Photo Credit: Michelle Andonian Photography

If your idea of fun is to scare yourself silly, Detroit has plenty of haunted houses and spooky attractions. From the world’s largest haunted house and zombie paintball to kid-friendly adventures and cemetery tours, Detroit is ready for Halloween fun.

Haunted Blake’s - Blake’s haunted 3-story barn and spooky hayride is one of Detroit’s best scare factories, and also features Zombie Paintball Hunter and Spookyland + 3D Maze – two unique interactive experiences on the undead and Halloween terror. Your favorite video games are about to come to life.

Erebus - Pontiac’s four-story attraction held the title of Guinness Book of World Records world’s largest walk-through haunted house from 2005 to 2009. This nationally recognized haunted house "leads its victims through four stories of unique and terrifying paths with fear so intense some call it PAIN!" Yikes.

The Realm of Darkness - Is Pontiac haunted? According to the staff at the Realm of Darkness Haunted House, not all of the scary occurrences are staged. Visit at your own risk.

Dementia at Hampton - Rochester Hills is no stranger to the business of haunting. Located at the Hampton Golf Club, Dementia has been voted the #1 haunted house for actors who portray inmates and serial killers who overrun and "torment anyone who crosses their path."

Haunted in the House - The Detroit Opera House gets in on the phantom action when this historic site transforms its lobby and lounges into a spooky costume party for the haunted... and the classy.

Haunted Nursery - Southfield’s Lavin's Flower Land Nursery turns three acres and eight greenhouses into a haunted charity benefit. If you’re going to be scared, why not do it for a good cause? In this case, the charity is the Almost Home No-Kill Animal Rescue.

Detroit’s Urban Legends – Historic Cass Community Church is transformed in one of Detroit’s scariest dungeons. This paranormal attraction is put on by Cass Community Social Services to benefit homeless mothers and children.

Deadly Intentions – Back for one final season of haunting in 2012, this 6,500 square foot Warren scare factory is pulling out all the stops for deadly terror.

Fear Factory - Experience Mount Clemens' Fear Factory at the Gibraltar Trade Center: 25,000 square feet of "pure madness and 30 minutes of relentless terror." According to the website, "the fear stops only when your heart does." Plan accordingly if you’ve made plans for after your visit.

Tunnel of Terror - The Rochester Jaycees bring mayhem and madness to Rochester Municipal Park for a low-scare version of Tunnel of Terror, with kid-friendly monsters for younger visitors and the faint of heart.

Wheelhouse Detroit - Throughout October, Wheelhouse hosts haunted bike tours around Detroit, with stops at the Fort-Shelby, Leland Hotels, Majestic Theatre and Masonic Temple, and a cruise through Elmwood Cemetery. Of all the haunted attractions in Detroit, this might just have the best escape plan. How fast can you peddle?

The Haunted Tours at Historic Fort Wayne - The 2012 season is already sold out. If you want to learn about this 1840s fort and its paranormal history, join their 2013 mailing list, and if you make it through this season, next year should be even more terrifying.

Photo Credit: Michelle Andonian Photography

6 Family-Friendly Alternatives to Haunted Houses

If you’re looking for haunted attractions for the kids, or cultural attractions for the season, here are a few alternatives to the haunted house:

1. Oakland County Moms put together a list of Detroit's Family-Friendly Haunted Attractions.

2. The Motor City is also home to more than its fair share of historic cemeteries. If you like your Halloween celebrations mixed with a historical twist, October is Cemetery Tour Month at Preservation Detroit.

3. The Night Train has a few suggestions for some real (maybe?) Haunted Places in Detroit.

4. The Detroit Zoo supports dressing up like an animal for Halloween, especially at its annual "merry-not-scary" Zoo Boo.

5. Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village is “frightfully fun for the whole family” and takes you back to a turn-of-the-20th century Hallowe’en.

6. You can always visit one of Detroit’s cider mills if you prefer a less scary, tastier celebration.

Which haunted attraction are you

BRAVE ENOUGH

 to encounter?