For some, the best part of fall isn’t the changing leaves, pumpkin-spiced drinks or cozy sweaters, the coming autumn means something more sinister— it’s almost Halloween. If you thrive in spooky season, this is for you. Here’s a guide to Greater Cincinnati’s scariest haunted trails, houses and hayrides. Beware.
Dent Schoolhouse 5963 Harrison Ave., Dent According to legend, the bodies of several missing Dent Schoolhouse students were discovered in barrels in the building’s basement — spoiler: the janitor did it. Ghost tours, lights out and lights on tours are available. Sept. 14-Nov. 3. $20-$55. Photo: Provided
Mount Healthy Haunted Hall 7700 Seward Ave., Mount Healthy Experience 20 different scenes at this favorite local haunt, featuring a host of classic creatures like the Wolfman, Frankenstein and zombies. In addition to its central house, the hall is comprised of five tents, backyard areas and a swirling, brain-bending vortex. Popular scenes returning this year include the Hellavator, Satan and Bate’s Motel. Sept. 28-Oct. 27. $10; $2 discount with a canned good donation. Photo via Facebook.com/MtHealthyHauntedHall
Halloween Haunt 6300 Kings Island Dr., Mason Fear awaits at Kings Island’s annual Halloween Haunt, featuring 10 haunted attractions, four outdoor scare zones (Pumpkin Eater, Wasteland, Coney Maul and Dance of the Macabre), spine-tingling live shows (like Blood Drums; think Blue Man Group with blood) and more. Plus, experience the park’s everyday thrill rides. And on Saturdays before the sun sets (noon-6 p.m.), its the family-friendly Great Pumpkin Fest. Friday and Saturday nights Sept. 21-Oct. 28. Tickets start at $31.99. Photo via Facebook.com/KingsIsland
Brimstone Haunt 472 Brimstone Rd, Wilmington Home to two separate attractions, guests can opt to venture through Brimstone Kingdom haunted hayride or the Forgotten Forest (or both). The Kingdom was a prosperous place until it was laid bare by the curse of Brimstone Road. Now it is home to monsters, madmen and all other iterations of macabre characters whose main goal cause chaos on your one-mile ride. The Forgotten Forest, a higher-intensity scare experience, is a walk through a supernatural haunted wood. Opens Sept. 28. $15 Haunted Hayride; $12 Forgotten Forest; $22 combo. Photo via springborohauntedhayride.com
Highway 50 Fright Field 11294 State Route 50, North Bend This cornfield and haunted woods attraction is back with a vengeance on a real 1830s farm near an actual Native American archaeological site — both of which are rumored to be haunted. Keep an eye out for zombies on winding trails throughout the woods, and when the sun sets, try your luck at maneuvering a nighttime corn maze. Operation Termination Zombie Paintball, which arms you with 100 paintballs against a horde of zombies, is back this year. Oct. 5-27. $12 adults; $10 kids. Photo via Highway50FrightField.com
USS Nightmare 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY The death dredge is celebrating more than 25 years of horror. On a dark, foggy night, the William S. Mitchell steamboat careened into a bridge and killed many aboard, including the captain and his daughter. Ever since, anyone who has worked on the now-defunct ship has been doomed to die onboard, cursed to forever haunt the vessel along with the other deceased. Sept. 21-Nov. 3. $20-$50 general admission; RIP Experience starts at $30. Photo: Provided
Land of Illusion 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown Why only have one haunted house when you could have six? Land of Illusion has six frights to choose from: Killer Klowns, Temple of Terror, Phobia, Zombie Sniper Patrol, Middletown Haunted Trail and Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate, plus live music and/or DJs every Friday and Saturday. They also have a full bar. Through Nov. 3. $20 Sunday and Thursday; $35 Friday; $40 Saturday; other enhancements cost extra. Photo: Provided
Queen City is Haunted Tour Tour begins at 1332 Vine St., Over-The-Rhine On this guided walkthrough tour of downtown and OTR, hear stories of grisly murders, ghastly deaths and other disturbing tales buried deep within Cincinnati’s storied past. Now offering a two-hour Ultimate Queen City is Haunted Tour, which ends in the most haunted room of OTR’s boutique Symphony Hotel. And look out for new haunted walking tours of Fountain Square and Covington. Through Nov. 3. $25-$35. Photo via Facebook.com/AmericanLegacyTours
Sandyland Acres Haunted Hayride 4172 Belleview Road, Petersburg, KY Hold on tight: During this hellish hayride through a cornfield, riders are stalked and taunted by creatures hidden amongst the crops. Familiar faces like Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Leatherface and a bloodied take on Santa Claus appear alongside zombies, backwoodsmen, clowns and chainsaw-wielders. Cash only. Sept. 14-Oct. 27. $14 hayride; $10 Farmer’s Revenge; $23 combo. Photo via Facebook.com/shhfr
The Mayhem Mansion 13966 DeCoursey Pike, Morning View, KY As legend has it, when bootlegger Robert Haverford’s 8-year-old daughter Elizabeth died, he poisoned Elizabeth’s mourners and himself in an elaborate alcohol-fueled murder-suicide plot in the family home. Allegedly actually haunted, this collection of gung-ho actors will attempt to scare you to death in the former mansion. Extreme night takes place Nov. 3. New this year is Haverford’s Hollow. More info coming soon. 2018 season hours TBD. $15; $10 ages 10 and under; $5 additional for Fast Pass. Photo: Provided
Wilmington Haunted Hollow Ride 1261 W. Dalton Road, Wilmington Hop on a bus straight out of hell and be trailed by fire-belching semis. Riders will venture through fog-filled tunnels, an abandoned mine, an eerie hallow and more, with peculiar creatures hitching rides along the way. Other onsite attractions include a corn maze, two indoor haunted houses and a 4D coffin ride. Sept. 22-Oct. 27. $25; $45 VIP speed pass; $20 Haunted Hallow only; $5 coffin ride. Photo via WilmingtonHauntedHollowRide.com
Heritage Village Haunted Village 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville Described as a “slight fright,” this haunted attraction is completely kid-friendly, offering trick-or-treating, balloon art, wagon rides and a lower-key haunted house experience that won’t leave the youngsters with recurring nightmares until Christmas. 6-10 p.m. weekends in October. $10; free members and kids 2 and under. Photo: Provided