If you're tired of over-crowded haunts at big theme parks, I highly recommend coming out to Bat City Scaregrounds. 2021 was its first year and they did very well! Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time and printed at home, or you can purchase them at the box office on-site (either way it's the same price for admission- $30 for most nights, $25 for less popular times like early or late in the season). Doors open at 730PM, but expect a slow ramp-up to the festivities like walking through the attractions. In the meantime, however, there is a booth serving food (such as hot dogs, french fries, and a number of fried foods) to grab a bite, you can peruse the gift shop trolley car "House of Curiosities" (an unaffiliated shop on the grounds), or you can watch a spooky movie playing on their inflatable screen. There is also a band that plays on Friday and Saturday nights on stage, and a few select monsters roam outside of the mazes and throughout the grounds that are happy to interact with you or pose for pictures/selfies if you ask.
There are three attractions total, all of which have their own unique strengths. In one I liked the slow "story-telling" as the theme was revealed, in another I greatly enjoyed all the props and decor, and in the 3D maze I appreciated the impressive airbrushing work that went into it. All of them had some fun larger-than-life animatronics, and there were quite a few moments something would happen I wasn't expecting! The trailers had the best set-ups inside them, though some of the outdoor areas connecting them were also good. If you are a taller or larger person, expect to possibly feel a bit claustrophobic (this will add to the fear *wink*). I do think that the talent/actors inside the mazes were the weakest link- some of them just need some additional training/coaching on how to deliver more effective scares and/or use their designated areas to better effect. But the outfits were good and a good range of characters depicted. It was all well put together and executed. I liked that it was more relaxed and intimate.
Most nights they are open until 11PM. I went through the mazes at a leisurely pace and in total it took me an hour, though there were not any lines to get in when I went (the last weekend after Halloween was not busy), so results could vary. It is out in the "sticks" as it were, but don't worry, some employees will guide you to the parking area with flashlights. =) read more