Best haunted houses... (Boston, Fall River, Salem: live, parking, congested)

[AandD]

I was really stoked about going to see Nightmare New England Haunted House | Halloween in Litchfield New Hampshire in Litchfield, but the boyfriend says that an hour and a half is too far to drive. *Sigh*. I drove 4 hours to Dallas for Fright Fest every year!

Anyway, I need a kick-ass haunted house somewhere near-ish Sharon. I heard tell Spooky World rocked, BUT they are in Litchfield this year. Any good ideas? Something where I won't wait in line for an hour and just get a 10 minute thrill?

[Beachcomber4]

I heard Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington is pretty good.

My kids are going with friends to the Factory of Terror in Fall River. Neighbors told me it was really scary.

[lrfox]

Barrett's is alright. I went last year. They made some changes this year, I guess.

The Factory of Terror in Fall River is far and away the scariest I've been to in the Northeast. It's great, HUGE (some 36 rooms), and very unique. The haunted house is actually a giant old factory adjacent to Downtown Fall River. It's actually paid actors and not just volunteers. The weaker Asylum of Horror is just about a 5 minute walk from the Factory of terror if you still haven't had enough.

If you're looking for a thrill, I can't think of a better one than the Factory of terror. Walk over to Trio and get dinner before or after to complete the night. Sagres and Cinderella are right there too if you want to try Portuguese food. I prefer Cinderella of the three ("Platinum" Plate from TV diner- the best- but a good value as there's nothing over $27), but they're all good. A drink or two would be a good idea before going... it may ADD to the effect.

In all the night is worth the drive from Sharon... I actually prefer the factory of terror to "spooky world."

[bostoner]

'Scuse me for butting in, AandD, but I was wondering the same thing. I heard about Factory of Terror, but I'm wondering is it TOO scary? Would it be okay to take a nine-year-old? What about Salem? We just moved here this past summer and haven't been there yet. Is it a must-see for Halloween? Any particular attractions you can recommend?

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by bostoner

'Scuse me for butting in, AandD, but I was wondering the same thing. I heard about Factory of Terror, but I'm wondering is it TOO scary? Would it be okay to take a nine-year-old? What about Salem? We just moved here this past summer and haven't been there yet. Is it a must-see for Halloween? Any particular attractions you can recommend?

The factory of terror MAY be too scary for a 9 year old or it may not be. It depends on the particular 9 year old (you know your child best). My parents took me when I was 9 and I hated it (I was also scared of my shadow back then). It's too realistic and plays on other fears (not just "boo" gags)... there are dark, small corridors that you can't see your hand in front of your face, strobe effects, fog-filled rooms where they tell you to find the exit yourself (it can take quite a while to find). They have professional actors and makeup artists, so for some it's just too... real. The BIG issue is the length... it's long. Because it's long, it does take time to get all the way though which does take its toll on some children.

On the other hand, they tend to play towards their audience. If you go to the first shows when it opens in the early evening where there are lots younger kids, they tend to be less aggressive and scary. They also know when to back off. My girlfriend at the time (3 years ago) was so scared from the anticipation that she hyperventilated inside. The characters picked on her at first (easy target) but then quickly made her feel better and helped her towards the exit. the positive was that she discovered that she has a mild claustrophobia. When I was younger, my parents said that they were very nice to me because I was "terrified."

Really though, it depends on your child and how he/she reacts to that type of stuff. I've seen 9 year olds (and younger kids) walk through and be completely fine and all smiles. I've seen others act like it was the most terrifying experience ever. It's a good show, and depending on how your child handles "haunted" places, they may love it or hate it.

Salem is an excellent place for Halloween. It's not just an attraction or two, the whole town is involved. There's no shortage of things in Salem for all ages (right down to a costume parade). The problem with Salem is that it's SO popular it gets congested to get in and out of. I love Salem this time of year.

Depending on where you're coming from (I'm assuming Boston), the Lakeville Haunted House and the Haunted Cornfield in Berkley may be a bit more age appropriate than the Factory of Terror but again, at 9, your child may enjoy it.

[AandD]

SALEM ROCKED! We went last weekend. My 8 year old (boy) and a friend's 6 year old (girl) LOVED the little haunted houses. The Fried Dough was a hit (it's basically a funnel cake, only they just plop a hunk of dough in the fryer - no imagination...), the street vendors were great. It was definitely worth the drive to see. And I got a bunghole t-shirt. Who can resist?

[bostoner]

Originally Posted by AandD

SALEM ROCKED! We went last weekend. My 8 year old (boy) and a friend's 6 year old (girl) LOVED the little haunted houses. The Fried Dough was a hit (it's basically a funnel cake, only they just plop a hunk of dough in the fryer - no imagination...), the street vendors were great. It was definitely worth the drive to see. And I got a bunghole t-shirt. Who can resist?

Not me, I'm sold! We will definitely make the trip before Halloween.

I had no idea Halloween was such a huge deal here. As you know, it's mostly a kids' holiday in Texas, but here everybody gets into it!

[bostoner]

Originally Posted by lrfox

The factory of terror MAY be too scary for a 9 year old or it may not be. It depends on the particular 9 year old (you know your child best). My parents took me when I was 9 and I hated it (I was also scared of my shadow back then). It's too realistic and plays on other fears (not just "boo" gags)... there are dark, small corridors that you can't see your hand in front of your face, strobe effects, fog-filled rooms where they tell you to find the exit yourself (it can take quite a while to find). They have professional actors and makeup artists, so for some it's just too... real. The BIG issue is the length... it's long. Because it's long, it does take time to get all the way though which does take its toll on some children.

On the other hand, they tend to play towards their audience. If you go to the first shows when it opens in the early evening where there are lots younger kids, they tend to be less aggressive and scary. They also know when to back off. My girlfriend at the time (3 years ago) was so scared from the anticipation that she hyperventilated inside. The characters picked on her at first (easy target) but then quickly made her feel better and helped her towards the exit. the positive was that she discovered that she has a mild claustrophobia. When I was younger, my parents said that they were very nice to me because I was "terrified."

Really though, it depends on your child and how he/she reacts to that type of stuff. I've seen 9 year olds (and younger kids) walk through and be completely fine and all smiles. I've seen others act like it was the most terrifying experience ever. It's a good show, and depending on how your child handles "haunted" places, they may love it or hate it.

Salem is an excellent place for Halloween. It's not just an attraction or two, the whole town is involved. There's no shortage of things in Salem for all ages (right down to a costume parade). The problem with Salem is that it's SO popular it gets congested to get in and out of. I love Salem this time of year.

Depending on where you're coming from (I'm assuming Boston), the Lakeville Haunted House and the Haunted Cornfield in Berkley may be a bit more age appropriate than the Factory of Terror but again, at 9, your child may enjoy it.

Wow, thanks for all that info! You've confirmed my suspicions. The realism is what I was afraid of. I think Factory of Terror will be too much for my kid... and for me! I think we'll skip it for now and wait a couple years. We'll visit some of the smaller haunted houses in the area.

Salem, on the other hand, sounds great. I can't wait to visit!

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by bostoner

Wow, thanks for all that info!....

Salem, on the other hand, sounds great. I can't wait to visit!

No Problem!

I think Salem's a great idea. In fact, I'd recommend anyone who lives in the area should see it around this time of year AT LEAST once. It's such an event. THIS is a good reference for what's going on in Salem this time of year.

The Boston Globe website had THIS guide to "Haunted" places (not haunted house attractions, actual haunted places) around Eastern MA to check out. The House of the Seven Gables in Salem is one of them (check it out while you're there) and so is the Lizzy Borden House in Fall River (which is right around the corner from the Factory of Terror and worth a visit) among others.

[Beachcomber4]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Barrett's is alright. I went last year. They made some changes this year, I guess.

The Factory of Terror in Fall River is far and away the scariest I've been to in the Northeast. It's great, HUGE (some 36 rooms), and very unique. The haunted house is actually a giant old factory adjacent to Downtown Fall River. It's actually paid actors and not just volunteers. The weaker Asylum of Horror is just about a 5 minute walk from the Factory of terror if you still haven't had enough.

If you're looking for a thrill, I can't think of a better one than the Factory of terror. Walk over to Trio and get dinner before or after to complete the night. Sagres and Cinderella are right there too if you want to try Portuguese food. I prefer Cinderella of the three ("Platinum" Plate from TV diner- the best- but a good value as there's nothing over $27), but they're all good. A drink or two would be a good idea before going... it may ADD to the effect.

In all the night is worth the drive from Sharon... I actually prefer the factory of terror to "spooky world."

My kids went last night (14 years old) and both said they felt that Barrett's was more creepy, scary than Factory of Terror. They said that FOT was more about jumping out and startling where Barrett's was creepy from the characters out in the parking lot to the situations inside.