Best Haunted Houses In Charlotte
Historic Rosedale Plantation
3427 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 335-0325
www.historicrosedale.org
Dates: Oct. 24, 25 and 31, 2014
Recognized as one of the truly haunted houses of Charlotte, this historic property hosts ghost tours every October perfect both for history buffs and for those who like spooky places. Night tours lead through the first floor and basement of the Federal era mansion, and amid century-old oaks in the gardens, meeting spirits who experienced tragic deaths due to greed, epidemics and insanity, as well as spirits seeking to escape from slavery via the Underground Railroad. Living history reenactors bring the spirits to life and narrate the history of Rosedale.
6325 W. Wilkinson Blvd.
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 829-6455
www.thehauntedmillnc.com
Dates: Now through Nov. 1, 2014.
Operated by the same folks who host the annual Mad Monster Party, The Haunted Mill is one of North Carolina's top haunted houses, currently celebrating its 17th year of putting guests inside a horror movie. The 20,000 "scare feet" attraction includes 40 actors and lots of new scares every year in a 115-year-old mill believed to house real ghosts. For the faint of heart, the year-round Purple Planet 3-D Black-Light Mini Golf is just next door, with video playstations, pool tables and lots of family-friendly fun.
3718 Plyler Mill Road
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 709-7000
www.the13thacre.com
Dates: Now through Oct. 31, 2014
Located in nearby Monroe, this haunted trail promises twice the length and all new scary scenes for 2014. It's on the property of the Aw Shucks Farm which also operates a (non-haunted) corn maze and pumpkin patch, with pigs, rabbits, paddle boats and other kid-friendly fun. The maze stays open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, when kid-friendly bonfires complete with scary stories and s'mores are planned.
5225 Sample Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 875-2312
www.lattaplantation.org
Dates: Oct. 24-25, 2014
Built around 1800, this plantation house has accumulated its share of ghosts with spooky apparitions and documented poltergeist activity. Tour the house and grounds by lantern light at this event which multiplies the scares with visits to a Civil War battlefield, haunted prison camp and soldiers' cemetery inhabited by ghostly reenactors. Tours take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the cost is $10. A more family-friendly event, All Hallow's Eve, takes place at the plantation on October 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with costume contests, trick or treating and Halloween crafts, free with regular admission. [Note: The Latta Equestrian Center is not hosting its Haunted Trail and Hayride in 2014.]
Related: Best Haunted Places In Charlotte
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28273
(704) 588-2600
www.scarowinds.com
Dates: Now through Nov. 1, 2014
The region's largest Halloween attraction just keeps getting better under Cedar Fair ownership. The 15th annual edition finds the park infested with vampires, zombies, clowns, movie monsters, demented dolls, alien creatures, stalkers in the corn and un-dead of all descriptions spread through seven mazes, five scare zones and a variety of live shows. Carowinds' nine scariest coasters are running throughout the event, adding to the screams.
Related: Best Haunted Bars In Charlotte
With 15 years of experience covering restaurants in Charlotte and the Carolinas, and two regional guidebooks under her belt, Renee Wright examines the dining scene with enthusiasm plus a deep knowledge of food trends and outstanding local eating ops. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
