Massachusetts’ Best Haunted Houses and Other Halloween Attractions
This is our 2014 list of haunted happenings in the area. Check out the 2015 list.
A character at Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, a haunted house about 45 minutes from Boston. / Photo by Steve McGowan provided
There’s nothing wrong with a homemade haunted house, but if you’re looking for a really good scare, look no further than these six haunted attractions in Massachusetts. They’ll give you all the chills and thrills you need this Halloween.
Note: The prices listed below are for individuals, though most of these attractions offer discounted group rates. In general, the age appropriateness is left up to parents. Try to not traumatize your children for life.
In addition to Barrett’s regularly scary programming, visitors can also opt for Darkness Unleashed, an amped-up version with an extra dose of fright. Coulrophobia is another attraction that was added last year. It’s filled with deranged clowns (*shudder*). Admission is included in the regular ticket price.
Cost: $23 regular admission
Kid-Friendly? Not recommended for children under 10. (Parents’ decision.)
Open daily, 7-10:30 p.m., 1235 Bedford St., Route 18, Abington.
Hysteria offers five different attractions, but we have our eye on Zombie Paintball, which is exactly as fun and funny as it sounds.
Cost: Prices vary by package; $25 for Signature Haunt, $25 for Zombie Paintball
Kid-Friendly? Not recommended for children under 13. (Parents decide.) Children under 13 must be accompanied by adult.
Fridays and Saturdays through November 1, dusk to 11 p.m., 30 Valley Road, Danvers, 978-739-4192.
Once inside Witch’s Woods, you can take a haunted hayride, go in Castle Morbid or Nightmare Mansion, and more. For those in your group who can’t handle the horror, send them to the Jack O’Lantern Jamboree—a display of hundreds of illuminated professionally carved pumpkins. The Jamboree is free to visit—no admission required. Lovely.
Cost: $33 regular admission
Kid-Friendly? Not recommended for children under six. Babies, infants, and toddlers not allowed entry.
Thursdays-Sundays in October, 6:30-10:30 p.m., 79 Powers Road, Westford, 978-692-3033.
Various attractions at the two Massachusetts locations include Mission Combat Laser Tag and 4D Clown College. More clowns? Stop it.
Cost: $20 regular admission
Kid-Friendly? Parents decide.
Dates and times vary, two locations in Massachusetts: 33 Pearl St., Fall River, and 201 Grafton St., Worcester.
“Lights Out” is a 5 Wits production that imagines an alternate reality where 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea author Jules Verne was haunted by a sea captain and went completely mad. It’s more suspenseful than haunting as you run around searching for answers.
Cost: $18 regular admission
Kid-Friendly? Children under 13 must be accompanied by adult 16 or older.
October 24, 25, and 31; 202 Patriot Place, Foxboro, 855-955-WITS.
13 Nights is actually only 40 minutes, though if you really want to, you could stay at Jiminy Peak’s Country Inn. Either way, don’t leave without a whirl on the Haunted Giant Swing Ride.
Cost: $25 regular admission
Kid-Friendly? Not recommended for children under 10. (Parents decide.)
October 24, 25, 30, and 31; 6:30-10:30 p.m., 37 Corey Road, Hancock, 413-738-5500.
—Research by Gracie Mckenzie
