Address: 2000 South IH 35, Round Rock, TX 78681
Phone: (512) 670-8452
Website: http://mansionofterror.com/
Open: Sept.18 - Nov. 13; gates open at 7 p.m.
Cost: Single is $15 plus fee, and combo (both haunted houses): $20 plus fee. Group rates available.
Contact? No, the actors will not touch you
OK for kids? Not recommended for children under 8 years old. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Themes:
Blood Frenzy II
Tour the decaying home of a fictional Austin serial killer, Jon Eric Springwood, who has killed over 99 Central Texans in the last 15 years. In this house, you will witness the last moments of his latest victim's life.
Death Asylum: Zombie Carnage
You are in insane asylum overrun with patients who have become zombies. Expect padded rooms, claustrophobic passageways, mazes, zombies, and more.
Other details: This haunted house has been running for six years and is located just north of Austin. Eight non-profits will receive a percentage of proceeds on their designated night as a donation. You can find $2.00 off coupons at all local Birds Barbershops, Alamo Drafthouse locations, Goodwill and Halloween Express locations.
Credibility: Rated #1 in the country by Lionsgate Films (maker of Saw, A Haunting) and selected as a Top 8 Haunted House in the US by The Travel Channel
Address: 523 Highland Mall Blvd., Austin TX 78752
Phone: (512) 407-9449
Website: http://thehouseoftorment.com
Open: September 18th through October 31st; gates open at 7 p.m.
Cost: Single admission is $14.99. Combo (both haunted houses) is $19.99. Group rates available.
Contact? No, the actors will not touch you
OK for kids? Recommended for adults and teens, but younger children can come if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Carrying babies is not allowed.
Themes:
House of Torment: Rise of the Abominations
This haunted house been around for years and claims to have "Hollywood quality set design, lighting, and sound" in addition to frightening effects. Expect in-your-face monsters!
Illusion Manor: The Phantasm Curse
This haunted house is new in 2009 and promises to be full of illusions, delusions, fear, and monsters within a distorted world. The website calls it "a collision between classical gothic haunting and stunningly new masterpieces of terror."
Credibility: Called "20,000 square feet of terror" by the Wall Street Journal and "One of America's scariest Halloween attractions" by the Travel Channel. Reuters named it the fifth best haunted attraction in 2009.
Address: 7400 Coldwater Canyon Dr.
Website: http://www.scareforacure.org/
Open: October 23-25 and 28-31
Cost: $20 for regular admission; $25 for red-level admission (for those who want to participate more actively; it will be more extreme, intense, and physically challenging)
Contact? Yes; is a full-contact, interactive adventure (the only of its kind in Austin)
OK for kids? Not recommended for those under 12
Theme: Blood Ritual
You will join a team of paranormal researchers and will help them explore Dunstan Manor's horrors and mysteries. According to the website, you will "experience first-hand a twisted tale of vampires, blood-lust, abominations, survival, and evil's quest for world domination."
Other details: The decisions and actions of each group change the outcome, so every group will have a unique experience. Scare for a Cure has been running for four years. Scare for a Cure is local nonprofit organization that raises money for local charities each year; this year's beneficiary is the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas.