Springfield keeps its spooky season gloriously weird, and this year’s crop of haunts proves you don’t need a trip to Branson for a proper fright. You’ve got the adrenaline-pumping dungeon crawl that leaves you breathless, and then you’ve got the Pythian Castle’s historical chills, perfect for when you’d rather learn something between cold spots.

We braved the clown maze, dodged the axe throwers, and even chatted with a haunted hotel owner who genuinely cares about your scream. The range runs from playful zombie high-fives to relentless, in-your-ear dread.

Pick your poison below.

Hotel of Terror

Highlights
Awesome actors, amazing energy
Owner loves chatting with guests
Fun for groups and kids
Cool sets, playful scares
Great night out, worth it

Hotel of Terror greets you like a friend who happens to enjoy screaming in your ear. The actors radiate pure joy, and their energy is infectious. You'll laugh, you'll shriek, you'll high-five a zombie. The owner genuinely wants to chat; it feels personal, not transactional. Sets are cool, scares are playful, and groups of all ages thrive here. Kids? Sure, bring them. It's a great night out, honest and worth every penny. Short version: go. You will not regret a single jump scare.

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Dungeons Of Doom

Highlights
Scared you the entire way
Actors were absolutely phenomenal
Tour feels wonderfully long
Favorite haunt, year after year
Highly recommended scary experience

Dungeons Of Doom is the haunt that haunts you. From the first step, you are hunted. The actors are absolutely phenomenal, relentless in their craft. Your tour feels wonderfully long, a slow dread that never lets up. This is my favorite haunt, year after year, and I've lost count of visits. It is highly recommended if you crave a genuinely scary experience. No gimmicks, just fear. You'll exit shaking, grinning, and planning your return. Trust me. It's that good.

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Pythian Castle

Highlights
Stunning historic local landmark
Informative ghost tour guides
Fun for paranormal fans
Rich, fascinating castle history
Worth repeating with family

Pythian Castle is a stunning historic landmark, and the ghosts seem to know it. The tour guides are informative, weaving tales that make the walls feel alive. Paranormal fans will find their happy place here. The castle's rich, fascinating history unfolds like a storybook, but with more cold spots. You'll want to repeat it with family, just to see who gets spooked first. It's not a typical scare-fest; it's a slow burn of wonder and unease. You'll leave feeling smarter and slightly creeped out. Perfect combination.

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Field of Screams Haunted Forest & Caulrophobia

Highlights
Epic clown maze finale
Fires, games, and axe throwing
Top-notch Halloween atmosphere
Memorable characters like Bubbles
Great forest haunt experience

Field of Screams Haunted Forest & Caulrophobia delivers an epic clown maze finale that will haunt your dreams. But it's not just scares. You'll find fires crackling, games to play, and yes, axe throwing. The atmosphere is top-notch, pure Halloween magic. Characters like Bubbles stick with you, oddly charming and terrifying at once. The forest itself is a great haunt experience, immersive and wild. You'll spend hours here, not just minutes. It's a whole evening of fun. Bring your courage and maybe a friend to hide behind. You'll need both.

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