GetOut Magazine

Dare to be scared at these haunted houses
By KELLY WILSON
Get Out
Oct. 17, 2002

You cry out for help, but your cries go ignored. Your body is drenched with sweat and youre running through dark corridors from a masked stalker who tracks your every move. You make a steadfast escape while grabbing a paper bag to hyperventilate into and high-five your friend who made it out of the ominous house five minutes ago.

Ah yes, its that time of year again, and you survived yet another visit to a haunted house. Thats what Halloween is all about spine-tingling fear and making the little hairs on the back of your neck stick up. If you havent participated in this Halloween tradition yet, here are four Valley haunted houses where you can get your spook on.

Alice Cooper's Nightmare

Valley rocker Alice Coopers haunted house was such a hit last year that its making a return. Alice Coopers Nightmare (next to Alice Cooperstown, 141 E. Jackson St., Phoenix, ) a 15-minute walk-through designed for people 12 years and older boasts that its bigger and badder in its second year. The "nightmare" offers 20 different spine-chilling scenes where "victims" can expect high-tech rock n roll special effects amid a 12,000- square-foot maze of creepy nooks and crannies. 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays through Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and Halloween through Nov. 2. $13.

Arizonas Original Scream Park

Arizonas largest and oldest haunted attraction, Arizonas Original Scream Park (Loop 101 and McDowell Road, Scottsdale, ) returns. This year, thrill-seekers can enjoy four haunted houses Alices House of Nightmares (where a freakish Alice from "Alice in Wonderland" will greet you), 3-D Fear Factory, The Realm and Goldminers Revenge along with a midway with attractions, rides and the "Electric Chair." 7 p.m. to midnight Thursdays and Sundays, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The park will be open until Nov. 2. $13-$20.

Haunted Hotel and Mine of the Dead

Rawhide Wild West Town (23023 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, ) has taken its Halloween festivities down a notch this year and is only offering two attractions the Haunted Hotel and Mine of the Dead compared to last years whopping 13 unholy events.

But Rawhide patrons need not fear. Ghouls and goblins will still stalk your every move, making for a spooky affair. 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays and Halloween. $6.

The Mystery Mansion

If "The Sixth Sense" gave you nightmares for weeks and you need something a bit tamer this year, or have children, we suggest heading out to The Mystery Mansion (Fiddlesticks Family Funpark, 8800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, ). This haunted attraction, which was designed for children ages 3 to 11, features a 10- to 12-minute walk-through, during which youll come across characters from "Spider-Man," "Scooby-Doo" and the upcoming "Treasure Planet." 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 24 through 26 and Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. $3.50.