Looking for a scare or something more family friendly? 10 haunted attractions to visit in Central Wisconsin

Jennifer Poyer, Wausau Daily Herald
·7 min read

Whether you're looking for a terrifying thrill or a family-friendly monster bash, Central Wisconsin has got you covered.

The area is packed with haunted woods, ghost encounters, ghoul-infested corn mazes and daytime trick-or-treating events.

Creepy Hollow Haunted Trail

Where: N11818 Cedar Road, Birnamwood

This attraction may require a drive, but past visitors guarantee it is worth it.

The Creepy Hollow Haunted Trail is full of creatures and spooks that will have visitors screaming, shaking and scared out of their wits.

The attraction is open for one weekend only. The haunting begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 and Oct. 29. Tickets are not sold after 11 p.m.

Entry costs $15 per person and $25 for a fast pass. This event is not recommended for children younger than 12.

Proceeds go to local nonprofit organizations. Last year, $15,000 was given to Wisconsin K9 SOS Search and Rescue, Norwood Advancement Association and Langlade County families in need.

For more information, visit the Creepy Hollow Haunted Trail Facebook page.

Feltz’s Haunted Corn Maze

Feltz's Dairy corn maze becomes haunted the last two weekends of October.
Feltz's Dairy corn maze becomes haunted the last two weekends of October.

Where: 5796 Porter Drive, Stevens Point

Ghosts, ghouls and goblins will overtake the 12-acre Kwik Trip-themed corn maze at Feltz’s Dairy during the last two weekends of October.

Get lost in the winding, pitch-black maze where every corner brings on a new terror.

The parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m. each night, and the corn maze opens at 6:15 p.m. Oct. 28-29. No one is allowed to enter the maze after 10 p.m.

Tickets to enter cost $18. If you want to skip the general admission line, buy a fast pass for $30. Groups of eight or more buying tickets save $1 on each ticket.

This attraction is recommended for ages 12 and older. To find out more, visit the Feltz’s Fear Farm website.

Haunted Hollow

Where: N3762 Maple Grove Road, Weyauwega (about 5 miles east of Waupaca)

You don’t even have to leave your car for a fright at Haunted Hollow. This drive-thru 600-foot yard is full of “unimaginable” scenes sure to shock you and all your passengers.

Live characters drift across the roadway for extra scares while you journey through this haunted thoroughfare. Haunted Hollow welcomes visitors of all ages.

The haunted roadway is open to vehicles nightly through Oct. 31. Hours are 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The event is free but cash and food donations are appreciated. Donations go to the Waupaca Area Food Pantry and the Waupaca Area Humane Society.

More information can be found on the Haunted Hollow Facebook page. 

Haunted Sawmill

Where: 700 Hendricks St., Merrill

The Scare Crew is ready to set your pulse jumping as they take you on a journey through a love triangle gone very bad.

The Haunted Sawmill tells the story of Vincent Mudgett, the Massacre at Merrill Sawmill and the Arcane Asylum. The venue is filled with volunteer actors accessorized with plenty of blood and gore ready to terrify their onlookers.

The Haunted Sawmill opened its doors for the 2022 Halloween season at 6 p.m. Oct. 7.
The Haunted Sawmill opened its doors for the 2022 Halloween season at 6 p.m. Oct. 7.

Tens of thousands of visitors stream through the attraction each year, meaning lines are long. The website said visitors can expect to wait one to three hours, so dress for the weather. Fast passes can be purchased, but they don’t guarantee a quick entry.

The shows run every weekend until Halloween. Tickets cost $15 per person. A fast-pass can be purchased for an additional $10. Purchase tickets online or at the event.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Oct. 30, and tickets are sold until 9 p.m. Tickets will be sold until 11 p.m. Oct. 28-29.

A children’s matinee will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 29. This is a lights-on and no- scare version with games, face painting, pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating. Tickets cost $15. One adult can accompany each child free of charge.

Food will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the event help support local youth activities.

For more information on the Haunted Sawmill, visit their website or Facebook page.

Historic Downtown Wausau Haunted Walking Tour

Costumed Ghost Tours offer an interactive experience and feature costumed actors bringing the historic ghosts of downtown Wausau to life.
Costumed Ghost Tours offer an interactive experience and feature costumed actors bringing the historic ghosts of downtown Wausau to life.

Where:  414 Scott St., Wausau

If you fancy finding real ghosts this October, take a tour with the Wausau Paranormal Research Society.

The group offers two different guided excursions to uncover the historic ghosts of downtown Wausau.

The Original Ghost Tours cover about one mile of the downtown area and highlight 10-12 haunted locations.

The Costumed Ghost Tours have fewer stops but offer an interactive experience. Costumed ghosts are featured at each location and tell their personal historical stories.

The tours are almost entirely outdoors, so participants need to dress for the weather. The events will go on rain or shine.

To sign up for the Original Ghost Tours head to the Wausau Paranormal Research Society Facebook page. Tickets cost $10 and must be paid using Venmo. Three tours will be offered on Oct. 28. Start times are 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The tour begins at the Wausau Elks Lodge #248 and usually lasts an hour and a half.

The Costumed Ghost Tours are offered on a first-come basis. They will be offered on Oct. 29. Tours start at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. Only cash payments are accepted on the day of the event. Tours leave every 20 minutes. Tour sizes are limited to 30-35 people. The tour starts at the Wausau Elks Lodge #248 and lasts about an hour and a half.

A portion of the proceeds go to local charities.

For more information, visit the Wausau Paranormal Research Society’s website or Facebook page.

Perdition Pines Haunted Event

Terror is around every corner at Perdition Pines in Antigo. The attraction is open every Saturday in October from 7 p.m. until midnight. On Sunday, Oct. 30, the event will also be open from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Terror is around every corner at Perdition Pines in Antigo. The attraction is open every Saturday in October from 7 p.m. until midnight. On Sunday, Oct. 30, the event will also be open from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Where: N1385 Langlade County D, Antigo

If you’re looking for a terrifying walk in the woods, head to Perdition Pines in Antigo.

Their outdoor haunted grounds are loaded with ghosts and ghouls that are sure to get your spine tingling and your feet moving.

The haunted attraction is open every Saturday in October from 7 p.m. until midnight. On Oct. 30, the event will also be open from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Attend their Halloween event from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 31.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the location with cash only. Entry costs $10, but this price lowers to $7 when you bring two or more nonperishable food items to the ticket booth.

For $20 get VIP treatment which includes entry into the attraction, skip the line priority, one free drink and one free treat.

For more information, visit the Perdition Pines Haunted Event website or Facebook page.

Wilke’s Haunted Weekends

Where: T8417 Marathon County W, Wausau

Hop aboard a hayride for the scare of your life through the haunted woods. Attempt to solve the corn maze in complete darkness. No flashlights are allowed. This and more takes place in the haunting hours at Wilke’s Dairy Farm.

During the last two weekends in October, the spooks come out from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets to the attractions are $10 each or three for $25.

Catch a hayride for a frightening adventure in the spook-filled woods at Wilke's Dairy Farm. The haunted hayrides and dark corn maze are open the last two weekends of October.
Catch a hayride for a frightening adventure in the spook-filled woods at Wilke's Dairy Farm. The haunted hayrides and dark corn maze are open the last two weekends of October.

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly option, head to the farm from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29. This event will feature a trick-or-treat hayride with friendly ghouls giving out candy. The cost is $5 per person.

For more information, visit the Wilke’s Dairy Farm website or Facebook page.

Willow Springs Garden Haunted Corn Maze and Kids Halloween Party

Mysterious creatures overtake the corn maze at Willow Springs Garden in Wausau from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 27-29. It costs $15 per person.
Mysterious creatures overtake the corn maze at Willow Springs Garden in Wausau from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 27-29. It costs $15 per person.

Where: 6905 N. 60th Ave., Wausau

At the end of October, the Willow Springs Garden corn maze becomes haunted. For three nights, visitors enter the dark maze with an assigned quest that must be completed before they depart. Scares are around every corner and no flashlights are allowed. This maze is recommended for ages 10 and older.

The Haunted Corn Maze runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 27-29. It costs $15 per person.

On Oct. 30, the spooks leave the corn maze and children are invited in for trick-or-treating from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This family event is part of the venue’s Halloween Party for kids 12 and younger and their parents. The party also includes concessions, games and dancing. It costs $5 for kids. Parents and children younger than 1 are free.

For more information, visit the Willow Springs Garden website or Facebook page.

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Contact USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter Jennifer Poyer at jpoyer@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Looking for a scare? 10 haunted attractions to visit Central Wisconsin