The Top Ten Haunted Houses in Texas

by Paul Bardfield

            I had a mission; more like a great horror opportunity to visit and review the best haunted houses in Texas this year.  I picked 26 haunts to visit based on recommendations, previous experience and reputation.  If the haunted house season was only a few weeks longer I may have made it to a few more, but I think I feel good about the ones I visited and here is my top.  Rankings of the ten best and scariest haunted houses in Texas are ranked from 10 to 1.  Check back soon as as we will reveal our top 13 scariest haunted houses in America 2010.  FIND ALL THE BEST HAUNTED HOUSES IN TEXAS ON HAUNTWORLD.COM TEXAS DIRECTORY CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK: 

http://www.hauntworld.com/texas_haunted_houses

10.  Tayman Graveyard Cedar Hill, TX

I have enjoyed Tayman Graveyard every year, and it’s definitely not a bad production for a bunch of boy scouts at all. I have been watching the haunt grow and improve over time and it has been a nice treat. Tayman offers 4 very different attractions that are for some reason the land it is on gives you a very good Halloween feeling.  This place also boasts having one of the very hard to find haunted hay ride attractions. Tayman has a great balance of all the different sides of fun required to fulfill all your haunting needs.

9.  Zombie Manor, Arlington, TX

I have yet to hear anyone say anything but great things about their visit to this newer haunt, so I was happy to check it out. I have to say that Zombie Manor is a must see haunt.  Zombie Manor is not the largest venue, but the space is utilized to perfection the set designs were above and beyond almost anything I have ever seen, but some of the actors were a little short! Zombie Manor is one of those places that you can see over and over again, and not see the same thing twice!

8.  Hatch and Kravens, Sherman, TX

The Actors at Hatch and Kraven's Slaughterhouse gave me a few pretty good scares. The crew worked great together and made the experience very memorable.  Some haunted houses only have a few actors inside to scare you, but this haunt had multiple actors around every corner.  Hatch and Kraven's had great detail in there scenes too, but size was a factor.  If you are in the area, or looking for an experience, this is the place to go.

7.  Necroplex, Italy, TX

Necroplex is a very original looking haunted house.  Demented dolls, the gothic machines, the mannequins all made it like no other haunt I have seen, completely breaking from the traditional haunting. This is the second year for Necroplex, and I expect it to get even better.  I truly enjoyed the originality, soundtrack, and actors here.  I look forward to seeing more additions and expansions in years to come

6. Reindeer Manor, Red Oak, TX

Reindeer Manor is a fairly epic haunted attraction. I always love visiting Reindeer Manor every year because very entertaining. It is an adventure may not appeal to everyone, as it is a bit more theatrical then most other haunted houses, you should check it out at least once.  The juice is definitely worth the squeeze.  Some of the special effect they have there boggle the senses.   In total there are three completely different types of haunted attractions located on the Reindeer Manor property (13th Street Morgue and Dungeon of Doom and Reindeer Manor), head out to Red Oak, TX and see just how cool this place really is.

5.  Terrorplex, Mansfield, TX

There are multiple haunts here, Van Helsing’s Haunted House of Wax, Midnight Manor, and The Castle of Torture,  I took my wife here and she didn’t stop screaming or pulling me to the next room.  There was much to see as far as changes over the previous years, and the area with the haunts in all directions make it a fun night.  I would suggest you do this and Zombie Manor in the same night as they are in close proximity to each other.

4.  Phobia Houston, TX

This place was amazing, I did not expect this multi haunt to live up to the hype, but I had a blast there. The atmosphere was described as being crazy freaky by some other customers standing next to me… I need to use that term myself, each house was about 15mins of nonstop in your face actors/props and scares.   There was excellent spacing as I didn’t see anyone in front of behind me for almost all my time in the houses.  The best in my opinion was Mind Control: The Asylum, 3D Clown Phobia, and Dawn of the Machine.   I drove 4 hours for this one, and spent more than half that much time enjoying the overall experience of this place.  One negative is the mud was a WHIP, but that’s a small price to pay.

3.  The Cutting Edge, Fort Worth, TX

Cutting Edge is very long, and a very dark haunted house.  It took just under an hour to go though, so wear a good pair of walking or running shoes depending on your courage.  Room to room you travel though pitch dark hallways. The emergency exit signs were your only guides at some points. Smart utilization of LED lighting pointed at the scenes added a great spooky effect, but I did have to strain my eyes at times to see what I was looking at.  The suspense and length of this haunt minus the foam make it a definite must see.  The Cutting Edge has made the Guinness Book of Records for the largest haunted house in the world.

2.  The Haunt House, Caddo Mills, TX

The Haunt House provided a freaky walk through with master crafted scenes and highly skilled actors. If you have never seen The Haunt House, then you should put it on your haunted house to do list! There are so many things to see, you will have a hard time believing they are only in their second year. Their hard work and demented thinking has made this a haunt experience you don’t want to miss.  I didn’t notice any kids working inside here either.  It was longer than last year, the actors scared me a few times, and that doesn’t happen to me much. 

1.  The House of Torment, Austin, TX

There were horrifying monsters everywhere, dropping down on you from above and below. It was freaking fantastic experience and scarier than ever. Without a doubt The House of Torment in Austin was my favorite haunted house of the year in Texas.  Both haunted attractions have unbelievable new scares. Major improvements over last year and I already thought it could not get any better! I was terrified and couldn’t wait for Dark Stalkers. Whatever you do, go through both Contagium and Illusion Manor, and then go back for Dark Stalkers. You have to experience it to believe it! ‎

            It was difficult to rank the haunted houses in the top ten, and without a doubt these are the best I found out of a multitude of contenders.  I will visit these and some other haunts in 2010 and see if my top ten in Texas changes at all.   Any one of these haunts is well worth the drive and the dollar, but if you take my advice start with best and work your way down the list!

Happy Haunting!

Ghost Towns in Texas

In the mood for a real fright? Spend the month of October spooking yourself from visits to some of the scariest ghost towns in the state of Texas. You are sure to be frightened  by the dilapidated, eerie ruins that are left in these towns.

Indianola, Texas:
Business was booming and Indianola, Texas was one of the most prosperous cities on the Texas coast. Now, most of the city is located underneath the bay. Residents of the city thought that they were protected from hurricanes, but in 1875 a giant hurricane took place and wiped out the town. There are faint remnants of the town, such as pieces of the town courthouse that remain and can be seen by visitors. A visit to Indianola is eerie as there is a clear understanding that a bustling town with a booming economy used to exist there.

Helena, Texas:
Helena was a busy city until the town made the decision not to pay a bonus to the railroad. City officials made this decision to avoid having the railroad go around the town. During this time, any town without access t to a railroad had a difficult time keeping business afloat. In response to not paying the bonus to the railroad, the president of the railroad company re-routed the train to be even further away from the town. Residents began moving away and in a flash, it became a ghost town. Plenty of ruins from the town still exist and are certainly worth a visit.

Thurbur, Texas:
This coal-mining ghost town was once a booming town but today has a population of 25 people. With over 10,000 people in 1886, this town specialized in mining coal and was known as one of the largest coal-mining towns in all of Texas. In 1903, the mining employees unionized and the mines closed down. Thurber then became a ghost town. A cemetery still exists which has over a thousand graves to see. Other buildings also remain standing, such as homes, a church and old businesses.

Hauntworld Reviews Texas Haunted Houses

Welcome to our Texas Haunted House and Halloween Attraction page where you can find all sorts of haunted houses in Texas. Some of our favorite haunted houses in Texas are located on this page.  Listed below are some of the best haunts you can find in the state of Texas.  If you know of a haunted house, haunted hayride, ghost tour, real haunted house, haunted attraction, scary attraction, or Halloween attraction in Texas please refer those attractions to our site so they may create a FREE listing.  If you you would like to review one of the attractions we have listed please create an account.  Once you create a user account you may post your reviews and rate any haunted houses on our system.

One of the scariest haunted houses in Texas is in Fort Worh The Cutting Edge Haunted House. This haunted house is so intense that the visitors who survive are thankful they can live to tell about it and warn others. You are surrounded by complete darkness and creatures you only dreamed about as a child are crawling all over waiting to claim their next victim to try to escape. Think you are brave enough? www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse.com

Also in the Forth Worth area is Hangmans House of Horrors haunted house Four haunted attractions in one location where you will be submerged by the dead and their vicious deaths will be replayed for you and you see them slowly mutilated by the tormented souls that inhabit these haunted houses. New victims are always being saught out. Don't look back or you could be next www.hangmans.com

The House of Torment in Austin, Texas featured in Hauntworld the Magazine in 2008 is one of the best in the nation known for its innovative and over the top scares. You will come face to face with monster dropping from above and illiousions that will make you question your sanity. Monsters have rage that they take out on guests or should we say VICTIMS. Click here to see more www.houseoftorment.com

Another Austin scare can be found at Mansion of Terror two gorey haunted houses that will keep you awake for nights with the gruesome sights you will see and experience.  Featuring Death Asylum-zombie Carnage where you will witness some of the most mentaly ill zombies who are seeking fresh blood to keep themselves alive. Click here to see more www.mansionofterror.com

In Houston there are several spectaular haunted house one of those is ScreamWorld, three haunted attractions in one loaction. Some of the things in this top notch haaunted house are alive but many are not. The Edge of Darkness haunted house is an old fashioned haunt with cold and damp in your face scares that will make you cry for your mommy. Want more? click here www.screamworld.com

Also in Houston is Heart Stoppers Fright where creatures will scare the crap out of you and your friends. You will fall into the depth of fear when you eneter the 150 foot snake pit. You thought the Boogey man only scared you as a child but he is back and ready to take your soul to the other side this time. Once inside you won't know whats real and whats not...till its too late. Visit them online at www.heartstopperfright.com

Another great Houston haunted house is Phobia NINE seperate attractions in two different locations where you are invited to enter upon your own free will but you may not make it out. The sick and twisted things that you will see are enough you make a grown man become ill. Mental Asylum patients will chase you, Clowns will try to eat you...RUN! Run as fast as you can to survive the dark. Click here for more details www.darke.com

Another must see haunted house in Houston, Texas is Nightmare on the Bayou located next to a Cemetery the ghost of those that have laid to rest are creepy into this haunted house where sometimes.even the employees are scared to be there alone. These aren't just people dressed like ghost. they are realy paranormal inhabitiants lurking the grounds who never wanted to be disturbed. Click here to see more www.nightmareonthebayou.com

Dr. Haunts Chamber of Fear in Gainsville, Texas a haunted house that thrives on tortured souls. Once you enter the darkness you will beg for your life as monsters bring to life your worst nightmares. You will hear blood curdling screams from those who are trapped inside, see savaged killers who are looking for their next victims and witness unspeakable acts that will make you scream for mercy. Click here to see how you can go www.drhauntshouse.com

The Slaughterhouse in Dallas, Texas is home to some of the most horrifying scares you will ever experience. You are brought face to face with ax carrying madmen who seek to behead the weakest souls. Once you are inside these walls you will be begging for your life but no one will hear you because they too have all been slaughtered to death. Check out there website here www.weslaughter.com

The Haunted House in Caddo Mills, Texas is sure to have you screaming once you are inside the dark that awaits. Look ahead or you might not make it out alive, and don't fall down or you will be pulled into the darkness never to be seen again. See more here www.hehaunthouse.com

Fear at Kaska Farms in West, Texas inhabited by visitors to the farm who never made it out alive and their murders have never been solved. When the sun goes down their sould creep from the ground to make those who have disturbed them pay for their horrific murders. Besides the cornfield haunt at Kaska Farms there are also child friendly activites click her for details www.kaskafamilyfarm.com

Texas Scare Grounds in Kennedale, Texas offers a frightful experience for all ages. From a low scale fear to an INTENSE haunted house-The Asylum where you will see things that you only thought existed in your worst nightmares. There is also live entertainment, food and more check them out here www.texasscaregrounds.com

At the Horror Haunted House in Austin, Texas you will enter into a world of flesh eating zombies, muntant cannibals and the maggot coverd dead who were not able to make it out alive before you. Watch where you step as the undeads bodys are resting beneat you as their souls are lurking in the walls. Visit them online for more at www.thehorrorhauntedhouse.com

Vampire Inc in Waco, Texas a haunted house based at the location of The Texas Chainsaw Massacure where your worst nightmares are walking in the darkness waiting for you to arrive. Where you will never make it out alive. Click here to see if you have what it takes to survive, www.hauntedhousetexas.com

Texas loves to scream so please be our guest and click on the profiles for Halloween attractions in Texas listed above.

To read more about the haunted house industry subscribe to HauntWorld Magazine www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

To find Corn Mazes and Pumpkin patches in Texas go to www.HalloweenAttractions.com
 

TO FIND MORE HAUNTS IN TEXAS CLICK HERE http://www.hauntworld.com/texas_haunted_houses