As fall officially settles in, the loud howl of the wind is an instant reminder that Halloween is right around the corner. You could head to the movie theater and check out the latest thriller, you could check out what sorts of strobe lights and cheap costumes are populating the local haunted house, or you could turn up the scares this year at one of these seven horrifying attractions. Be warned, this isn't just townies in fake blood with plastic machetes. These are the truly terrifying, postively paranormal destinations to see this Halloween.

Spring City, PA: PennHurst Haunted Asylum

When you check in at the PennHurst Haunted Asylum you never check out the same. The spooky Halloween attraction transforms the shabby halls of the Administrative building into an eerie hospital, where the doctors and nurses will be more enthusiastic to see you suffer than help you get well. 

While you’re being spooked, scurry to the Tunnel of Terror, an underground world dominated by blood-thirsty zombies who are due for a midnight snack. The Dungeon of Lost Souls is guaranteed to scare you silly because the daunting characters here are result of twisted mental operations.

California: Reign of Terror

Enter at your own risk in this spooked out house which aims to have you running for the Californian hills. 

The attraction includes various rooms of chills, including the gory Blood Manor. Mystery encompasses the space as death and bloodstained walls portray that something has gone terribly wrong.  But what has actually happened in this old lady’s home?  Only the daring will find out.

This particular highlight of the tour is not intended for the squeamish, especially if you hate the sight and smell of blood.

New Orleans, LA: House of Shock

When Louisianans want to be scared out of their wits, they head to the House of Shock.  The United States’ top haunted mansion is more than a house where freaks come out at night; it is a monster-filled party that comes alive with music performances and food prepared by Hell’s Kitchen. 

And like most festivals held in the Crescent City, visitors can never be too ready for the strange faces creeping out of the dark shadows of Louisiana’s most haunted city.

And if you find yourself extremely scared by the freaks darting out at you, a drink from the bar may be the perfect remedy to calm your nerves.

Alton, IL: McPike Mansion

Each year, the dilapidated halls of the McPike Mansion become a frightening refuge for Halloween celebrators intrigued by the ghastly fears that lurks behind its grand doors. 

The abandoned 50s-era  mansion not only offers  tours of its rooms followed by eerie ghost stories, but campouts where ghosts of the McPike family have taunted visitors for many years and are still believed to be silently wandering nearby. 

From tarot readings and music to food, on Oct 25-26, expect to have such a bone chilling good time that might just compel the dead spirits to stay after the holiday is long over.

Fort Worth, TX: Hangman’s House of Horrors

According to legends, this building was used for secret training missions by the military. These days it is marked by terror by Hezekiah Jones, a hangman who escaped his own death sentence. 

Claiming innocent victims along his path, he makes his new home in the walls of the old building where he intends to finish the deathly experiments. This horrific experience is also highlighted by tormented hillbillies in McDagenville as well as Outbreak, the tortured souls who Jones presumed dead on his vengeful rampage.  

Cincinnati, Ohio: Dent SchoolHouse

It was only a couple of years ago this once child-friendly institution became a place of doom. Children who attended the school started to disappear, which led all fingers to be pointed to the janitor, Charlie McPhee when weird odors begin to pour out of his office. 

Although the janitor was never captured, the bodies of the children were later found stuffed in walls and brutally hanging. If you listen closely you may hear their spirited laughter while McPhee returns every year to make his visitors' day a living hell.

Phoenix, AZ: Chambers of Fear

Its name alone wreaks havoc as its three haunted houses have one mission: to scare you senseless.  Its dark rooms are heightened with pyrotechnics, creepy props and scary figures unexpectedly popping out of corners followed by loud screams of panic. 

The actors are known to be the best in the area since the Chambers of Fear is highly considered Arizona’s freakiest haunted house. If you dare to step inside of this labyrinth of chills then be prepared to leave in a nerve-racking state.