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Scary Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event
Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event
10/6/24 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with top-of-the-line haunted houses and scream parks, many boasting Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects. If you have teens keen on a thrilling screamfest this Halloween, look no further. 

Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some of these are returning favorites that have been recognized as the top haunted houses in the country, such as Pure Terror Scream Park. Others can even boast of being held in historic haunted locations, like the Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion.  

Find more great Halloween activities in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide. 

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Halloween spooks abound at the Dark Forest Fright Walk at Burn Brae Mansion. Photo courtesy of the venue
Halloween spooks abound at the Dark Forest Fright Walk at Burn Brae Mansion. Photo courtesy of the venue

Top Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Pure Terror Scream Park

Monroe
Fridays-Sundays through November 2, 2024
An extensive Halloween attraction, Pure Terror features 13 haunted houses, including the Woods of the Dead. The walk-through experience utilizes costumed actors, special effects, and elaborate sets on a theatrical scale. Stop in the midway for food and music.  READ MORE

Prison of Horrors

Warwick
Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays through October 27, 2024, also on October 30 & 31
The Hudson Valley's newest haunted attraction is rumored to be actually haunted. Prison of Horrors is held in the Hudson Sports Complex, formerly the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility, which has an extensive, and often unsettling, history. To this day, the complex is known far and wide as a home for the paranormal.      READ MORE

Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion

Wappingers Falls
Fridays-Sundays through November 2, also October 31, 2024
Opening for its 48th season, this theatrical walk-through experience features assorted creepy scenarios that pile on the Halloween spook. Guest will embark on a narrative-driven journey through an eerie forest haunted by menacing creatures. Encounter classic monsters, explore haunting abandoned ghost towns, and navigate through a horrifying cemetery where spirits rise seeking new companions. READ MORE

Classic Evening Lantern Tour at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Sleepy Hollow
Daily in October and November plus select dates in September 2024
Halloween season is a fitting time for a guided tour of the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the resting place of the author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Opt for a daytime tour or a nighttime tour lit by kerosene lamps.  READ MORE

Headless Horseman Haunted Houses

Ulster Park
Fridays-Sundays through October 27, 2024
Not for the faint of heart, this seasonal attraction pulls out all the stops to put the fright in Halloween. This year's format is a walk-through experience where horror-seekers encounter assorted settings like haunted hotels, a corn maze, and a greenhouse. A separate ticket gives access to an escape room. READ MORE

Scared by the Sound

Yorktown Heights
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, October 4-November 2, 2024
Named by CNN Travel as one of the Top 10 Haunts in the nation, Scared by the Sound is a spooky, scary, dark walk-through adventure for the older set with creepy characters and thrills and chills set in a haunted house and cemetery.  READ MORE

Dark Forest Fright Walk at Burn Brae Mansion

Glen Spey
Fridays and Saturdays, October 12-26, 2024
Dare to take a walk through the haunted forest at the historic Burn Brae Mansion, a historic haunted location, and encounter the creepy creatures that lurk there in the night. With witches, monsters, ghosts, and goblins, the trail comes alive with Halloween's scariest creatures. Live music, food, and beer and wine are available from Shrewd Fox.  READ MORE

Nightmare Circus

Mahopac
Friday & Saturday, October 18 & 19, also Sunday, October 27, 2024
Step right up!  Enter our mind-distorting funhouse, where the clowns and carnies have their own definition of fun.  We'll have you running for the exit. Too bad there isn't one. READ MORE

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About the Author

Katherine Dhurandhar
Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.
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