America’s National Association of Haunted Attractions has revealed its most terrifying destinations for Halloween 2025. The witching season recommendations will offer guests a “playground of fear and theatricality that tests courage and transforms ordinary nights into extraordinary stories,” America Haunts says. Here, Travel Tomorrow rounds up the association’s recently published “Ultimate Fear Masters” and its “bucket list” for thrillseekers.
Thrillvania Haunted House Park, Dallas-area, Texas
Topping the “bucket list haunts” is Thrillvania in Texas. Visitors can creep through fifty acres of haunted woods set against Gothic mansions to find “legendary characters like Baron Verdun, a werewolf-scientist, and his vampiric bride Lady Cassandra” as well as new horrors such as Sam Hain’s Hollow – stalked by scarecrows – and The Marionette Room, where menacing puppets await.
The 13th Gate– Baton Rouge, LA
And taking the crown for most haunting scares and described as a “Halloween rite of passage, the Fear Masters at The 13th Gate set the bar for ultra-realism and immersion, America Haunts says. In 2025, Frankenstein’s Castle takes centre-stage, including “the largest animatronic the haunt has ever created, a towering 14-foot creature that lumbers in the darkness.” Outside, Carnevil provides laser maze challenges, nightly concerts, and the Séance Horror Show “where ghostly apparitions appear inches away.”
Niles Scream Park — Niles, Michigan
Number two on the bucket list ranking is Niles Scream Park, with around 70% new attractions every fall, ensuring even regular visitors will not know what to expect. This year, a Gothic cathedral, a Krampus Village, and a Stranger Things-inspired house will all make their debut.
Spooky World Presents Nightmare New England – Litchfield, New Hampshire (Boston Area)
Known as New England’s largest “scream park,” Spooky World takes number two over on the “Fear Masters” list. Its four attractions include a mile-long haunted hayride and over 120 scare actors roaming the grounds, each with “movie-quality costumes and makeup designed to push guests out of their comfort zones.”
Spooky World is Halloween at “full throttle,” the list claims, noting the “bars, DJs, bonfires, carnival food, axe throwing, and zombie paintball” that help to keep the atmosphere lit.
Talon Falls Scream Park — Melber, Kentucky
Another bucket list item, this time number three, Talon Falls merges nostalgia with shock value, according to America Haunts. 2025’s imaginings include a sawmill, a meat factory, and a mutant-infested cavern. Worse, on “Flashlight Fright Nights,” the lights go out and guests are left to fend for themselves with only flashlights and each other for comfort.
Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Attractions – Ulster Park, New York
Halloween would not be complete without a Headless Horseman. This year, Ulster Park ranks third among Fear Masters, with a Night of the Blood Moon storyline that features wolves, cursed forests, and eerie motels with scares designed by American Made Monster Studios. On the authentic 18th-century estate, The Horseman’s Tavern might provide some Dutch courage.
For more seasonal thrills and scares across the US, in Canton, Ohio, Fort Worth, Texas, Philadelphia, PA, and Wyoming, Minnesota – check out America Haunts’ full 28th September and 2nd October blogs.
