Markoff’s Haunted Forest

Where: 19120 Martinsburg Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842
When: Oct. 27-31 (admissions start at 7:00pm, admissions end at around 9:30pm)
Tickets & Info: http://markoffshauntedforest.com/
Price Range: $15.00-50.00 (per person depending on event choices and coupons)
Age Range: 11+ (Markoff’s is intended to be very scary even for adults, but all ages will feel welcome in the “Front Circle,” which

features a zip line, bungee jumping, carnival events, fire shows, live music, and much more.)
Details: This October fear fest features two long trails through dark woods with exceptional special effects; acting; and scenery, a terrifying trailer ride to a haunted town, uniquely themed creepy carnival events, a live DJ, and massive bonfires.  Markoff’s was first created to fundraise for an outdoor summer camp called Calleva. Other profits are donated to a variety of local charities, including local athletic teams and environmental organizations. Markoff’s is known for a family friendly and safe atmosphere, though there is a fair share of monsters, ghouls,  and clowns.
What’s new this year: This year’s theme is “Backwoods Mayhem.”  Markoff’s also added a brand new event called “Finney’s Funhouse,” a twisted haunted maze complete with terrifying surprises around every corner!

GMHS Halloween Hootenanny

Where: George Mason Cafeteria and Aux. Gym
When: Oct. 28 (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Tickets & Info: https://twitter.com/gmhsSCA
Price Range: $2.00 a ticket (games cost multiple tickets)
Age range: All
Details: The Hootenanny, now in its third year at GMHS, is a charity event featuring a haunted house, raffle, Baggo, basketball, ring toss, music, cotton candy, Chick-fil-A, photo booth, and face paint. There are carnival games for kids of all ages and a haunted house for older kids. Junior SCA president Jack West is leading a team of students to build and operate the 2016 Halloween Hootenanny. All proceeds go to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).
What’s new this year: This year’s haunted house is “Freak Show” themed and there are rumors that you can win an iPad in the raffle. .

Field of Screams, Maryland

Where: 4501 Olney Laytonsville Rd, Olney, MD 20832
When: Oct. 27-31, and Nov. 4-5 (Sun, Mon, Thurs: 6:30-9:30pm, Most Fri: 6:30-10:00pm, Most Sat: 6:30-11pm)
Tickets & Info: www.screams.org
Price Range: $25.00 (trail pass)-$85.00 (full pass for all events)
Age Range: 13+ (While the Haunted Hayride and Haunted House are good for younger ages, the two trails are extremely gory and adult oriented).
Details: The most popular “scream park” in the DC area, and highly awarded, with some of the scariest frights about. Field of Screams features two unique trails, each consisting of multiple “scenes”. Field of Screams is intended for those who enjoy to be scared out of their minds. The actors are all professional and will not break character, even if you ask them to (unlike many of the Markoff’s actors). It’s directed at adults and is significantly less family friendly than Markoff’s. The Haunted Hayride is really the only “all ages inclusive,” event, and it’s a great way to relax after everything else.
What’s new this year: The trails feature state of the art commercial pyrotechnics and a regularly updated set design, and paths are regularly changed.

DC by Foot; Ghosts of Georgetown

Where: Old Stone House at 3051 M Street NW (near 30th and M St), Washington, D.C.
When: Oct 26-30 (8-9:30 p.m. min tour), Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 and 25  (7-8:30pm)
Tickets & Info: http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/washington-dc-ghost-tours/#georgetown
Price: $20.00
Age Range: All ages
Details: This 1.5-hour Georgetown ghost tour is perfect for historically minded Halloween adventurers. It takes you through one of the most paranormally notable (and notorious) areas in DC, and it has fantastic value due to its committed guides and informative stories, which are all backed up by centuries of fascinating history. Spend and autumn evening in a beautiful Georgetown neighborhood and check out the famous exorcist steps.
What’s new this year: DC by Foot has recently compiled of book of ghostly stories in Georgetown which is sold on the tours, so don’t forget to purchase your own!

Cox Farms (Fall Festival and Field of Fear)

Where: Cox Farms, 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville, VA 20120
When: Fall Festival:  Every day of October and November (10am-6pm) Field of Fear: Oct. 28 and 28, and Nov 4 and 5 (7:30-11:00pm)
Tickets & Info:  http://www.coxfarms.com/
Price Range:  $4.00-$15.00 (Fall Festival) $15-25 (Field of Fear)
Age Range: All ages can have a blast, including the youngest and oldest members of the family
Details: Cox Farms’ fall festival offers 90 acres of Autumn scenery, petting zoos (including a goat village), go cart races, pig races, rope swings, 5 giant and many smaller slides (fall themed, and big enough for even older visitors to enjoy), live entertainment, fresh apple cider, a fun and challenging corn maze, the Imaginature Trail, and the Enchanted Barn. Don’t forget about the alternate personality of the Fall Festival, the Field of Fear. This is a chilling “scream park” that’s still inclusive to all ages. Field of Fear features the same atmosphere as during the day, but instead of a Cornfield there’s a “Corn Nightmare,” featuring aliens, claustrophobia, caves, doctor, and of course, clowns chasing you. Instead of a Pumpkin Patch Hayride, it features a Dark Side Hayride complete with creepy scenes, a walk in the dark, actors, and zombies. You can also attend the Zombie Zoo, where you can experience a Simulated Attack Area, and run from uncannily fast and talkative zombies! Field of Fear also features a huge caramel corn stand, bonfires, great Halloween decorations, and a competition called the “Fear Games!”

The Mansion on O Street

Where:  2020 O Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
When: Halloween Party: October 31 (8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.) Night Stay: Every night, assured with reservation (3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.)
Tickets & Info: https://www.omansion.com/
Price Range: $50.00 (Full Admission Halloween Costume Party, +$20 for tour per person)
Age Range: 10+ (It is geared towards teens and adults, but there are plenty of activities for kids including finding all of the secret passageways, pinball, a chocolate fountain and a photobooth)
Details: The Mansion on O Street is one of the most unique places in DC, both as a museum and mansion. The mansion is made of four massive townhouses connected by secret doors, passageways, lofts, full size wooden cabins inside the mansion, banquet halls, and so much more. The Mansion also has a rich history – it’s had hundreds of visits from some of the most famous musicians, icons and artists in US history including The Beatles and Rosa Parks. The O is a functioning hotel, and many short term residents have reported sightings of ghosts, famous icons, and even angels in the hundreds of hallways and rooms.  If you’re interested in little-known history and exploring the many floors to the building, then check this place out!
What’s new this year:  The O regularly updates its collection of antiques, decorations, furniture, and most importantly, art.  The O is a functioning art gallery and holds thousands of paintings by up and coming artists from all over the world. An added benefit of the O is that almost everything within is for sale, so be sure to check out its latest collection of artifacts when you go!