Great Haunted Houses and Hayrides in and Around Western New York

Whether you like having the daylights scared out of you, or you prefer friendlier ghosts and ghouls, there are haunted houses and activities for all your tastes in Western New York and the surrounding area. Here's a look at a few, ranging from kid-friendly to perfectly terrifying.

Howl-O-Ween Hayrides - Saturdays and Sundays, October 17th and 18th, and October 24th and 25th from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave. in Buffalo. Treat stations, hay rides, games, and costume parades each day; admission is $6 for Zoo members and $9 for non-members, and tickets are available online at www.buffalozoo.org or by calling 716-995-6133.

Haunted House and Museum - weekends from Saturday, September 26th through Sunday, November 1st at the Great Pumpkin Farm, 11199 Main St. in Clarence. The Great Pumpkin Farm has lots to do during their fall festival season, including these two great features: a haunted house and a movie monster museum. Admission is $3 per house or $5 for both.

Boo Barn - also weekends at the Great Pumpkin Farm, the children's Boo barn is for the 12 and under crowd. Admission is $2 per person, or admission is included with paid admission for a weekend festival. For more information on Boo Barn, the Haunted House and Museum, or the Great Pumpkin Farm, visit www.greatpumpkinfarm.com.

FrightFest - Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 25th through October 18th at Darien Lake, 9993 Allegheny Rd. in Darien Center. Features a trick-or-treat trail for the youngsters, hay mazes and pumpkin painting in Booville, and for the folks who enjoy a scary good time, a haunted house and Fright Night Field Trip by bus through the haunted campgrounds. For more information, go to www.godarienlake.com.

Haunted Hayride - Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from October 2nd through 25th from 7 to 9 p.m. at Becker Farms, 3760 Quaker Rd. in Gasport (weather permitting). Features the Haunted Hayride, the Castle Labyrinth maze, and the Phylotec Biogenetic Testing Station, a new "biogenetic disaster area" with "man-eating monsters." Admission is $9 per person; groups of 20 or more are $8 per person, and the group can reserve a hayride time. For more information, visit www.beckerfarms.com.

House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs - Sunday, September 25th through Saturday, October 31st at 114 French Rd. at Union Rd. in Cheektowaga. One of the largest indoor haunted attractions in the U.S., the House and Catacombs will be all new in 2009, featuring endless routes, confusing mazes, and doors and mirrors sure to get you lost. More information will be available at www.thehouseofhorrors.com closer to opening.

Screamers' Hollow - Sunday, September 25th through Friday, October 30th on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) on the grounds of the Sterling Renaissance Festival, 15385 Farden Rd. in Sterling (one hour north of Syracuse). Attractions include Twisted Terror (maze); Hollyweird, where you'll meet up with your favorite movie ghouls (maze); and Hell's Gate, which features live music and performances. More information will be available at www.screamershollow.com closer to opening.