Halloween Haunted Houses

The Halloween season can be much more than simply a bag of candy, a thrown-together costume and maybe a few tricks.

Goosebump-causing haunted houses, spooky storytellers, hayrides and corn mazes offer interactive Halloween entertainment. But where to start? Explore the following options in this go-to guide for Halloween fun:

HAUNTED HOUSES

Netherworld

One of the best in the country, the award-winning Netherworld is akin to stepping onto a movie set. Impeccable design and effects highlight this haunt, which includes two houses, Carnivore and Mangler. Carnivore stars a cast of bloodthirsty werewolves, while Mangler centers around a disfigured serial killer. Nearly 100 actors perform scare tactics nightly. New portions of Netherworld this year include a 17-foot-tall Pumpkin King and a bottomless pit.

THE 411: $18-$25. 7-11 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 7 p.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays. Through Nov. 2. Netherworld, 6624 Dawson Blvd., Norcross. 404-608-2484, www.fearworld.com.

Six Flags Over Georgia Fright Fest

The massive theme park gets in the Halloween spirit with this annual celebration. Stage shows like Wheel of Fright entertain the masses. Guests spin the wheel for prizes or munch on live insects. Kiddie events on Saturdays and Sundays include mini pumpkin painting and a costume contest at the Bugs Bunny World Theater. Trick-or-treat stations offer complimentary candy for tots. Guests get a chance to ride Monster Plantation for the last time before it gets a monstrous makeover and returns as Monster Mansion in 2009. Shell out an additional $10 to enter Dr. Fright’s Frightorium, a haunted house located inside the park. And don’t forget all of the regular Six Flags thrill rides and attractions, from Goliath to the Great American Scream Machine.

THE 411: $29.99; free for children 2 and younger. Fridays-Sundays through Nov. 2. Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway S.W., Austell. 770-739-3400, www.sixflags.com. Call or check Web site for operating hours.

Creepers

Typically a two-house attraction, the folks behind Creepers are joining both houses and haunting 30,000 square feet. Maybe it’s the ace makeup jobs, shocking scenes or both, but organizers recommend Creepers for children 12 and older. Skip waiting in a long weekend line by purchasing your tickets online.

THE 411: $20-$25. 7:30 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays; 7:30-11 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; 7:30-11 p.m. Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29. Through Nov. 1. Creepers, 2478 Atlanta Road, Smyrna., 404-909-9000, www.creepershauntedhouse.com.

Camp Blood

Guests tromp down a quarter-mile wooded trail where spooks and ghouls await — some with revving chainsaws. Those with a combo ticket visit Mabel’s Bled and Breakfast haunted house, too. Donate three cans of food to Manna Ministries and score a free ticket to Mabel’s Bled & Breakfast with a purchase of a regular ticket. Online ticketing helps fight longer lines.

THE 411: $20-$25. 9-11 p.m. Thursdays; 9 p.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays. Through Nov. 1; 9-11 p.m. Oct. 29. Camp Blood, 2277 Whooping Creek Road, Carrollton. 770-854-2267, www.campblood.com.

13 Stories

A double-shot attraction with 13 Stories, which takes place indoors, and Bunker 13, an outdoor haunt. Both have gadgetry and effects like trap doors, hidden walls and monsters soaring through the air. Kids ages 6 and younger should stay home.

THE 411: $16-$20. Sundown-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; sundown-midnight Oct. 30; sundown-11 p.m. Oct. 10-11; sundown-midnight Fridays and Saturdays beginning Oct. 17. Through Nov. 1. 13 Stories Haunted House, 2975 Town Center Drive, Kennesaw. 770-426-4807, www.13storieshauntedhouse.com.

Horror Hill

Horror Hill boasts a collection of four attractions. This year the Horror Hill and Vertigo trails are being joined by the Mortuary and Clown Haus 3D. Those who are really brave can camp out at Horror Hill ($60 per person) on Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1. Guests roast hot dogs and marshmallows by the fire. Then everyone retires to a supplied tent and sleeping bag. Listen up for things that go bump in the night.

THE 411: $18-$25. Sundown-11 p.m. Oct. 10-11; sundown-10 p.m. Oct. 12, 19, 26-29; sundown-midnight Oct. 17-18, 24-25, 30-Nov. 1. Horror Hill, 181 Ware Road, Newnan. 770-253-4983, www.ultimatenightmares.com/horrorhill.

The Terror Trail

At this attraction in Livingston Willows in Covington, guests venture along two acres of scream-inducing trails. As towering trees loom from above, bloody Civil War yarns mix with contemporary scares.

THE 411: $4; $3 ages 8-13; $2 ages 7 and younger. 6-10 p.m. Oct. 27-30; 6 p.m.-midnight Oct. 31. The Terror Trail, 155 Huntington St., Covington. 770-262-1338.

Trail of Terror

The Woodstock Jaycees raise money annually with this haunted house, and all proceeds benefit the club’s community projects. A spooky setting takes over the Jaycees’ clubhouse as it morphs into a maze of terrifying rooms.

THE 411: $8; $7 kids 10 and younger. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in October. Trail of Terror, 216 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock. 678-520-6506, www.woodstockjaycees.com/hauntedhouse.htm.

HAYRIDES AND MAZES

Haunted Hayride

Kids and parents climb aboard for a hayride around East Roswell Park, which gets decked out with spooky, family-friendly scenes. The evening wraps up with marshmallow roasting and tipping back hot cocoa. Reservations must be made in advance.

THE 411: $9; $6 for Roswell residents; free for children younger than 1. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 18. Haunted Hayride, 9000 Fouts Road, Roswell. 770-641-3705, www.roswellgov.com/index.php/m/calendar/id/13510.

Cagle’s Dairy Farm Riverbend

There are six mazes in one location, containing a total of about 3 miles of paths. It takes about an hour to make it through. At night, journey through the Haunted Maze, take a hayride or cozy up around the bonfire.

THE 411: $10 maze; $7 hayride and bonfire; $12 haunted maze. Hayrides and bonfires 6-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; Maze 5-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. Through–Nov. 9. Haunted maze sundown-midnight Fridays-Saturdays in October, and also Oct. 27-30. Cagle’s Dairy Farm Riverbend, 159 Montgomery Bridge Road N.E., Ranger. 770-345-5591, www.caglesdiary.com.

North Georgia Corn Maze

Get lost in a 7-acre corn maze or hop on a hayride. Brave souls can experience the haunted attraction House of Burm on select nights (Oct. 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, Nov. 1). On Fridays and Saturdays, guests get a free outdoor movie including “The Fog” (Oct. 17-18), “War of the Worlds” (Oct. 24-25) and “National Treasure 2” (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1).

THE 411: $9-$10 maze; $4-$5 hayride; $14-$15 House of Burm. Free for children 3 and younger. 4-10 p.m. Thursdays; 4-11:30 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 23. North Georgia Corn Maze, 559 Tom Bell Road, Cleveland. 800-959-1874, www.northgeorgiacornmaze.com.

Tanglewood Farm

Octoberfest at Tanglewood Farm offers Halloween fun with pony rides, a pumpkin patch and a benign haunted barn. Tickets include a tour and pony ride for children. Hayrides bring kids and adults up close and personal with more than 100 miniature farm animals.

THE 411: $9 tour; $5 hayride. free for children younger than 1. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Oct. 31. 171 Tanglewood Farm, Tanglewood Drive, Canton. 770-667-6464, www.tanglewoodfarmminis.com.

Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze

A one-mile haunted trail joins the regular 12-acre corn maze, which has about 4 miles of trails. Moonlight is the only illumination along the haunted trail. And hayrides include a bonfire with marshmallows. Guests are encouraged to start a sing-along around the bonfire. Combo tickets offer savings. The haunted maze takes place beginning at sundown on weekends through Nov. 1.

THE 411: $9 corn maze; $5 hayride; $12 corn maze and hayride; $12 haunted maze and corn maze; $15 haunted maze, corn maze and hayride. Free for children 3 and younger. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze, 4525 Highway 53 E., Dawsonville. 770-77-6223, www.uncleshucks.com.