With the turn of the new month, the spookiest season of the year is upon us, and the local area is full of scary adventures. Ohio is home to over 144 haunted houses, with notable ones being Fear Columbus and Cedar Point Halloweekends. From age-appropriate attractions to haunts that horrify, Columbus is the place to be for Halloween, and here are some of the best attractions.

First up is Fear Columbus. With hundreds of visitors attending every year, the event features movie-quality sets and elaborate haunted houses, winning The Scare Factor’s #1 “Must See” Haunted House in Ohio award 3 years in a row. 

“I love Fear Columbus because every year they put so much effort into the little details of each room, and it’s really cool to see how the whole space changes,” Claire Goehring, a sophomore and 4-year visitor of Fear Columbus, said. 

Also, this year they have three brand-new attractions: Oddballs Kill the Spotlight, Dearly Departed: Echoes of the Exhumed and Fearwood High: Rhinestones and Rituals. While not recommended for anyone under the age of 13, Fear Columbus is a great choice for those who want to experience true fright this Halloween. 

If you’re on the hunt for a different way of fun, but still want to experience all the fears, a ghost tour might be the right option. columbusghosttours.com offers multiple options for tours: a Ghosts of German Village Walking Tour, a Creepy Columbus Downtown Walking Tour, and a 21-plus only drinking tour that takes participants around town. The first two options are both suitable for ages 12 and up, plus the tours’ website promises a night out unlike any other-and one that will fulfill desires for fright.

For those who want a night out but have younger siblings or cousins in tow, you’re in luck. Columbus abounds with attractions that are suitable for younger children, with options from pumpkin carving to corn mazes. One of the most popular events is Boo at the Zoo, an annual event hosted at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium that offers a wide range of options for families of all kinds. Some examples include Giant Pumpkin Carving, Trick or Treat Trail (13 stations), Character Ambassador Fun House, and Jesse’s Jack-O-Lantern Journey; these are just a few of the activities available at Adventure Cove. While suitable for young children, the event is fun for all ages, making it a good choice.

A final option for those who would rather have a more relaxing night is to see replays of old Halloween movies that return to theaters. Thriller and Halloween are both in theaters across Columbus, and rental options are available. 

“I really enjoy going to rereleases of horror movies at the movie theater. I recently saw Jaws for the first time since I was a kid, like this, and seeing it on the big screen was an amazing experience. I also love watching horror films with my friends, something I’ll be doing after school this Thursday,” Zacharia Drouni, Columbus resident since the age of 7, said. 

Needless to say, there’s lots of entertainment in store this October for scare-searchers of all kinds; young or old, timid or courageous. Have a great Halloween, Braves, and be sure to stay safe this spooky season.