Where to Get Spooked this Halloween in Sacramento
Are you the type that loves that spine-chilling, gut-churning, hair-raising sense of fear? That eerie music, don’t-go-in-the-basement tingle up your neck knowing someone is watching, ready to pounce? If so, then this time of year is probably right up your [dark and deserted] alley. Halloween brings out the ghosts, goblins, witches, zombies, killer clowns and insane asylum escapees. The greater Sacramento area has plenty of places to get in the holiday mood, ranging from adult-only scream parks to slightly-spooky activities for the little ones. Following are some of the best.
Ultimate Terror Scream Park | Sacramento
This haunted house — correction, THREE haunted houses — is, as it claims, the ultimate in terror. Flesh-eating zombies, screeching maniacs and ghoulish murderers are just a few of the players waiting to strike. Hollywood-style costumes and pro production make this scream park the real deal — and only for visitors over age 12.
Ghost Tours | Old Sacramento
The “Murderers, Mayhem & Tragedy” tours put on by the Sacramento History Museum reveal the dark side of the Gold Rush. Docents tell real stories from the city’s early days, from star-crossed lovers to railroad villains and everything in between. You can also head beneath Old Sacramento and take an Underground Tour of the city’s original streets.
Haunted Hangtown Ghost Tours | Placerville
Walk the streets of “Old Hangtown” with a real-life ghost hunter using the latest in paranormal equipment and see what (or who) you can find. Learn about the early gold miners and visit some of the most haunted spots in town, including the historic Cary House Hotel, where you will partake in a real paranormal investigation.
Corbett’s House of Horror | Davis
Try to escape the Fear Farm at this heart-stopping attraction in Davis. Make your way through undead-infested cornfields, try to avoid the clowns at the carn-evil, and watch the zombie paintball shootout. Pro-level set design and effects make it a horror worth stepping into.
Gold Country Ghost Tours | Auburn
Try to connect with the Auburn’s most notorious spirits on this walking tour of Old Town. Learn about Gold Rush history and the stories of the people who lived (and died) here. You can also spend an evening with a spiritual medium who will share her experience and perhaps receive a reading from the long-lost loved ones of audience members.
Heartstoppers Haunted House | Rancho Cordova
Menacing monsters, tortured souls and reanimated corpses walk the grounds of this scream park in Rancho Cordova. Plod through a zombie-infested mine, a torturous asylum, or the dizzying 3D Underland. You can even battle zombies in an interactive game of laser tag.
Hitchcocktober | Land Park
What better way to get spooked than a classic horror movie? Throughout October, Tower Theater is showing Alfred Hitchcock flicks, including North by Northwest (Oct. 9), The Birds (Oct. 16), The Lady Vanishes (Oct. 23) and Psycho (Oct. 31).
Kid-Friendly Spooks
Haunted Fort | Midtown Sacramento
Come visit Sutter’s Fort after hours on Oct. 19 or 26 to learn about life in the 1800s and see why it was so hard to survive frontier life. Explore the rooms and courtyards (in the dark!) and join in the family-friendly activities. Best of all, ticket sales benefit Friends of Sutter Fort, which preserves historic structures and artifacts at the fort.
Spookomotive Train Ride | Old Sacramento
All aboard this festive train decorated with scarecrows, skeletons and spiders. Each weekend is a different theme, including pirates & princesses Oct. 12-13, witches & wizards Oct. 19-20 and superheroes & villains Oct. 26-27. You can upgrade to first class and check out the mad scientist laboratory.
Nightmare at the Museum | Sacramento
Kids of all ages (and their parents) can explore the Crocker Art Museum in the dark with guided flashlight tours on Halloween. There will be a costume contest, spooky storytelling and fortune telling. Plus, the whole family will enjoy bone-chilling drink specials and dinner dishes to die for.
Spooky River Cruise | Old Sacramento
Take to the river this Halloween season on a haunted boat cruise. Halloween themed music, Halloween activities and Halloween party favors will set the stage. Wear your costume or have your face painted on board.
Trick-or-Treat Train | West Sacramento
This 45-minute train ride departing from West Sacramento will take riders to Elkhorn Park, where they can trick or treat and enjoy other kid-friendly activities. There’s also a Pumpkin Train that takes riders to a pumpkin patch, complete with petting zoo.
Category Auburn, Davis, Neighborhood Guides, Placerville, Sacramento
Elizabeth Penney
Elizabeth Penney is a content writer for Lyon Real Estate and the Lyon Local blog. A Sacramento native with a marketing background, she shares her insider knowledge on restaurants, attractions and outdoor activities throughout the greater Sacramento area and beyond.