TCD 2009 Halloween Guide!
October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31
500 E. County Y, Oshkosh
920-731-8555
This year, a Theater of Lost Souls has plans to make this the largest attraction in NE Wisconsin. This venue is completely updated and remodeled from its 2008 redesign. The eery experience comes complete with monsters, a black light theater and “Your Last Ride” — a too-freaky-to-be-believed funeral simulator. It’s only for the bravest and most sound of sanity. The box office opens nightly at 6:15 p.m. Hayrides begin at 6:30 p.m. The last group will be let in at 11:30 p.m. except on Oct. 25 when admittance ends at 10 p.m.
October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
6831 Big Bend Rd., Waterford
262-895-6430
Arrive at the Bear Dean Haunted Woods via hearse, then see if you have the mettle to survive a hike through a “feasting graveyard of the walking dead.” The whole attraction takes place in the woods, and it’s been consistently rated as one of the scariest attractions in the region. Not to be missed! Weather permitting, these woods are open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
October 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31
500 N. Lake St., Neenah
The Burial Chamber Haunted House is actually four attractions in one, including two indoor haunted houses, one outdoor-wooded trail and FOUR burial simulators. Feel what it’s like to be buried alive! Burial Chamber is the Midwest’s largest, scariest and best haunted house complex.
Discovery World’s CSI: Milwaukee
October 29, 30, 31
500 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee
414-765-8636
Want to know what it’s like to be a detective? Investigate a crime scene with Milwaukee’s own Sheriff’s bomb squad and drug team. Meet detectives, witness demonstrations and learn to lift fingerprints!
October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31
2024 N. 15th St., Sheboygan
920-918-2270
Dominion of Terror is more than 30 years in the making. No room is ever the same, and the blood-chilling characters you’ll encounter are brand-new. Dominion of Terror lives up to its name as one of the most mind-bending and gruesome festivals of insanity in the area.
October 30, 31
Lapham Peak State Park, W329 N849 Highway C, Delafield
262-364-7773
How does that story go about dark woods in the middle of the night? There are probably dozens of urban legends that begin — and end — with a hike through the wilderness, and you can live out the terror with a one-mile Fright Hike through the terrifying trails of Lapham Peak State Park. Spooky!
October 10, 15, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31
1559 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee
414-384-7955
A dilapidated big tent is the setting for Gilly’s — the only spooky circus in the city. Scared of clowns? Sword swallowers? Bearded ladies? This is the place for you!
Union High School, 3433 South Colony Ave., Union Grove
262-878-2434
Bring your hoop and stick for this old-timey fall party, where you’ll find vintage children’s games, pumpkin decorating and baking, and a costume parade. It’s charming, family-friendly and sure to tickle the nostalgia in everyone.
October 16, 17
1130 N. 60th St., Milwaukee
414-647-6050
This “natural alternative” to the season’s scary thrills gives families the chance to learn about the environment and how to take care of it. Come for skits, interactive learning stations and a romp through the trails of Hawthorn Glen. This year’s theme will focus on slimy, stinky characters with bad reputations. Hang around with bats and get attached to leeches!
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular
October 30, 31
Milwaukee County Zoo
414-771-3040
Why knock on your neighbor’s door for tricks and/or treats when you can solicit the giraffes, polar bears and peacocks? Bring the kids and have fun making your way through the haystack maze.
October 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31
Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Milwaukee
414-282-4386
On the grounds of the State Fair, this is a big-kid haunted house full of gore and torture. See zombies come to life performing live to Michael Jackson’s greatest hits!
Homestead Animal Farm “Our Dog Nellie” Corn Maze
Weekends through November 1
W320 N9127 Hwy. 83, Hartland
262-966-3840
Corn mazes are required curriculum during the fall in Wisconsin, and this one is world-class. Come early to hang out with the donkeys, goats, alpacas, pigs, baby chicks and turkeys, then lose yourself in rows of corn. Take a hayride and bring home a pumpkin for a souvenir. Ask about field trips!
Horror in the Dark at Olin Park
October 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31
Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Court, Madison
608-438-0872
While you’re crying with fright, you can take heart when you remember (IF you can remember) that your terror is all for a good cause. The Madison Metro Jaycees are donating proceeds from Horror in the Dark to Wisconsin’s Multiple Sclerosis Society. Try to keep that in mind.
Lister F/X Presents: Monster Mayhem
October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
Paulo’s Pizza, 5121 W. Howard Ave., Milwaukee
414-303-7891
Paulo’s Pizza has a not-so-delicious secret in the basement: mutilated human experiments, “zombie activity” and a hideous Frankenstein-monster. Your mission: destroy the installation before it destroys you. The good news: Afterward you can eat some pizza.
Fall Family fun, weekends through October; Family Fun Days, October 11, 25
Borzynski’s Farm & Floral Market, 11600 Washington Ave., Sturtevant
262-886-2235
This six-acre corn maze also features a petting zoo, pick-your-own pumpkins and make-your-own caramel apples. What can’t you do-on-your-own at Borzynski’s?
October 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31
734 W. Historic Mitchell St., Milwaukee
414-384-7491
Mars is one of Wisconsin’s most historic haunted houses. Staged in a late 19th-Century building on the south side, the Mars Haunted House has rustled up frights for 15 years with no sign of stopping. Some say the Mars Haunted House is truly haunted and that attendees can expect otherworldly contact from the spirits that live in the house.
Old World Wisconsin’s Halloween Dinner Theater
October 23, 24, 30, 31
Old World Wisconsin, S103 W37890 Hwy 67, Eagle
262-594-6301
Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe will be presented this year for Old World Wisconsin’s Halloween Dinner Theater. Explore four classic Poe stories in the flickering dark. Begin with a delicious harvest buffet and then enjoy the drama. Reservations are required and the show is not recommended for children 10 or younger. Grab a babysitter and hit the theater!
October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
Happ’s Pumpkin Farm, 24121 Wilmot Rd., Salem
262-862-6515
Salem’s Plot on the Happ’s family farm is built directly on top of the 19th-Century Liberty Cemetery, and once a year, the Happ’s open their doors to let the spirits seek their vengeance. Tread carefully through the maze and watch out for zombie stalkers. Truly terrifying.
October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31; November 6, 7
1912 Columbus St., Two Rivers
920-457-8688
Splatter Haus claims to be the scariest and loudest haunted house in the state, and at 32,000 square feet, they are definitely the largest. With state of the art special effects and more than 20,000 watts of sound, this intense haunted house is for adults only. “We will scare the living $#!* out of you!!!” the press team promises.
Daily, October 1-31
5930 Highway H, Franksville
262-835-4885
More than just a corn maze, Swan’s Pumpkin Farm offers a whole city made from corn, with Halloween displays, a Spook House, a graveyard, hayrides, a petting zoo and, yes, a labyrinth constructed from corn. Shop for gifts, seasonal produce and decorations.
October 19, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Boswell Book Company
2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee
Miles Proctor, of the Onion, reveals his amusing, comprehensible guide to becoming a blood-sucking villain. This handbook includes how to look at your vampire body, how to choose a good coffin, what to look for in your prey and much more. Want to know how to be a vampire? Everything you need to know is in this handbook!
Turner Hall: Celebrate Halloween with 88Nine
Saturday October 31, 5 p.m.
1034 N. 4th St., Milwaukee
Join in 88Nine’s second annual Halloween Bash! There will be music, art and fashion set in a Halloween theme. The musical line-up looks like Chalice in the Palace, Kids Millions, Serna Ryder, The Championship and Great Lake Swimmers. Celebrate Halloween with Milwaukee’s hip people!
October 31, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Whether you don a fright wig or dress as a factory girl, pop in October 31 in a Warhol-inspired costume and gain admission to Andy Warhol: The Last Decade for half-price! (half-price admission is $6; not valid with other offers)
October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31
Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Rd., Waukesha
262-547-6808
Three classic Wisconsin haunted houses have merged to make one death-defying Halloween experience as Morgan Manor, Morgana’s Torment and the brand-new Unstable. Experience 30,000 square feet of terror. You might want to take it one at a time — and bring some Valium.
