Halloween means costumes, horror movies, haunted houses, and a celebration of all things scary. 'Tis the season for terror and the readers of USA TODAY 10Best have declared these attractions as the scariest, most extreme way to add some bone-chilling excitement to your Halloween this year.
According to 10Best readers, the terrifying thrills of The Field of Screams haunted house in Lancaster, Penn. is the best place to go for murderously good scares.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Extreme Haunted Attraction are as follows:
- Field of Screams - Lancaster, Pa.
- Wisconsin Feargrounds - Waukesha, Wis.
- Shocktoberfest - Sinking Spring, Pa.
- 13 Stories Haunted House - Newnan, Ga.
- Dead Acres Haunted Hoochie - Pataskala, Ohio
- Pennhurst Asylum - Spring City, Pa.
- Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride - Glen Mills, Pa.
- Castle of Chaos - Salt Lake City
- Netherworld - Norcross, Ga.
- Fear Fair - Seymour, Ind.
Additional nominees included: 13th Gate in Baton Rouge; Alone Experience in Los Angeles; Blackout Experience in New York; Fright Farm in Smithfield, Pa.; Gates of Hell in Las Vegas; Ghoullog in North Conway, N.H.;McKamey Manor in San Diego; Queen Mary's Dark Harbor Long Beach, Cali.; ,ScareHouse in Pittsburgh; and Terror Behind the Walls in Philadelphia.
10Best and USA TODAY extend their congratulations to all the winners.
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The Experts
John R. Eslich
With 15 years of industry experience, John R.... Read More
With 15 years of industry experience, John R. Eslich serves as President of The Haunted Attraction Association (HAA), the only official association of the haunted attraction industry. HAA’s mission is to promote their worldwide network of haunted attractions including Haunted Houses, Haunted Hayrides, Scream Parks, Mega-Haunts, Halloween Festivals, Haunted Outdoor Trails, Corn Mazes, and Amusement Park Halloween Events. Eslich owns and operates the “Factory of Terror” haunted house in Canton, Ohio - a 160,000 square foot facility filled with mazes and special effects which the Guinness Book of Records has recognized as the “World’s Longest Walk-Through Haunted House” since 2010.
John R. Eslich

With 15 years of industry experience, John R. Eslich serves as President of The Haunted Attraction Association (HAA), the only official association of the haunted attraction industry. HAA’s mission is to promote their worldwide network of haunted attractions including Haunted Houses, Haunted Hayrides, Scream Parks, Mega-Haunts, Halloween Festivals, Haunted Outdoor Trails, Corn Mazes, and Amusement Park Halloween Events. Eslich owns and operates the “Factory of Terror” haunted house in Canton, Ohio - a 160,000 square foot facility filled with mazes and special effects which the Guinness Book of Records has recognized as the “World’s Longest Walk-Through Haunted House” since 2010.
A.D. Thompson
A.D. Thompson, 10Best's resident horror and... Read More
A.D. Thompson, 10Best's resident horror and Halloween expert, has spent more than 20 years as a professional writer and roughly 15 as a Floridian. The words, she has found, come easier with bare feet and rum. A roller coaster enthusiast, A.D. readily admits there is fun to be had amid the madness of the theme parks, but has found there is magic, as well, in the outer-lying reaches of Mickey’s long shadow. She is delighted to share with you the spoils of her adopted city. Visit her colorful compendium at www.amydrewthompson.com.
A.D. Thompson

A.D. Thompson, 10Best's resident horror and Halloween expert, has spent more than 20 years as a professional writer and roughly 15 as a Floridian. The words, she has found, come easier with bare feet and rum. A roller coaster enthusiast, A.D. readily admits there is fun to be had amid the madness of the theme parks, but has found there is magic, as well, in the outer-lying reaches of Mickey’s long shadow. She is delighted to share with you the spoils of her adopted city. Visit her colorful compendium at www.amydrewthompson.com.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, photo editor and Readers' Choice Production... Read More
Lydia, photo editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has been a life-long fan of horror movies and haunted houses, both real and fabricated. She's traveled to more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and now Spain. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.
Lydia Schrandt

Lydia, photo editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has been a life-long fan of horror movies and haunted houses, both real and fabricated. She's traveled to more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and now Spain. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.