It’s practically here: Halloween in Ohio. There’s nothing better than crisp air, crunchy leaves, and bringing out all the sweatshirts, boots, and autumn decor. And who could forget football season?
But, this is also the only time of year when we get to celebrate the truly spooktacular… that’s right, Halloween. Maybe you embrace the full celebration of Halloween. Or perhaps you simply love the fun costumes, trick-or-treat, and jagged-jawed jack-o-lanterns. There’s no denying the fun of getting festive. So, where to go for a good haunt?
Did you know that Ohio is home to over 100 different haunted houses, mazes, hayrides, trails, and other similar attractions? They range from kid-friendly and not-so-scary all the way to downright terrifying. The good news is that most provide recommendations, so you know what you’re getting into before you arrive and pay admission. Here are a few of my own favorites and suggestions for when “Spooky Season” rolls around.
Halloween in Ohio for the Whole Family
When it comes to some good, clean fun, I highly recommend either Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends or King’s Island’s Halloween Haunt. I know these generally come with a bit of a car trip and a higher price tag, but they have proven themselves every time I’ve been.
Both offer a multi-level experience, meaning the little ones can get a laugh from silly Halloween fun or the in-park trick-or-treating. The older kids and adults can still opt to get scared in the various “scare zones” or individual haunted house attractions throughout the parks.
At both parks, there are themed haunted houses, with common themes from cornfields, to pirates, to slaughterhouses. This year, HalloWeekends at Cedar Point runs from September 17th-October 31st, and the Haunt at King’s Island runs September 24-October 31st. King’s Island also offers Fall Fest for the younger children and “HalloTween” for those old enough to be spooked but not quite “Haunt” level beginning in mid-September.
Halloween in Ohio for the Seekers of Serious Scares (Teens and Above)
For this category, which I would consider to be more my M.O., I am going to make just two must-go suggestions.
Mansfield Reformatory
First, there’s the “Escape from Blood Prison” at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. I am aware that any of these suggestions may be a hike for some, but that’s why I only recommend places I deem worthy of travel, myself.
This Halloween experience at the Reformatory (which you can tour for historical purposes the rest of the year) is a classic, and I have many fond memories there. Once I went with my high school basketball team. I’ve been a few times with a smaller group of friends and I’ve been with my now-husband. No matter the group, the experience never fails to be exciting and scary.
The experience begins while you’re in line to get in. (I won’t lie, this can be a long time on certain nights.) You’ll have a variety of food trucks and carnival food-type vendors offering a plethora of yummy snacks and beverages from which to choose.
Once you get in, the attraction speaks for itself. The actors take their jobs seriously. It ends up being a full 30-minute walkthrough, and it is fun and easy to get caught up in the thrill of the “scenes” throughout.
The beautiful, yet ominous, building itself adds to the ambiance. The Reformatory is actually ranked 9th on the list of Most Haunted Places in the U.S. The attraction is open this year from October 1st-October 31st, Friday-Sunday according to their website.
Factory of Terror
Next, there’s the Factory of Terror in Canton. This haunt has been a 3-time Guinness World Record Holder for Largest Indoor Haunted House. Upon entry, you wait in line inside the giant factory-style building, while actors come around and “visit.”
After the first themed haunted house you walk through, you come out to see that it’s time to go wait in line at the next haunted house. That’s right, multiple themed haunted houses, one right after the next, all under one roof! One is even pitch black for added effect!
Overall, the place is well-run, it is all-in with decor, and it even boasts three full bars. You could be there for an hour or you could spend a whole night of spooky fun. And if you will be in Canton long, Factory of Terror helps decorate a local Halloween-themed pop-up bar at T.D.’s Tailgate Grill each year. Open this year September 18th-October 31st.
FindingOhio this Fall
As we approach Halloween in Ohio, what are your favorite fall haunts? And what about not-so-spooky trips this fall? Check in with some of our favorite pumpkin patches, visit the Circleville Pumpkin Show, or hike through the spooky Moonville Tunnel. Ohio is full of fabulous fall finds!
Thank you again for joining us in FindingOhio. And as always, we appreciate you sharing our content on social media.
Marina Dieringer has been a resident of Ohio her entire life. In addition to writing, she is a high school history teacher with a passion for our beautiful state. She lives in the Columbus area with her husband, Jeff, and orange tabby cat, Maple.
