Fall isn’t just for cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice—it’s also the perfect time to get your adrenaline pumping at a Haunted house or a spooky woods walk. While many of these Halloween haunted house experiences are best for adults and young adults there are some that are suitable for younger kids, like the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest or a ghost tour. Some attractions offer escape rooms and tamer activities too.
Whether you’re looking for after-dark fun for little kids, creepy creatures, or an immersive experience that leaves you screaming, these haunted attractions around Charlottesville and Central Virginia will deliver the thrills you’re craving. You might also want to enjoy a fall harvest festival, go apple picking, do a corn maze or visit a pumpkin patch. We also provide you with some parent-tested tips on how to decide if your child is ready for a haunted house plus advice on how to make the experience wonderful.
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How to Know When Your Child Is Ready for a Haunted Experience
Are your kids thrill-seekers who eagerly anticipate the spine-chilling moments of a horror movie, or are they more likely to hide behind a pillow at the slightest hint of suspense? If they’re hesitant to even watch a spooky film, they might not be ready. For those who enjoy R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series, they might be ready for a bit more, but if “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” feels like it’s too much, it’s a good sign to dial back the scare factor.
Many haunted houses have suggested age guidelines (e.g., “not recommended for children under 10”). These guidelines can give you a sense of how intense the event is. Also, look for family-friendly options. Some haunted houses offer milder, kid-friendly versions during certain hours or days. This could be a safer starting point. You could always try visiting a smaller-scale Halloween attraction, like a pumpkin patch with mild amounts of spookiness, to see how they handle it, or watch videos of the haunted house. Some haunted attractions post walkthroughs online. Watching together can give your child a sense of what to expect and help you gauge their comfort level. A ghost tour is often a comfortable foray into spooky fun.
Lastly, remind your child that everything in a haunted house is make-believe and that the cast members are just pretending. Knowing this can reduce anxiety. Let them know it’s okay to leave if they feel too scared. Reassuring them they have the option to exit can make them feel more confident.
Remember, every child is different, so use your knowledge of your child’s comfort level to gauge what they can handle. If you’re itching to explore a haunted house or take on a high-intensity fright, plan for another adult to supervise your child while you indulge in your scare fest. Your little one will thank you for it, and you’ll avoid any unnecessary nightmares (except maybe yours!).
Parent Tips for Taking Kids to a Haunted House
Choose a haunted house tailored for families or younger children, which often features milder thrills. Preview if possible, and talk to your child about what to expect, reassuring them that it’s all make-believe. Start with a shorter, less exhilarating haunt to gauge their reaction and always have an exit plan ready. Bring along a comfort item if needed and stay calm and supportive throughout the visit. Afterward, discuss their feelings and reassure them that it was all in good fun. Respect their boundaries and be prepared to leave early if they’re uncomfortable.
Remember, every child is different, so use your knowledge of your child’s comfort level to gauge what they can handle. If you’re itching to explore a haunted house or take on a high-intensity fright, plan for another adult to supervise your child while you indulge in your scare fest. Your little one will thank you for it, and you’ll avoid any unnecessary nightmares (except maybe yours!).
The Virginia Haunted House & Ghost Tour Guide
And without further ado, here are the best haunted house experiences in central Virginia (and beyond, because some are just too good to miss!).
1. Amelia Frightfest
16441 Five Forks Rd, Amelia Court House, VA 23002 Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 23 minutes
Amelia Frightfest is a most terrifying haunted trail, offering an 8-mile hike through haunted woods and houses with high-quality special effects, gore, and acting. The event features themed weekends, including a No-Scare/Trunk-or-Treat weekend, Blackout Weekend and Hollywood Horrors.
2. Charlottesville Ghost Tour
Paramount Theater, 215 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 minute
This haunted tour doesn’t involve masks, performers, or bloody scenes, but expect hair-raising chills nonetheless. After all, truth can be stranger than fiction! Explore the dark history and ghostly tales of Charlottesville with this eerie walking tour. Perfect for history buffs and ghost hunters alike, this tour offers a mix of chilling tales and historical intrigue. Bring your curiosity and perhaps a little courage as you walk through Charlottesville’s haunted past.
3. Creepy Hollow Scream Park
14437 Stone Horse Creek Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059 Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 1 minute
Creepy Hollow offers a hair-raising, immersive walking adventure through dark, eerie woods, leaving you face-to-face with creatures of the night. Not recommended for young children, this outdoor scarefest is perfect for thrill-seekers looking for a night of terror in a safe environment. Prepare yourself for the scariest night of your life! As the longest-running haunted attraction in the area, Creepy Hollow Scream Park takes pride in the safety of its guests and staff while delivering hair-raising memories. While Creepy Hollow is scary entertainment, discretion is advised for parents considering bringing younger children.
4. Darkwood Manor Haunted House
300 Luray Ave, Luray, VA 22835
Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 15 minutes
Nestled in Luray, Darkwood Manor stands as a masterclass in horror, offering a uniquely chilling time that goes beyond the ordinary haunted house. Just over an hour from Charlottesville, this renowned attraction is celebrated for its elaborate set designs, high-quality makeup, and skilled actors. Each October, Darkwood Manor reveals a new, original storyline, immersing visitors in an ever-evolving world of terror with fresh characters and scenes. This isn’t just a haunted house—it’s a full theatrical production that will keep you rattled long after you leave. Consistently rated among the best haunted attractions in the country, Darkwood Manor is not recommended for children under 10 due to its intensity.
5. Fear Forest
6340 Oak Shade Rd, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour
This all-encompassing experience features three haunting attractions, including a 0.4-mile walk through darkened woods filled with animatronics, terrifying scenes, and a suspenseful atmosphere. Ideal for thrill-seekers, it’s recommended for older children and adults. Expect large crowds on weekends but visit on Thursdays for a quieter time. Fear Forest isn’t just about fright; it’s a full Halloween celebration with lighted parking, a hay wagon ride, food concessions, souvenirs, music, a DJ, and a cozy bonfire to warm up after your frightful adventure.
6. Haunted Nightmares
933 Barley Lane, Winchester, VA 22602
Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 58 minutes
Haunted Nightmares offers fun for all ages, with quick-escape rooms that take 15 minutes to solve—perfect for families and friends. For a tamer time, visit Saturdays and Sundays from 1–5pm–shows are less intense, have fewer actors, and are offered at a reduced price. The action picks up after 6 p.m., featuring a haunt itself recommended for ages 8 and up, features professional sets, special effects, and live performers. This venue occasionally offers an attraction known as The Last Ride which is a buried-alive simulator—adults beware, even grown-ups may not make it through this haunt unscathed!
7. The Halloween Hangout
2444 Carysbrook Rd., Palmyra, VA
Drive time from Charlottesville: 37 minutes
The Halloween Hangout in Palmyra offers a well-rounded fall celebration that appeals to families of all ages. The haunted forest is designed to be spooky but not overly terrifying, catering to a range of comfort levels. Visitors appreciate the variety of activities, including the hayrides and kid-friendly zones, and the overall ambiance of the historic setting enhances the experience Highlights include the community bonfire, hayrides, food, and the unique touch of a fortune teller in a historic corn crib.
8. The Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience
41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg VA, 20176-6235
Drive time from Charlottesville: 2 hours 28 minutes
Wands at the ready! Harry Potter fans will love this magical nighttime woodland adventure filled with creatures and wonders from the films. Located in the woods of Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Leesburg, VA, this event brings iconic scenes to life through immersive theatrical design. Designed for families, the event is open to all ages, although some elements might be a little spooky for younger children. Get in the mood for your outing with some Harry Potter recipes. The trail takes approximately 45–75 minutes to complete.
9. Haunted Williamsburg Walk
101 Visitor Center Drive Williamsburg, VA 23185
Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 50 minutes
Haunted Williamsburg offers an eerie, candlelit tour through one of America’s oldest towns. This kid-friendly ghost tour combines historical tales with spine-tingling ghost stories. Explore Colonial Williamsburg’s haunted past with costumed storytellers leading you through dark streets, shadowy gardens, and spooky cemeteries, sharing local legends and paranormal accounts. From authentic 18th-century colonial ghost stories to creepy modern-day encounters, costumed storytellers share unnerving tales on this Colonial Williamsburg walking ghost tour.
10. The Haunted Hill
10400 Fox Creek Ln, Partlow, VA 22534
Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 11 minutes
Your journey begins with a dark hayride, dropping you deep into ominous woods. Face nearly a mile of live ghouls, zombies, clowns, and terrifying mazes. This intense haunted house isn’t for children under 12 or anyone with medical conditions—expect to hear your heart beating harder than ever! The Haunted Hill promises an intense night of fear with nearly a mile of terrifying attractions designed to make you scream.
11. Hauntings on the Hill at UVA
UVA Monroe Hill
One weekend only 7-12am (Dates To Be Determined – 2024)
Hauntings is UVA Brown College’s annual haunted house charity fundraiser, attended by hundreds of other students, alumni, and community members. Often considered Brown College’s premier student-led event, dozens of residents set up, act, and participate in this annual tradition. You can expect frightful characters to jump out at you and an annual theme.
12. Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt
16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047
Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 16 minutes
Enjoy family-friendly fall festivities (like Tricks and Treats and Oktoberfest) by day and mature, adult-friendly spine-chilling haunts by night at Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt. One ticket covers both daytime and nighttime events—no separate purchase required.
13. Madame Redrum’s Nine Gates of Doom
717 Rockfish Rd, Waynesboro, VA
Drive time from Charlottesville: 37 minutes
Madame Redrum’s Nine Gates of Doom compels the screams. This haunted house features a winding path through nine terrifying gates, each more gripping than the last. With live performers, creepy props, and surprises at every turn, it’s an unforgettable night for those looking for a fright-filled evening. Not recommended for kids under 12, this one is perfect for teens and adults who want a heart-thumping adventure.
14. Red Vein Haunted House
13580 Ashland Rd, Ashland, VA 23005
Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 20 minutes
Set on the grounds of Hanover Vegetable Farm, Red Vein is a multi-attraction haunted experience renowned for its immersive storytelling and spine-chilling thrills. Each year, this haunted attraction transforms its environment to deliver everything from heart-pounding jump scares to psychological terrors, making it a must-visit for horror enthusiasts. Red Vein, which has won numerous awards, includes four distinct haunted pathways, including the Asylum and Witch’s Woods. Open to visitors 13 and up, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
** No one under 8 is permitted unless it’s a special “No Slaughter Night” with no actors present.
15. Total Terror Haunt
4042 Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, VA
Drive time from Charlottesville: 1 hour 4 minutes
Total Terror Haunt delivers an immersive experience that will push the limits of our fears. Known for its original sets, terrifying characters, and spine-chilling atmosphere, this haunted attraction is designed for ages 10 and up. Visitors will navigate dark, uneven terrains while facing unexpected surprises around every corner, making it a must-visit for thrill-seekers.
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