Halloween Haunted Houses in Houston

Halloween is the one holiday where adults seek out spooky attractions that turn them into frightened little children again. The best Halloween haunted houses bring nightmares to life, suspending all logical disbelief in monsters, ghosts, and ghouls in even the most skeptical visitors, and Houston, Texas, offers the public a variety of haunted houses to do just that.

Scream World

Scream World, Houston's longest-running haunted house, has a reputation as one of the scariest haunted houses in the United States, coming in at number six on the America's Best Haunts list for 2009. And it's no wonder; the attraction site is expertly decorated in a manner that would make even Saw fans shiver while the YouTube interviews with the actors reveal experienced talents who honestly enjoy making their customers scream. This haunted house is not recommended to children under the age of 12 and those with heart conditions.

Ticket prices at the door start at $20 on Thursday and Sunday discount nights and range to $40 dollars for the VIP fast pass on the most popular nights of the season.

Scream World

2225 N. Sam Houston Pkwy W.

Houston, TX 77030

713-914-1313

The Sanitarium, The Castle of Doom, The Texas Chainsaw Maze, and the Haunted Woods

This fright park consists of four haunted houses, each with its own theme, so your visit will not feel repetitive if you choose to explore the entire park. Unlike other haunted houses, which are often too scary for children, these are tamer, and the actors at this attraction tone the fright factor down when they see a younger child in a group.

The Texas Chainsaw Maze is a free attraction while the other three haunted houses start at $15 individually. Speed passes are available beginning at $25 and an all-access VIP pass is offered for $85.

The Sanitarium, The Castle of Doom, The Texas Chainsaw Maze, and the Haunted Woods

1500 Elton St.

Houston, TX 77034

713-946-2266

Phobia

Phobia offers eight free-standing attractions, each focusing on a specific theme or phobia. Examples include the 3-D Clown Phobia attraction, two visually-stimulating tales of crazy clowns, and the ClaustroPhobia exhibit, where visitors must watch their steps on the twisting and tilting floors. Phobia's operations manager Phylo Darke says, "Our whole 290 Scream Park has been remodeled and upgraded, making is a 30-acre scare zone...Phobia employs hundreds of actors, utilizing hundreds of high-tech animatronics. It's a great adrenaline rush that's good healthy fun."

Tickets start as $13 dollars for one house and rise to $50 dollars for all five houses while the three additional Exile attractions cost $30 per person.

Phobia

18777 Hwy. 290

Houston, TX 77056

713-526-3323

Nightmare on the Bayou

This attraction claims the title of being the only Houston haunted house with real ghosts. Located next to the Olivewood Cemetery, Houston's oldest graveyard, it's said to be visited frequently by spirits and was even featured on the Travel Channel's America Haunts: Horrifying Haunted Houses. According to reviews from the Travel Channel, it's difficult to tell whether you're being spooked by an actor or a real ghost, particularly when you're experiencing the attraction through 3-D glasses.

Pricing starts at $25 on Sunday family nights and goes up to $40 dollars for a VIP ticket.

Nightmare on the Bayou

1515 Studemont St.

Houston, TX 77007

713-868-3344 Ext. 4

The Haunted Trails

This is an outdoor attraction that features monsters, clowns, butchers, and the ghost of killer Jack Casey. It's a frightening and disorienting experience that boasts the ability to "...scare the devil out of ya!" Children, pregnant women, and people with heart conditions are advised to avoid this one because it can get pretty startling.

Admission begins at $15 dollars and rises to $35 for the VIP Survival Package.

The Haunted Trails

11500 Antoine Dr.

Houston, TX 77066

713-618-3323