A guide to Cleveland haunts, from nightmarish to family-friendly frights
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Today is Friday the 13th, which means it's opening weekend for several of Cleveland's most popular haunted houses.
Why it matters: Northeast Ohio has more than two dozen haunted houses and attractions set to draw thousands of guests through the end of October.
State of play: We're previewing some of the best places for scary vibes.
Nightmares guaranteed
The intrigue: The name says it all as trained performers from the Legion of Terror improv troupe look to make you squirm with a variety of themed weekends.
When: Now through Oct. 31.
- 8pm to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays.
- 8–10 pm Sundays starting Oct. 6.
Where: 1010 Towpath Road, Broadview Heights.
Cost: Tickets start at $20.
🔪 Chippewa Lake Slaughterhouse
The intrigue: The 70,000-square-foot haunted house tells the fictional story of Karver Meats, which "opened" in 1948 but closed after employees began mysteriously disappearing.
When: Special opening tonight. Then, Sept. 27–Nov. 2.
- 7:30pm to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays.
Where: 5665 Chippewa Road, Chippewa Lake.
Cost: Tickets start at $30.
Details: The 58-acre tract offers a trifecta of haunts, including a hayride, walking trail and haunted house.
When: Now through Nov. 2.
Where: 1662 Medina Road, Medina.
Cost: Tickets start at $32.
The intrigue: The old Ohio State Reformatory features a variety of creepers, from twisted inmates and deformed prison guards to clowns and zombies.
When: Sept. 27–Nov. 2.
- Opens at 6:45pm, Fridays through Sundays.
Where: 100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield.
Cost: Tickets start at $31.50.
Family-friendly frights
🧑🌾 Spooky Ranch
The intrigue: Spooky Ranch may be the scariest haunted site in Northeast Ohio, with attractions ranging from a haunted hayride and barn to a saloon and 3D monster facility.
Yes, but: The ranch has packages that range from less scary (recommended for kids) to "Extreme Nightmares" (parental supervision recommended).
When: Sept. 27–Nov. 3.
- 7–11:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays.
- 7–9:30pm, Thursdays and Sundays (starting Oct. 10).
Where: 19066 East River Road, Columbia Station.
Cost: Tickets start at $18 for kids 10 and under; $25 for guests 11 and older.
The intrigue: The showcase at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds features six haunts, including an asylum, mansion and wormhole.
Yes, but: The "Scaredy Cat" ticket ($10) allows you to test the waters at just one of the haunts.
When: Sept. 27–Oct. 26.
- 7-11pm, Fridays and Saturdays.
Where: 19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights.
Cost: Tickets start at $10.
The intrigue: The long-running showcase in Summit County features a spooky black-out maze with room after room of monsters.
Yes, but: Kid matinees, with lights on and trick or treating, are offered on select Sundays.
When: Sept. 27–Nov. 2.
Where: 2250 Barlow Road, Hudson.
Cost: Admission is $3 (or an unused toy for donation) for kid matinees.
- Tickets for regular nights start at $10 for kids 12 and under; $15 for those 13 and up.
The intrigue: Cedar Point's annual scarefest offers daytime activities for families on Fridays and Saturdays and Nightmare Fright for adults on select evenings.
When: Runs through Nov. 2.
Where: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky
Cost: Tickets start at $60.