Spooktacular Adventures in the PNW

Halloween is a fun time of year to explore haunted venues and visit attractions that get your blood curdling and your heart thumping with fear. There are lots of interesting Halloween events happening in the Pacific Northwest this fall, many geared towards adults looking for a good scare. This is a roundup of our top scariest picks for haunted, horrific fun.

Washington

Head to Stalker Farms in Snohomish and be plunked in the middle of a horror movie—complete with original story lines, trained actors, custom-made costumes and talented makeup artists. This experience delivers some horrifically entertaining moments that go far beyond the typical Halloween haunted attraction. Snohomish, WA, 2023 season starts September 30, 2023. stalkerfarms.com

The second annual Wilkeson Spookeasy is a historic haunting tour that blends entertainment with history and cocktails. Participants embark on a town-wide adventure, raiding Wilkeson in search of illegal hooch while enjoying a selection of tastings at seven pouring locations. The event also features a lively Prohibition-era costume contest and karaoke. Wilkeson, WA, October 21, 2023 | 6:00 p.m. visitrainier.com/events/wilkeson-spookeasy

The sixth annual Witches Night Out brings hundreds of visitors to historic downtown Enumclaw to compete for the best costume, best hat and best broom. Plus, there’s a scavenger hunt, prizes, dancing and tons of vendor booths to browse. Enumclaw, WA, October 14, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. visitrainier.com/events/witches-night-out

Field of Screams is a haunted walk in the dark featuring scares like no other. The mile-long walk takes approximately an hour to complete. Upon entering, just past the giant ghouls, you’ll make your way through the Junkyard, Clown Town, Dark Room and Survival Bunker—to name a few. About halfway through, you’ll make your way to the Outbreak Zombie Thrill Ride, where you must get past the zombie walkers that are thirsty for your flesh! Richland, WA, weekends in October. fieldofscreamstri.com

Oregon

Famous for being the backdrop of Disney Channel’s classic movie “Halloweentown,” this small city likes to celebrate all month long. Though you can visit anytime, like any other city, October is when the town transforms into the Spirit of Halloween! They light the pumpkin (just like in the movie) on the first Saturday of October following the Big Halloween Parade and it stays lit for the entire month. On the weekends, you can find family-friendly attractions like a haunted house, spooky shuttle rides and the Great Big Halloween Exhibit. St. Helens, OR, September 16-October 31. spiritofhalloweentown.com

Did you know Portland was haunted? Now you can experience it during Portland Ghosts, an hour-long walk through the oldest sections of downtown Portland. You’ll visit some of the most haunted locations in the region, with several of them tied to the infamous Shanghai Tunnels—a labyrinth of interconnected basements, makeshift rooms and low-ceilinged tunnels used to sneak illegal goods (and victims) between shore and ship. Portland, OR, nightly, year-round. portlandghosts.com

Idaho

The Old Idaho Penitentiary, considered one of the most haunted destinations in Idaho, hosts a range of spooky activities, such as the Behind the Scenes Tour (October 14, 2023), which gives visitors age 13+ a chance to explore offlimits areas of the old penitentiary that are usually closed to the public, and Squawky & Spirits (October 27-28, 2023), which features music, entertainment and food trucks as well as ghost stories and haunted cell house experiences. Boise, ID, visit website for event details. Tours available year-round. history.idaho.gov/oldpen