Best Haunted Houses In DFW

The Daily Meal Staff|Oct. 10, 2014 5:00 am EST

Photo By Geoff Petrulis – CBS 11

According to Hauntworld.com, Texas ranks third in the nation for having the most haunted houses — and some of the best are located right here in the DFW area. So for those who have a plight for fright, these DFW haunts will have everyone screaming with delight this Halloween. And for those who prefer more tame Halloween attractions, you will find some awesome picks for the best kid-friendly haunted houses here.Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus
3880 Irving Mall
Irving, TX 75063
(214) 724-2488
www.stranglingbrotherstexas.com

Date: Sept. 13 to Nov. 2, 2014

For those looking to amp up the fear factor, this circus of horrors is one that will have everyone walking a non-stop tight rope of terror. Visitors here begin their terrifying journey under a big top filled with blood-thirsty clowns before navigating their way in total darkness through a maze of 32 fright-filled tractor-trailers depicting various scenes straight out of a horror flick. The combination of cutting-edge animatronics, FX effects and an eerie cast of professional actors will create such an intense experience that you'll feel like you're trapped in a never-ending nightmare.

Reindeer Manor Halloween Park
410 Houston School Road
Red Oak, TX 75154
(972) 399-6425
www.reindeermanor.com

Date: Sept. 28 to Nov. 8, 2014

This haunted attraction has been around since 1974, making it the oldest haunted park in the world. It's also well known for being one of the top haunts in the nation, and the property actually has a real-life tragic history filled with fiery deaths, murder and a suicide. Reindeer Manor's three main horrifying attractions — Dungeon of Doom, 13th Street Morgue and The Haunted House at Reindeer Manor — can be viewed individually on a separate ticket or together for one price. There are also a host of free activities that come with the visit, including a hayride shuttle from the parking lot, graveyard shows and a few psychics ready to tell you your future. For a truly scary adventure, show up October 26 for a holiday in the dark event. This haunted house is guaranteed to instill shock and awe in everyone who breaches its territory.

Dark Hour Haunted House
701 Taylor Drive
Plano, TX 75074
(469) 298-0556
www.darkhourhauntedhouse.com

Date: Sept. 26 to Nov. 1, 2014

No need to wait for Halloween to get spooked out at this 30,000-square-foot haunt where visitors can enjoy gut-wrenching escapades on selected weekends every month. Dark Hour Haunted House masters the art of creepy by putting on full-scale, high-tech productions that keep guests on their toes as they brave their way through three ominous attractions; the Dominion of the Dead, Coven Manor and Voodoo Vengence. From the end of September through November 2, Dark Hours is presenting The Spell, a chilling Halloween-themed spectacle delving into the eerie world of witches.

Thrillvania Haunted House Park
2330 County Road
Terrell, TX 75161
(972) 428-9653
www.thrillvania.com

Date: Sept. 27 to Nov. 1, 2014

Billed as one of the scariest haunts in America by the Travel Channel, this 50-acre complex offers a fright-filled night of epic proportions. Haunt goers here can experience four main attractions that range from an 8,000-square-foot haunted manor and a 3D psychedelic labyrinth to an old abandoned church and a tree-lined trail of torment. And there's even more blood-curdling attractions to keep the adrenaline churning along the way like a fog-laden cemetery, a marshy bayou and a huge cast of actors to ensure that everyone is left gasping for air.

The Dark Path Haunt
2695 Old Alton Road
Denton, TX 76207
(817) 919-1477
www.thedarkpathhaunt.com

Date: Oct. 3 to Nov. 2, 2014

Here, instead of a haunted house, visitors can go on a spine-tingling adventure through four acres of dense, dark wooded terrain with only a flashlight guiding the way. But be forewarned, this trek is not for the faint at heart. It's an in area located next to the famous paranormal hotspot, Goatman's Bridge—where sightings of a man with a goat's head and other supernatural occurrences have been under surveillance by Texas ghost hunters for a number of years. In addition to a chilling adventure through the woods, there's also the Walking Dead, a military-style zombie laser shoot and a kids' charity Halloween event held between 12 to 3 p.m. every Saturday during the season.

Ilene Jacobs is a freelance writer living in Dallas, Texas. Ilene enjoys writing about a variety of topics, ranging from food, fitness and travel, to kids, pets and senior care. You can find some of her work at Examiner.com.