Scream! 13 Orlando Halloween haunted houses, tours away from theme parks
This weekend kicks off with Friday the 13th, bringing with it spine-chilling superstitions, fears of bad luck and plenty of haunted happenings around Central Florida.
Why is this particular day considered so unlucky? Its origins, according to History.com, date back to the Last Supper, when 13 guests attended and one of them, Judas, betrayed Jesus. The next day, Good Friday, was the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.
But centuries later, the staying power of this superstition is likely due to the fact that so many people have continued buying into Friday the 13th as an unlucky day. Despite that, some may feel a real energy shift in the coming weeks.
“The next day, Saturday the 14th, we have a solar eclipse and then two weeks after that, the lunar eclipse. So it’s going to be an energetic time,” said Meka Nism, an Orlando-based musician and Shamanic healer who sometimes does psychic readings at the Purple Rose Trading Co. in Cassadaga. “It’s powerful because people have charged a date, or haunted this concept and idea, with negative power.”
How often does the spookiest of days fall in the spookiest of months? The last time October had a Friday the 13th was in 2017; the next time will be in 2028.
Whether you believe in the power of Friday the 13th or not, here are 13 haunted attractions and experiences away from Orlando’s theme parks to explore. Our advice, take safety precautions: Knock on wood, beware of black cats and don’t walk under any ladders.
Haunting Nights at Leu Gardens
Orlando’s newest Halloween event is presented by Creative City Project and is set in 50-acre Leu Gardens. In the early evening, families can enjoy a trick-or-treating adventure with Happy Frights. After the sun goes down, brave souls can wander the grounds of Haunting Nights, keeping an eye out for spirits lurking in the shadows. The event is light on jump scares but heavy on immersive worlds and visuals at the intersection of technology and art. Wander through a neon labyrinth, a tunnel of pumpkins, fields of sunflowers, a dragons’ nest and a pirate hangout before ending up on a pile of hay bales or inside a Dia de los Muertos area. Food and drinks are also available along the path.
HOURS: Entry begins at 5 p.m. for Happy Frights and 8 p.m. for Haunting Nights on select nights through Oct. 31
ADDRESS: 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando
PRICE: $25 per person ages three and older; Discounts available for groups. On-site parking costs $15
MORE INFO: halloweeninthegarden.com
A Petrified Forest
Billed as “Florida’s premiere scare trail,” this Altamonte Springs haunt returns for another year of frights with three trails, backstage tours, laser tag and special event nights. This year’s theme is “Storytime Slayhouse.”
HOURS: 7:30-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Oct. 28 (with special events on select days/nights)
ADDRESS: 1360 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs
PRICE: $12-$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 Bloodline Barn, Grimoire Manor and Chainsaw Chase. In addition, guests can visit the Pitchfork Parlor and Bar or experience axe throwing and carnival games.
HOURS: 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday through Oct. 28; also 7 p.m.-midnight Oct. 31
ADDRESS: 1255 S. Dora Blvd. in Tavares
PRICE: Online in advance only: $25 for general admission or $35 for general admission with “Speed Pass”
MORE INFO: fearreachscreampark.com
Storyteller of Vennetta
This home haunt experience in Windermere opens with a technical rehearsal on Friday the 13th. Experience the latest chapter of the Storyteller’s “Coulrophobia,” which is the fear of clowns. The haunted house is set in a European town during World War II.
HOURS: 7:30-10 p.m. Oct. 13, 20-21, 27-29 and 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. 28
ADDRESS: 5849 Lake Catherine Road in Groveland
PRICE: $17 per person (haunted maze, advance ticket), $24 (dark forest, advance ticket)
MORE INFO: lakecatherineblueberries.com
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: 7 p.m. on Oct. 14 and 28
ADDRESS: 130 W. Warren Ave. in Longwood
PRICE: $30 per person (before taxes and fees)
MORE INFO: matsonmagic-entertainment.square.site
Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail
On the grounds of Sunsational Farms in Umatilla, tempt fate by embarking on Cody’s Revenge or facing Amanda’s Army of Decay. After 9:30 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 see their friends and family get scared can buy a ticket for the scare cam “safe area.”
HOURS: 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Oct. 13-14, 20-22, 27-31
ADDRESS: 40541 Roger Giles Road in Umatilla
PRICE: $20-$50 per person, season pass also available
MORE INFO: drgrimleyshauntedtrail.com
Melon Patch Theatre Asylum
Presented by the Melon Patch Players in Leesburg, this interactive haunted house is based on a psychotherapist who uses his patients for experimental treatments.
HOURS: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
ADDRESS: 311 N. 13th St. in Leesburg
PRICE: $10 per adult, $5 per child younger than 12
MORE INFO: melonpatchplayers.org
Bahia Shriners Scare House
The Bahia Shriners in Apopka return with a “haunted shrine” and a free trunk-or-treat event for families.
HOURS: 7-10:30 p.m. Oct. 20-21, 26-27; 6-10:30 p.m. Oct. 28 and 5-9 p.m. Oct. 29 (trunk or treat 3-5 p.m. Oct. 28)
ADDRESS: 3101 E. Semoran Blvd. in Apopka
PRICE: $10 per person
MORE INFO: bahiashriners.com
Trail of Terror – 13 Years of Fear
Within Peghorn Nature Park in St. Cloud, take a tour of the Trail of Terror, which now marks 13 years of fear.
HOURS: 8-11 p.m. Oct. 20-21, 27-28
ADDRESS: 2101 Peghorn Way in St. Cloud
PRICE: $10 per person (online or at the gate)
MORE INFO: stcloudfl.gov
Tales of Terror Haunted Attraction
Orlando-area residents and visitors looking for a good scare can experience tales of terror and nightmares at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, which plays host to Tormented: Curse of the Bayou and Genocorp: We Care About Every Body. Guests can also find food trucks, live entertainment, vendors and a bar.
HOURS: Gates open at 7 p.m., haunt at 8 p.m. Oct. 20-22, 27-29 and Oct. 31
ADDRESS: 4603 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando
PRICE: $25 per person (before fees)
MORE INFO: talesofterrorhaunt.com
Face the Fear
This Winter Springs haunt presents two storylines for double the scares: The Mummer Memorial Manor and Sasquatch Park. Choose one or purchase a “double trouble” ticket to experience both.
HOURS: 8-11 p.m. Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 27-28
ADDRESS: 817 E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs
PRICE: $20-$30 per adult and $12-$20 per child ages 10 and younger
MORE INFO: facethefearhouse.com
Two more: Worth the drive
In addition to the 13 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, now celebrating its 10th season with four experiences open Friday-Sunday through Nov. 4. 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. 4.
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
