his proceeds to charities every year.
HOURS: 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 3-Nov. 1
ADDRESS: 3209 Calloway Drive in Orlando
PRICE: $10 per person
MORE INFO: facebook.com/orlandohauntedyard
Face the Fear
This Winter Springs haunt presents “Gator Guardhouse,” unveiling an abandoned prison that’s supposed to be haunted.
HOURS: 8-11 p.m. Oct. 24-26
ADDRESS: 817 E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs
PRICE: $15 per adult and $10 per child ages 10 and younger
MORE INFO: facethefearhouse.com
Two more: Worth the drive
In addition to the 11 Orlando-area houses, two other independent haunted attractions stand out as potentially being worth the drive. Near Interstate 4 in Plant City, visit Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, with four experiences open Friday-Sunday through Nov. 1. North of Tampa outside of Dade City, Scream-A-Geddon has six attractions sure to scare visitors, open at 7 p.m. nightly through Nov. 8.
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.