Halloween has traditionally been a time to celebrate the deceased but more recently, it’s become a holiday of horror films, costumes, ghouls, ghosts, candy, and scare-yourself-silly moments. October ‘tis the season for a fright, and what better place to go than a haunted house. New York City has plenty of haunted historical locales, (we’ll get to that too) but this time of year The City that Never Sleeps pulls out all the stops with its scary haunted houses. Live actors, fake blood and guts, and lots of frights are on the menu this Halloween. We’ve made a list of the best haunted houses to enjoy this October. Also included is a historical tour of haunted New York.
Blood Manor
The popular Blood Manor in Tribeca is the perfect place to get into the Halloween spirit. With over 10,000 square feet in real estate, this is a large haunted house by any standards. The journey is undertaken on foot; participants encounter live actors, blood, and gore. The actors are known to frighten with their particularly witty insults and props at Blood Manor. Participants pass through themed rooms, labyrinth-like passageways, and corridors designed to maximize fright. It is recommended not to wear white or expensive clothing as prop blood has been known to splatter. As with most New York attractions, be prepared for a queue to get into the haunted house; but fear not, the wait is worth it. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website or at the door.
359 Broadway, New York, New York 10013
Bane Haunted House
Deep in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, Bane’s Haunted House proudly boasts of its fear factor. This haunted house plays to the everyman fears of claustrophobic, separation anxiety, clowns, and more with over 100 live actors. Those brave enough to enter may be required to climb up, jump over, crawl through, and spin around the horrors of this haunted house. For an extra sum, Bane’s “scream cams” will also film participants as they confront their fears, and after will present them with a video to share on social media. Be warned: no heels sandals or open-toed shoes allowed in this house of horrors.
If you’re nervous about the fear-factor, Bane’s offers something a little softer on Sundays with its Happily Haunted tour. Young children or anyone not interested in having the bejesus scared out of them can come on Sundays from 3-5 pm. Participants receive a flashlight guided tour through the house sans zombies. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website or at the door. NB: Bane’s offers a VIP ticket that allows holders to skip the lines.
618 W. 46th St., New York, New York 10036
I Can’t See
The creators behind I Can’t See use a special immersion fear tactic to scare this Halloween. Inspired by the classic ghost story The Toll House by W.W. Jacobs, this “immersive horror theater experience” is experienced in total darkness. Participants enter into a frightful narrative where they become the title characters in a story that unfolds around them. Guided with only an audio headset and “umbilicals” to move about, the terror deepens as each of the other five senses are used to make it more real (all tastes are vegan-friendly). I Can’t See with its unique, hair-raising story-telling is a frightfully fun way to celebrate Halloween this season.
133 Greenwich St, New York, New York 10006
The Gravesend Inn
New York City College of Technology’s (City Tech) hosts its annual high-tech haunted hotel, The Gravesend Inn, where technology and horror are right at home. City Tech’s resident theatre troupe of students have produced the haunted hotel each year since its inception in 2000. Design, construction, and spooky surprises are all courtesy of the theatre students. Hidden sensors are triggered by participants as they walk through the Gravesend Inn, surprising with additional bursts of fright. From mummified pirates to a terror-inducing tea party, this hotel pulls out all the stops to spook. Gravesend Inn runs for a short seven days, so be sure to book tickets in advance through the website links.
Voorhees Theatre
186 Jay Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201
New York Ghosts
If all this haunted house stuff isn’t your deal, and you’re interested in proper ghosts, check out New York Ghosts. This nighttime walking tour takes participants past nine of the city’s most haunted spots in and around Greenwich Village including, Jefferson Market Library, Triangle Factory Fire, and Mark Twain’s House of Death. The one hour, 1.2 mile tour meets in Washington Square Park, itself once a massive a gravesite for victims of Yellow Fever. Look out for Mark Twain’s ghost, prohibition-era spirits, and more on this engaging historical tour. Details and tickets on the website.
(917) 858-7159
Staying in New York City – About The Lombardy Hotel
The Lombardy Hotel is just as iconic to Midtown Manhattan as many of the other historic and cultural attractions in the area. Not only are our rooms comfortable and tasteful, we provide amenities such as a full salon, coffee shop, and exercise room. We also host the American Cut Midtown steakhouse, perfect for a business lunch or dinner on a special occasion. We look forward to hosting you.
