10 New England Haunted Houses for Everyone, from Horse Lovers to Gore Addicts

Given our history of witch trials, deep woods, and ancient graveyards, New England is the ideal place to be for Halloween thrills. But which haunted house should you visit? Well, that depends on who you are: a gore addict? a parent with young kids? out on a date? (All of the above?) Well, whoever you are, and whatever chills your spine, we’ve found the precise spot to spook you out. Be afraid — be very afraid.

For Night Owls

Calling all insomniacs: Ghoulie Manor in Taunton is open until the oh-so-eerie hour of midnight for an entire evening full of shrieks. At that hour, the movie-quality sets and outrageous characters should really get your blood pumping. You’ll never sleep soundly again (not that you ever do).

Ghoulie Manor, Silver City Galleria Mall, 2 Galleria Mall Drive, Taunton. Open Friday through Sunday and on other selected dates. Check website for hours. $19 per person. 508-591-3327. www.ghouliemanor.com

For Horror Movie Buffs

Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery in Salem sheds its museum exterior for the month of October, when characters from your favorite horror movies come out to play – literally. Meet scream queen Dee Wallace, who starred in the ‘80s classics “E.T’’ and “The Howling,’’ and other celebrities on selected nights during the season.

Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery, 285 Derby St., Salem. Open daily from 10 a.m. Check website for closings. $8 for adults, $6 for college students and children aged 5 to 12, and free for children under 5. 978-740-0500. www.nightmaregallery.com

For Lovebirds

Scare your sweetie silly at Haunted Acres in Candia, N.H., where every Thursday is “Date Night.’’ When you buy one ticket, you’ll get the second half price. And before you two head in, you’ll want to stock up on some liquid courage with a pumpkin smash cocktail at the Toxic Tavern. Cheers!

Haunted Acres, Liquid Planet Water Park (Route 27), 446 Raymond Road, Candia, N.H. Includes five attractions. Open Thursday through Saturday. Check website for hours. Regular admission $27 for adults and $19 for children 12 and under. “Speed Pass’’ $39 for adults and $27 for children 12 and under. “Date Night’’ $40 for two tickets. 978-228-6543.

www.hauntedacresnh.com

For Philanthropists

These haunts pay it forward by donating money to charity. Travel back to the haunted “Old West’’ at Terror at Diablo Junction in Braintree and experience crafts, food, games, and more. Proceeds for this haunted house are sent to two local elementary schools – and the house itself was fashioned entirely by volunteers.

If you’re itching to do more good, other haunts donating money to charity include the Haunted Labyrinth in Cranston, R.I. (donates money to Rejoice in Hope Youth Center), The Haunting at Stone Hill Farm in Blackstone (donates money to Haunt for Hunger Community Service Scholarship Fund), and the Lakeville Haunted House in Lakeville (donates money to local organizations).

Braintree Haunted House, 90 Pond St., Braintree. Open Thursday, October 23, through Saturday, October 25. Check website for hours. $6 for “Not So Scary Night.’’ $8 for “The Haunting Nights.’’

www.braintreehauntedhouse.com

For Teens Who Like to Scream

Let’s face it: Six Flags New England is a teen haven. So it’s no surprise that teens flock there for Halloween as well. Teens, as well as adults, can revel in “Fright Fest,’’ New England’s largest haunt attraction. It features more than 20 rides, shows, and activities. There’s even a creepy Midnight Mansion with secret passages and dusty chambers.

Six Flags Fright Fest, 1623 Main St. (Route 159), Agawam. Includes 24 attractions. Open Friday through Sunday and on selected dates. Check website for hours. $63.81 for admission with haunted houses. Free for children under 2. 413-786-9300.

www.sixflags.com

For Horse Lovers

Love horses? Get your horse fix during a horse-drawn buggy ride down twisting roads at Charmingfare Farm in Candia, N.H. Your buggy will take you to the “Barn of the Dead.’’ We sure hope those horses don’t scare easily!

Harvest of Haunts, Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St., Candia, N.H. Includes four attractions. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. $25 per person ($9 for farm members). 603-483-5623.

www.visitthefarm.com

For ‘Walking Dead’ Junkies

Do you binge-watch “The Walking Dead’’? Then this haunt is right up your alley. Summon the undead at Spookyworld’s Nightmare in New England, where guests can pelt paintballs at zombies and rouse them back to life. Other attractions include the Brigham Manor haunted house, Carnage maze, The Colony backswood trails, Freak Show in 3-D, and Ravensclaw Resurrection cemetery.

Spooky World and Nightmare New England, 454 Charles Bancroft Highway, Litchfield, N.H. Includes five attractions. Open Friday through Sunday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Check website for pricing. 603-424-7999.

www.nightmarenewengland.com

For Unrepentant Urbanites

Think you know the city? Discover the spookier side of Boston on this 90-minute walking tour. Hear the ghastly tales of murder, revenge, and heartache while touring a haunted apartment, the location of the long-gone Boston Common Great Elm where folks were said to have been executed, famous gravesites, and more. No props, make-up, or strobe lights needed here – the stories alone will scare you.

Haunted Boston Ghost Tour, Central Burying Ground Cemetery in the Boston Common, 106 Boylston St., Boston. Tours run daily from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $13 for children under 16. 617-605-3635. www.hauntedboston.com

For the Easily Frightened (i.e., Kids and Their Parents)

If you’re the parent of a young child who doesn’t want your kids to miss out on the spooky fun, head to Barrett’s Haunted Mansion in Abington for an exclusive “Lights-On Tour.’’ Several haunted houses across New England offer special lights-on tours that are more mild for the youngest thrill seekers and those who scare easily.

Some other houses that host lights-on events are Fright Kingdom in Nashua, N.H. and Spooky World and Nightmare New England in Litchfield, N.H.

Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, 1235 Bedford St. (Route 18), Abington. Includes two attractions. Open daily from 7 p.m. until when the last group has gone through. $23 per person. $7 for Saturday “Lights-On Tour’’ from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 781-871-4573. www.bhmansion.com

For Gore Addicts

If bulging eyeballs are your thing, then head to The Dark Manor in Baltic, Conn., where sordid sights await. Voted Connecticut’s scariest house by The Venue News magazine, the site includes a two-floored manor and an outdoor graveyard where you can have your fill of chainsaw-wielding killers, ghastly dismembered bodies, and headless bloody corpses. Good times!

The Dark Manor, 25 Main St., Baltic, Conn. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Check website for exact dates and hours. Includes two attractions. $22 per person. 860-833-TOMB.

www.darkmanorproductions.com