7 Ohio Spots for Thrills and Chills

Thrill seekers looking for a good scare don’t have to look too far in Ohio, where haunted houses and spooky events are abundant. This is especially true for those who take a trip up to Sandusky, where the Lake Eerie Fearfest awaits those who dare enter its Ghostly Manor, and HalloWeekends is back at Cedar Point for both coaster thrills and jump scares. Perfect for a first date or for adrenaline chasers, these seven Halloween will leave you with your heart racing.

Blood Prison | Oct. 23-26; Oct. 31-Nov. 2
Travel to the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield for another year of the Blood Prison, an award-winning haunt that has been ranked one of America’s scariest, for a more intense haunting experience. As you walk through real prison cells made of stone and steel, you’ll encounter twisted prison guards and crooked inmates. Walk through this massive freestanding cell block before making your way to The Hole, where 100 years of haunting screams can be heard. Just be careful not to anger the Warden’s Widow.

HalloWeekends | Oct. 23-26; Oct. 30-Nov. 2
October in Ohio isn’t complete without a trip to HalloWeekends at Cedar Point in Sandusky. Extended park hours allow visitors to experience fan-favorite thrill rides, including the new-for-2025 Siren’s Curse. If coaster thrills aren’t enough, wander through the scare zones in select areas of the park. For an extra cost, thrills can also be found in the haunted mazes, ranging in theme from a scary slaughterhouse to a creepy circus. Not into the thrills, or want a way to engage little ones? Visit during daylight hours for kid-friendly fall fun like trick-or-treating and live entertainment.

Lake Eerie FearFest | Oct. 24-25
Named one of the top haunted attractions in Ohio in 2023 by the Haunted Attraction Association, Lake Eerie FearFest is certainly one of Ohio’s best spots for screams, and this is the last weekend to experience it this year. Hosted at Ghostly Manor Thrill Center in Sandusky, Lake Eerie FearFest is an expansion of its year-round haunted house, Ghostly Manor, featuring additional experiences complete with special effects and immersive scenes.

Fortress of Fear | Oct. 24-25 & Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Fortress of Fear Haunted Screampark in Alliance features five freaky attractions, including some new for 2025. General admission includes access to all five hauntingly fun experiences, like the new Skittlez Fun House where Skittlez the clown is waiting, and the carnival-themed Fear Fair. The attraction also features Glo-karts, rides, food and food, and a Black-Out on Nov. 1. This special event delivers an extra dose of fear as it is held in total darkness and the actors are allowed to touch participants.

Land of Illusion | Oct. 24-25 & Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Celebrating 29 years of thrills in 2025, Land of Illusion Haunted Scream Park in Middletown features six scream-worthy attractions. The Middletown Haunted Trail is just over a mile long, scattered with chainsaw-wielding mad men and monsters, while the Lights Out attraction is new for 2025, featuring pitch darkness that you have to feel your way through as monsters lurk in the shadows. After screaming your way through the mazes and attractions, on-site foods vendors can help you refuel.

Lewisburg Haunted Cave | Oct. 24-25 & Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Take your thrill seeking underground at Lewisburg Haunted Cave. This daring quest 80 feet below ground winds through a limestone cave overrun by ghouls. (Adding to the Halloween atmosphere, the cave also features 30,000 real bats dwelling in the dark.) For those looking for a less scary experience, check out the Mine Wagon Tour, a 40-minute ride through the cave that is no-scare and shines a light on bats and mining history. On Oct. 25 enjoy Trick or Treat Underground, a daytime experience where actors pass out candy to kids and family instead of delivering scares.

Panic in the Pines | Oct. 26 & Nov. 1 
By day, Bowlander Farm in Genoa has activities for all ages, but when night falls and the moon glows, the scenery changes. Billed as the longest running hayride in Ohio, Panic in the Pines includes three different haunts for thrill seekers. For one price, visitors will enter the backwoods of the farm on the haunted hayride, where the wind howls through the pine trees. Then, traverse a spooky trail riddled with clowns and circus folk looking to scare unsuspecting guests. Finally, the woods await, as does the Deranged Doctor from the long-abandoned asylum. 

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