Look...we all need something to look forward to between Oktoberfest and Thanksgiving, so that's why they invented Halloween*. 

It's a holiday where we take a break from internal existential terror, and instead scare ourselves with the kinds of terrors that have names: ghosts, werewolves, and zombies, zombies, zombies. I'm talking about haunted houses (and fields, and farms, and literally anything that can contain a few well-placed jump-scares)! 

So pack a car full of friends and family, and head out to one of these fright factories in the South Puget Sound.

* This is absolutely not true, but look at you, reading the footnotes.

Haunted Houses

Frighthouse Station
Once a year, Tacoma's historic train-depot-turned-urban-market converts itself to a paranormal emporium, when Freighthouse Square becomes Frighthouse Square. For 2019, Frighthouse Square celebrates its third season with all-new characters, storyline, and terrors too terrifying to be named. 
 
Freighthouse Square
2501 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421

Sept. 27-28; Oct. 4-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 31; Nov. 1-2, 2019

 
Fright Factory in Buckley
The Fright Factory has been rated as one of the scariest haunted attractions in Washington State three years running, and you'll find out why as you trek through remote fields and farm outbuildings. You won't have to fear the rain, since 98% is under cover or indoors, or parking fees because parking is free. 
 
2000 Collins Rd, Buckley, WA 98321

Sept. 28-29; Oct. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 24-31, 2019

 
Maris Farms Haunted Woods - Buckley
This 35-minute stroll through an abandoned barn and spooky forest is full of thrills, chills, and a whole lot of nope! Also zombies, escaped prisoners and human sacrifices, so there's that.
 
Maris Farms
25001 Sumner Buckley Hwy, Buckley, WA 98321

Sept. 28; Oct. 4-5; 11-13; 18-20; 25-27, 2019

 

Haunted escape room

What's slightly scarier than being trapped in a room with coworkers in the name of team-building? Matty's Nightmare is a paranormal excursion scenario back to The Cabin (Escape Hour's classic scenario) where the normal rules don't apply, and the girl in the mirror calls the shots.
 
Escape Hour Gig Harbor
212 50th Street Court NW Ste. 104, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
 
Sept. 27-Nov.3, 2019
 
 

Ghost tours

These are scheduled ghost tours around Tacoma that fill up fast, so make your reservations ahead of time.
 
The Ghost Stories of Tacoma
It's the weirdest history class you'll ever take. Tacoma's history is long and occasionally sordid, and this tour dredges up the dark side of the city's murders, curses, and defiled burial ground. (EMF detection devices available)
 
Tacoma Ghost Hunt
Tacoma is full of some These small-group ghost hunt tours are a search for the paranormal, and not for the faint of heart. (EMF detection devices available).
 
Boos and Booze Tour
Do you like your terror with a side of sessionable IPA? Pretty Gritty has you covered with their Boos and Booze tour, combining the best of their ghost tour with the best of their beer tour. 
 
Tacoma Ghost Tour
Tacoma’s first ghost tour offers stories and more than a few rumored spooks. This walking tour is led by father and son history buff duo, Andrew and Carlie Hansen. Explore stories behind the century-old Pantages Theater, and dare to cross burial grounds.
 

Halloween celebrations

Zoo Boo
Full disclosure up front: The animals will not be in costume. However, the exhibit areas will be decked out, kids can trick-or-treat for candy or participate in a costume parade, and the animals will be enjoying eating gourds and special treats, and the elephants will be smashing pumpkins.
 
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407 
 
Oct. 12-13, 2019