Haunted Houses, Hayrides, Other Halloween Frights In Mercer County

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — There are plenty of places in Mercer County to experience all the Halloween frights. Our scary guide includes everything from haunted houses to hayrides, some better experienced for adults and others suitable for children.

Here’s what’s going on leading up to Halloween (the 31st is on a Tuesday, so plan accordingly):

• Field of Terror Haunted House and Hayrides
  Where: East Windsor
  When: 6:45 to 10:45 Fri & Sat; 6:45 to 9:45 Thur & Sun & Halloween Monday
  Admission: Ticket prices vary for different activities. Click here.
• Terhune Orchard Fall Family Fun Weekends
  Where: Princeton
  When: Through Oct. 29, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  Admission: Ticket prices vary, click here.
• Oasis Island of Terror
  Where: Robbinsville
  When: Weekends 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., but stays open till all customers have completed the attractions.
  Admission: $45 includes all attractions.
• Howell Living History Farm Corn Maze, Hayrides
  Where: Hopewell
  When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 4, Hayrides 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
  Admission: Ages 13 & up $12; ages 5–12 $10 (ages 4 and under free) .

Experts say some of us are hard-wired to enjoy the full-body experience of being scared, as long as we know we’re in no real danger. Adrenal glands go into overdrive when we’re frightened, triggering a rush of dopamine and endorphins, the “pleasure” hormones.

That’s different from the “bad fear” triggered in dangerous situations, according to Cleveland Clinic psychologist Chivonna Childs.

“There’s also a good side to fear, and that’s what scary movies, true crime and haunted houses tap into,” Childs wrote on a Cleveland Clinic blog. “We understand that there’s an end to those experiences, that the bear’s not gonna get us. We know that going through a haunted house is just for fun, that it’s only people in costumes.

“But it still rings those bells for adrenaline, endorphins and dopamine. You experience the euphoria because you know you’re safe.”