Haunted Happenings in Buffalo

As the leaves change and the chill of fall arrives, Halloween in Western New York is a favorite for both children and adults. Whether you like to dress up, pass out candy to the neighborhood kids or enjoy a scare at one of the many haunted houses, it is a time of the year that we all look forward to. As you drive through the neighborhoods of Niagara Falls and Buffalo, New York, you can see Halloween decorations on every street. Starting at the beginning of October, there are Halloween festivities going on throughout Buffalo and its neighboring towns from Haunted Houses and Halloween parties to haunted corn mazes and haunted hayrides.
Haunted Fortress
One of my favorites is the Haunted Fortress at Old Fort Niagara, located in Youngstown, New York (approximately 15-20 minutes from Niagara Falls). With history dating back more than 300 years, seven different wars, the many ghost sightings and footsteps heard by workers, Old Fort Niagara is the perfect setting for a Halloween scare. One of the reasons for this is he very well known story of the 18th century French officer who lost his life when he was beheaded during a fight at the Fort The old story has been told year after year to the many school children and adults who tour the castle. The famous story claims that the body of the officer was thrown down a stone well, located on the ground floor of the "French Castle". The legend of the headless officer claims that on nights of a full moon, his ghost walks the halls, searching for his head.
Now it's not the usual haunted house with sound effects and zombies jumping out at you, but who needs that when you know the true history of the fort. As you follow your tour guide through the Old Fort, don't be surprised to find a ghostly soldier following behind you. It is a chilling experience that I highly recommend. The tours are only offered on Friday and Saturday before Halloween. Tickets are $10 per person and available by advanced purchase only. It is also not recommended for children under 8 years old. You have to be dressed for the weather because you are walking outside for a majority of the tour and also bring a flashlight.
Fright World
Fright World is known as "Buffalo's Biggest & Scariest Scream park". It is made up of 5 Haunted Houses and has been voted #7 on the Top 10 Haunts at hauntworld.com. It was also selected out of 2500 haunted attractions across the United States as the seventh best attraction. The five very different haunted houses are "Reaper's Revenge", "Castle of Fear". "Dr.Nightmare's Asylum", "House of the Dead", and "Carnevil in 3-D". Each house has its own uniqueness and will be sure to bring out the goose bumps.
Fright World is located at 8075 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville, near the Eastern Hill's Mall. They opened for business at the end of September and continue to scare until the first weekend of November. The hours of operation begin at 6:30 and close as late as 1am on the weekends. Tickets cost $17 at the ticket booth and $15 if you purchase them at a NOCO Express Shop . Group rates are also available. These are great prices for entry to 5 haunted houses.
House of Horrors & Haunted Catacombs
The House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs is another Halloween hot spot in the Buffalo area. The House of Horrors has its share of zombies, demons, vampires and psychos all ready to make you scream. And although the live actors are not allowed to touch you, they come close enough to make you get chills down your spine. One of the neat things in the House of Horrors is the different pathways that you can take and all the hidden rooms, so each haunted trip is unpredictable if you dare to venture more than once.
The Haunted Catacombs has been around for 16 years and continues to grow larger and scarier every year. This year, you are challenged to make your way through a 2 story mansion and come face to face with many ghosts, ghouls, and zombies. The Haunted Catacombs is also designed to have different routes and mazes throughout.
The House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs is located at 2090 George Urban Blvd, Depew. Located minutes from the Galleria Mall. A single "Haunt Pass" is $10 or you can purchase a "Haunt combo for $15. This is another favorite attraction that cannot be missed by those looking for a scare.
If you happen to be near or in the Niagara Falls or Buffalo area, these three haunted houses are "Must-See's". Halloween time in Western New York is the perfect place to be whether you are enjoying apple cider from a local farm while watching the colorful fall leaves fall to the ground or getting chills down your spine as you venture through one of the famous haunted houses. And despite the unpredictable weather in Buffalo, you will always find trick or treaters on Halloween going house to house, braving what mother nature brings!