2020 Long Island Haunted House Guide

LONG ISLAND — The coronavirus is changing everything this year, and Halloween is no exception. Many haunted houses and other events have been canceled this year. However, some events are still going forward.

If you're looking for a scare this spooky season, Patch has compiled a list of the active haunts on Long Island this year. They are taking appropriate steps to clean facilities, and other measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

If your favorite haunt is open this year and not on our list, send an email to alex.costello@patch.com to get it added.

Bayville Scream Park
8 Bayville Ave., Bayville

The Bayville Scream Park is a Halloween theme park. It features attractions like The Temple of Terror, Uncle Needle's Funhouse of Fear, Evil in the Woods and more. It has been named the scariest haunted house on Long Island many times. This year, the park will also have Drive-In Horror Movie Experience, which combines a scary movie with a theatrical performance.

Because of the coronavirus, the park is now selling tickets for peak and off-peak nights. Off-peak tickets can be used at any off-peak time, but those purchasing peak tickets have to reserve a date and time slot at purchase. Admission to the park will be limited to prevent crowding. Face masks are mandatory for all guests and staff. There will be enhanced cleaning of facilities, hand sanitizer available, physical distancing and no touching between guests and staff.

Ticket prices vary for peak and off-peak nights and depend on how many attractions you wish to see. Tickets can go from $72.75 to $26.75.

Darkside Haunted House
5184 NY-25A, Wading River

The Darkside Haunted House is Long Island's premier haunted attraction. Come make your way through the newly expanded haunted village. Then the terror continues as you explore the new, updated haunted house. Come experience the movie-quality sets, the bone-chilling special effects and the heart-pounding scares that make the Darkside Haunted House the place to be.

To ensure safety, all staff will have their temperatures taken every day. Masks are mandatory for guests and staff. There will also be enhanced cleaning of high-traffic areas. Tickets will be sold online only and will be collected no-touch through guests' smart phones. Tickets are only being sold to groups of four to eight people and will be sold for specific time slots.

The nighttime attractions are open on varying days through October. Tickets are $35 Check the website for details.

Chambers of Hell
1745 Express Drive North, Hauppauge

The Chambers of Hell is one of Long Island's most popular haunted houses. This year, there are three attractions: Funhouse of Fear, Primevil and Redhook Massacre.

Masks must be worn at all times at the haunt. There will be enhanced cleaning and hand sanitizer available, and there will be reduced tickets available to prevent crowding.

The show opens on Sept. 25, and then is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 2 through Nov. 1. It is also open Oct. 12, 22 and 29. Individual tickets are not being sold this year. Packs of tickets vary from $140 to $300.

Gateway's Haunted Playhouse
215 South Country Road, Bellport

The Haunted Playhouse, one of the scariest haunted houses on Long Island. It features a professional set and costumes, as well as fantastic actors who draw you into the horror — for better or worse.

It's open multiple days from Oct. 2 through 31, with some times being less scary for children. There are a variety of different shows this year: the drive-through Forgotten Road, Brigand's Run and a kid's adventure. There is also a drive-in theater this year. Tickets must be purchased in advance — there will be no walk-up sales this year.

Schmitts Farm Haunt
26 Pinelawn Road, Melville

Voted one of the scariest haunted houses on Long Island, the Schmitts Farm Haunted House has been running for 25 years. It features both a haunted house and a haunted corn trail.

Tickets are being sold for specific time slots this year. Masks are mandatory for both guests and staff, and staff and guests will have their temperatures checked before being admitted. There will also be reduced capacity, social distancing, enhanced cleaning and hand sanitizer available.

The haunt is Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October, as well as Oct. 12, 22 and 29. Tickets are $37.99.

Spooky Fest at Tanglewood Preserve
1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre

The Center for Science Teaching and Learning celebrates Halloween with Spooky Fest. Sixteen acres are transformed into a family friendly Halloween event. Wooded paths, exhibits and festivities on the preserve will be featured, with eerie lighting, special effects and characters along the way. Everything is perfectly spooky and a little scary. The event features a walk through the Haunted Woods, a not-so-spooky walk through the woods for children, a kids arts and crafts area, live animal exhibits, face painting and more.

Tickets will have an arrival time for when your experience will start. Only your group of people will be allowed in some areas at a time. Face masks are required.

Spooky Fest is open Oct. 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are $10 for the non-scary attractions only, and $15 for the whole experience.

Cemetery of Lost Souls

This year, the Cemetery of Lost Souls is forgoing a typical haunted house for something different: a haunted scavenger hunt. "The Hunt" is a haunted scavenger hunt through haunted locations in Nassau County and Suffolk County. It will begin on Oct. 9 and run through Oct. 31. Once you register, you can start and finish at any time.

There are 11 haunted locations that have been chosen. Once you register, you will be given the first clue. Once you decipher it and make your way to the location, you will have to find a hidden QR code that will give you a clue to the next location. Each QR code you find will give you an entry into a special lottery.

Registration for The Hunt is $10. Proceeds will benefit the charity Melissa's Wish — a Long Island charity that helps families pay for non-medical expenses when they have a sick family member. The lottery prize is two tickets to the Melissa's Wish 2021 gala, which features special guest Dee Snider of Twisted Sister.