10+ Haunted Houses and Spooky Experiences around Washington DC
Happy fall, my D.C. and DMV friends! You know what this means? It’s Halloween season all month long. Get ready to scream, jump, laugh, and maybe, even shed a few tears as you traverse the most haunted experiences with friends and family through the DMV area. Here’s your guide to all things spooky and scary with these 10+ frightful events.
By Yelena Nicolle Salvador
Experiences are organized by distance from Downtown
1) Laurel’s House of Horror
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and select Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from Sept. 20 to Nov. 2
Where: Laurel, MD | 20.8 miles from Downtown
What: Get in the Halloween spirit by making your way to an abandoned movie theater – the perfect location for a night of jump scares. In fact, this theater has been the site of reported paranormal activity by local ghost hunters. Step into this spooky world and find out for yourself.
2) Fields of Screams Maryland
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Select Thursdays and Sundays from Sep. 27 to Nov. 2
Where: Olney, MD | 20.8 miles from Downtown
What: One of the DMV’s most beloved haunted attractions is back. Walk the Super Trail which is peppered with haunted houses, props, and more. Then, make your way to the new Slaughter House attraction for the ultimate scary experience – beware, it’s blood galore!
3) Workhouse Haunt: Twisted Tales of Terror
When: Fridays and Saturdays, from Oct. 4 to Nov. 2
Where: Lorton, VA | 23.9 miles from Downtown
What: Revisit your favorite fairy tales with a terrifying twist. As you make your way through this year’s Workhouse Haunt, enter a haunted carnival wonderland. Before your timed entry, munch on some food, grab a Halloween-themed alc bev, and enjoy a live DJ.
4) Cox Farms Fields of Fear
When: Fridays and Saturdays, from Sep. 20 to Nov. 2
Where: Centreville, VA | 28.6 miles from Downtown
What: Come and get your fright on in over 20 acres of spooky attractions. With four themed areas from the Firegrounds to the Cornightmare, you’ll be sure to have quite the scream. Don’t forget to enjoy some great eats and their Fall Festival for a more laid back, family vibe.
5) Markoff’s Haunted Forest (pictured)
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Select Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from Sep. 27 to Nov. 2
Where: Dickerson, MD | 33.7 miles from Downtown
What: Be prepared to walk a one-mile trail full of terrifying scenes and scary ghouls. Before your entry time, enjoy gigantic bonfires, food, music, and more in the free Midway area. If you want, you can purchase an onsite only ticket to their new attraction this season: the See No Evil Corn Maze.
6) Leech Woods Haunted Trail
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Select Thursdays and Sundays from Oct. 4 to Nov. 2
Where: Damascus, MD | 34.4 miles from Downtown
What: Get ready for a memorable walk that will haunt your dreams. This experience takes place on a historical site with a terrifying history of a murdered family. Get ready to scream. You can always stop by the Midway area for free where you can munch on some nims and sip on some drinks.
7) The Nevermore Haunt
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Select Thursdays (and Halloween) from Oct. 4 to Nov. 2
Where: Baltimore, MD | 39.0 miles from Downtown
What: Are you ready for a bone-chilling indoor experience? Step inside this building full of demons, monsters, and ghouls that are born from your deepest, darkest fears. While you wait, enjoy some fun-themed alcoholic bevvies, snacks, and onsite performances.
8) Bennett’s Curse
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Select Thursdays and Sundays from Sep. 27 to Nov. 2
Where: Dundalk, MD | 43.2 miles from Downtown
What: Four different attractions: House of Demons, Halloween 3D, Ravenbrook Asylum, and Legends of Halloween. You’ll discover new fears at this immersive experience. Caution: this is not for the faint of heart!
9) Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
When: Mondays to Sundays from Oct. 26 to Dec. 8
Where: Leesburg, VA | 43.4 miles from Downtown
What: This one is less scary but absolutely magical. Make your way to the Forbidden Forest where you will walk and discover your own wizarding abilities. Cast a spell, take photos, and more at this immersive experience.
10) Creepywoods Haunted Forest
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (and Halloween) from Oct. 4 to Oct. 31
Where: White Marsh, MD | 53.8 miles from Downtown
What: Welcome this new outdoor haunted trail into the DMV scene. Brought to you by the same creators of Bennett’s Curse, Creepywoods will be sure to fill you with fright. Find your way out of this local farm – be careful, you may find monsters along your path.
11) Legends of the Fog
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Select Thursdays and Sundays from Sep. 27 to Nov. 2
Where: Aberdeen, MD | 70.6 miles from Downtown
What: Dare I say that I saved the best for last? This one is worth the trek. Choose one or go to all four attractions. Whether you want to make your way through a haunted hotel, corn maze, or slaughterhouse, or take a scary hayride, there’s something for everyone to scream at.
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Photo by Rania Peet for Markoff’s Haunted Forest