Ready for some real frights this Halloween season? Put your bravery to the test at these five spooky haunted houses and trails throughout Northern Virginia.
Fields of Fear
Once the sun goes down, this Centreville farm turns spooky. It has several scary attractions, including the Dark Side Hayride, Cornightmare, and The Forest: Back 40, a half-mile walk through the woods complete with chainsaws and spiders. For a less terrifying experience, The Firegrounds area has fire pits, a dance floor, karaoke, and a six-lane slide. Cox Farms: 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, September 22–November 4, Friday and Saturday (plus Sunday, October 8) 7:30–11 p.m., $30–$40, fieldsoffear.coxfarms.com
Haunt: Game Over
Walk along a path with abandoned historic buildings and creepy characters at the Workhouse Arts Center’s 10th annual Halloween attraction. You’ll be supporting local actors as you do. Once you’ve survived the trail, stick around for bands, food trucks, and themed drinks. This trail is wheelchair accessible. Workhouse Arts Center: 9518 Workhouse Wy., Lorton, September 30 and October 6–31, Friday and Saturday 7–11 p.m., Sunday 7–10 p.m., October 31 6:30–9 p.m., $30, workhousearts.org
Haunted Nightmares
Have you ever had nightmares about being chased? At this Winchester haunted house, (bad) dreams become reality. Prepare for frightening live actors and plenty of eerie special effects. Rather not get spooked? Stick to the moonlit hayride and corn maze. And try the family-friendly 15-minute escape rooms. Hill High Farm: 933 Barley Ln., Winchester, October 22, 26–29, and 31, times vary, $12–$27, hauntednightmares.net
Madhaunter’s Madhouse
This indoor haunted house has live actors, gory set details, and “more jump scares than a slasher movie marathon,” its website reads. Enter, if you dare. 37658 Legard Farm Rd., Purcellville, October 6–30, Friday and Saturday 7–11 p.m., Sunday and October 30 7–10 p.m., $30, madhaunter.com
Scream LoCo
The Funhouse isn’t your run-of-the-mill carnival attraction. At this haunted house, navigate through illusions and disorienting mirrors to escape the creepy clowns. Dulles Town Center: 21100 Dulles Town Cir., Sterling, October 6–31, times vary, $20–$25, screamloco.com
This story originally ran in our October issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
