By: Christine Kuzminski

Fall is here and with that comes Halloween. The change of leaves and warm apple cider isn’t the only thing to be exited for. October is a time of fun and laughter, with a few scares here and there due to the super fun holiday that is Halloween. There’s no better way to enjoy this holiday than to plan as many fun events to do before it’s over. Of course there’s trick-or-treating, but there are many more fun things to do such as haunted houses, corn mazes, and hayrides.

This year, there are many different scary events that you can attend just a short drive away. The Haunting at the Mall kicks off in October at the Chautauqua Mall. It will take place on Fridays through the weekends and on Thursday the twenty-ninth as well. The Haunted house in the mall can be located near the back, next to the JC Penney’s entrance. There is also a corn maze at the Hatch Patch, along with the harvest festival and pumpkin sales at Port Farms in Waterford, PA, which takes place from September 12 to October 31.

If you really want to knock your socks off in fear, there are a few terrifying haunted houses not too far away. ‘FrightWorld: America’s Screampark 2015’ is here. Last year I went, and it was not disappointing. It’s definitely worth the drive and the money. The tickets can be purchased online and are $23 per person and for $10 more VIP tickets that allow you to skip the lines can be purchased. The park is located in the former BJ’s at 800 Young St, Tonawanda, NY 14150, which is about an hour and forty-five minutes from Eisenhower. This haunted house includes five different houses with different themes that go along with each. The actors are very realistic and the effects are unbelievable. My friends and I had a fantastic time and we highly recommend this haunted house to others in for a scare.

Below is a list of the locations and prices of other haunted Halloween attractions:

• FrightWorld: America’s Screampark 2015

In the former BJ’s

800 Young St, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (online- $23 regular five houses, $33 Fastpass)

• Hell’s Hollow Haunt

340 Bestwick Road, Mercer, PA ($20 per person)

• Ghost Lake at Conneaut Lake Park

12382 Center Street, Conneaut Lake ($25 per person)

• Haunted Expedition

3754 Wexford Run Road, Wexford, PA ($15 general admission, $25 VIP)

• The ScareHouse

118 Locust Street, Etna Etna, PA ($14.99 normal, $39.99 skip the line)

• Trail of Terror

Pitcher Park Carnegie Park Forsythe Road, Carnegie, PA ($10 per person)

• Hundred Acres Manor

1 Hundred Acre Drive, Bethel Park, PA ($20 general admission, $28 VIP)

Halloween can be so much fun, especially if you have fun activities to do. Of course there’s your traditional pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating, but there’s also events that really bring out the essence of Halloween. Do yourself a favor by planning fun activities like haunted houses or hay rides to enjoy with your friends and family and you’re sure to have a scary and happy Halloween!