North Carolina's lush forests and mountain hollers have inspired their fair share of ghost stories, and during the Halloween season the state brings these stories to life through fun and scary attractions. Those who dare can experience some freaky frights in North Carolina at one of the area's many haunted houses, trails or hayrides.
The Woods of Terror on Church Street has scared guests in Greensboro for nearly three decades, and America's Best Haunts lists it as one of the best in the area. Legend has it that this plot of land is home to the restless spirits of Greensboro residents who perished during the Great Depression, which were exorcised from their homes and bound forever to the plot by a local priest named Father McMillan.
The Woods of Terror now operates as a haunted theme park, and features a number of scary attractions, including the Blood House, Heavy Metal Nightmare, Clown Town, a 3-D Vortex and the spooky Redneck Hayride. The park is open on select days during the Halloween season, from the end of September to the beginning of November. Tickets go on sale at 7:30 p.m., and the event opens once the sun goes down. Guests may purchase refreshments and snacks such as candy and pizza at the park. Children must be 5 years of age or older to enter, though The Woods of Terror does not recommend the attraction for children younger than 10.
Woods of Terror on Church Street
5601 North Church Street
Greensboro, NC 27455
336-286-9396
woodsofterror.com
Darkside Haunted Estates, located 30 miles east of Raleigh, is rumored to be an old insane asylum where a number of grisly murders took place. A shadowy figure named Dr. Alucard Dalav ran the asylum and tortured and killed countless inmates, whose spirits are said to still haunt the old house and grounds. Darkside Manor is an eight-room haunted house and the former stomping ground of the evil doctor, whose name spelled backwards is none other than Valad Dracula.
Before getting to the haunted house, brave visitors must first pass through Darkside Forest, a quarter-mile long haunted trail full of vampires, zombies and ghosts. Along the trail you'll pass frights such as a meat house, a graveyard, a playground for dead children and a place frighteningly named Clown Land. Darkside also offers a one-day-only "low scare night" for younger children who can't handle intense frights. Instead of getting spooked by zombies and ghosts, kids can enjoy carnival games, face painting and other activities, along with food and refreshments and trick or treating on the trail. Darkside also holds haunted weddings and birthday parties by request. The estate operates from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the last three weekends of October.
Darkside Haunted Estates
11875 Highway 222 West
Middlesex, NC 27557
919-269-8620
darksidehauntedestates.com
The Clayton Fear Farm in eastern North Carolina is said to be the former home of Seymour Phear, a tortured oddball and rumored serial killer. The skeletons of dozens of victims were reputedly found in the area, according to the local tales.
The farm features eight different Halloween attractions, including a 3-D haunted house. Other attractions include a pumpkin patch, corn maze, haunted graveyard and a 20-minute long Fear Forest Haunted Hay Ride. This attraction is open on select days each year during the month of October. During the day, the Halloween activities at Clayton Farm are kid-friendly and light on the scares, and the more adult frights open once the sun goes down.
Clayton Fear Farm
1620 Loop Road
Clayton, NC 27527
919-553-0016
claytonfearfarm.com
