The Best Haunted Houses in Atlanta: Where to Get Seriously Scared 👻

Atlanta takes Halloween and haunted attractions very seriously. Whether you’re a local planning your annual fright night or visiting the metro area in October, you’ll find everything from intense, actor-heavy haunted houses to family-friendly spooky walks.

This guide focuses on the best haunted houses in and around Atlanta, what type of experience each offers, and practical tips for planning your visit.

Quick Guide: Top Haunted Houses Near Atlanta

Always verify current location, dates, and age recommendations directly with each attraction before going. Haunted house themes and locations can change from year to year.

1. Netherworld Haunted House (Stone Mountain)

Location: Typically in the Stone Mountain/Tucker area, east of Atlanta
Recommended for: Atlanta locals and visitors who want the biggest, most elaborate haunted house experience nearby

Netherworld is often the first name locals mention when you ask about the best haunted house in Atlanta. It’s a large-scale attraction with Hollywood-level sets, professional makeup, and lots of special effects.

Typical features include:

• Multiple haunted houses with different themes each year
• Elaborate creatures, animatronics, and set pieces
• Outdoor scare zones and horror-themed photo ops
• Gift shop and horror merch

Tips for visiting Netherworld:

• 🕒 Go early in the season or on weeknights if you want shorter lines.
• 🎟️ Expect tiered ticket options (general admission vs. faster entry).
• 🚗 Plan time for parking and walking; it can get crowded on peak October weekends.
• 👶 Usually best for teens and adults; very young children may find it overwhelming.

2. 13 Stories Haunted House (Newnan)

Location: Newnan, southwest of Atlanta near I-85
Recommended for: People who like intense, actor-driven scares

13 Stories Haunted House is known for its multi-level layout and dark, in-your-face style. It tends to focus more on close-quarters scares and actors than big-budget animatronics.

What to expect:

• Multiple themed sections under one roof
• Heavy use of darkness, loud sounds, and surprise scares
• Often includes optional “extreme” or “no escape”–style experiences some years

Planning notes:

• 🧭 It’s about a 40–50 minute drive from many parts of Atlanta, depending on traffic.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Good for group outings or friends’ night out.
• ⚠️ Check age guidelines; some experiences may be too intense for younger visitors.

3. Fear the Woods (Stockbridge)

Location: Stockbridge, south of Atlanta, often at or near a family farm setting
Recommended for: Those wanting a mix of classic haunted house, hayride, and outdoor scares

Fear the Woods typically combines:

• A traditional haunted house
• A haunted hayride through the woods
• A haunted trail or outdoor walkthrough

Compared to some extreme haunts, Fear the Woods can feel a bit more traditional and seasonal, with a strong fall-festival vibe, but still packs serious scares.

Why Atlanta-area families like it:

• Multiple activities in one location
• Outdoor elements that feel very “Georgia in October”
• Often easier to enjoy for families with older kids or teens
• More open-air space than some warehouse-style haunts

Tips:

• 🌙 Outdoor elements mean you should dress for the weather and possible mud.
• 🕒 Lines for the hayride can build; arrive early in the evening.

4. Containment Haunted House (Lithia Springs)

Location: Lithia Springs, west of Atlanta, generally near Thornton Road/I-20
Recommended for: People who like detailed sets and creepy storytelling

Containment Haunted House is usually built from shipping containers and modular sets, creating narrow corridors and tight spaces that feel immersive.

What stands out:

• Focus on atmosphere and narrative, not just jump scares
• Compact, maze-like layout
• Detailed props and scenic design

This haunt often appeals to:

• Adults and older teens who appreciate themed horror
• Westside and I-20 corridor residents who want something closer than Stone Mountain or Newnan

Planning tip:
If you dislike tight spaces or need more open layouts, check attraction details carefully before you go.

5. Folklore Haunted House (Acworth)

Location: Acworth, northwest of downtown Atlanta
Recommended for: Northside residents and anyone who likes multiple themed haunts in one stop

Folklore Haunted House generally offers:

• Several separate haunted houses or “experiences”
• Strong emphasis on different themes, so you get variety in one visit
• Outdoor waiting areas and seasonal decor

Why it’s popular:

• Convenient to Kennesaw, Marietta, Woodstock, and Acworth
• Offers a mix of horror styles—good if your group has different scare preferences
• Often combines high-energy actors with detailed sets

Good to know:

• 🎟️ Ticket structures can differ depending on how many houses you want to do—check before you go.
• 🧥 As with many haunts north of the city, nights can be cooler and windier, so bring layers.

6. Paranoia Haunted House (Canton)

Location: Canton, off I-575 north of Atlanta
Recommended for: Teens and groups looking for a loud, high-intensity atmosphere

Paranoia Haunted House is known for its high energy, strobe lights, and strong audio. Expect:

• Intense visual and sound effects
• Actors who stay fully in character
• Multiple themes that may rotate or shift each year

It’s a good option if:

• You live in or near Canton, Woodstock, or Holly Springs
• You like your haunted house experiences more chaotic and adrenaline-heavy than theatrical

Accessibility note:
If you or someone in your group is sensitive to strobe lights or loud noise, check Paranoia’s current policies and warnings before visiting.

7. Six Flags Over Georgia: Fright Fest (Austell)

Location: Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell (west of downtown Atlanta)
Recommended for:Mixed-age groups, families, and theme-park fans

While not a single haunted house, Fright Fest is Six Flags’ annual Halloween event that often includes:

• Multiple haunted mazes and houses
• Scare zones around the park
• Special Halloween shows and entertainment
• Coasters running at night for an extra thrill

Why Atlanta families consider it:

• You get rides + Halloween in one place
• Easier to split up—those who don’t like haunted houses can enjoy other attractions
• Typically has more family-friendly daytime options, with scarier content ramping up at night

Tips for Fright Fest:

• 🕒 Lines for haunted mazes can be long on October weekends; plan your top priorities.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Great for groups where some want serious scares and others prefer mild frights.

How to Choose the Best Haunted House in Atlanta for You

With so many options around Atlanta, the “best” haunted house depends on what you’re looking for. Use these factors to narrow it down:

1. Intensity Level

Ask yourself:

• Do we want family-friendly spooky or full-on terrifying?
• Are there younger kids or only adults in our group?

Generally:

• Most intense: Netherworld, 13 Stories, Paranoia
• Moderate to intense: Folklore, Containment, Fear the Woods (varies by section)
• Mixed intensity: Six Flags Fright Fest (depends on maze vs. general park)

2. Distance from Your Part of Atlanta

Metro Atlanta traffic can turn a 25-mile trip into an hour drive. From downtown or Midtown:

• East / Northeast: Netherworld (Stone Mountain area)
• West / Southwest: Containment (Lithia Springs), Six Flags (Austell), 13 Stories (Newnan)
• North / Northwest: Folklore (Acworth), Paranoia (Canton)
• South: Fear the Woods (Stockbridge)

Choose something near your side of the metro if you want to avoid long late-night drives.

3. Indoor vs. Outdoor

Atlanta’s fall weather can be unpredictable—warm one night, chilly and rainy the next.

• Primarily indoor experiences: Netherworld, 13 Stories, Containment, Folklore, Paranoia
• Blended indoor/outdoor: Fear the Woods (house + hayride + trail), Six Flags Fright Fest

For rainy evenings or if you prefer climate-controlled environments, an indoor-heavy haunted house is more reliable.

Practical Tips for Visiting Haunted Houses in Atlanta

When to Go

• Early October or late September: Shorter lines, slightly milder weather.
• Mid- to late October weekends: Biggest crowds, longest waits, but peak energy.
• Weeknights: Often cheaper and less crowded, though some attractions may shorten hours.

Tickets and Reservations

• Many Atlanta haunted houses now use online ticketing with timed entry windows.
• Some offer fast-pass or VIP options that significantly reduce wait times.
• Popular haunts can sell out on peak nights, so booking ahead is wise.

What to Wear and Bring

• Closed-toe shoes (you may be walking on uneven or dark ground).
• Comfortable clothing that you can move in; avoid long trailing items.
• A light jacket or hoodie for cooler October nights.
• Minimal valuables—most attractions discourage bags and may restrict large items.

Most haunted houses do not allow photography or video inside the attraction, but you can usually take pictures in outdoor or lobby areas.

Safety and Comfort

• Haunted houses in Atlanta typically do not allow physical contact from actors, but scenarios are still designed to be scary.
• If anyone in your group has claustrophobia, heart conditions, or strong anxiety around darkness and loud noises, review each attraction’s content warnings carefully.
• If you feel overwhelmed, staff can usually help you exit early, but policies vary.

Family-Friendly Alternatives in the Atlanta Area

If your group includes young children or anyone who doesn’t enjoy intense scares, Atlanta still offers Halloween fun:

• Pumpkin patches and farm festivals across the metro area
• Mild haunted trails or “not-so-scary” events at some parks and community centers
• Seasonal events at Zoo Atlanta or the Georgia Aquarium that lean more festive than frightening

These can be a good warm-up for kids before they graduate to the bigger haunted houses in a few years.

Whether you’re a Midtown local, driving in from the suburbs, or visiting Atlanta just for Halloween season, you’ll find a haunted house that fits your scare level and your side of town. Focus on location, intensity, and group comfort, check each attraction’s latest details, and you’ll be set for a memorable (and terrifying) night out.