Eerie New York: Essential Haunted Houses

With less than a week to go before another Halloween has come and gone, the time to get out and explore some haunted houses is officially nigh. Luckily, New York is home to quite a few haunted attractions for scare-hungry adventurers of all ages and spending limits.

For single adults in search of pure thrills, try the Blackout experience. Admission is limited to patrons over the age of 18 and this mysterious attraction has in the past required its guests to move through the house alone with only a flashlight and a mask for protection. Sexuality and violence abound here, as well. Ideal for avid horror fans, the trip is not for the faint of heart.

If creepy fun for the family is the order of the night, check out the Creatures of the Night Jack-O-Lantern Illumination at the Bronx Zoo. There you'll explore a spooky tunnel filled with a gorgeous exhibit of over 1,000 expertly carved Jack-O-Lanterns featuring a multitude of mythical creatures and real world animals.

Refreshingly original haunted houses ideal for couples include the renowned Nightmare: New York, which has recently incorporated local legends into its scares, and the impressive Gravesend Inn, reputed as New York's most theatrically high-tech haunted attraction. All in all, it's not to late to step out into the night and experience fun and fright as only this city can provide.

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