Instead of walking down the street of a neighborhood for sugary candy as a trick-or-treater, some choose to walk through haunted houses and feel the fear they deem appropriate for such a frightening holiday. From haunted houses located in actually haunted locations to houses that prey on specific fears, like clowns, there are plenty of ways to scare yourself into this Halloween
Here are five different haunted houses located in Alabama that are guaranteed to elicit screams and possibly some recurring nightmares.
Arx Mortis
Arx Mortis is an indoor haunted house, located in Killen, Alabama, and spans about 50,000 square feet. Its name is derived from the Latin meaning “The Castle of Death” and follows the actions of Doctor Graystone through a fictional hospital named Covington Clinic.
This house features actors, make-up, complex sets and even animatronics to be the most entertaining and frightening haunted house in the Southeast.
According to the Arx Mortis website, “We like to think of it as more of a haunted experience than just an attraction, so every year we change large portions of the haunt to give you, our victim… sorry I mean guest, a new experience.”
Insanitarium
The Insanitarium is a haunted house celebrating its sixth year in Pinson, Alabama. It is set to a story involving a twisted doctor, Dr. Ausnemen. This attraction boasts its location is truly haunted and its workers have all personally experienced something that they could not explain. According to its website, the Insanitarium is ranked as the No. 2 must-see Alabama haunt of 2016, coming in behind the previously mentioned Arx Mortis.
Located in an actual haunted house, the Insanitarium does its best to fully immerse guests into the environment. The queue for entrance is located outside and the area is designed to be spooky, even while you wait. There are twisted midway games for those waiting to hop in line, or for those who are trying to get some fresh air after walking through the attraction.
Tickets to this attraction are $15, and it is open from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and from 7-11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Sloss Fright Furnance
One of the more popular haunted houses for UA students, Sloss Fright Furnace is located in Birmingham.
The Sloss Furnace is known around the country for its paranormal encounters. It has been featured in several television shows regarding paranormal activity, including “Ghost Adventures” and “Ghost Hunters.”
Sidney Powell, a junior majoring in nursing, said Sloss is one of her go-to haunted houses during October.
“I typically go to either Sloss Fright Furnace or Atrox and plan on going again sometime this year if I have the time,” Powell said. “I think it’s something fun to do for Halloween and that more people should go. I always get scared right before I go in and rethink my decision, but I’m always glad that I did once I get out.”
Tickets for Sloss Fright Furnace can be purchased at the box office from sundown to 10:30 p.m., or online. Tickets range from $20, for a combination of all the trails offered by the attraction, up to $40 if you would like to jump to the front of the line and experience the highest intensity level.
Atrox Factory
Atrox Factory is another popular destination in Leeds, Alabama. This haunted house is set as a factory and taps into the fear of all its guests, utilizing everything from clowns to serial killers and everything in between.
Atrox Factory has a reputation for hosting actors from famous horror films, including the actor who played Michael Myers in “Halloween 2” and the actor who played the Creeper in “Jeepers Creepers.” Atrox allows for guests to meet these actors before or after they enter the attraction.
Catherine Darby, a senior majoring in restaurant and hospitality management, recalls a time visiting Atrox with friends and regretting her decision.
“I have been to Atrox and Sloss Furnace in Birmingham, and they both scared me out of my mind,” Darby said. “When I was in middle school, a group of my friends and I went to Atrox one night before Halloween. I was a basket full of nerves and tears. When we were about to go in, I almost turned around and walked away, but my friends literally pushed me into the door/house. I do not think I have ever screamed so much in my life or have I ever been so terrified in my life. Due to this experience, I have now become afraid of clowns.”
General admission for Atrox Factory is cash-only at $20, however there is a $5 cover fee when a celebrity appearance is scheduled. Tickets can be purchased online through Atrox Factory’s website, or at the box office, which is open from 6:30 p.m. – midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 6:30-10 p.m. on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except for Halloween.
“For people that say they are scared to go to them, I just have to remind myself that they are just paid actors that aren’t actually gonna kill you and your entire family,” Powell said. “I just think it’s a fun thing to do with your friends during the month of October to get in the spirit for Halloween.”
