Explore haunted attractions, theme parks, and vacation spots across Arizona, Southern California, and Las Vegas. From ghost tours and escape rooms to family trips to Disneyland and Universal Studios, dive into reviews and articles on entertainment, nostalgia, and the paranormal. Whether you're chasing thrills or uncovering eerie legends, this blog is your gateway to unforgettable adventures.
Where we’re not just about scares, but also spine-chilling stories that will haunt your nightmares! Each Haunted House comes with its own gripping storyline, providing you with TWO Haunted Experiences for DOUBLE the Fright! 😱
At Sanctum of Horror, we’re all about keeping you entertained, even while you’re waiting in line! Enjoy: 🥁 LIVE Music to Thrill Your Senses 🧠 LIVE Trivia to test your Halloween & Horror knowledge
As soon as you step foot at Sanctum, you’re in for a horrifying surprise. 😲
⭐️ Top-rated haunted attraction in the East Valley 🍿 Food Trucks 🔮 Escape Guillotine Game 🖌️ Caricature Drawings 👻 Vendors 🎨 Face Paint 👕 Merchandise Booths 🎟 Grab your tickets today *Link In Bio*
Tickets are good for BOTH attractions. But beware, these are both places of fear and breeding grounds of evil. 😈
Arizona Renaissance Festival 2020 – Mini Escape Rooms by Escape Rooms Mesa
🎭 Experience the Thrill of Escape Rooms at the 32nd Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival!
The 2020 Arizona Renaissance Festival & Faire returns for its 32nd season, bringing with it an exciting new adventure for puzzle enthusiasts. This year, Escape Rooms Mesa presents eight all-new mini escape rooms, offering a fast-paced, immersive experience within the festival’s medieval setting.
Mini Escape Room Details
🕰️ Duration: 15 minutes per game 💰 Cost: $10 per player 📍 Location: Just Northwest of the entrance to the Jousting Arena
Themed Mini Escape Rooms
🔢 Choose from 8 Exciting Challenges:
🏺 Da Vinci – Solve Renaissance-inspired puzzles like a true inventor.
🌊 Kraken – Unravel sea monster mysteries before time runs out.
🐉 Dragon – Outwit the fiery beast to claim your treasure.
🏰 Dungeon – Find your way out of a dark medieval prison.
⚔️ Excalibur – Unlock the secrets of King Arthur’s legendary sword.
🌲 Dark Forest – Navigate through twisted woodland riddles.
Why Try the Mini Escape Rooms at the Arizona Renaissance Festival?
✅ Fast & Fun – A quick 15-minute game is perfect for a festival break.
✅ Great for Groups – Enjoy the challenge with friends, family, or fellow festival-goers.
✅ Unique Renaissance Themes – Immerse yourself in puzzles inspired by medieval legends.
✅ Affordable & Convenient – Only $10 per game, located right inside the festival!
📅 Plan Your Visit to the Arizona Renaissance Festival
Step into the world of knights, royalty, and adventure while testing your wits in one of the exclusive mini escape rooms! Whether you're a fan of puzzles, history, or thrilling experiences, this is an unmissable addition to your festival itinerary.
🔗 Secure your spot at Escape Rooms Mesa’s Mini Escape Rooms during the Arizona Renaissance Festival – if you dare! 🎭🔑🔥
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is open Saturdays, Sundays and President's Day from February 8th, 2020 through March 29th, 2020. 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM.
For year round revelry, Escape Rooms Mesa main facility is located just East of Country Club and North on University Dr. on the North East corner of University and MacDonald. Phone: (602) 632-1542 Address: 86 W University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85201
Escape Rooms Mesa – The World’s Largest Escape Room Facility
🔑 Test Your Wits at Escape Rooms Mesa!
📍 Location: Mesa, Arizona
🕵️♂️ Escape Rooms Mesa is an unparalleled immersive experience, boasting over 16 different themed escape rooms spread across an impressive 15,000-square-foot, four-story building. As the largest escape room facility in the world, it challenges visitors to solve puzzles, work as a team, and think outside the box to escape before time runs out.
What to Expect at Escape Rooms Mesa
⏳ Games Last 60-90 Minutes – A thrilling, time-pressured adventure.
🏆 Varied Difficulty Levels – Rooms designed for both beginners and expert escape artists.
💰 Affordable Pricing – Tickets range from $25-$35 per person, depending on the experience.
🚀 Mobile Escape Units Available – Perfect for corporate events, private parties, and team-building activities.
Why Choose Escape Rooms Mesa?
✔ Largest Escape Room Facility in the World – Unrivaled variety and scale.
✔ Unique, Themed Challenges – Solve interactive, story-driven puzzles.
✔ Great for Groups & Special Events – Mobile escape units offer 15, 30, or 60-minute game options.
🔐 Are you ready to escape? Visit Escape Rooms Mesa for the ultimate brain-teasing adventure!
Unlike many of the Christmas light attractions in the valley, this family event is walk-thru rather than drive-thru. A typical stroll through the giant 10 acres display will take about an hour.
Location: 4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA
Dates of Operation:
Open: November 22nd through January 10th
Closed: November 28th, December 24th, 25th and 31st
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Fri and Sat 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Ages 2 years and under free Online Ticket Price:$10 per person Tickets on sale now At Gate Ticket Price: $12 per person, last admission sold 1 hour before closing.
My Two Cents:
My review of Lights at the Farm is pretty positive.
My parents, my children and myself (ages 14-63) attended and all enjoyed the event.
The pathways were wide enough that you were not fighting crowds, plenty of space to take pictures. No lines for anything (except Santa, had a small one).
Additionally, unlike many places the refreshments were not overpriced and the food was pretty good. We had nachos and cheese, chips, drinks and a cheese burger. $3 dollars for a hot chocolate, is not bad!
The best part is the place was set up for families to connect and enjoy each other's company. There were games everywhere like put put golf, corn hole, ping pong and a bunch more which makes you want to hang out and enjoy your family as much as the lights.
We especially enjoyed the pallet maze. Since both openings are marked Entrance/Exit you can do it twice for a different experience or 1/2 the group can race from one entrance as 1/2 your group races from the other
The Smores kits were 2 for $5 and made 4 Smores (2 per kit) while you sit around cozy fires laughing, talking and taking pictures. Oh, and arguing about what the perfect roasted marshmallow is. I like mine on fire!
The biggest issue I had besides it began raining, was the Smores kits used the huge marshmallows instead of the medium ones, so we got pretty sticky and there was not really a sink to clean up!
Sadly, the event has been plagued with rain this season and even had to close on some optimal visiting times. The Vertuccio Farm team, though has gone over and above to ensure everything is dry and running proper when you do visit.
Visit the 2019 Lights at the Farm - Vertuccio Farms' Holiday Lights Celebration!
Join Vertuccio Farms for a one of a kind Holiday Experience: Make Lights at the Farm a family Tradition.
Unlike many of the Christmas light attractions, this event is walk through rather than drive through.
Vertuccio Farms has decked the farm with 2 million brilliant and dazzling lights and light displays to create a unique Christmas walk through light show for your family. Each display is synchronized to a variety of Christmas songs and carols that will have you singing along.
Parking is Free.
A typical stroll through the giant 10 acres display will take about an hour. All walk through areas are handicap accessible.
Lights at the Farm is Arizona's largest Walk-thru Christmas Light show, with over 2 million LED lights and scenic displays. The operation is ran by over 12,000 computer channels synchronizing the displays to time honored christmas music.
See the Tunnel of Lights and the 30’ tall Christmas Tree. Taking pictures is encouraged. Immerse yourself and your family in the Giant Holiday Ornaments
Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available for purchase to enjoy during your stroll. They accept cash and Visa/MC. Outside food and drink are allowed (no alcohol).
Open: November 22nd through January 10th
Closed: November 28th, December 24th, 25th and 31st
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Fri and Sat 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Ages 2 years and under free Online Ticket Price: $10 per personTickets on sale now At Gate Ticket Price: $12 per person, last admission sold 1 hour before closing.
Take photos with Santa (December 7th, 8th, 14th-23rd) and while you write your Christmas Wish List you can show your appreciation for our Military by writing a ‘Thank You Letter’ that they will deliver to the troops.
There is Christmas Craft Kid's Events held every Monday Night from November 25th through January 6th
Finally had the opportunity to visit this Haunted Attraction. On 9/28/19 at the Haunted Swap Meet, Sanctum of Horror Haunted Attractions was offering a discounted ticket price of $13 dollars and you got a $10 shirt free. So essentially we visited this attraction for $3 each.
This Haunted House Attraction is 2 haunted mazes set up in the parking lot of the Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa, AZ.
Since 2012, Sanctum of Horror has been scaring the East Valley with incredible detail and great makeup that will surely frighten those daring enough to visit.
Enter the mind of Lenore as you experience the memories of her violent past and navigate her childhood home to witness the brutal murders of her family. If you survive you can make your way through an ancient graveyard filled with the undead and arrive at St. Charlotte Asylum. Be warned the inmates have taken over the compound and the only way out is through Lenore’s cell.
The Breach
In 1953, deep within the southern Arizona desert, lies a military research facility only known to the public as Bunker 16. With the discovery of a rare leech found within the waters of the Orinoco River, Bunker 16 began PROJECT: PESTILENCE. One night in October, the base abruptly sent a distress signal. Enter the base on that horrifying night and bear witness to the destruction caused by a creature focused on its own survival.
Blackout Event (November 1st and 2nd only)
Shadowy darkness will creep over the Sanctum of Horror. Enter Parallel domain in utter darkness and find a candle for light.
My Two Cents:
My first impression was, this looks a little small. I will tell you though, there was a lot of punch. They did great with the what appeared to be a small space. I believe I heard them say Sanctum of Horror had 22 rooms (was not counting when walking through).
There was great attention to detail in each room. The scare actors interacted well with those waiting in line (they focused on those who's screams entertained the rest of us). Not overly packed and the best part of all, they only send you in with your group and they pause you at the entrance with a small prologue allowing the group ahead to get ahead. This is one of the only attractions I have been to that is not a long conga line.
Hands down, you add that part of the experience to the detail and work that is put into the attraction itself and this place (though only 2 haunted mazes) gives great value vs cost, especially when comparing apples to apples with bigger attractions like Fear Farm and Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood.
In addition, there were 2 food vendor trucks, Both selling the bottles of water for $1.50, not $4-$6 like most places. My kids said the smoothie they got from MF Koffee was the best they ever had! French Me LLC is a Gourmet French Fry Food Truck, we just got plain fries, but they were good!
Here are the operating dates and hours of operation.
Each Mini Escape room will cost $10 and you will have 15 minutes to solve the puzzles and escape.
*Escape the Plague
*Sword and the Stone
*Merlin's Wand
*Pirates Cove
*Magical Forest
This new addition is sure to add to the interactive entertainment of this annual festival.
Enjoy swordplay, music and comedy at the Arizona Renaissance Faire's Royal Festival! Fun awaits you in a 30 Acre Village of costumed characters, Artisan Shops, Jousting and Games & Rides for All Ages.
Open 10am to 6pm every Saturday and Sunday from February 9th through March 31st, 2019 (Including Presidents' Day).
Escape Rooms Mesa offers the biggest Escape Room experience in Arizona, the experience consists of being locked in an intricate room where the objective of finding the key to get out of that room! Escape Rooms Mesa is the nation’s largest escape room facility with 13 escape rooms to choose from
Escape Rooms Mesa is located just East of Country Club and North on University Dr. on the North East corner of University and MacDonald.
We went to the Arizona Renaissance Festival opening day February 9th, we we surprised to see some minor changes to the lay out of the Renfaire as well as a few new vendors.
We made our way to the back of the Festival grounds near the Jousting arena and found the Escape Rooms. You pay $10 a person to reserve 1 of the 5 mini escape rooms.
We did the Plague, My short review is that it was a very challenging and enjoyable 15 minutes.
My longer review is that the decor was well done and the puzzles were challenging. These mini 1 room escapes were better than some of the large 3 room escapes we have done. They made great use of the fairly small area they had to work with. Solving the puzzle optimally requires 3-5 persons in your group and paying attention to the walls, opening things for clues and some thinking. As with most escape rooms they do allow you to ask for a set number of clues.
Definitely a great cost vs value. I definitely look forward to completing the other 4 This Renaissance Season.
* Have now returned and completed all but Pirates Cove, They are all great challenges!
* Have now beat Pirates Cove! Can not wait til next year!
Vertuccio Farms is excited to debut its first Annual Christmas Lights at the Farm Celebration, open November 23, 2018 - January 11 2019.
This awe inspiring Christmas light show Stretches out over 10 acres. Visitors will be greeted by the captivating sight of over 2 million glimmering lights, displayed and synchronized to a variety of Christmas music.
This Christmas wonderland consists of illuminated walking trails, a 30ft Christmas tree and a twinkling barnyard animal display with many festive photo opportunities to capture memories.
There is also an ice skating rink, food and drink!
Santa will be on site from December 15th through the 23rd.
This family-friendly experience will bring excitement and joy to the whole family, begin a new Christmas tradition at Vertuccio Farms.
For more information, discount days, and special offers, visit vertucciofarms.com.
HOURS:
● SUNDAY-THURSDAY 5pm-9pm for Farm Lights Show
● FRIDAY-SATURDAY: 5pm-10pm for Farm Lights Show
● DATES CLOSED: December 24th, 25th, 31st 2018 and January 1st 2019
COST:
● SUNDAY-THURSDAY $15 per person ages 2 yrs and under free
● FRIDAY-SATURDAY $18 per person ages 2 yrs and under free
● Skating daily $13. Includes ice-skate rental.
Residents of Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and Glendale here are some of the local area haunted houses for 2018. Prepare to enjoy some frightful fun this Halloween season with Haunts like corn mazes, Halloween hayrides and haunted houses.
* Jack and Jill’s Haunted Hill in Phoenix, AZ
Address: 3401 W Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053
Now entering it’s 8th Halloween Season, Jack and Jill’s Haunted Hill operate from Noon until 5PM a family friendly attraction.
Then as night falls, Jack and Jill’s relies on their live and story driven cast to play on your fears. Originally a ‘home haunt’ turned commercial, Jack and Jill’s refuses to let go of its underground roots in its attempts to scare. BUY TICKETS HERE
Stop by early and experience the 100,000 square foot building that offers BLACK LIGHT Go Karting, Video Game Arcade, Pool Tables, Dance Floor and Full Service Bar and .
Haunt visitors that wear costumes, can trick or treat the haunted hill! There will be candy given out at the front desk, when you check in with creepy Grandpa, and at the entrance to the mine.
* Sanctum of Horror in Mesa, AZ
Address: 6555 East Southern Avenue Mesa, AZ 85206
Sanctum of Horror is a breeding ground of fear and evil. Those who enter succumb to madnes, including Lenore. Enter the mind of Lenore as you experience the memories of her violent past and navigate her childhood home to witness the brutal murders of her family. If you survive you can make your way through an ancient graveyard filled with the undead and arrive at St. Charlotte Asylum. Be warned the inmates have taken over the compound and the only way out is through Lenore’s cell. Get your $2 discount coupon here.
They are also sponsoring the 2018 Haunted Swap Meet organized by AZHaunters.com
*Scarizona Scaregrounds in Scottsdale, AZ
Address: 1901 N Alma School Rd, Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: (480) 444-2590
Scarizona Screampark features three terrifying houses of terror: Startled Darkness, Slayer’s Slaughter House, Epic Fear.
There is also an interactive paintball event to take a shot at killing zombies in Operation Zombie Storm.
* Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group Presents The 13th Floor Haunted House Phoenix AZ
Address: 2814 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053
Phone: (602) 456-2250 Last Year's Review
In the United States, the number 13 is considered unlucky and building owners will sometimes purposefully omit a floor numbered 13. However here in Phoenix, you can step inside one of these forbidden floors. Step inside, take a ride on the elevator and get off at the 13th Floor.
This Haunted Attraction is one of the largest haunted house in Phoenix. There are two haunted attractions in this huge 60,000 square foot building. The first is your trip through the 13th floor of a building and the second scary attraction is The Frenzy Haunted House where you experience a zombie apocalypse.
The two attractions are combined for one price with various upgrade options available. BUY TICKETS HERE There are NO REFUNDS or exchanges of any kind.
* Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group Presents Fear Farm Haunted House Phoenix AZ
Address: 2209 N 99th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85037
Phone: (623) 866-5378 Last Year's Review
Fear Farm is 26 acres with 4 haunted maze attractions and a separate corn maze for a combined price with various upgrade options available. They also have a Haunted Hay Ride, which is $10 extra. BUY TICKETS HERE There are NO REFUNDS or exchanges of any kind.
*The Crypt Haunted Attractions - Mesa, AZ
Address: 1445 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
Phone: (480) 332-8095
Located just off US 60 in the Fiesta Mall parking lot is The Crypt which also features The Asylum and Chaos Mazes.
All 3 attractions $25 Get your $3 off coupon for a discount on the Ultimate Fright Pass, also available: Military Discount to all active and military veterans.
* Tolmachoff Farms presents AZ Field of Screams in Glendale, AZ
Address: 5726 N 75th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85303
Phone: (602) 999-3276
Open every Friday and Saturday night starting October 6th and on Halloween. Walk through a dark Haunted corn maze with new spine chilling scenes every year. For the added haunt, arrive with the knowledge that the corn field that was planted over an old forgotten cemetery. Tickets are $20 and the Haunted Attraction is open from 7 pm until 11 pm.
Tolmachoff farms also has a pumpkin patch and other farm activities during the day.
One of the only haunted house attractions open year round. They offer a unique experience (Green, Yellow, Orange and Red Tours), different from the normal commercial haunted house attractions. Additionally, they cater a haunting experience to the needs of sensitive children or children with disabilities by having opted out of using smoke machines or strobe lights.
Check out their Halloween Tour starting September 28th 'Into the Shadows and Into the Dark'.
* Golfland Sunsplash Presents Golfland Fright Nights in Mesa, AZ
Address: 155 W Hampton Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: (480) 834-8319
THE GAUNTLET WILL BE CLOSED IN 2018 DUE TO SOME TEMPORARY CHANGES AT GOLFLAND-SUNSPLASH, THE HAUNTED HOUSE WILL NOT BE OPERATING. THE GAUNTLET WILL RETURN IN 2019!
SPOOKTACULAR GOLF, A FAMILY FRIENDLY HALLOWEEN EVENT WILL STILL BE HELD NIGHTLY IN OCTOBER.
18-hole mini golf course is full of spooky decorations, Spooktacular Golf is fun for the whole family. Admission is the standard golf rate: Adults: $9.99/Kids: $7.99
📍 Address: 1511 S Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ 85210 🎃 Overall Rating:C
A Closer Look at Ghoulfland's Haunted House Experience
Ghoulfland’s "The Gauntlet" Haunted Maze is an indoor haunted attraction designed with tight corridors, eerie props, and scare actors waiting to deliver unexpected jump scares. While it offers a fair number of frights, it falls short in terms of immersion and set design. The excessive lighting in some areas detracts from the spooky atmosphere, making certain scenes feel less convincing—almost as if the props were straight from a Spirit Halloween store rather than a high-end haunted attraction.
Admission Prices & Value for Thrill-Seekers
💀 Haunted House Admission: $12 👻 Best Value: The Unlimited Fun Pass ($30) grants multiple haunt entries and access to bumper boats, go-karts, and miniature golf, making it a better deal for those looking for a full night of entertainment.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Visit?
For casual haunted house fans, The Gauntlet offers some decent jump scares, but seasoned haunt enthusiasts may find it lacking in detailed set design and length. If you’re in Mesa, AZ, and looking for a budget-friendly haunted attraction with extra activities, Ghoulfland may still be worth a visit—especially with the unlimited pass. However, if you're searching for a truly immersive, high-production haunted house, you may want to explore top-rated haunted attractions in Phoenix for a scarier experience.
