Halloween scare spots

Traditions can be fun; trick-or-treating on Halloween, turkey on Thanksgiving and fireworks on the Fourth of July, but sometimes these activities can become monotonous. If you are craving an adrenaline-filled Halloween night, try going to the local haunted places.

Markoff's Haunted Forest

Rated as one of the top haunted forests nationwide by the Washington Post's City Guide, Markoff's Haunted Forest includes two 25-minute haunted trails. Participants can enjoy a suspenseful walk (or run) through the forest while being pursued by heavily costumed actors hidden throughout the trail. Markoff's boasts other activities including a zip line event called the "bath flight," a mobile climbing wall dubbed "spider climb," a haunted bus, face painting, concessions, live music, hayrides and bonfires. The staff at Markoff's haunted forest advises participants, or "victims" as they like to call them, to wear warm clothes and good shoes, arrive at least an hour before closing and bring a change of underwear.

Tickets for the events cost $3 per ticket or $25 for 10 tickets. The haunted trail costs $20. Markoff's haunted forest is open from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and on Halloween, and from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. Markoff’s haunted forest is located at 19120 Martinsburg Rd, Dickerson, MD, 20842. Visit their website for more information.

Field of Screams

The Field of Screams stresses three main events: a 30 minute haunted "Trail of Terror," a two-story "Psycho Haunted House" and a 15-acre corn maze. In addition, there is the "Little Goblins Play Area" designed for kids under six years old. The play area includes free activities such as a haystack and moon bounce to entertain the young ones, while the older crowd is spooked. The field of screams also provides a Dj and food such as hot chocolate that the staff claims is the best in the area.

The Haunted Trail costs $20. The Haunted House costs $10 every day except Thursday when it costs $7. The maze also costs $7 every day. The Field of Screams is open October 26th through the 30th from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Monday and Sunday, and from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It is located at 4501 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney, MD, 20832. Visit their website for more information.

Fright Fest at Six Flags

Probably one of the most well known Halloween activities, Fright Fest at Six flags is also one of the priciest. Before 6 p.m., the park caters to the younger audiences with Looney Tunes programming. Once dusk arrives, the park transforms into a haunted environment where "fright fest" ghouls roam the vicinity. The spooky attractions include all of the amusement park rides in the dark, a haunted house, a haunted forest and many shows, which vary in scariness. Participants should keep a look out for the "creep-o-meter," which states the degree of creepiness of each event. A pumpkin image notes that the attraction is not creepy; a spider means the attraction is a little creepy and a skull means the attraction is very creepy.

Six Flags America operates on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.. The general admission cost is $49.99. Six Flags America is located at 13710 Central Ave, Largo, MD, 20774. Visit their website for more information.

Bennett's Curse

Based on an old tale of medieval rivalry, Bennett's Curse offers customers a unique and breath-taking experience. The Sanctuary of Insanity is the newest haunted house and the first one in Maryland to offer three-dimensional effects. Dominion of Darkness is an opportunity that should only be pursued by the bravest visitors because they will have to find their way through a pitch-black maze while avoiding ghosts, withes and other scary figures hiding in the decorations. Bennett's Curse also includes another haunted house called the House of the Vampires. Bennett's offers the option of purchasing tickets online, which gives discounts.

The attraction is open October 27th through the 31st from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. It is located at 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD, 21076. Visit their website for more information and to purchase tickets.