From haunted houses that will have you screaming with every step, to eerie trails where shadows play tricks on your mind, the season of scares is back, and it's more terrifying than ever.
Once again we've compiled a list of our favorite haunted houses and heart-pounding experiences to make your Halloween unforgettable—along with a few spooky parties being thrown around town, though surely more will be announced by the time you're reading this.
Whether you're looking to face off against monsters lurking in the dark, or join in wickedly fun festivities with fellow thrill-seekers, these haunted houses and other spooky attractions promise to deliver all the shivers, shrieks, and sinister surprises you can stand.
The Haunt
1256 28th St. SW, Wyoming
The-haunt.com | Oct. 4-Nov. 2
The most popular haunted attraction in West Michigan, and one of the most well reviewed in all of the country, The Haunt has continued to scare those who dare for nearly a quarter century. Celebrating its 24th year, the award-winning location lives up to its legendary status with its use of movie-quality special effects to enhance its unique stories that fully immerse those brave enough to enter in an unparalleled level of terror.
New Salem Corn Maze
4516 24th St., Dorr
Newsalemcornmaze.com | Oct. 4-Nov. 2
Daytime Corn Maze also open every Sunday in October
At the New Salem Corn Maze, the "Witches of New Salem" promise over 20 chilling attractions, filled with eerie props and a host of actors ready to bring your nightmares to life. A terrifying experience you won't soon forget, the location offers two separate spine-tingling trails full of haunted houses, as well as family friendly activities during the day, and an appropriate for all ages Halloween Light Spooktacular after dark.
Abandoned Acres Farm
7737 Fruit Ridge Ave. NW, Sparta
Abandonedacresfarm.com | Oct. 4-31
Lights Out event on Nov. 2
A real farm with real fear, this hybrid experience combines outdoor haunted corn mazes with indoor haunted houses. The night begins with the Bloody Butcher Corn Maze, where the legend of the infamous Old Eli still looms in the shadows. Then, back on the oldest part of the farm, visitors will enter Big Top Terror Vision, filled with demonic clowns and other demented dwellers. With each maze running over a quarter mile, the scares here are nearly endless.
Haunt Park
7656 Ravine Rd., Kalamazoo
Hauntpark.com | Oct. 4-Nov. 2
Now featuring four fully fleshed out frights, this long-running location in Kalamazoo includes the Psycho Ward, Nightmares Haunted Houses, Clown Mansion, and Camp Crystal Lake Paintball. Each has its own eerie story to tell, toying with your deepest darkest fears, from the mind of a serial killer, to the paranormal, to those refusing to remain dead. With the chance to fight back, armed with a paintball gun, this is a truly interactive nightmare come to life.
Nightmare Realm
30609 Red Arrow Hwy., Paw Paw
Nightmarerealmkalamazoo.com | Oct. 4-Nov. 2
Dec 7 (Jingle Hell AxeMas Show)
The next chapter in haunted horror, the newly revamped show here follows as the evil Trista has taken over the sleepy town of Cypress Hollow, and unleashed unholy creatures from the Nightmare Realm on the unsuspecting townsfolk. With a new Graveyard Home Haunt History Museum, as well as axe throwing, photo ops, food and more—including parking now on site—feel all the fun and frights of fall right here.
Haunted Acres Haunted Attraction
7970 W. Park Rd., Stony Lake, New Era
Haunted-acres.square.site, Facebook.com/Hauntedacresstonylakemi | Every Saturday in October
Stretching across more than 10 acres on a farm on Stony Lake (near the Lakeshore), there's no telling what lurks in the Field of Screams, one of three haunted activities located at this fan-favorite attraction. Also included is Vertigo, a surreal 3D black light multisensory experience, as well as The Devil's Playground, an ever-expanding evil enclave built over the remnants of an old barn.
HALLOWEEN PARTIES
Oddities on Ottawa | 819 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
odditiesonottawa.com | Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Come join the first-ever annual Oddities Halloween Block Party on North Ottawa, near Garage Bar. There will be a full day of live performances, including 20 DJs and street performers, along with beer tents, specialty cocktails, and the curated "Oddities Alley" experience—not to mention tailgating and a jumbotron for the Michigan vs. Michigan State game. Snag a VIP ticket for access to Garage Bar and Chicago Beef Joint all day, including two exclusive live performances in the evening.
Halloween Shindig Extravangaza
Turnstiles Bar | Oct. 25, 8 p.m.
Local music, food, booze, costumes and dancing.
Phabies Presents: SPOOK-O-WEEN
Creston Brewery's Golden Age | Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
Join *in costume* for live music, scary stories, spooky cocktails, and a DANCE PARTY!
Twerk Or Treat 2: DJ Composition + Deeechild + DJ Jodie Dro + DJ Omega Supreme
The Pyramid Scheme | Oct. 25, 8 p.m.
Haunted Disney | The B.O.B. | Oct. 26, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
This immersive experience will transport guests to some of your favorite Disney movies! Enjoy themed drink features, live entertainment across 5 unique venues, access to Eve nightclub and an enchanted photo booth.
Black Cat Bazaar | Speciation Cellars | Oct. 26, 7-11 p.m.
This collaboration with Black Cat Bodega will feature a local artisan market, live entertainment, music, special beer, spooky drinks, costume contests, tarot readers, spooky food menu, sweet treats and more!
The After(Life) Party | The Pyramid Scheme | Oct. 26, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
There are Halloween Parties, and then there is the After(Life) Party! Join Betka-Pope Productions and a slew of special guests for a night of live music, DJs, dancing, costume contest, games with prizes and more.
The Intersection Halloween 2024 | Oct. 26, 8 p.m.
A night of electronic dance music, featuring artists like Barclay Crenshaw, Yheti and Maddy O'Neal.
Grand Rapids Halloween Bar Crawl
Küsterer Brauhaus | Oct. 31, 5 p.m.
Drink specials, food specials, themed drinks and a costume contest across 4+ venues in GR.
Written by Eric Mitts for REVUE West Michigan.
The original version of this article originally appeared at REVUE West Michigan, a Serendipity Media Publication.
Photo courtesy of Haunted Acres.
