Halloween guide
5 haunted hangouts near Madison this Halloween
There’s a cool crisp in the air and the trees are dying back into their winter husks. Tires scream down East Wash. The scent of blood hangs in the cool seeps between lakes and the full moon stares down the steady eye of something bigger than space itself. A shiver runs down your spine as you realize it’s finally here. It’s October again and you know what that means: one final hurrah before the snowstorms seal our doors until next spring.
It’s spooky season and whether you’re a fearless knight, a year-round witch, or a niche jokester, there’s a place for you at one of these eerie experiences. Below are five haunted hangouts perfect for you and a couple of best-fiends, a significant-monster, or just you and your horrible lonesome. Keep reading… if you dare.
1. Screamin’ Acres
Cute and cuddly by day, terrifying by night, on Friday and Saturday evenings in October, Eugster’s petting farm transforms into Screamin’ Acres, a four-time award-winning haunted experience in nearby Stoughton. For the price of one ticket, you’ll get access to four haunted attractions and a night of unforgettable terror. By the time you escape, you’ll be wishing for a cuddly animal friend to hold close.
2. Schuster’s Haunted Forest
There’s something in the woods. Monsters, creepy crawlies, and a little something to soothe your racing heart. On every Friday and Saturday and the last two Thursdays of October in Deerfield, Schuster’s offers an immersive experience with a chill afterparty. Come for the scares, stay for the bonfires, bar, bakery, and live-music. Just remember to stick to the trail.
3. Terror at Tyrol
It’s all downhill from here… but what’s at the bottom? You may know Tyrol Basin as Mount Horeb’s ski hill, but on Fridays, Saturdays, and the last two Thursdays of October you’ll find five haunted experiences rolled into one attraction and one cozy Tavern and Restaurant. Just remember to keep your eyes on the hill ahead. You won’t want to know what’s waiting right over your shoulder.
4. Pub Crawl
A situation all too common — you’ve put in your fangs, donned your cloak, and splashed yourself with some fake blood when it dawns on you. Adults don’t trick-or-treat! Well, this year, they do. Halloween 2026 is on a Saturday. Pre-purchase tickets for Crawl With Us’ State Street and Downtown crawl, or get a group of friends together and bounce from door to door asking for candy (and beer). Just make sure to pace yourself or the real horror could come on the morning of November first.
5. Mad City Ghost Walks
Mad City Ghost Walks threatens to expose the skeletons in our city’s closets. Offering three unique experiences throughout Madison’s historical Forest Hill Cemetery and downtown, these guided tours blend the normal with the paranormal throughout the month of October. You’ll learn about Madison’s most famous sights and the stories behind them, but be warned, you may never look at that creepy old Masonic center the same way again.
With Halloween less than a month away, there’s spirit all around. Gather up those close and hug them even closer on a night you won’t want to remember, but just can’t forget. Happy Halloween!
Hours, dates and prices were checked on Fri, Oct 2 and can change. Check with each place before you go.