The Magic City is known for so many things and attractions – theme parks, alligators, and the cutest mouse the world has ever seen.  Lucky for us, during this haunting season, we do not have to go very far to have thrills and scares this Halloween season.  There are plenty of “not so scary” activities to take the little kiddos to enjoy, but what about the tweens and teens?

Throughout the Orlando area, we have found a few haunts that are right up your alley if you are looking for screams, thrills, and scares.  There is everything from haunted trails to ghost tours that take you through cemeteries.

Spooky Things to do in Orlando this Halloween

Check out our list of spooktacular activities that are sure to get your heart pumping.

Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail

This one is about an hour outside of Orlando, but it is so worth the trip!  Located in Umatilla, Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail is an outdoor haunt filled with animated props, live actors, and super cool lights.  If you think the scares are too much for you, there’s even a “safe zone” where you can watch all the action rather than participate.  Most importantly, are you able to survive Amanda’s Army of Decay or Cody’s Revenge?  Each night after 9.30, brave the “Lights Out Experience” with nothing more than a small flashlight and your bravery to guide your way. The trail is open from now through October 31 usually from 8 pm to 10:30pm.  This haunt is pretty intense and while children are invited, parental discretion is advised.

Face the Fear

You might be brave enough to Face the Fear, but are you ready to double the terror?  This year, there are two scary experiences to choose from – the Mummer Memorial Manor and Sasquatch Park.  The spooky fun opens October 20 – 21 and 27 – 28 from 8 pm to 11 pm at the campus of The Church @ 434 in Winter Springs.

Both attractions are open to children, but parental discretion is advised.

Fear Reach Scream Park

The Orlando area has tons of haunted haunts to visit and now there is one more!  Fear Reach Scream Park is the newest haunt in the Orlando area and it is so worth the visit.  Located in Tavares, Fear Reach has three haunted attractions – including axe throwing and carnival games, food, and a live Halloween band too.  The park is open every Friday and Saturday from 7 pm to 12 am now through November 4.  Tickets should be purchased online and in advance.  Children under the age of twelve are welcome; however, if they are easily startled, it is recommended that they do not attend.

Haunting of River Ranch 

Tired of the usual ho-hum Halloween thrills?  Looking for something a little more bone-chilling?  Then you will want to go on the haunted hayride at Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo.  A storyteller is on board weaving scary ghost stories as you traverse the dark forest. What happens in the forest? We’ll never tell!

Located in River Ranch, about a ninety-minute drive from Orlando, you can take the family on a day trip to enjoy the resort and the ranch.  Visit the family-friendly Cowboy Adventure Park where you can participate in fun family activities, pose for great fall pictures and pick out and decorate pumpkins.  And once night falls, it’s time for the haunted hayride.

The Haunting of River Ranch runs every Friday and Saturday until November 4 from 6 pm to 10 pm.  It is best to purchase tickets in advance to ensure your spot at this awesome Fall favorite.  Remember, while the Cowboy Adventure Park might be family-friendly, the haunted hayride is made to scare participants and is recommended for people eight and older.

Haunting Nights at the Leu Gardens

Looking to enjoy a boo-tiful night out?  Haunting Nights at the Harry P. Leu Gardens is the fun night out in the Fall you are looking for this Halloween.  The beautiful gardens will offer some jump scares throughout the night.  When you enter, you will be greeted by a ten-foot jack-o-lantern; be brave and walk through the garden of sunflowers and thread the neon maze.  Haunting Nights at the Gardens will run from now until October 31.  While the Gardens is a lovely day trip for the whole family, Haunting Nights is recommended for adults and children thirteen years of age and older.

Orlando Haunts

There’s the mouse, a castle, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and the world.  Do you know what else Orlando has?  Ghosts, haunted mansions, and a rich history of pirates, rumrunners, and the second most alien encounters in the country.  Orlando Haunts is the number one ghost tour in Orlando.  The sixty to ninety-minute walking tour starts at the Global Convergence Sculpture in Orlando and goes through local haunts like the Beacham Theatre, the Old Railway Depot, and more.  This is a walking tour that covers a little more than a mile so it is advised that ghost hunters wear closed-toe shoes.  Tickets can be purchased online and should be purchased in advance.  As this is a walking tour, please note that many of the stops on the tour are not stroller and/or wheelchair friendly.

Petrified Forest Haunted Walk-Through

Want to be scared stiff this Halloween?  well then visit A Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs.  During the haunted season, take a walk through the forest at your own risk – you won’t know what will jump out at you!  Each of the three trails has a different theme.  In addition to the trails, take a visit to the haunted houses and enjoy the backstage tour so you can see how the magic happens if you think your heart can take it, check out the total eclipse nights where the forest is dark and monsters try to steal your glow stick.  This is a great treat for families with teens.  There is a kid-friendly day each year so the little ones can get in on some of the fun too.  Visit the website to schedule your haunted fun this season.

Scream – a – Geddon

The name alone brings fear and fright!  The Scream–a–Geddon is probably one of the scariest events to do in Central Florida other than a theme park.  Located in Dade City, the Scream–a–Geddon Horror Park is one scary scene that has six haunted houses and a zombie paintball experience (separate ticket).  When you are ready to refuel, there is a food court and beer garden.  The park is open daily in October from 7 pm to 11 pm. although the park allows children to enter with an adult, Scream–a–Geddon is not recommended for your children.

 Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail

Celebrating ten years of spook-macular fun, Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is the premier fear park in the Orlando area.  Take a day trip out to Plant City and enjoy the outdoor haunted trails, haunted houses, an escape game, and now added, a haunted hayride!  Work up an appetite and head over to the food area where local vendors have ghoulish treats for sale.  Now that you have refueled, play a game of laser tag.  All the spooky fun runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday now through November 4; Friday and Saturday from 7:30 pm to 11 pm and Sunday from 7:30 pm to 9:30 p.m.  Tickets should be purchased in advance and online.  Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is meant to frighten and scare visitors and is not recommended for children under the age of twelve.