6 Terrifying Haunted Houses Near Washington DC

There are those of us who enjoy a good fright any day of the year, and those of us who prefer to get our scary fill one month of the year. The arrival of fall in DC may herald the advent of generally wholesome activities like apple picking, leaf peeping, and the donning of sweaters, but it also brings with it the opportunity to check out some of the best haunted houses in the land. After all, with so much history in our nation’s capital, it comes as little surprise that there’s plenty of spooky lore, too. To help you get the best screams of the season, we’ve rounded up some of the most famous and terrifying haunted houses near DC that we could find—so enter if you dare.

Laurel, Maryland
One of the largest haunted houses in the DC area may also be its most chilling. With 30,000 square feet of abandoned movie theater to explore, you can expect more than your fair share of shrieks and shrills. The Chesapeake Ghost Hunters have done their own analysis on this otherworldly site, and whether you’re chasing spirits or just chasing a Halloween thrill, you can make your own assessment of this house of horrors. And for the extra daring, you can also sign up for an escape room (we don’t want to know what happens if you fail to escape).
Cost: Tickets start at $25

Dickerson, Maryland
For 30 years, Markoff’s has been terrifying its visitors with a blend of “music, lights, scents, actors, make-up, prosthetics, and artistic brilliance” that results in a series of highly technical and detailed scenes that are known best, perhaps, for their realism. There’s a vampire village, floating UFOs, and an undeniably disturbing dollhouse to check out. While entrance to the Cursed Village is free, you can add on tickets to the Haunted Trail or the Town, where you’ll find even more terrifying scenes. The trail is so scary that kids under 12 are recommended to sit this one out.
Cost: Tickets start at $20

Centreville, Virginia
You’ll have three-quarters of a mile to scare yourself silly through this 20-acre cornfield that really seems like it should be part of a horror movie set. Add in fire-breathing, chainsaw-wielding, zombie-like actors ready to pop out at any moment, and this is one experience that you’ll only be glad to leave (and then come back to). We also appreciate that there’s plenty of food to be had at Cox Farms, because yes, being scared can make you hungry.
Cost: Tickets start at $25

Dundalk, Maryland
Heralded as one of the scariest haunted houses not only in DC, but in fact, in the world, this renowned haunted house features a whopping four attractions, all included in the price of admission. Sites you’ll visit include an asylum, the underworld, and a 3D inferno, which you’ll just have to see in order to understand.
Cost: Tickets start at $25

Olney, Maryland
With multiple different spooky attractions on site, it’s clear why this screampark is often rated the best in the region. Tickets include entry to the Trail of Terror and Haunted Trail (yes, two separate scary trails), as well as the Slaughter Factory Haunted House and five entire acres of slightly less scary bonfires and more fun with games like axe throwing and ring toss.
Cost: Tickets start at $54

Bowie, Maryland
What could be scarier than roller coasters in the dark? Roller coasters in the dark with a haunted house experience to boot. That is precisely what the Six Flags in Bowie is offering this Halloween, as it has been for many Halloweens to date. Plus, getting to check out Six Flags after dark is a pretty cool experience in and of itself.
Cost: Tickets start at $60

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