Halloween Attractions Near the Twin Cities 2010

It's already begun. A chill has grabbed the air, leaves are turning shades of gold and orange, and even brown. Summer is over in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN and that means Halloween is right around the corner, and for many people that means it's time to be on the lookout for a haunted house. But where do you go? Some places promise an intense scare, others are more family friendly. Here are some ideas for places to go on the scariest night of the year.

• SCREAM TOWN
  Chaska, Minnesota
  Location: 7410 Highway 212
  Website: www.screamtown.com

Screamtown is located in Chaska, MN just south of the Twin Cities. It runs Fridays- Sundays throughout October, and boasts five different elaborate attractions. Prices for 2010 are $17 for adults, and $12 for kids 13 and under. Screamtown considers their atmosphere to be "family friendly, but very scary." It's recommended that kids be at least ten years old in order to participate at Screamtown. They do not serve alcohol, and attempt to keep intoxicated guests off their premises. The attractions include; Terror in the Corn, Oak Blood Forest, Hillbilly Motel, Rabid Alley and Klown House. These attractions feature difficult terrain (i.e. cornfield, forest) so they recommend keeping that in mind when picking out your shoes.

• Deadview Cemetery 2010
  Cottage Grove, Minnesota
  Location: 8839 96th St. South
  Website: www.deadviewcemetery.com

Deadview Cemetery is located in Cottage Grove, and although it is not as elaborate as Screamtown, local station, WCCO did name it one of the best outdoor attractions in the state of Minnesota. Pricing is also less expensive, $6 or $5 with a non-perishable food item. Proceeds from the attraction go to benefit the Friends in Need Foodshelf, so if you choose Deadview, you will have the satisfaction of contributing to a good cause. The Cemetery opens October 7, 2010 and runs Thursday - Sunday evenings through the 31^st.

• Haunted Woods Trail

Rosemount, Minnesota
Location: Highway 3 and 145th Street West (starting at the park and ride lot on Hwy 3)
Website: http://www.rosemountevents.com/HauntedWoodsTrail.html

Rosemount's Haunted Woods Trail is designed for kids and families, and is funded by area businesses. Kids are encouraged to bring Trick or Treat bags as treats are handed out by local businesses. There is not an admission charge, but donations are accepted in cash or non-perishable food items for Second Harvest Food Bank. 2010's Trail is scheduled for Saturday, October 30, from 6-8 p.m. And is geared towards kids from Preschool to Middle School aged.

• Dungeons of Darkness and Doom
  Robbinsdale, Minnesota
  Location: 4094 Lakeland Ave N
  Website: www.evilhill.net

Dungeons of Darkness and Doom is a theatrical haunted house presentation centered around the Evilhill family. According to the website, it's "where Shakespearean tragedy meets the imagination of Stan Lee." It boast fully guided tours with 12 "nerve-shattering" scenes and the only scripted haunted house in the Twin Cities. Unlike many of the other attractions, Dungeons is also wheelchair accessible, so if mobility is an issue this might be the haunt for you. Admission to the Dungeons is $12, $9 with a food shelf donation. It runs evenings October 15-17, 20-24, and 28-31.

• Ghost Trolley and Booseum
  Excelsior, Minnesota
  Location: 305 Third Street
  Website: www.elmhs.org/news.htm and http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=168017694497&v=info&ref=ts

Ghost Trolley is presented by The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society and features its annual BOOseum -- including a haunted trolley ride and museum, musical/theater piece, food & drink and more! Join us October 29 & 30 from 6PM to 9PM. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for those 10 and under.

• Dreadwood Haunted Forest
  Saint Paul, Minnesota
  Location: Hudson, WI
  Website: www.dreadwoodhaunt.com

Tickets are $10; $2 discount with non-perishable food item. Intended for those 18 and up, no one under 13 admitted, those 13-17 must have a parent sign a waiver. Pregnant women and those with a medical condition are asked not to participate.

Dreadwood apparently means serious fear, as their moniker, "No hayrides. No escape. No mercy." suggests. It's located in an isolated forest in Hudson, Wisconsin and it gets very dark. The attraction runs Friday - Sunday evenings October 15-31.

http://www.festivals-and-shows.com/haunted-houses-in-minnesota.html

www.screamtown.com

www.deadviewcemetery.com

http://www.rosemountevents.com/HauntedWoodsTrail.html

www.evilhill.net

www.elmhs.org/news.htm

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=168017694497&v=info&ref=ts

www.dreadwoodhaunt.com