New Jersey is pulling out all the stops this Halloween season with a line-up of terrifying attractions that span from campgrounds to asylums.
There’s a lot of spooky fun around the state and the folks at VisitNJ have compiled a frightening list.
For aficionados of 1980s horror movies, Crystal Lake Tours in Hardwick offers exclusive guided tours of the original filming location for the cult classic, “Friday the 13th.” Given the tour’s high demand, securing tickets early is advised; previous events have sold out in as little as eight seconds.
High Ratings for Asylum and Farm Experiences
Brighton Asylum in Passaic isn’t just another haunted house; it’s an immersive experience that Fodor’s Travel Guide rates as New Jersey’s scariest haunted attraction. Offering three distinct experiences—”Brighton Asylum,” “Bleeding Grounds,” and “SubCULTure”—visitors can explore various levels of horror.
For those preferring open-air frights, farm attractions like Haunted Casola in Manalapan and Farm of Horrors in Flemington are also crowd-pullers.
Haunted History and Paranormal Tours
The state’s rich colonial history brings its own eerie backdrop. Guided hikes through the Pine Barrens divulge the legend of the Jersey Devil, a creature ingrained in local folklore.
Additionally, coastal towns such as Victorian Cape May and Ocean City provide various ghost tours, illuminating their haunted histories and resident phantoms.
Eateries and Hotels with Haunting Reputations
For those who’d like a side of the supernatural with their supper, restaurants like Lake House Restaurant in Newfield and The Cranbury Inn in Cranbury report paranormal activity.
Accommodations like the Widow McCrea House B&B in Frenchtown and The Flanders Hotel in Ocean City also offer stays that may include unexpected ‘guests.’
This Halloween season, New Jersey is set to deliver a frighteningly diverse range of experiences that promise to cater to all types of thrill-seekers.