COME VISIT AMERICA’S SCARIEST SQUARE MILE

HAUNTED HOUSES & NEW FRANKENSTEIN, DRACULA ST. LOUIS ESCAPE ROOMS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2021 HAUNT SEASON!

The area around St. Louis’ historic Soulard neighborhood might just be America’s scariest square mile with two of the nation’s top haunted houses and two fright-themed escape rooms opening for the Halloween season.

The Darkness, called America’s Scariest Haunted House, opens for 2021 on Friday and Saturday, September 24-25 from 7 to 10 p.m. The haunted attraction will be open on weekends through October 17 and then every night from October 21 – 31, ending the season on the weekend of November 5-6.

The Darkness celebrates its 28th Year of Fear in 2021 with a renovation that has made the experience longer and scarier with 200 animated scenes. New scenes include a Killer Pumpkin Barn, Haunted Conservatory, a Horror Arcade with pinball games, a new five-minute Coffin Escape Room, Zombie Jam Basketball, Walking Dead Shooting Games, Horror Arcades, Ride the Electric Chair, and photo opportunities with the haunt’s living monsters.

The other Scarefest attractions, including The Lemp Haunted House — located just one mile from The Darkness — and Creepyworld in Fenton, MO, open for the season on the first weekend in October.

The all-new Lemp Brewery Haunted House is located deep underground where operators promise, “no one can hear you scream.” Inside the historic brewery’s caverns — once used to lager beer and host parties — guests will come face to face with demons and navigate confusing mazes inside the pitch black limestone cave. Creepyworld is America’s longest haunted “screampark” with 13 attractions including a haunted hayride, graveyards, cornfields and a Christmas-themed haunted house.

Tickets for The Darkness, Lemp Haunted House and Creepyworld are available individually or in combination deals at www.scarefest.com

FRANKENSTEIN & DRACULA — NEWEST ESCAPE ROOMS NOW OPEN

New Frankenstein and Dracula-themed Escape Rooms are now open at St Louis Escape, located in the Soulard neighborhood south of downtown St. Louis next to historic Soulard Market and The Darkness Haunted House.

The Frankenstein room is filled with animations, high-tech special effects and amazing puzzles. Players must prove there is life after death to be released from the chamber.

St. Louis Escape now features six escape rooms. In addition to Frankenstein and Dracula, groups can play The Haunted Hotel, The Cellar, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Blackbeard’s Revenge. 

Silly Putter, a black light 1980’s-themed mini-golf course and a retro pinball arcade round out a visit to the haunt complex.

Escape rooms can be booked at www.StLouisEscape.com. Follow the escapes on Instagram @stlouisescape. The escape rooms and mini golf course are open Wednesdays through Sundays.

IF YOU DARE TO GO

The Darkness and St. Louis Escape are located at 1525 and 1517 South 8th Street, St Louis, MO 63104. 

Creepyworld is located in Fenton off highway 141 just a mile south of Gravois Rd. at 1400 S Old Highway 141 Fenton, MO 63026 

Lemp Haunted House is located at 3500 Lemp Avenue just one mile from The Darkness off South Broadway. 

More information is available at www.scarefest.com.

13 Nights of Halloween

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Last year I put together 13 movies for 13 nights of Halloween. This year I am not going to 13 separate posts but rather just one post listing the 13 movies that I wrote about last year. Starting tonight you can watch a new family friendly Halloween movie up until the big night that the great pumpkin comes out!

#1 The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

This is a Halloween classic. If you don’t find time to watch The Great Pumpkin then you must have many other problems in your life. I am not gonna judge but this is a must watch for any family celebrating Halloween.

#2 Double Double Toil and Trouble

The Olsen twins are causing mischief in this fun family movie. Back in the day these two twins where everywhere and in all sorts of movies. This Halloween classic is no different.

#3 Halloween is Grinch Night

I never knew that Halloween was also Grinch Night. Stepping away from the classic Christmas story, this Halloween adventure featuring the Grinch will definitely become a yearly favorite after one viewing.

#4 Earnest Scared Stupid

When I was a kid Earnest was one of the funniest guys a kid could watch. Seeing him battle some trolls during Halloween makes this movie just that much better.

#5 Monster Squad

When a group of kids have to take on some of Universal’s classic monsters you know you’re gonna have a good time. This classic 80’s movie is one of my favorites that can be watched any time of the year, but especially around Halloween.

#6 The Addams Family & The Addams Family Values

I couldn’t pick one without the other. Both Addams Family movies are classics that are destined to be watched each and every year around the Halloween season.

#7 Hocus Pocus

The Sandersen sisters are a trio of witches that deserve accolades for dealing with snotty kids. This classic Halloween movie will always be one of my favorites and is quickly becoming my daughter’s favorite Halloween movie was well.

#8 Monster House

Monster House is a computer animated movie that is definitely scary for some younger children. It can even be scary for some adults as well.

#9 ParaNorman

ParaNorman is an excellent film that features a rich and deep story that goes well beyond your normal kids movie. Definitely worth a watch with the kids.

#10 Corpse Bride

Stop motion animation is some of my favorite animation. The premise behind Corpse Bride is so wonderful that the movie is set perfectly to the Halloween atmosphere.

#11 Frankenweenie

Kinda weird, kinda creepy, but definitely heart warming. It’s in black and white but I think that just adds to the story even more.

#12 The Nightmare Before Christmas

If you haven’t seen this movie around Halloween or Christmas then I don’t know what’s wrong with you. This movie is perfect for many different reasons and many different seasons.

#13 Coraline

My favorite Halloween movie is Coraline. It is beyond creepy and the other mother steals the show when it comes to villains. I highly recommend watching this one last as I find it to be the best of the bunch, but feel free to mix them up however you see fit!

So there you have it! My list of 13 movies to watch for 13 nights of Halloween. Enjoy yourself!

13 Nights of Halloween – The Addams Family Marathon

addams-familyAfter last night’s Monster Squad movie I think we need to switch it up just a little. Monster Squad actually scared Abby a little. She thought the Gill Man was terrifying. So tonight we are switching it up to a little more of a comedic tone of movie, The Addams Family. But what is one without the other? Both Addams Family movies are excellent. Which is why tonight we will be watching them back to back, marathon style. I’m not sure how well the kids will take to watching TWO movies in one night but I know me and mom won’t mind. We love both of these classics and always make sure they get a viewing at least once a year.

Growing up as a little kid I would confuse myself with The Addams Family and The Munsters. I was always wondering where Eddie was when watching these movies. Now as a grown up I know better, but that would still be a pretty cool crossover. The Addams Family Meet The Munsters is something that I am surprised never happened. Maybe it did and I am not aware of it. Both shows started within one week of each other back in 1964. So for over 50 years these two families have been a part of our television and cinematic culture. Do you have a favorite episode from either The Addams Family or The Munsters? Tell me about it below!

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