Photograph: Courtesy Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses

The scariest haunted houses in NYC

Experience ghouls, gore and plenty of chills—if you dare.

Monday October 5 2026

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Written by Rossilynne Skena Culgan

Contributor | Former Things to Do Editor

Contributor: Amy Ellison

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While some of us spend fall dreaming of hot apple cider, hayrides and picking apples and pumpkins, others are eagerly planning for the upcoming terror-fest that is Halloween in NYC. In addition to finding a costume (check out the best Halloween stores in the city) and choosing which Halloween events to attend, it’s time to start thinking about all the haunted houses in NYC you can visit.

These haunted houses are intense with thrills and chills that will shake you to your core. You’ll experience ghouls, gore and plenty of undead action, but don’t we all love a good scream around Halloween? If you’re looking for a real-life creep-out, there are plenty of haunted places and spooky spots in the city that will give you the willies any time of year, but these haunted houses in NYC offer peak terror that’s perfect for the Halloween season. So take in a few of the best horror movies and head out to celebrate the scariest time of year.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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The best haunted houses in NYC for a scarily good time

1. Headless Horseman

Photograph: Courtesy Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses

Upstate's Headless Horseman Haunted Hayrides and Haunted Houses in Ulster Park is back with plenty of terrifying attractions. There's the classic hayride, a hauting walking trail, a corn maze and several haunted houses.

All give New Yorkers an opportunity to slowly pass the creepy crawly things in the darkness and maybe even see the headless horseman himself.

It's open now through October 31, with tickets costing $74 online and $79 on-site (depending on availability). You can add a Scream Pass for $41 if you want to skip the lines.

Things to do

Photograph: Courtesy of the Ridgewood Asylum

If you think there aren't great quality, white-knuckle worthy haunted houses in Brooklyn-slash-Queens, you're wrong: The Ridgewood Asylum and Haunted House has been a local crowd favorite for years. It's back again this Halloween season for its eighth year of interactive haunted house thrills with escape room elements.

What we love about this haunted house is that it isn't just about jump scares, it's always meticulously thought out, with storylines, plots and details you won't usually get from more commericial haunted houses in the city. The Ridgewood Asylum will open on October 9 and run until November 1.

General admission tickets will run you $42.67, while VIP costs $54.30 and grants you the flexibility of no specified admission time and an express line.

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