The Halloween season is an atypical time of year when folks actually go out of their way seeking thrills and chills to scare themselves silly. From haunted houses to horrifying hayrides, creepy corn mazes and a host of other frightening follies, wherever you hail from you’re bound to find scary scenes to send you screaming.
If you happen to be in Maryland this Halloween season you certainly have a wide range of spine-tingling picks worth checking out. But of all the options out there, here are my top picks for five frighteningly fun must-visit Halloween attractions.
Bedlam in the Boro
Head up to Lineboro in northeastern Carroll County, Maryland, for this terrifying haunted hayride and house of horrors setup. Presented by Lineboro Volunteer Fire Department every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the month of October, Bedlam in the Boro has become a creepy community tradition over the years, drawing in thrill-seekers from all around the state and even the surrounding south central Pennsylvania region.
Ride along a three-mile hayride through a dark, horrifying woods beyond your wildest nightmares. And don’t even make the mistake of assuming you’ll find refuge inside the 3,200 square-foot House of Horrors located onsite. But for those who aren’t looking for scares, there’s also a host of fun family-friendly alternative endeavors to enjoy as well via the Bedlam Bypass Kids Zone.
Bedlam in the Boro is located at 4224 Main Street, Lineboro, MD 21102. For more information, including admission prices and other general information, visit www.bedlamintheboro.com or call 410-239-GHOST (4467).
Bennett’s Curse
A chilling Baltimore County-based tradition for more than two decades, this family-owned and operated seasonal haunt holds many top ratings, as far as sinister superlatives go. In 2022 it was even rated one of the “Top 13 of the World’s Scariest Haunted Houses” by HauntWorld.com. Because it is an entirely indoor setup, weather is never an obstacle for experiencing the thrills and chills every weekend and on select weeknights leading up to Halloween.
Guests get to delve into four different attractions all in one. These include the House of Demons, Halloween 3D, Ravenbrook Asylum, and Legends of Halloween.
Bennett’s Curse is located at 7875A Eastpoint Mall, Baltimore, MD 21224. For hours of operation, prices, and more information, go to www.bennettscurse.com or call or text 410-322-7332.
Field of Screams Maryland
Here’s another renowned spine-tingling tradition, this one set in Olney. Back in 2022 USA Today even rated it number one in its lineup of “Top 10 Best Haunted Attractions in the Country.” It’s also worth noting that their infamous Super Screams Haunted Trail, spanning 1.5 miles, is notably the longest, most terrifying trail in the nation. And new for 2023 the thrills and chills have almost doubled with the former 27 horrifying stations now having increased to 55! Other startlingly stunning sites to behold here include the immersive Trail of Terror through the haunted forest, the sinister Slaughter Factory, and Carnival Town Games.
Field of Screams Maryland is located at 4501 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney, MD 20832. They’re open for scares every Friday and Saturday as well as on most Thursdays and Sundays and days leading up to and on Halloween. Call 1-888-720-1112 or visit the website at www.screams.org for more pricing and all other general information.
Laurel’s House of Horror
Laurel’s House of Horror is a unique attraction in that its haunted happenings have been historically documented by several paranormal investigative teams over the years. Located within a 28,000 square-foot abandoned movie theater complex, Laurel’s House of Horror is hailed as one of the largest indoor haunted attractions in the region, open primarily for fall frights and during select special engagements at other times throughout the year.
Onsite you can also enjoy various signature escape room experiences on select dates. All of these offerings are appropriately enough themed after horror films. These options include Escape the Movies, Escape the Movies: The Sequel, and Escape the Ghost.
Then, there are also opportunities to sign up and join real paranormal investigators on location to search for other-worldly activity around the premises after hours. These are offered on select nights.
Laurel’s House of Horror is located at 935 Fairlawn Avenue, Laurel, MD 20707. For more information, hours, pricing, and everything else call 240-294-8444 or visit www.laurelhaunt.com.
Legends of the Fog
Scaring guests since 2007, Legends of the Fog remains Maryland’s premier indoor-outdoor combined haunted Halloween destination. Based in Harford County, it’s four frightening haunts all in one location, including such attractions as the Farewell Hotel, Cornstalkers (haunted corn maze), the Slaughter House, and their infamously acclaimed Haunted Hayride—notably one of the longest, most shocking experiences you will encounter around Maryland, Pennsylvania, or the District of Columbia.
Legends of the Fog is located at 500 Carsins Run Road, Aberdeen, MD 21001. For times, dates, pricing, and all other general information, go to their website at www.legendsofthefog.com.
There are plenty of other wickedly wonderful Halloween scare attractions to check out in Maryland as well as in neighboring states throughout the region. But these are definitely the ones you’ll just die for.