The thrill of exploring a haunted house is a Halloween tradition like no other. Among the myriad of spooky attractions available during the season, the haunted house experience stands out as a must-visit for thrill-seekers and horror enthusiasts alike. Nestled just a few minutes south of St. Paul, along Highway 61 in Cottage Grove, the Haunting Experience offers visitors the chance to walk through the scariest haunted house in Minnesota, filled with terrors and dark entities that roam the hallways. If you dare to step into this world where nightmares come to life, here are some tips to help you survive your first haunted house experience.
What Things Are Inside Haunted Houses?
Haunted houses are designed to deliver a wide range of scares, playing on common fears and phobias to create an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the types of scares you might encounter:
- Jump Scares – sudden appearances or loud noises that catch you off-guard
- Darkness and Limited Visibility – navigating through pitch-black corridors or fog-filled rooms
- Claustrophobic Spaces – tight tunnels or cramped rooms that make you feel trapped
- Creepy Characters – actors dressed as ghosts, zombies, clowns, or other menacing figures who might follow or interact with you
- Gore and Gruesome Scenes – graphic displays of horror scenes, including blood, body parts, and scenes of torture
- Psychological Thrills – situations that play with your mind, often making you question what’s real
- Animatronics and Special Effects – high-tech effects and robotic creatures that suddenly move or make noise
- Disturbing Imagery – visuals designed to unsettle or disturb, such as dolls, mannequins, or unsettling artwork
- Sensory Overload – intense sounds, strobe lights, or smells that overwhelm your senses
- Live Animals – sometimes, live snakes, rats, or insects are used to add realism and prey on common phobias
- Unexpected Touches – while not all haunted houses allow actors to touch you, some may feature brushes against your legs or light touches from unseen sources to heighten the unease
Each haunted house has its unique approach to creating scares, combining these elements in various ways to keep you on your toes throughout the experience.
Tips for Surviving Your First Haunted House Experience
1. Know What to Expect
Before you even set foot in the haunted house, familiarize yourself with what you might encounter. The Haunting Experience is home to Minnesota’s longest-running haunted hayride and a haunted house that promises spine-chilling adventures where monsters lurk around every corner. Understanding the types of attractions and the level of scare can mentally prepare you for the experience ahead.
2. Bring Friends
There’s strength in numbers. Not only does bringing friends make the experience more enjoyable, but having familiar faces around can also provide a sense of security amidst the screams and scares. The Haunting Experience encourages group visits, offering special rates for groups of 20, 50, and 100, making it the perfect setting for a heart-pounding adventure with your closest pals.
3. Dress Appropriately
Comfort is key when it comes to navigating through dimly lit hallways and outdoor trails. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking or running, and dress according to the weather, keeping in mind that some parts of the attraction may be outdoors. The creatures of the night at the Haunting Experience won’t melt under the rain, so come prepared for any condition.
4. Stay Calm and Keep Moving
Part of the thrill of a haunted house is the anticipation of not knowing what is around the corner. While it may be instinctive to freeze up or back away when faced with something frightening, remember that the actors are professionals trained to scare, not harm. Keep moving forward, and remind yourself that it’s all part of the experience designed to get your adrenaline pumping.
5. Listen to the Rules
Safety is a top priority at the Haunting Experience. Before entering, you will be briefed on the rules and guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. This may include:
- No touching of the actors or props
- No photography.
You will also be provided instructions on what to do in case you need to exit early. Paying attention and following these rules can enhance your enjoyment and ensure that the frights are fun for everyone involved.
6. Suspend Your Disbelief
To fully immerse yourself in the haunted house experience, allow yourself to suspend disbelief and get drawn into the story. The Haunting Experience has been perfecting the art of the scare since 1986, with a team of scare actors, artists, builders, and human oddities dedicated to bringing you an intensely scary haunted house experience. The more you engage with the environment and the narrative, the more memorable your visit will be.
7. Enjoy the Extras
Beyond the scares, the Haunting Experience offers a range of activities to enhance your visit. With music, food concessions, and even daytime activities like free hayrides, goat petting, and a vortex walkthrough, there’s plenty to enjoy outside of the haunted attractions. Take the time to explore these extras and make a day (or night) out of your visit.
8. Remember, It’s All in Good Fun
Above all, remember that the purpose of a haunted house is to provide entertainment. The monsters may seem real, and the scares are genuine, but at the end of the day, it’s all about having a good time. Laugh, scream, and maybe even run – but most importantly, enjoy the experience for what it is: a chance to face your fears in a controlled, safe environment.
Whether you are a seasoned haunted house goer or a first-timer ready to take the plunge into the world of the paranormal, these tips will help ensure that your visit is filled with frights and delights in equal measure. Gather your bravest friends and step into the legacy of terror that has made the Haunting Experience a premier destination for those who love a good fright.
Stop By The Haunting Experience Today
Renowned for being the scariest haunted house in Minnesota, it invites visitors to walk through a series of dark hallways filled with terrors and malevolent entities eager to invade your nightmares. This attraction has been terrifying visitors for over 37 years, cementing its legacy as a premier destination for Halloween thrills.
Beyond the haunted house, the Haunting Experience boasts the longest-running haunted hayride in Minnesota, taking guests on a heart-pounding ride through haunted forests and past the horrors of Wilhelm Steelworks. With menacing creatures lurking around every corner, ready to pounce on their next victim, and a variety of activities like art activities, free daytime hayrides, pumpkin painting, and even goat petting, the Haunting Experience promises a uniquely terrifying adventure filled with unforgettable memories for visitors of all ages. Stop by today or contact us at 651-459-3001 to purchase tickets.
