Haunted houses bring scares, laughs to Omaha area

Fall is arguably the most wonderful time of the year. It prepares for the upcoming winter and brings pumpkin spice flavored foods, sweater weather, scary movies and of course, haunted houses. Haunted house attraction parks are popular for making people so afraid of something that isn’t real, afterwards it makes them laugh at themselves.

There is a great deal of activities for fall alone, but there’s nothing like a good ol’ haunted house to satisfy the thrill inside that comes with the Halloween season. Mystery Manor’s up close and personal haunted house is exactly what one might need to please that thrill that shows up every year. By up close and personal, it is meant in a literal way. The “creatures” interact with each person throughout the house, which makes for a better experience.

On top of the amount of creatures, it’s what they look like. The realistic back-from-the-dead like look plays a role in increasing fear. It’s genuinely as if one is strolling through Halloweentown, but it’s much darker and not as cool (in the moment at least).

A downside to Mystery Manor is it is not very large so it gets hot and humid quite fast inside. Going with a big group seems like a fun idea until everyone is sweating and out of breath from running, though it is nice knowing you aren’t the only one who’s afraid.

This haunted house is recommended to whomever is looking for a quick scare on a late fall night. Beware the lurking clowns as you await to get inside, they come out of nowhere. Unlike other haunted houses, Mystery Manor interacts with its thrill seekers. Giving lessons on the history of the haunted house and palm readings. The house is full of loud noises and the space is very tight, so if you are claustrophobic or phonophobic (fear of loud noises,) then this is probably not the place for you. It ranks on a three out of five.

Last year, Americans spent $300 million spread out between the 2,500 haunted houses. If you are going to contribute to the $300 million, it shouldn’t be at just any haunted house. Get your money’s worth and go to Scary Acres.

It features three haunted house attractions and each one gives off immense fear, but the best is the Master’s Castle. The significant less amount of “creatures” in this house is made up by rooms full of globalized fears, such as clowns. Room after room, they continue to get scarier.

Unlike Mystery Manor the creatures are willing to chase customers around the large castle. There is a lot more space to run, but it is harder when the pathway is shaped differently. Incoordination, flickering lights, humps and ramps, it’s all a recipe for disaster. This house is made for big groups because it is easier to get lost. In most areas it is pitch black which heightens the other four senses as you can’t see. The most interesting part is the fact it loops to the outside full of cornfields- go figure. It ranks a four out of five.

One thing Scary Acres and Mystery Manor have in common is the spinning room. Walking across a ramp as the room is spinning is proven to be more difficult than it sounds. It is something to look forward to when attending either haunted house.

Satisfy the thrill inside this fall at a haunted house and get in the Halloween spirit.