Real Nova Network by Chris Colgan

Markoff’s Haunted Forest 

I have to start with the most obvious and well-loved haunted attraction near the DMV area. Markoff’s is by far the best ‘haunted’ location but word of warning, it’s about an hour out of the Northern Virginia area and is located on the Maryland side of the border. The drive is inarguably worth it. The haunted forest is really a nighttime walk on a trail  with gnarled tree roots and in-the-way branches littering the path. The whole experience feels very much like Tolkien’s Mirkwood forest.

Markoff’s has incredible production value and puts their whole heart into the set and costume design for ultimate realism. As a side bonus, they’re known to treat their scare actors and actresses extremely well, and some of the ticket profits are used for underprivileged kids. 

Before the trail there’s a waiting room, but it’s not what you think. It’s called Markoff’s Midway, and it’s a carnival where patrons can eat, drink and relax near giant-sized bonfire before the night of frights. Once you get called and head to the main event, you’ll take on the trail, the horrifying ghosts and ghouls, spooky surprises, and beautiful set designs. The trail is about a mile long and filled to the brim with horrifying sights. It’s so captivating that multiple movies have been filmed at the location.  

At the end of the trail is the Cursed Village, an amazingly well designed faux colonial styled town that hosts a trail afterparty. A DJ plays tracks in a center court with eerie smoke and red hued lights. If you get hungry, grab a bite or a brew here too!

If walking is inaccessible for you or a family member, or you simply rather sit back and enjoy the scares, check out their haunted hayride. 

A side attraction is the Doors of Heavy Metal Legends, a new addition to Markoff’s, and perfect for metal fans. This castle is the largest project that Markoff’s has undertaken- ever. It’s about three stories tall, and the most interesting fact about them is that they are the very same doors used in 1980 for Black Sabbath’s Heaven and Hell tour. 

Opening night is October 3 & 4. The largest downside with Markoff’s is the lack of crowd control and overselling. Because it is such a well-reviewed haunted trail the reservation system gets backed up and groups might be back-to-back. To avoid this remember that dates in late October are more crowded, try scheduling for an earlier slot, and Sundays + Halloween tend to be less busy.  Strange but important is also the fact that the time on the ticket you buy is not the time you will enter the trail, but rather the recommended time for your arrival. 

Cox Farms Field of Fears

Next on the list is Cox Farm’s Field of Fears. Not as good as Markoff’s, Cox Farms is a close second and much more accessible to the Northern Virginia area with its location in Centreville. This haunted field is one of the longer running haunted attractions in the area, with opening night already over and scares spanning all the way to November 8th. The set up here is very similar to Markoff’s— why start from scratch if a great recipes already been made right? 

Corn Nightmare is Cox’s original haunted trail. There’s plenty of jump scares as you wander through a maze that feels never ending. Though the farm has expanded much of their entertainment at the event, and they now also offer a haunted hayride, and a walk through their dark forest. All are ‘haunted’ per se, but the hayride is a bit more lax, and the forest is a newer addition with different types of haunts. 

There’s the foregrounds if you need a break from  the tension of the haunted fields. Cox Farms has found other ways to release all that extra adrenaline. Here there will be soothing bonfires, a dance floor, karaoke, and even a ginormous slide. If you show up on a lucky night there may even be fire eaters. While you rest from all that frightening, there’s also delicious snacks available. The donuts are a major bite highlight, but there’s also kettle corn, cotton candy, nachos and root beer. 

Busch Gardens Events 

Last on my list is Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. It’s a little out of the way, but they have a lot to offer. The two events worth mentioning: Howl-O-Scream and Halloween Spooktacular. Both are spooky season favorites and are a great experience for family-oriented folks.

Halloween Spooktacular offers a lot for the little ones. A daytime event for the more easily spooked, this event has already begun and will stick around until November 2nd. Kids (9 and under) are able to dress up in their costumes for hayrides, scavenger hunts and interactive shows. I highly recommend the Furry Friends Halloween Dance Party if you have energetic little ones, and Interactive Moneyer Mayhem Game Show for inquisitive kids. Though guarantee every tiny tyke will appreciate the trick-or-treat near well-loved coaster, the Griffon Overlook. 

If you are looking for an event for older children or yourself and some friends, the Howl-O-Scream is for you. Busch Gardens is a ginormous amusement park— which means the jump scares are thrice as many! Here you can find a whopping five haunted houses, six walking areas designated for screams, four spook-tacular shows and plenty of other creeping things to behold. There are 10 rollercoasters that will be open, and dozens of food vendors and drink vendors to calm your heart rate and fuel you for more! 

Those are the best fear-focused and haunted places that are around in Northern Virginia for the season. Although there’s plenty of other sinister spots around the DMV area that’ll also knock your socks off, these are great for dipping your toes into the Halloween season.