Enter if you dare: Michigan’s best haunted houses (and one ghost ship)

The ultimate list of haunted attractions for Michiganders who want to maximize their spine-chilling factor this Halloween.

From haunted ships and downtown ghost tours to zombie paintball and 3D mazes, there are tons of events across the state that will get your heart beating and blood curdling this spooky season. 

Below you will find 22 different attractions, each divided by region and complete with ticket prices and details. 

North  

Manistee’s Ghost Ship, Manistee

Sure, you’ve heard of haunted houses, but have you ever heard of a haunted ferry? On Friday and Saturday nights throughout October, brave visitors will be given the chance to explore all five decks of the haunted SS City of Milwaukee. The fundraising event, which has been named a top-rated Halloween attraction in Michigan, costs $12 per person, while kids 6 and under are free. Reviewers praise the “good scares, props, creepy sets, and ghostly characters.”

If you want to minimize the spook factor, we recommend attending the Scaredy Pants Night on Halloween from 5-9 p.m. The all-ages event, which is just $5, still includes candy and fun—but with all the lights on. 

Marquette’s Haunted Hayride, Marquette 

The infamous Marquette’s Haunted Hayride takes place on Oct. 19, 20, and 21 at the Marquette County “Scare”-grounds.

The website states that, “As you travel through the cold darkness, be warned that the unexpected may be lurking at every turn and behind each and every tree there may be an eerie encounter to greet you!” We’re scared already (but in the best way). 

Tickets range from $10-$25 and profits go back to the wonderful, local sponsors doing good in the Marquette community. 

The Insomniac Halloween Party & Historic Trail Nightwalk, Traverse City

Calling on Halloween-loving insomniacs. On Saturday, Oct. 21, you can come together with like-minded individuals for a night of music, costumes, and fun, bookended by a night walk through the historic (and mega-haunted) trails at the Grand Traverse Commons. 

The event takes place at Historic Barns Park in Traverse City and goes from 7-11 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and all proceeds benefit Charlie Golf One’s mission of providing housing for veterans and their families. 

Calvin Lutz Farms Haunted Maze, Kaleva

Locals rave about the pumpkin patch and corn maze at Calvin Lutz Farms, which includes a hayride to the location. However, from 8-10 p.m. on Oct. 27 and 28, the PG maze will be kicked up a notch and transformed into a spooky-ish attraction. Although it’s called a “haunted” maze, the farm usually keeps the event family-friendly. Tickets cost just $10.

West

Four Green Fields Farm Haunted Maze, Big Rapids

Photo courtesy of Four Green Fields Farm via Facebook

The best part about Four Green Fields Farm is that its seasonal activities—including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and horse-drawn wagon rides—all still cost the same as they did when the farm opened in 2007. 

So for the measly amount of $4, you can wander through the farm’s haunted maze on Friday and Saturday nights throughout October—if you dare. You can also make a private booking for your group to experience the haunted attraction alone, where they’ll throw in access to a picnic area, pavilion, fieldstone grill, and bonfire pit. 

New Salem Corn Maze, Dorr

Photo courtesy of New Salem Corn Maze via Facebook

There are two different paths you can take through the Witches Woods at the New Salem Corn Maze: the Wicked Woods or the Twisted Trail. If you’re up for an added thrill, you can also travel through the haunted corn maze, making you laugh and scream in equal measure. 

According to the website, “It will leave you out of breath as you crawl, walk, or run your way through the twists and turns as you try to escape the crazy atmosphere.” There are more than 20 attractions and dozens of actors committed to giving you the spook of your life, beginning at dusk on weekends throughout October, with a Light Spooktacular scheduled on select nights and a daytime maze open on Sundays. Admission costs $25 per person. 

Jollay Orchards Haunted House, Coloma

Daytime at Jollay Orchards may be all about picking your own apples, taking a hayride, and scarfing down fresh donuts, but nighttime brings a different kind of fun. 

One family has been attending for 30 years, writing “The hayride, maze and the haunted church with the pumpkin patch and apple picking are incredible. A family tradition we hope will continue for generations to come.” Head on down to the Coloma farm to make a fun Halloween tradition for yourself. 

Abandoned Acres Farm Haunted Attraction, Sparta

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjCHb7CDQZ8/

This year, there are two highly rated haunted attractions at Abandoned Acres Farm. Let’s start with the Bloody Butcher Corn Maze, which is reportedly “full of mutant pumpkins, witches, hillbillies, wandering corpses, scarecrows and other insane farm animals.” Then there’s the Big Top Terror Vision Corn Maze, a carnival-themed maze “full of crazed clowns, misfits and deranged circus animals in a 3D environment.” With 3D glasses included, that’s the most eye-popping maze on our list. 

This spooky YouTube video provides a preview with some background.  

East  

Erebus Haunted Attraction, Pontiac

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx6gFrEPG06/

Erebus is considered one of the best haunted attractions in the country and even holds a Guinness World Record for the largest walk-through haunt. The four-story haunted house in downtown Pontiac includes state-of-the-art special effects that are so scary you might want to take one of the early exit doors. 

Ticket prices vary, and the event runs through Nov. 4. To get a sneak peek, watch the Time Travel Experiment YouTube video. 

Motor City Ghosts, Detroit

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuZ4Rw9t6LK/

If you want to experience Detroit’s highest-rated ghost tour, look no further than Motor City Ghosts. The scariest part of this attraction? It’s all based on true stories. 

As the website reads, “Boosted by Eminem and his stories of 8 Mile, the truth about this Metro city harbors a darker, more grim truth that’s created the terrifying hauntings of Motor City. Join Motor City Ghosts to hear the disturbing details of the tragedy and sinister acts that spawned a curse not even Houdini could escape.”

The one-hour nightly tours start at the Alhambra Building and take you to the city’s most haunted locations. Tickets cost $25. 

Twisted Fears Haunted House, Clinton Township 

This attraction is not only “one of the craziest home haunts in Michigan” but also entirely free. Yep—you heard that right—Twisted Fears Haunted House provides an unforgettable, fun-and-fear-filled experience for no cost. 

The event is open Oct. 20-31 from 7-9:30 p.m., plus kids’ days with no scary actors on Oct. 22 and 29 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Blake’s Big Apple Haunted Attractions, Armada

There’s so much to do this season at Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, including U-pick apples and a tasting room that has a range of ciders. But for those who enjoy the spooky side of life, there are haunted hayrides, zombie paintball, a haunted barn, and an aptly named attraction called Spookyland—all of which are open on weekend nights. 

Tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to secure yours ASAP. 

Past Tense After Dark, Lapeer

Lapeer’s premier haunted destination includes three frightful attractions that are open on Friday and Saturday nights through Oct. 28. There’s the House of Horrors, Corn Maze of Fear, and Hayride of Despair. Which will you choose? 

Tickets cost $10-$15 per attraction, or get a combo package for $30. 

Michigan’s Haunted Thrill Park, Ypsilanti

If you want the most bang (or fear) for your buck, Michigan’s Haunted Thrill Park is for you. Featuring five attractions (the Ultimate Haunted Barn, Mindshaft, Asylum, Hayride of the Lost, and Alien Clowns in 3D), there is so much to do, and so many screams to let out. 

Tickets cost $35 and up and can only be purchased online. 

Hush Haunted Attraction, Westland

Hush is another multi-faceted venue, a spooky speakeasy haven that offers a variety of different haunts (four, to be exact) with secret bars located throughout. 

One happy Google reviewer wrote, “Drove 3-1/2 hours to get there, and worth it. They do amazingly to scare you, so be ready. Best haunted house I have been to.” Don’t believe it can be that good? Watch the 2023 trailer to see for yourself. 

General admission costs $20-$33 with bar add-ons available, running through Nov. 4. 

The Scream Machine, Taylor

Even if you’ve been to The Scream Machine in years past, you’ll want to make your return in 2023, as it’s found a home in a brand-new venue that is double the size. 

Here’s the backstory: “The Scream Machine was the brainchild of Dr. Scratch—a disgraced former neurosurgeon shunned by the medical community for his gruesome, unethical experimentations into fear. The machine is fed by the energy it elicits from those seeking thrills … The test phase is never-ending, as the machine is ever-growing and constantly hungry.” You can also add two escape rooms for some bonus fun. 

Tickets start at $25 per person. 

Azra Chamber of Horrors Haunted House, Madison Heights

You can’t go wrong with Azra Chamber of Horrors, as it was rated the No. 1 haunted house in the state by Scare Factor, Haunt World, and Fright Find. Over at Michigan Haunted Houses, the attraction is given the rare “very scary” rating, so be warned. General admission tickets cost $35, and even if they’re sold out online, you can buy them onsite at the ticket booth.

Rotten Manor, Holly

If you have enough guts to enter the one and only Rotten Manor, you’ll embark on a “spine-tingling journey [that] will take you on a winding path of terror that lasts approximately 35-45 minutes,” featuring talented actors and scary surprises lurking around every corner. 

Ticket prices vary by attraction and day of the week and are only sold onsite. 

South 

DarkSyde Acres Haunted House, Jonesville

You might not expect to find a one-of-a-kind Halloween attraction in rural Michigan, but DarkSyde Acres has been spooking area residents for 17 years and counting. There are five haunted houses to choose from—all with hand-built sets and state-of-the-art effects that cater to all ages. 

General admission tickets cost $22 and grant you access to all haunted houses on the property.

Niles Scream Park, Niles

If you want to experience America’s largest haunted theme park this spooky season, look no further than Niles Scream Park. The park offers six major attractions—which they rebuild every year to keep things fresh—across 44 acres, so it will certainly keep you busy.

This Facebook review says it all: “Drove 4 hours to experience this from the other side of the state! It was our last stop on our 16 haunts this year & every bit of worth it! This will be added to our list every year now. Great haunts, awesome atmosphere … Plus got some horrorments to go on the Christmas tree this year! Definitely recommend!”

Tickets vary by date and attraction. 

Zoerman’s Zombies, Jackson

Zoerman’s Zombies is an immersive haunted house that includes 3D art, hair-raising actors, and realistic sound effects. Although the normal hours are 8-11:30 p.m., the attraction is also open from 7-8 p.m., but without so many scares for those who don’t necessarily want to scream until their voice gives out. 

The attraction is open Fridays and Saturdays throughout October and tickets cost $20 per person. 

Awaken Haunted Attraction, Leslie

At Awaken Haunted Attraction, you can experience four linked haunts with one ticket, but there are side attractions and events for added fun. Scores of reviewers praise the talented actors, carefully curated and creative sets, and unique events. 

Tickets depend on the event and date, so be sure to plan ahead.