Seattle University's student newspaper since 1933

The Spectator

Seattle University's student newspaper since 1933

The Spectator

Seattle University's student newspaper since 1933

The Spectator

Seattle’s Creepiest Haunted Houses

The idea of haunted houses can be traced back through history in the ways in which various cultures have addressed death, the afterlife, spiritual ceremonies and communal celebrations.

In the mid-1900s, fear-enthusiasts combined all these elements together with the first walk-through haunted attractions located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The first haunted house to open to the public was in Liphook, New Hampshire, and was hosted by the Hollycombe Steam Collection Company called the Orton and Spooner Haunted House in 1915. In the late 1960s to early 1970s, haunted attractions began popping up in developed cities like Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio with the creation of Jaycees Haunted Houses. Disney joined in on the fun in the 1960s with its Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park.

Today, the industry of haunted houses, or “haunts” as they are officially known, is a multi-billion dollar business with over 12,000,000 customers in attendance every year. If you have not already visited one in the city, now is the time to do so—here is a list of options for exactly where you can choose to get your socks knocked off.

Kube 93, Georgetown morgue

As Halloween looms closer, the Seattle epicenter of all that is scary comes to life. Local radio station KUBE 93 is known for its annual delivery of thrills and chills, this year hosting its haunted house at the Georgetown Morgue.

During this hour-and-a-half haunt, you will maneuver your way through the tight quarters as you witness the carnage of a deranged former physician and be exposed to a constant visual and audio sensory overload, which is known to promote a truly frightful ambiance. While venturing through the morgue, you will be accompanied by the anguished spirits of the doctor’s victims and finally chased out of the house by a blood-lusting clown, trying to slice you into bits with his authentic chainsaw—what a lovely way to spend your evening.

The Georgetown Morgue is south of downtown near the First Avenue Bridge. Open 7 to 11 p.m., Friday through Sunday until Nov. 2. Admission $18.


Nightmare on 9. Snohomish Slaughter and Rendering Plant

If you would classify yourself as an adrenaline junkie or a thrill seeker, you will find your horrifying Halloween x at Nightmare on 9 at the Snohomish Slaughter & Rendering Plant.

The facility was built in the early 1930s by brothers Sam and Dean omas. In 1975, however, Sam was ripped in two aer falling into the plant’s meat grinder. e family claims that Sam slipped in the mud and fell to his gory death, but there are reports that he was pushed. Half of Sam’s body remains missing to this day.

Guests are invited to tour the abandoned slaughter house at their own risk. Should you survive with all your limbs, consider it a successful outing.

Nightmare on 9 Haunted House is open Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Sundays, weekdays and Halloween from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $15. Nightmare on 9 will remain open until Nov. 2.


Haunted Swamp Zone / Zombie Farm, Carleton Farms

In the month of October, Carleton Farms transforms into the Haunted Swamp and Zombie Farm to provide guests with a unique and terrifying experience.

Lurking in the haunted swamp lays the evil swamp monster, waiting to devour his next victim. Guests begin their adventure by choosing to enter a series of doors, all of which will undoubtedly result in treacherous frights. Once the guest is freed from the haunted swap, they may enter the Zombie Farm.

Because the attraction is located outside the city, the site of the zombie apocalypse is pitch-black. Make sure to remember your running shoes, as you will be chased relentlessly by the undead as you try to find your way through the dark wilderness.

Carleton Farms is located in Lake Stevens, WA and is open weekends from 7 to 10 p.m. until Halloween night. Tickets range from $10 to $25.


Fright Fest, Wild Waves Park

Fright Fest at Wild Waves Theme Park offers a variety of terrifying surprises to its patrons—who can also be perceived as victims.

Guests may ride all their favorite rides but do so with a twist, as every ride is now in the dark. If thrill seekers wish to be terrorized elsewhere in the park, there are two different haunted houses they can explore that feature torture chambers, sinister crypts, medical testing facilities and finally a zombie apocalypse. Both unsuspecting and eager guests will be subjected to the wrath of an army of clowns that roam the park freely, all without an additional fee.

Fright Fest at Wild Waves Park is open 6 to 11 p.m., Friday through Sunday until Nov. 2. Tickets range from $18 to $25.


Nightmare at Beaver Lake, Sammamish

In the month of October, Carleton Farms transforms into the Haunted Swamp and Zombie Farm to provide guests with their most fearfully chilling scare.

Lurking in the haunted swamp lays the evil swamp monster, waiting to devour his next victim. Guests begin their adventure by choosing to enter of series of doors, all of which will undoubtedly result in treacherous frights. Once the guest is freed from the haunted swap, they may enter the Zombie Farm.

Due to the nature of this attraction being located outside the city, the site of the zombie apocalypse is pitch-black. Make sure to remember your running shoes, as you will be chased relentlessly by the undead as you try to find your way through the dark wilderness.

Carleton Farms is located in Lake Stevens, WA and is open weekends from 7 to10 p.m. until Halloween night. Tickets range from $10 to $25.


The editor may be reached at [email protected]

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