By Katie Shukis
Boo! Are we scared yet? In any case, another reason to spend money approaches. So far, no better way to do so has been identified than the ultimate horror among horrors, the colossus of fear, the great scare — haunted houses.
Where, you ask, might these incredible heart-pounding, riveting, blood-racing events conspire? Within these haunting paragraphs is your ultimate Halloween fate: the complete waste of a Saturday night.
There are four haunted houses in Omaha this year that seem to be worth mentioning. The first is Haunted Hollow. Located at 120th Street and Giles Road, it comes at the cost of $11 Sunday through Thursday and $12 Friday and Saturday. Haunted Hollow will accommodate you with seven acres of fear that become your own personal nightmare.
The site offers bonfires, hayrack rides and a whole lot of other fun things to do that will keep you on the lookout. You know you’re going in the right direction if you see the hearse along Giles Road.
Next is EG’s Pumpkin Farm, located at 27126 Hazel Ave. in Onawa, Iowa. The cost is $5 for general admission and senior citizens and children 2 and under are free.
While sometimes pumpkin patches can sound pretty lame, this one comes with a $1,000 reward. A cornfield maze is offered that pays back $1,000 to the person who solves it.
EG’s also offers many other accommodations, including hayrack rides, a haunted graveyard, farm animals, build-your-own-scarecrow and private bonfire pits (reservation only). This one is at the top of the poor college student’s list, considering the payback possible.
Mystery Manor, everyone’s hometown favorite, has been around for 18 years. If you’re looking for a good old traditional scare, this is the place to frequent. Located at 716 N. 18th St. in Omaha, its $8 cost is justifiable for the oldest and possibly scariest haunted house that will be attended this year.
Nightmare on 34th Street also seems to be drawing some screams. Located at 12621 S. 34th St. in Bellevue, the $4 house won’t leave you disappointed. It offers 2,300 square feet of Halloween antics.
For seven years, this spooky treat has thrilled scream-lovers, all for a good cause. The proceeds of this house benefit the Ronald McDonald House and Offutt Sub-for-Santa programs.
Although there are more than four haunted houses in Omaha this year, these seem to be the most inviting. They offer ghouls and goblins galore and many of them also benefit a good cause.
