The Creepy Neighbors
Fri., Oct. 3, 2008
Mansion of Terror
The five-year veteran haunt enters its second year at its Round Rock site, with another schizophrenic approach to two haunts in one attraction. Blood Frenzy unleashes psycho killers in an industrial environment and promises that the visitors' choices decide who lives or dies – graphic stuff, for those 13 and older. For those suffering from coulrophobia (having a traumatizing fear of clowns), second attraction Slaughter Circus builds on the carnival theme of 2007's Asylum of Darkness. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 3-11; Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 16-26; all Halloween week through Nov. 2. 7pm-12mid. Sky Ridge Plaza, Round Rock. Single ticket, $15; combo pass, $19.50. www.mansionofterror.com.
The Horror
The new creation in the scare business goes all out in its first year with zombie-riddled the Horror as well as the horror-therapy of Dementia Haunted Asylum. Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 2-26; all Halloween week through Nov. 2. 7pm-12mid. Lakeline Village Shopping Center, Ridgeline Boulevard, Cedar Park. For ages 12 and older. Single ticket, $13; combo passes, $18-35. www.thehorrorhauntedhouse.com.
Tales From the Nauseous Fairy
More spooky than gruesome, Austin's own puppetry company Geppetto Dreams presents a brand-new 30-minute interactive Halloween experience, where goblins and fairies roam free. Plus, it's a kiddie-friendly PG show, with special G-rated performances on Sundays. Oct. 2-31: Thursday-Saturday, 6-9:15pm; Sundays, 2-3pm. Adults, $12; under 10, $10. Geppetto Dreams Theatre, 501 Pedernales. www.geppettodreams.com.
Gruesome Gardens
Garden center by day, gory gardens by night. Back after a refreshingly grisly and imaginative first year, the Great Outdoors plays with the idea of who – or what – is buried in the flower beds. It's not just moles clawing their way out from under the soil. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 10-26; and Halloween week through Oct. 31. Dusk to midnight. $12. The Great Outdoors, 2730 S. Congress. www.gruesomegardens.com.
Cabin of Fear
If you weren't terrified of summer camp before, Williamson County YMCA adds masked psychopaths into the mix. Special "lights-on" viewings for the youngest and most faint of heart nightly from 6 to 7pm. Oct. 3-Nov. 1: Friday and Saturday, 7-11pm. Thursday, Oct. 23 & 30, 7-10pm. Camp Twin Lakes, 204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park. $8. www.hauntaustin.com.
Scare for a Cure
The World of Horrorcraft is a video-game themed and interactive scare fest founded by Jarrett Crippen (aka the Sci Fi Channel's the Defuser) with the proceeds going to breast cancer research. Oct. 24-26 & 29-31, 7:30-11pm. Elk's Lodge, 700 Dawson. $20 ($15, students); Halloween night: $25 ($20, students). www.scareforacure.org.
