WHARTON, NJ – The 13th Hour Haunted House, formerly known as The Haunted Scarehouse, has returned this season with a mix of immersive horror attractions and high-stakes escape experiences that continue to draw thrill seekers from across New Jersey.
Located at 105 West Dewey Avenue, the attraction features three haunted houses, nine themed escape rooms, and a hatchet-throwing experience aptly named Haunted Hatchets.
A cinematic approach to fear
13th Hour’s creative team designs its attractions with the polish of a movie set. Each room is meticulously detailed, from creaking corridors to lifelike props, disorienting sounds, and hidden animatronics. Visitors navigate through two floors of interconnected scenes where actors deliver unpredictable scares.
The haunt’s creators cite Walt Disney’s theme parks as a source of inspiration—aiming to blend the theatrical craftsmanship of immersive storytelling with the pulse-pounding atmosphere of a modern horror film.
It’s no surprise that 13th Hour has earned national attention, including being named “Scariest Haunt in the USA” by America’s Best Haunted Houses.
More than just a walkthrough
In addition to its haunted houses, 13th Hour hosts nine 60-minute escape rooms, several of which feature live actors to intensify the challenge. Popular rooms include The Great Room, The Cookhouse, and The Dungeon, each offering cinematic puzzles and storylines tied to the haunt’s fictional “Hayden Family” narrative.
Visitors can also try Haunted Hatchets, where participants throw axes under eerie lighting and creepy sound effects—a horror twist on the classic axe-throwing experience.
Hours and admission
The attraction runs on select nights in September, October, and early November. Hours vary by date, with closing times extending from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. during peak weekends.
Payment methods: cash, credit, and debit cards are accepted.
Age recommendation: suitable for ages 8 and up.
Accessibility: indoor venue, wheelchair accessible, with covered waiting areas and free parking.
Reviews from visitors
Guests consistently praise 13th Hour’s production value and the professionalism of its cast. Many highlight the “pitch-black maze” and the “dark room” as standout experiences that make the haunt feel like stepping into a horror movie.
One reviewer described it as “organized, not a long wait in line… the best one I’ve ever been to!” while another said, “The actors are very convincing and bring out the fear in you… I don’t scare easily but these guys got me good several times.”
If you go
? Address: 105 West Dewey Ave, Wharton, NJ
? Website: 13th Hour Haunted House
? Typical hours: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. (depending on date)
?️ Tickets: available online; VIP upgrades recommended for shorter waits
13th Hour continues to set the bar for haunted entertainment in New Jersey—an elaborate, story-driven experience where horror meets artistry.
