Are you looking for some real scares this Halloween? There are awesome places around Rochester to go for extra screams this season. These attractions are great for teenagers and adults with a high threshold for the frightening and gory. Some attractions require adult supervision while others are not recommended for children under a certain age, pregnant women or for those with certain health issues so be sure to check out details ahead of time. Here are some of the best haunted houses, hayrides, ghost tours and other scary attractions in Rochester this year!
Haunted Houses
A solid haunted house is essential for those seeking Halloween screams. The South Town Plaza in Henrietta hosts Nightmare Manor, which claims to be Rochester’s best and longest haunted house attraction. With six different frightening themes, there will be something for every thrill-seeker in your group! The Parkway Plaza in Greece is home to another local favorite: Dark Matter Scream Works. With three unique haunted houses for the price of one, they claim to be the scariest in the area. Which one will make you scream the most? Check them both out to see who you think is best! If you’re looking for a family-friendly option that supports a great cause, visit the Insomnia House in Gates. They offer a haunted house, maze, and cemetery for free. All donations go to support Autism Up!
Haunted Hayrides and Corn Mazes
The fall festivities are not complete without a good old hayride. But they’re even better with characters jumping out and lights flashing! Bringing all the scares of a haunted house, but with the added eeriness of the wild outdoors, the scares and screams are even bigger.
Spenceprort’s VerHulst Haunted Hayride is a loved staple in the community. It includes a hayride, walk, and corn maze, all filled with stomach-jolting frights! When the hayride fun is over, be sure to grab some homemade snacks from the concession stand. Joe’s Fright Farm in Brockport features a corn maze that becomes a haunted Fright Farm at night. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy the variety of concessions and additional attractions. If you want to drive a bit further, check out the Haunted Hayride of Livingston County in Dansville. All for one price, you get a haunted hayride, corn walk, and haunted house. Among raving online reviews, guests also mention loving the Garbage Cups available at the concession stands.
For milder scares, the Powers Farm Market in Pittsford offers a family-friendly hayride with gentler thrills. While you’re there, you can check out their corn maze and giant cornstalk teepees, decorated for extra Halloween fun! Another family-friendly experience is available at the Lincoln Hill Farms Halloweenfest at the Farm in Canandaigua. They also offer a variety of events and attractions including a zombie hunt, a spooky walking trail with photo-ops, games, and live music.
A classic Halloween attraction in the Rochester area, the Darien Lake theme park hosts its annual Fright Fest at Six Flags Darien Lake. Complete with rides in the dark, haunted houses, Scare Zones, and shows, an evening at the Fright Fest brings thrills of all kinds.
Ghostly Historic Tours
Nothing is more bone-chilling than the tales of Rochester’s spectral past. If you’re looking to combine interesting facts with the thrill of a haunt, check out Mount Hope Cemetery Tours where you can tour the famous cemetery while learning the stories of its permanent residents. Other spine-tingling tours are available at the Genesee Country Village and Museum including their Spirits Of The Past: A Walk In The Dark where you can lurk among the shadows as you take a candle-lit tour of historic buildings. Likewise, Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks offers a range of events at different locations for those wanting to know Rochester’s real-life (or death) stories.
More Halloween Fun In Rochester
For your older kids, there are a few other noteworthy Halloween attractions that we want to let moms know about!
Spooky Season at The Little Theater in Rochester will be showing a series of scary movies throughout October. Plan for a fun night out by pairing a movie with treats from The Little Cafe or Taichi Bubble Tea’s East Ave. location.
The Strasenburgh Planetarium at the RMSC is getting in on the Halloween fun with their Stranger Things Laser Show. Starting September 21st, you can rock out to 80s music and spooky thrills!
As you’re preparing for the Halloween season, please make sure you are informed about the rules and expectations of the attractions you plan to attend. Most have guidelines to follow that keep both the visitors and employees safe. Some of the attractions also require signed waivers or adult supervision. And, as always, make sure that the level of fright is appropriate to your child’s emotional maturity and threshold. Halloween can fun create great memories for our older kids, and we hope you and your family have a spooky and safe season!