Was that a noise ahead or a figment of a terrified imagination?
Find out this Halloween and enjoy things that go bump in the night on Buffalo's competitive haunted house scene.
The Haunted Catacombs and House of Horrors, located at 2090 George Urban Boulevard, are full of eccentric zombies and monsters waiting to stalk and pop out at guests. Patrons are forced to find their way by feeling around for walls in complete darkness. Suspense build as seconds and sometimes minutes pass in darkness and silence.
"I freak out every time the monsters jump out of nowhere because I never expect it, even though I should," said Charlotte Zoda, a junior media studies major.
Although the Haunted Catacombs and House of Horrors can be quite spooky, both can irritate guests if they become lost in the room of doors or the labyrinth-like hallways for too long. Bathroom and food breaks are advised between houses as the monsters will not break character to tell guests which way to go.
The two smaller haunts within the complex are Psycho Therapy and City of Dead.
Psycho Therapy is short but spookier than the bigger ones and includes a twist that may scare the pants off those who never even knew claustrophobia could be a problem. City of Dead in 3D is least scary but a welcomed break from the screams, darkness, and fog machines.
Half the thrill in these mazes is getting lost, so it's best to brave up, split into smaller groups and avoid latching onto other groups - although folks in the back end up missing out on the most of the scares.
Regular tickets are $20 but scream passes allow guests to cut the long lines and are available for an extra $5. The haunt will remain open until midnight on Halloween and will continue a few days after.
Fright World, located at 2343 Union Road in Cheektowaga, provides the most variety and interest for only $20. A ticket covers five individually-themed experiences.
While Fright World is very elaborate and more fascinating than other haunts, it is not necessarily the scariest. Nevertheless, it generally ranks on national lists for best haunted house.
Dark Raven Manor and Raven Hill Asylum, located at 11163 Main Street in Clarence, is a great haunt for those willing to explore a little and deeply satisfying for those that crave the typical haunted manor and asylum experiences glorified in books and movies.
"It was absolutely scary," said Kathryn Lanigan, a senior English major. "I love that it's a more traditional haunted house."
This year the Dark Raven experience includes an asylum, as well as a cemetery and crypt with a few surprises to boot.
Admission to Dark Raven is $18 and printable coupons are available online.
