It’s that time of year again! No, not pumpkin spice lattes… (though we like those too). We are talking about ghosts, goblins, and horror! Whether you want to visit historic areas for paranormal hunting or just want some spooky thrills for the family, this list of haunted houses will surely give you some fun ideas for this Halloween in the Buckeye State.
We will countdown some of the best attractions in Ohio with their price, along with some creepy homes that you would never want to live next to. Step up your Halloween-game in 2018 and get an extra pair of pants ready, because these places are not for the faint of heart! These certainly aren’t the places you would want to call home in Ohio!
5. Hauntville in Elyria
This attraction is 20 minutes outside of Cleveland, in the middle of nowhere. It costs $24 for a wristband or $20 for the haunted houses alone. It features 5 attractions, and some describe it as the scariest attraction in Ohio. It has 4D Haunted houses and a haunted mansion. Face “Cellblock 13” and try to escape haunted prisoners or explore Psycho Manor. Three uniquely different themed haunted houses contain high tech special effects, professional actors, and highly skilled make-up artists.
4. The Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati
This haunted building opened as a real school in 1894. It was notorious for having “run away” children. As the years went by, more and more children went missing. One day someone reported a foul smell coming from the basement, and a grizzly sight was uncovered. The school is said to be haunted by the dead children, who were supposedly murdered by the school janitor. This attraction is consistently rated as one of the most haunted attractions in America. The supernatural is supplemented with highly skilled actors, who will be sure to leave you with nightmares! They offer tours without actors as well, for the true ghost hunters! Prices vary by day of week, starting at $15.
3. Haunted Caves at Lewisburg
What sounds more fun than a haunted attraction in a real cave!? This haunt is located 80 feet underground, which will make the thrills even more nerve wracking. It is home to more than 30,000 resident bats and is said to house some of Satan’s personal ghouls. In 2010, it was rated by Guinness World Records as the longest walk through “horror house.” Tickets range from $8-$22, and they feature the traditional haunted cave or a historic wagon ride tour.
2. Ghostly Manor Thrill Center in Sandusky
This is one of the year-round attractions that can be fun for all ages. The ghostly manor is one of the most technologically advanced haunted houses and features 4 buildings, rides, special effects, actors, tours, and a haunted trail. This amusement center even has a skating rink, mini golf, and bounce house. It was featured on The Travel Channel’s “Best Places I’ve Ever Been” series and recognized by FORBES magazine. It is located 2 miles from Cedar Point, which makes it a must-see if you plan on going to the roller coaster capital this year! Prices vary but an all-inclusive thrill pass will cost you $25.
1. Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield
This real prison and historic monument was featured in the Shawshank Redemption and it consistently makes the lists as one of the most genuinely haunted and supernatural locations in America. It was a reformatory designed for less violent criminals in Ohio, meant to reform inmates rather than punish them. These plans went south rather quickly and the prison became extremely violent. It also had many suicides and even a murder of the warden’s wife. It has been featured on paranormal hunting TV shows and is a world-wide destination for ghostly-thrill seekers. They open their doors for private tours, group tours, guided tours, paranormal hunting clubs, and paranormal experimentation. They even teach paranormal hunting classes! If you are looking to skip the actors and would rather spot a real ghost, then this is the destination for you! Visitors often report strange sights, sounds, feelings of rage and despair, and odd sensations. Prices vary and more details can be found on their website.
