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It looks like things have come full circle for me, as my first published article on the “In The D” site was the 2013 edition of haunted houses, roughly one year ago. But enough of my jabbering, you’re here to learn about haunted houses all over Metro Detroit.
It is hard to believe that Halloween is just about a month away. It’s like the transition from summer to fall just happened with the utmost of stealth. We are talking about Halloween festivities already, seriously? Regardless, Halloween is the one time of the year where people get a little braver in terms of facing fears. The volume of scary movies watched increases, haunted houses have lines wrapped around the block and people get extreme with creepy costumes and decorations. I enjoy a great scary movie any time of the year, but haunted houses are few and far between during any other season, and even if you do find one, the vibe isn’t quite right. Sorry, I am jabbering again. So, without further ado, here are some places you may want to give a whirl this year.
The Realm of Darkness Haunted House & House of Nightmares 3D, newly located at 37 Turk St., in Pontiac, provides two scare-tastic attractions at one convenient location. The haunted house itself has been voted number one in Michigan by haunted house hotline, the Zioptis Foundation. On its website, it is stated as “Michigan’s only ‘real’ haunted house.” There have been reports by both actors and patrons of “strange happenings” occurring here, including props mysteriously moving from one side of the room to the other and haunting reports of a phone booth prop ringing in the middle of the night, a phone booth that allegedly has no wiring anywhere whatsoever. In addition, the House of Nightmares shows scary 3D shows, and has some new attractions for the 2014 season. I don’t know if the horrifying rumors are true about this place, but I just may have to give it a try myself. Tickets range in price depending on the day and attraction you choose, but vary from $13 to $40. You also have the opportunity to double your money by defeating the wizard!
Hush Haunted Attraction, 34043 Ford Rd., Westland, opens on Friday. It was recently voted one of the top five haunted houses in Michigan on clickondetroit.com’s Vote for the Best contest, as well as voted “Haunt of the Year” by independent reviewer Horrorlust in its inaugural season last year. Dr. Phineas Phun and his group of ghouls are bringing terrifying new attractions this year. Not only is it three times larger this year, the Hush Haunted Attraction is bringing out something that may make some people stay home: “The Incinerator.” Hush dubs it as a “burned alive” (punny) experience. This is a custom built machine which has patrons walk “directly into and through flames.” Don’t worry everybody; I’m sure it is safe. I’m just not sure how safe yet. I’m teasing. Tickets cost $17, or $27 if you want to skip the line. This is not far from me, so it is definitely on my radar this year.
The Terrorfied Forest and Manor, located at 145 Swarthout Rd., in Pinckney, offers 30 acres worth of screaming. It takes you deep into the eerie forest in darkness. In 2013, the Hillsdale Mortuary was unsealed after several years of being closed. Downright frightening stories of the mortuary have been told, so this isn’t for the faint of heart. You may choose if you want to just do the forest, the Hillsdale Mortuary, or if you are feeling brave, both. The walk through the forest consists of nearly one-mile of terror and 40 minutes worth of scares. Creatures tend to come out at night, so beware. “Ghoulmet” cuisine (this made me literally laugh out loud) is also available on the premises. Tickets cost $9 for the manor, $18 for the forest and $25 for the combo meal ($20 combo on Sundays).
Erebus, 18 S. Perry St., in Pontiac, is a four-story high haunted house. From 2005 until 2009, it was the largest walk-through haunted house in the entire world. It has since been surpassed, but that doesn’t mean it is any less scary. In fact, I was purposefully including different haunted attractions than last year’s article, but Erebus is simply a staple of Michigan haunted houses and must be included. I don’t think I need to go into too much detail about this one because it is so well-known, but I will say it is the best haunted house I’ve been to. It was voted fourth in the previously mentioned clickondetroit.com contest for 2014’s best haunted houses. “Erebus” is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “the darkness beneath the Earth that the dead must pass to reach Hades.” The name alone is terrifying enough. Tickets range in price between $23 and $28 depending on the day.
The Deadland Haunted House resides at 20900 Dequindre Rd., in Warren. The story goes that in fall 2002, three friends from Warren disappeared, followed by several others. Where did they go? To the Deadland, rumors say. This haunted house has an all-new show for 2014, so if you have been here before, you can see something different this year. The Deadland Haunted House is chock-full of special effects that will have you burying your head into your significant other’s shoulder…or you know, into a random stranger or one of the actors’ shoulders if you’re single. That was a joke, but it is one of Michigan’s scarier attractions. Enter if you dare! Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children less than 48 inches tall. Also, 18 and up nights with crude and offensive actors happens on Thursday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 1 (must have a valid ID).
There you have it, folks. Metro Detroit is somewhat of a hotbed for haunted houses and attractions. The aforementioned places will surely scare you straight. However, if you are looking for some more options, check out this list of haunted attractions in Michigan.
