Haunted Houser

Halloween 2026 · Columbus

Haunted houses in Columbus

7 places, each confirmed for 2026 on its own website. Updated Oct 9.

Haunted houses & scream parks 2Haunted trails, hayrides & corn mazes 1Ghost tours & haunted history 4

Haunted housesTrails & hayridesGhost toursNot too scary

For the hardest scare around Columbus, head east to Pataskala. Dead Acres and Haunted Hoochie is a haunted house plus forest with a parental advisory for explicit content, and they mention a simulated live demon birth. So, yeah. Pataskala Haunted Forest down the road is a charity trail through the woods that takes 30 to 45 minutes, and you'll be outside for at least an hour. FYI: its tickets are online only, and each weekend's go on sale that Monday.

Closer in, Fear Columbus Haunted House runs three themed haunts, from a creature-infested campground to a sinister funeral home. Leave your bag in the car, since no bags of any kind are allowed in line. For history, the Haunted Ohio Statehouse Tours take you through the darkened corridors by oil lantern, Oct 16 to 24 only. They sell out every year and don't sell at the door, so book early. There's no real kids' pick this year. The closest thing is a self-guided ghost hunt downtown that works like an outdoor escape game on your phone, $8.99 a player.

Haunted houses & scream parks

One big indoor haunt with three themes (no bags allowed) and a flat-out graphic house-and-forest combo in Pataskala.

Fear Columbus Haunted House

Columbus, OH · 9 mi from Columbus

👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying

Dates
Sep 11 – Nov 1, 2026
Prices
Starting at $24.99; prices are dynamic and vary by date and demand. Premium ticket options to reduce or eliminate the wait are also offered, but no prices…
Ages
Fear Columbus is not recommended for children under the age of 13. Anyone under the age of 13 MUST have at least one parent/guardian in the group.

Large-scale indoor production featuring three original themes and elaborate horror sets.

Tip: Leave bags in your car or at home, as no bags of any kind are permitted inside the waiting line or building.

Tickets Official site

Dead Acres and Haunted Hoochie

Pataskala, OH · 13 mi from Columbus

👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying

Dates
Sep 17 – Oct 31, 2026
Prices
General admission: $35 stated; the ticket listing shows $35.00 plus a $1.75 service fee ($36.75 total). VIP/Speed Pass: $60 stated; the ticket listing shows…
Ages
Not suitable for immature audiences or young children. Parental advisory for explicit content.

Extreme haunted house and forest attraction with graphic, violent horror.

Tip: Do not run or hit when frightened, as sudden reactions in crowds cause the most injuries.

Tickets Official site

Haunted trails, hayrides & corn mazes

A charity trail through the Pataskala woods that's been running since 1989.

Pataskala Haunted Forest

Pataskala, OH · 18 mi from Columbus

👻👻👻👻 Very scary

Dates
Oct 2 – Oct 31, 2026
Prices
$25.00 (plus fees).
Ages
No age limit, though not recommended for little ones
Takes
The trek normally takes 30–45 minutes; guests should expect to be outside for at least an hour, not including the wait to enter.

Central Ohio's longest-running charity haunted attraction, operating since 1989.

Tip: Tickets are available online only, with each weekend's tickets going on sale starting the Monday of that week.

Tickets Official site

Ghost tours & haunted history

Lantern tours of the Statehouse, a wine walk in Newark and a phone-based ghost hunt.

Haunted Ohio Statehouse Tours

Columbus, OH · 0 mi from Columbus

👻👻👻 Scary

Dates
Oct 16 – Oct 24, 2026
Ages
12+

Lantern-lit ghost tours through the darkened corridors of the Ohio Statehouse.

Tip: Purchase tickets well in advance, as tours sell out every year and no tickets are sold at the door.

Official site

Spirits of Newark: Haunted History Walk

Newark, OH · 32 mi from Columbus

👻👻👻 Scary

Dates
Oct 3 – Oct 31, 2026
Ages
Ages 16+ recommended

Downtown Newark walking tour pairing documented dark history with Ohio wine

Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for an outdoor walking route.

Tickets

Halloween Ghost Hunt in Columbus, OH

Columbus, OH · 1 mi from Columbus

👻👻 A little spooky

Dates
Tours run on set nights. Pick one on their calendar.
Prices
$17.99 total for 1 group of up to 2 players; $8.99 per player; all taxes included.
Ages
Kids under 12 must be accompanied by adults
Takes
1.5 hours of playtime.

Self-guided outdoor escape game tracking ten spirits through city streets.

Tip: Have each player use their own phone so everyone can take part in solving clues.

Tickets Official site

Uptown Ghost Story Tours

Westerville, OH · 12 mi from Columbus

👻👻 A little spooky

Dates
Sep 25 – Oct 31, 2026
Prices
$25.
Ages
9+

Walking tour blending eerie community tales with local history.

Tip: Meet at the back of Otterbein Cemetery at the corner of Walnut and Grove.

Tickets Official site

Only places with 2026 dates on their own website made this list. If a haunt you love is missing, it probably hasn't announced yet.

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