Go to a haunted house

A haunted house is a short way to feel completely awake on an October evening. You wait in line, you scream, and you laugh at yourself in the parking lot afterwards. It’s a good outing with friends, and also surprisingly easy to get wrong if you go in unprepared. This is what to wear to a haunted house, how to pick a good one and how to get the most out of it.

Choose the right kind

Haunted houses come in a few types, and they feel quite different.

• Walk-through attractions. The classic indoor or outdoor route with actors, sets and sound.
• Hayrides and trails. Outdoors in the dark, often at farms. Dress for the cold.
• Escape-room style and immersive ones. Smaller groups, and more reading and thinking than jumping.
• Community or charity haunts. Often less polished and sometimes funnier than the big ones.

If you’re new to this, pick something with good reviews and a clear idea of how intense it is. Many venues say whether they’re family-friendly or for adults, and that tells you a lot.

Book ahead and choose your night

Weekends sell out, so book your tickets ahead. Weeknights and earlier in October are often quieter, which can mean shorter lines. Check whether tickets are for a timed slot, and arrive a little early.

Prices vary between places, but it’s usually a small treat rather than a big night out. Extras like fast passes and photos cost more and aren’t needed.

Go with the right people

Pick friends who want to be scared. A group of three to five works well, because you can stay close together and nobody is left at the back.

Tell everyone beforehand that anyone can ask to leave. It takes the pressure off, and people usually last longer when they know the exit is there.

What to wear to a haunted house

Think comfortable, quick and easy to move in.

• Closed shoes you can move in. Haunted houses are dark and floors are often uneven, so skip sandals and heels.
• Nothing that drags or dangles. Long scarves, trailing hems, loose sleeves and big jewellery can catch on props or on someone behind you.
• Layers, if there is a line outdoors. Lines are often long and the evenings are cold, but inside it can get warm, so wear something you can take off or tie round your waist.
• As little to carry as you can. A phone in a zipped pocket is enough. Leave big bags in the car or at home.
• A costume only if you can move in it. A mask that blocks your view or your breathing is a bad idea.

Skip anything you’d be upset to lose.

How it works inside

1. Listen to the briefing at the door. Rules are usually simple: no touching the actors, no running, and no flash photos.
2. Ask how to tap out. The staff will tell you what to do or say if you need to stop, and it may differ from one place to the next.
3. Stay with your group and keep moving. The scares are timed to the flow of people.
4. Don’t touch the actors or the props. They’re not meant to touch you either, and if anyone does, tell staff.

Strobe lights, fog, loud noises and low light are all common. If any of these are a problem for you, check the venue’s notes in advance.

How to enjoy being scared

Part of the fun is laughing as soon as it’s over. Hold someone’s arm, scream if you want to, and don’t worry about looking silly, because everyone else is doing the same. Remember that the actors are working and the effects are timed. Looking at the floor and at your friends helps if it gets a lot.

If it gets to be too much, stop. Use the tap-out, find a staff member and get some air. That’s what it’s there for, and nobody counts it as failing.

If you’re nervous about going

Being nervous is normal, and it’s part of why people enjoy it. A few things help. Look up photos or reviews so you know the style of the place. Pick a time when it’s not too crowded, and arrive early so you’re not rushed in. Eat something beforehand and don’t go in on an empty stomach, because adrenaline and hunger make everything feel worse. If you decide at the door that it’s not for you tonight, that’s a fine choice. You can still enjoy the line, the costumes and the hot chocolate stand.

Afterwards

Plan something warm for after, because your heart will still be going. A hot chocolate, a diner or a walk in the cold air is perfect, and talking through the best scares is half of the evening.

Make it a fall evening

Go on a Friday night, then follow it with something cozy so you’re not just driving home in the dark: cider donuts are a good ending, or a movie night at someone’s place if you want to stay in the mood. If a full haunted house sounds like too much, a ghost tour is the calmer version.