Monsters Abound At FL's Best Haunted Houses, Attractions: Survey

FLORIDA — Anyone looking to have a terror-ific time while celebrating Halloween Thursday may want to check out one of these haunted sites in Florida.

The Sunshine State is home to two of the best haunted houses and attractions in the nation, USA Today said this week in its 10best Readers Choice Awards 2024.

The ongoing online contests allow readers to choose the top 10 winners from a list of 20 nominees in several nationwide categories, including food, lodging and destinations. USA Today said an expert panel makes the nominations before voting occurs.

Readers selected Sir Henry's Haunted Trail in Plant City as the fifth-best and 13th Floor Haunted House in Jacksonville as the ninth-best haunted houses and attractions respectively.

Open through Nov. 2, Sir Henry's has been scaring brave visitors for 10 years. Aside from its three haunted trails, the creepy Florida theme park offers a haunted hay ride.

Sir Henry's, otherwise known as i4 Fear Park, has previously been filmed by the WWE, South Ridge Films and Black Dog Filmz at its South Frontage Road location, according to its website.

Meanwhile, in northern Florida, 13th Floor sits at Arlington Expressway. Clown Alley, the Nightwalkers, Lycans Curse and Craft of the Midnight are featured at the attraction.

Discounts and awards are offered through 13th Floor's Fright Club. Organizers warned 13th Floor "may be too intense" for children younger than age 12. The haunted house is open through Nov. 9.

Here's what USA Today had to say:

Sir Henry's Haunted Trail, No. 5

"It's an entire night of outdoor fun at Sir Henry's Haunted Trail, thanks to the attraction's multiple, hand-built, interactive horror experiences, each with their own storyline. The central gathering spot is patrolled by roaming scare actors, enhancing the eerie atmosphere. When your heart rate returns to normal, try some escape games, laser tag, axe throwing and some scary-good food from an array of vendors."

13th Floor Haunted House, No. 9

"Designed to be intensely terrifying, 13th Floor Haunted House in Jacksonville, Florida, promises high-quality, immersive and frightening experiences thanks to its professional-grade sets, props, special effects and actors trained to create realistic scares. While the adrenaline might make you want to speed through each haunted house, you won't want to miss the fog, strobe lights, jump scares and monstrous animatronics."