Just for you: My round-up of a few of Wisconsin's best haunted houses, corn mazes, theater shows and more:
1. Skelly's Corn Maze
Janesville
Daily (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
$6 maze, $3 wagon ride, $7.50/combo
What to expect: Six-acre Adventure Corn Maze or nine-acre Impossible Maze. Adventurers will receive a map and try to find various checkpoints. Great for all ages.
2. Third Ward Haunted History Tour
Milwaukee
Fridays and Saturdays in October (7:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
$15 (Advanced tickets required)
What to expect: The original Milwaukee ghost tour introduces you to the history, the folklore and the modern paranormal reports of this unique, storied community. You'll hear tales of haunted history, ghost stories, fortean folklore and recent reports of paranormal activity.
3. Addams Family, The New Musical
Manitowoc
Oct. 24 through Nov. 9 (various times)
$12 adults, $10 seniors and students
What to expect: Musical lovers unite. This weirdly wonderful family comes to life in "The Addams Family," a new musical comedy. Follow the family drama of Wednesday, Gomez and Morticia Addams in this devilishly delightful plot-line.
4. The Dark Side at The House on the Rock
Spring Green
Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31 (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
$19.95 adults, $11.95 17 and under
What to expect: If you have ever wondered if the dolls come alive at night or if you find the displays troubling during the day, wait until you see them in the dark. You will stroll down the walkway of the macabre and see the carousel in a whole new light. You will travel through the Devil's throat and wander through the mysterious maze before escaping to be greeted by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Not suitable for all ages.
5. Shockwave Haunts
Whitewater
Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and 31 (Tours begin at 7 p.m.)
$8 through $18
What to expect: Rooms of realistic horror, dark labyrinth mazes and unpredictability. Attempt to get through Saint Leah's Last Rites Nursing Home, Bloody Manor and Malignant Management and new Mystery Haunt.
6. Mommsen's Pumpkin Patch and Orchard
Rice Lake
Daily through Halloween (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
$1 through $12
What to expect: Head to Barron County for the full Halloween experience. Mommsen's boasts a petting farm, weekend hayrides, "Amaizing Maize," and even a Pumpkin Cannon, that's shot every weekend at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
7. Terror on the Fox
Green Bay
Sept. 27, Oct. 3 and 4, 10 through 12, 17 and 18, 22 through 26, 29 through 31, Nov. 1 (6:30 to 11 p.m.)
$15 through $35
What to expect: Experience this innovative haunted event featuring a ride on an antique passenger train, full-size video screens and computer-controlled sound, lighting and animatronics. America's most intense, fright-filled haunted house delivers gut wrenching horror scenes, disturbing ghoulish creatures, dark labyrinthine hallways, optical illusions and surprises around every corner.
8. Screamin' Acres
Stoughton
Oct. 3 and 4, 10 and 11, 17 and 18, 24 and 25, 31, Nov. 1 (7 to 11 p.m.)
$20
What to expect: Starring clowns and enticing claustrophobia, good luck getting through the Countryside Estate, Slaughterhouse or Psycho Circus 3-D. Not digging the super spooky stuff? Head to Screamin' Acres on October 3rd or 10th for Boo for the Zoo, a family-friendly fundraiser for Henry Vilas Zoo.
9. Door County Trolley Ghost Tours
Door County
Nightly through Oct. 31 (Rides begin at 7 p.m.)
$18 through $25
What to expect: Step aboard the infamous Door County Trolley as we share tales of ghostly sunken ships, haunted lighthouses and mysterious happenings on the darker side of this spirited peninsula. Join our scary, fun and informative tour that is truly one of a kind.
10. Murdertowne Abbey
Brumder Mansion, Milwaukee
Oct. 10 and 11, 17 through 19, 24 and 25, 30 and 31 (various times)
$38 through $45
What to expect: A murder mystery parody, come prepared for a spot of fun of the lethal variety. Written and directed by Nick Firer, you'll be joined by a colorful cast of characters quite possibly in cahoots with the killer as the corpses multiply alarmingly.
11. Haunt Fest
Wisconsin State Fair, West Allis
7 to10 p.m.
$15 through $25
What to expect: Gather your courage to fly like a witch on a zip line, ride the possessed pumpkin and experience your final moments of life in a claustrophobic coffin, "The Last Ride."
12. Haunted Halloween
Red Ridge Ranch, Mauston
Sept. 20 through Oct. 21 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
$12
What to expect: Corn maze, pumpkin painting, inflatable moon walk, petting zoo and tractor-drawn hay ride. Great for all ages.
13. Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort
Daily (various times)
Reservations required
What to expect: Every day in October, guests at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells can partake in the Ken-Ducky Derby Halloween Duck Races at 9:30 a.m. and a craft project creating "Trick or Treat" bags from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the WildKids' Room at Glacier Canyon Lodge. There are also horse-drawn wagon rides to a mini-pumpkin patch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costumed Trick or Treating around the resort from 2 to 4 p.m. every Saturday in October.
- Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin.
1. Skelly's Corn Maze
Janesville
Daily (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
$6 maze, $3 wagon ride, $7.50/combo
What to expect: Six-acre Adventure Corn Maze or nine-acre Impossible Maze. Adventurers will receive a map and try to find various checkpoints. Great for all ages.
2. Third Ward Haunted History Tour
Milwaukee
Fridays and Saturdays in October (7:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
$15 (Advanced tickets required)
What to expect: The original Milwaukee ghost tour introduces you to the history, the folklore and the modern paranormal reports of this unique, storied community. You'll hear tales of haunted history, ghost stories, fortean folklore and recent reports of paranormal activity.
3. Addams Family, The New Musical
Manitowoc
Oct. 24 through Nov. 9 (various times)
$12 adults, $10 seniors and students
What to expect: Musical lovers unite. This weirdly wonderful family comes to life in "The Addams Family," a new musical comedy. Follow the family drama of Wednesday, Gomez and Morticia Addams in this devilishly delightful plot-line.
4. The Dark Side at The House on the Rock
Spring Green
Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31 (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
$19.95 adults, $11.95 17 and under
What to expect: If you have ever wondered if the dolls come alive at night or if you find the displays troubling during the day, wait until you see them in the dark. You will stroll down the walkway of the macabre and see the carousel in a whole new light. You will travel through the Devil's throat and wander through the mysterious maze before escaping to be greeted by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Not suitable for all ages.
5. Shockwave Haunts
Whitewater
Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and 31 (Tours begin at 7 p.m.)
$8 through $18
What to expect: Rooms of realistic horror, dark labyrinth mazes and unpredictability. Attempt to get through Saint Leah's Last Rites Nursing Home, Bloody Manor and Malignant Management and new Mystery Haunt.
6. Mommsen's Pumpkin Patch and Orchard
Rice Lake
Daily through Halloween (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
$1 through $12
What to expect: Head to Barron County for the full Halloween experience. Mommsen's boasts a petting farm, weekend hayrides, "Amaizing Maize," and even a Pumpkin Cannon, that's shot every weekend at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
7. Terror on the Fox
Green Bay
Sept. 27, Oct. 3 and 4, 10 through 12, 17 and 18, 22 through 26, 29 through 31, Nov. 1 (6:30 to 11 p.m.)
$15 through $35
What to expect: Experience this innovative haunted event featuring a ride on an antique passenger train, full-size video screens and computer-controlled sound, lighting and animatronics. America's most intense, fright-filled haunted house delivers gut wrenching horror scenes, disturbing ghoulish creatures, dark labyrinthine hallways, optical illusions and surprises around every corner.
8. Screamin' Acres
Stoughton
Oct. 3 and 4, 10 and 11, 17 and 18, 24 and 25, 31, Nov. 1 (7 to 11 p.m.)
$20
What to expect: Starring clowns and enticing claustrophobia, good luck getting through the Countryside Estate, Slaughterhouse or Psycho Circus 3-D. Not digging the super spooky stuff? Head to Screamin' Acres on October 3rd or 10th for Boo for the Zoo, a family-friendly fundraiser for Henry Vilas Zoo.
9. Door County Trolley Ghost Tours
Door County
Nightly through Oct. 31 (Rides begin at 7 p.m.)
$18 through $25
What to expect: Step aboard the infamous Door County Trolley as we share tales of ghostly sunken ships, haunted lighthouses and mysterious happenings on the darker side of this spirited peninsula. Join our scary, fun and informative tour that is truly one of a kind.
10. Murdertowne Abbey
Brumder Mansion, Milwaukee
Oct. 10 and 11, 17 through 19, 24 and 25, 30 and 31 (various times)
$38 through $45
What to expect: A murder mystery parody, come prepared for a spot of fun of the lethal variety. Written and directed by Nick Firer, you'll be joined by a colorful cast of characters quite possibly in cahoots with the killer as the corpses multiply alarmingly.
11. Haunt Fest
Wisconsin State Fair, West Allis
7 to10 p.m.
$15 through $25
What to expect: Gather your courage to fly like a witch on a zip line, ride the possessed pumpkin and experience your final moments of life in a claustrophobic coffin, "The Last Ride."
12. Haunted Halloween
Red Ridge Ranch, Mauston
Sept. 20 through Oct. 21 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
$12
What to expect: Corn maze, pumpkin painting, inflatable moon walk, petting zoo and tractor-drawn hay ride. Great for all ages.
13. Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort
Daily (various times)
Reservations required
What to expect: Every day in October, guests at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells can partake in the Ken-Ducky Derby Halloween Duck Races at 9:30 a.m. and a craft project creating "Trick or Treat" bags from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the WildKids' Room at Glacier Canyon Lodge. There are also horse-drawn wagon rides to a mini-pumpkin patch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costumed Trick or Treating around the resort from 2 to 4 p.m. every Saturday in October.
- Mariah Haberman is the co-host of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin.