Best Halloween Attractions in the Poconos

Here are the best Halloween and Fall attractions in the Pocono Mountains.

1) Altered Nightmares Haunted House - Altered Nightmares, "The Pocono Mountains Premier Haunted House," is a fright-filled adventure through a silk mill that dates back to the late 1800s. The haunted house contains 22 rooms full of actors ready to scare, and new in 2009 is an expansion called the Human Cage of Terror. Special events occur throughout the Halloween season. Altered Nightmares is located in Weissport, Pennsylvania; for more information visit their expansive website at http://www.alterednightmares.com/.

2) The Old Jail Museum - The Old Jail Museum, located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, has quite a history. It first opened in 1871 and was the site of the execution of seven Irish coal miners, called Molly Maguires, in 1877. The men swore they were innocent, however, and one even put his handprint on the wall of his cell, stating that it would remain there forever as proof of his innocence. The handprint is still there today and was featured on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries. If you are interested in learning more about what this legendary jail has to offer, visit http://www.theoldjailmuseum.com/.

3) Mazezilla - Mazezilla is a corn maze of epic proportions located in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. This year's maze, which features a "Lost in Space" theme, is carved into a ten-acre field that boasts over 225,000 stalks of corn! When you go into the maze, you are given a sheet that lists ten stops you must make inside of the maze in order to "conquer" it. This is a very challenging feat! To find out more information, visit http://www.mazezilla.com/.

4) The New Hotel of Horror - The New Lake House, also located in Saylorsburg, is renowned as the "scariest haunt in PA." Visit for haunted house fun or to meet famed demonologist Lorraine Warren on Halloween night, 2009! For more information, visit http://www.hotelofhorror.com/.

5) The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival - The annual Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival is a bit less scary than the previously listed items! This event is held at Country Junction on Route 209 in Lehighton, PA and runs until October 25, 2009. Good news - admission and parking is free! The Festival features activities like pumpkin picking, carnival rides, a petting farm, a play pirate ship, daytime hay rides, and much more! For more information, visit http://www.countryjunction.com/.

6) Old Homestead Pumpkin Patch - This family-friendly attraction is also located in Lehighton, PA. In addition to pumpkin picking, families can engage in horse-drawn hayrides, tractor-drawn hayrides, kiddie rides, and pony rides. There is also a pumpkin launcher on the premesis! Visit the on-site farm-stand for delicious apple cider, seasonal decorations, and more! Visit http://www.oldhomestead.com/ppatch.html for more information.