6 minute read
Frightful Fun: Haunted Houses & Ghostly Events
Frightful Fun Frightful Fun
Haunted Houses & Ghostly Experiences
by Morgan Cole
Whether you’re a horror fan looking for the next scare or you’re into ghost hunts and paranormal activity, we’ve rounded up some of the area’s top haunted houses and frightful attractions to help you make the most of the spookiest season of all.
October is the best time of year for eerie encounters along Northwest Florida’s infamous “ghost coast.” You never know when or where you may experience something frighteningly freaky that boggles your mind, especially in downtown Pensacola. Started by the Pensacola Historical Society as an annual fundraiser, the UWF Historic Trust continues the tradition of offering the Haunted House Walking and Trolley Tours the two weekends before Halloween every year. With four different itineraries to choose from, tour guides will lead you on a stroll through downtown’s grave past as you learn about Intendencia Street’s murderous mayhem, Seville Square’s cornucopia of spooks and specters and South Palafox’s deadly bars and brothels (for adults only). Tours will be offered October 14, 15, 22 and 28 with time slots available at 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Each tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Tickets for the walking tours are $15 for adults and $8 for children, ages 12 and under. Tickets for the haunted trolley tour are $20 for adults and $10 for children, ages 12 and under. For tickets and tour details, visit historicpensacola.org.
Seville Haunted Luncheon and Ghost Tour
Do you dare dine inside one of Pensacola’s oldest buildings and most haunted restaurant? Enjoy some spooky fun as your tour ghost-hunting guide walks you through the tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder and mayhem, paranormal activities and the haunted history of Seville Quarter and Historic Downtown Pensacola. Experienced ghost hunters and professional paranormal investigators will lead each hunt and provide guests with their own high-tech ghost hunting and paranormal equipment (or feel free to bring your own). Following the tour, you’ll enjoy lunch or dinner at Apple Annie’s inside Seville Quarter. This haunted restaurant has more than just spirits on tap. Be careful because some uninvited ghosts might just join you for lunch! Tickets are $50 and include lunch or dinner. All ages are welcome. For tickets and details, visit pensacolaghostevents.com.
Hadji Horror Haunted House
Get spooked and support a good cause at the Hadji Horror Haunted House inside the Hadji Shrine Temple located at 800 W. 9-Mile Rd. in Pensacola. With 40 different rooms of horror-filled fun, the Hadji Horror Haunted House has grown to become Northwest Florida’s largest haunted house attraction. The haunted house will be open October 14 to 15, 21 to 22, 28 to 29 and 31 from 7 pm to 10:30 pm. For the seventh year in a row, event proceeds will benefit the Pensacola Breast Cancer Association. General admission tickets are on sale now for $25 and VIP tickets can also be purchased for $35, which allow you access to skip the line. For tickets and complete event details, visit hadjihauntedhouse.com.
Nightmare Chambers at OWA
Enter, if you dare! Chills will run down your spine as you venture through the Nightmare Chambers at OWA Parks & Resort. With three different scare zones, this haunted house is not for the faint of heart. There is nothing funny about the clowns you’ll find lurking in the dark corridors throughout the Nightmare Chambers. Muster up the courage and face your childhood fears through this twisted clown room, but don’t scream too loud or they might admit you too. This haunted insane asylum is sure to make you go mad as you try to escape the butcher as meat has run scarce, and he and his workers will do all they can to try and capture you to make a profit. OWA’s Nightmare Chambers will be open October 1 through October 31 on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 pm to 10 pm, on Sundays from 7 pm to 9 pm and on October 31 from 7 pm to 9 pm. Tickets start at $19.99 and can be purchased online at visitowa.com/ nightmare-chambers. Be sure to check out the calendar on page 18 for more local Halloween activities and spooky events!
Milton’s Haunted Imogene Halloween Attraction & Paranormal Investigation
If you’re going to go out looking for ghosts on Halloween, the Imogene Theatre in Milton is a good place to start. Over the past 105 years, the Imogene has had its fair share of performers, music patrons and “spirited” guests. Story has it that the ghost of the daughter of the man who bought the theater back in the 1920s and the namesake of the building, still inhabits the stage area. Imogene died at age 35 and is buried in Pensacola, but many believe that her spirit still lives on as a child in the theater. On October 15 from 10 am to 6 pm, investigators and ghost hunters from Second Sight Paranormal TV will host a Halloween Haunted House, featuring a spine-chilling mix of actors and special effects, costumes and spooky storytelling—all blended with Imogene’s haunted history. Tickets are $15 for the haunted house. Ghost hunters and paranormal investigators will also lead Ghost Hunt tours from 7 pm to 11 pm. Ghost Hunt tickets are $35 and include ghost hunting equipment. Personal audio equipment and digital cameras are allowed. For tickets and event details, visit miltonghosthunt.com. Creepy Hollow Woods
The unknown awaits around every corner at Creepy Hollow Woods, one of Northwest Florida’s favorite haunted trails. Located in Jay, Creepy Hollow Woods has grown to become one of the top-rated haunted attractions not only in Florida, but across the nation. For this frightful festivity, you’ll navigate your way through “the haunt,” exploring the different rooms and creepy creatures that await you inside as you try to escape the madness. Creepy Hollow will also provide live music and axe throwing (you’ll get to throw three axes for $5) while guests wait for their turn to enter the haunt. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at hauntpay.com or in person at the event. Creepy Hollow is located at 2251 Wade Road in Jay, FL. For more details, check out @CreepyHollowWoodsFL on Facebook. The Wentz Brothers Festival of Fears
If you are up for a little bit of a drive, the Wentz brothers’ popular haunted house has returned to the Santa Rosa Mall, but instead of a single haunted house, the brothers have taken over the entire western wing of the mall to create three separate haunted house experiences. The first of the haunted houses called “Protocol Z,” is a zombie apocalypse that pits military personnel against zombies in a nearly pitch black subterranean bunker. The second is “Lazarus Toys,” where participants must make their way through a decrepit toy shop, where they’ll meet unnerving toys that have come to life and don’t want to let their guests leave. The last house is “Shriek Show,” where visitors must navigate a labyrinth while being harassed by creepy clowns. This year’s Festival of Fears will also feature carnival midway-style games and a concession area. Festival of Fears is open Thursday through Saturday from 6 pm to 11 pm through the end of October, with special performances on October 30 and 31 for Halloween. Tickets are $20 to visit one haunted house, $35 for two or $45 to visit all three. For tickets and information, visit wbfestivaloffears.com.
