When the leaves turn and the nights get longer, Morris County becomes one of the best places in New Jersey to go looking for a scare. Whether you want a full-on haunted house with live actors and movie-quality sets or a family-friendly boo bash the kids can handle, here are the haunted attractions worth planning a night around this fall, all in or a short drive from Morris County.
13th Hour Haunted House and Escape Rooms in Wharton
13th Hour in Wharton is the marquee scare in Morris County and one of the most awarded haunts in the country. Located at 105 West Dewey Avenue, it packs three separate haunted houses into one ticket: the House of Nightmares and the Attic, sold together as Two Floors of Fear, plus the Darkside, its deepest and darkest walk-through with live actors and animatronics. The property also runs a lineup of escape rooms and a haunted hatchet-throwing range, both open year round, so it is worth a visit outside of Halloween too. The public haunt runs on weekends from late September through Halloween, but nights and start times change week to week, so check the current calendar at 13thhour.com and buy tickets ahead, because weekend lines get long.
Ort Farms Boo Bash in Long Valley
For families with younger kids who are not ready for a full haunted house, Ort Farms in Long Valley runs its annual Boo Bash on a weekend near the end of October. The farm at 25 Bartley Road leans into the fun side of the season with a trick-or-treat trail, hayrides, pumpkins, and fall festival activities rather than jump scares, making it one of the easiest ways to give little ones a taste of Halloween without the nightmares. Confirm this year’s dates and admission at ortfarms.com before you go.
Brighton Asylum in Passaic
If you are willing to drive a little farther for a bigger scare, Brighton Asylum in Passaic is one of North Jersey’s most famous haunted attractions and sits a short trip east of Morris County at 2 Brighton Avenue. The year-round haunt has been featured on national television and adds seasonal experiences on top of its main asylum walk-through during the Halloween run. It is a popular pick for older teens and adults who want the most intense option in the area. Check brightonasylum.com for the current schedule and tickets.
Plan your Halloween weekend in Morris County
Pair a haunted house night with daytime fall fun. Our guide to pumpkin picking and corn mazes in Morris County covers the best farms for a daytime outing, and our Halloween in Morris County guide rounds up town trick-or-treat times, trunk-or-treats, and community events across all 39 towns. A few tips before you go: most haunted houses sell timed tickets online and sell out on peak weekends, so buy early; dress warm and wear closed-toe shoes for outdoor trails and hayrides; and always check each attraction’s official page for the current year’s dates and hours, since Halloween schedules shift every season.
