Frightening fun at area Halloween attractions, events

Haunted attractions and other spooky events are in full gear for the Halloween season. Scare yourself silly with our guide to haunted houses, hayrides and other terrifying ways to spend your weekends.

Many of these seasonal attractions change things up from year to year. Charles King, co-owner of the Deadland in Warren, says they change things up each year to keep it exciting for returning customers.

“We have a lot of new ideas,” he says, adding that they’ve had a strong start to this season, possibly because of the nice weather. “We’ve had a good turnout so far and everyone seems to be very happy with our attraction.”

King says Deadland’s strongest attribute is “the creepiness.”

“We have a very dark attraction, very tight, very intimate and we keep all our room sizes small,” he says. “You’re really walking through an experience and we have stuff built-in that you will not see coming.”

For those not interested in elevating your heart rate, we’ve also compiled a list of family-friendly events that are more about candy and less about gore and terror.

Haunted attractions

The Deadland: This attraction has all new bloody, dead things and scares for the 2016 season. Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 7-9, 13-16, 20-23 and 27-31. $10-$15. County Line Antique Trade Center, 20900 Dequindre, Warren. (586) 252-4375 or thedeadland.com.

Erebus: This massive, four-story, indoor haunted attraction is considered one of the best in the country and is open rain or shine. Fri.-Sun. and Oct. 6-9, 13-16 and 19-31. $23-$28 general admission, $50 VIP. 18 S. Perry, Pontiac. (248) 332-7884 or hauntedpontiac.com.

Realm of Darkness: Haunted house, a house of nightmares in 3-D and the Dead Soul Corral.” Saturday is “I Screamed for a Cure,” Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Night. Fri.-Sun. and Oct. 7-9, 13-16, 20-31. $27-$40. 37 Turk, Pontiac. (248) 338-0029.

Hush: This monster- and zombie-filled attraction has been completely redone for 2016. Sat.-Sun. and Oct. 7-9, 14-16, 20-23 and 27-31. $18, $30-$45 VIP. 34043 Ford, Westland. hushhauntedattractions.com.

Haunted Funeral Home: Tour a funeral home that closed for “mysterious reasons.” Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 and 30-31. $12. 3880 Inkster, Inkster. (734) 922-5542.

The Scream Machine: Ride the “hellevator.” A special “lights on” event is 3-5 p.m. Oct. 23 and 30 ($5). Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 7-8, 14-16, 21-23 and 25-31. $17, $25 skip-the-line. 23131 Ecorse, Taylor. (734) 309-0756. thescreammachine.net.

SIN Haunted House: Proceeds benefit the Wyandotte Jaycees to help needy families. Thurs.-Sun. and Oct. 6-9, 13-16, 20-23 and 28-31. $15, $13 with five canned goods. 3131 Biddle, Wyandotte. (734) 288-7024.

The Fear Factory at Gibraltar Trade Center: A 30 minute strip through a maze of horror, vortex tunnel and more. Find the secret door and get double your money back. Fri.-Sun. and Oct. 6-9 and 21-31. $19. 237 North River Road, Mount Clemens. thefearfactory.com.

Wiard’s Orchard’s Night Terrors: This thrill park features several haunted attractions, plus cider mill goodies, karaoke, live music and paintball. Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 7-9, 14-16, 21-23 and 28-31. $19-$59. 5565 Merritt, Ypsilanti Township. wiards.com.

Haunted Farm of Terror: Hayride and haunted house, plus Roadkill Cafe. Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 7-8, 14-16, 20-23 and 27-30. $25, $15 kids. 28405 26 Mile, Lenox Township. (586) 203-7222 or hfterror.com

Scarefest Scream Park: Haunted hayride, haunted house, “Carnival of the Dead” forest walk, 5,000 square foot haunted maze, zombie paintball, haunted camping, beer tent, live music and more. Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 21-23, and 28-30. $15 single attraction, packages and VIP tickets available. 34111 28 Mile, Lenox Township. (586) 749-6666 or scarefestscreampark.com.

Blake’s Haunted Big Apple: Haunted barn, corn mazes, 3-D skull maze and zombie paintball safari. Fri.-Sun. through Oct. 30. $10.95 and up. Combos and VIP packages available. 71485 North Ave., Armada. (586) 784-9710 or hauntedblakes.com.

Slaughtered at Sundown: Haunted house and hayride, plus headless horseman. Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 21-23 and 28-30. $15 and up. 71800 Romeo Plank, Armada. (586) 752-7669 or slaughteredatsundown.net.

Dreadlands of Davison: A variety of a la carte attractions, including a tandem zip line, research labs haunted attraction, proving grounds trail and zombie sniper arena. Fri.-Sat. nights through Oct. 29. $10-$33. 10280 E. Stanley, Davison. (810) 406-2913 or dreadlandshaunt.com.

Family-friendly fun

Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo: This “merry-not-scary” event has a half-mile trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin displays, costume and live entertainment. 5-8 p.m. Oct. 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23. $9 ages 2 and older in advance, $13 at the gate. Bring your own trick-or-treat bag. 8450 W. 10 Mile, Royal Oak. detroitzoo.org/events/zoo-boo.

Skeletons in Downtown Northville: A public art display with more than 100 lift-sized skeletons. A celebration is planned 5-9 p.m. Oct. 7 with performances, food trucks and music. The bones will be on display through Oct. 31. downtownnorthville.com.

Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village: Costumed characters prance down a path of more than 1,000 hand-carved jack o’ lanterns at this popular annual family event. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14-16, 20-23 and 27-30. $16. 20900 Oakwood, Dearborn. (313) 982-6001.

Boo Bash at Southfield Pavilion: Costumes are encouraged for games, hayrides, crafts and trick-or-treating. 2-4:30 p.m. Oct. 15. $12, $10 residents. 26000 Evergreen, Southfield. (248) 796-4620.

Halloween Science at Cranbrook Institute of Science: Spooky demonstrations, interactive activities and a goody bag for pre-registered guests. Costumes encouraged. 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 21. $15, $10 members. Pre-registration ends Oct. 19. 39221 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills. (248) 645-3200 or science.cranbrook.edu.

Rock O’Ween at Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center: Hear children’s songs done rock ‘n’ roll-style with Miss Paula and the Candy Bandits. 9:30 a.m. Oct. 29. $12. 3711 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 576-5111.

“Halloween at Hogwarts” at Orchestra Hall: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs music from “Harry Potter” films and more, plus a costume contest. 11 a.m. Oct. 29. $15-$20. 3711 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 576-5111.

Halloween Family Party at Arab American National Museum: Trick-or-treat through the museum, plus crafts, games, food and more. 2-4:30 p.m. Oct. 29. $7, $5 members. Adults don’t need a ticket; children must be accompanied by parent/guardian. 13624 Michigan, Dearborn. (313) 582-2266.

Frightening films

The Redford Theatre, 17360 Lahser, Detroit. (313) 537-2560. $5.

Three Stooges Halloween Festival, 8 p.m. Oct. 7 and 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 8

“The Haunting,” 8 p.m. Oct. 14

“Young Frankenstein,” 8 p.m. Oct. 21-21

“Beetlejuice,” 2 p.m. Oct. 22

“The Thing,” 8 p.m. Oct. 28

Halloween Spooktacular with Halloween shorts and “The Raven,” 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 29

“The Exorcist”, 11:30 p.m. Oct. 29

Midnight Movies at Main Art, 118 N. Main, Royal Oak. (248) 542-5198. $7.

“I Drink Your Blood,” Oct. 14-15

John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” Oct. 21-22

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Oct. 28-29

Penn Theatre, 760 Penniman, Plymouth. (734) 453-0870. $3

“Creature from the Black Lagoon,” 7 p.m. Oct. 6

“House of Wax,” 7 p.m. Oct. 13

“Little Shop of Horrors,” 7 p.m. Oct. 20

“Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” 7 p.m. Oct. 27