The Gateway's Spooktacular Haunted Playhouse Puts a Spell On You!

Scary season is here, and The Gateway's Haunted Playhouse, in beautiful Bellport, has become one of Long Island's top House of Horrors. Since its inception 16 years ago, this Spookathon has evolved from a brief two-week event to a six-week-long run of terrifying scares. If you're a fan of horror movies, psychological thrillers, science fiction, or the supernatural, then head over to The Gateway for a mega-dose of the macabre, mischievous mayhem, and morbid make-believe.

The Playhouse, built in 1962, is situated next to a barn dating back to 1827, providing a rich historical backdrop for this annual haunted attraction. The New York Gilded Age architect, Sanford White, designed the original Mansion House on the property. In the early summer of 1906, socialite Harry Thaw shot and killed White on a rooftop cabaret at Madison Square Garden. The infamous architect must have rolled in his grave as the sensational murder trial revealed many gory details from his sordid sexcapades. It's easy to envision this restless spirit wandering around many of his old haunts, including the peaceful Gateway Grounds. The Main Stage Theater, eerily enhanced by phantasmal sets, atmospheric lighting, and terrifying sound effects, further stimulates our imaginations and fuels a delusional mindset capable of conjuring up ghostly images of long-gone actors creeping around the creaky corridors.

If you've already had the bejesus scared out of you by attending a past showing of Gateway's Haunted Playhouse, and you think you know what to expect, think again. There's always something new to see, as each year features a different ghastly theme with characters created in Gateway's Frankenstein-like laboratory by their top-notch design team. Talented actors train extensively to bring these ghoulish characters to life, making this haunt a truly spine-tingling theatrical experience.

Under the expert guidance of Haunt Director Michael Baker, a creative visionary, Gateway's Halloween Happening is famous for its Hollywood-style sets and professional actors who fully embrace their otherworldly roles. The maddening walk-through maze with cleverly designed rooms keeps you guessing and gasping about what lurks around the next corner. Gateway pulls out all the stops to make this immersive experience truly bewitching, including utilizing every theatrical trick in the book: Expert lighting, ghoulish makeup, elaborate costumes, props, fog, mist, blaring sound effects, visual illusions, animatronics, pitch-black tunnels, nightmarish odors, rattling rooms, moving walls and floors, a broken-down bus possessed by frightening creatures, and chameleon-like characters camouflaged to blend into the scenery, popping out at perfectly timed intervals. All these interactive elements make this fright night a multi-sensory experience.

Rest assured: The entire event is well-managed, with groups kept small and intimate, and spaced out to minimize crowding. Baker graciously took me on a backstage tour, and I was amazed by the extensive construction built within the theater itself, as well as all the technical equipment necessary to bring this magical, mysterious, and mystical tour to life. Baker also showed me the control panel where the diligent staff monitors all the ongoing activities to ensure everyone's safety and well-being.

It's no surprise that this Halloween extravaganza, featuring an interactive, story-driven, catacomb-like path, has become Long Island's top haunted attraction, earning numerous accolades and awards. BuzzFeed rated Gateway's Haunted Playhouse as one of the "Top 25 Haunted Houses Across America." HauntWorld Magazine named it one of "America's Best Haunted Attractions." USA Today listed it in the "Top Ten Haunted Houses in New York," and News12 voted it "Best Haunted House on Long Island."

The Gateway offers plenty to do before the haunting starts. In the Midway, their queuing area, you'll discover a nightmare carnival with a photo-op, Zombie Shooting Gallery, Boo-Tique, and "Fear Garden," which is open every night and offers wine and beer for those 21 and older. Soft drinks and snacks are also available. On select nights, Billie Jean's Grill food truck is present, serving Billie Burgers, Hot Dogs, Fries, Roasted Corn, and other comfort foods.

Content Warning: The Haunted Playhouse is not suitable for younger audiences; however, The Gateway has that covered with their Not-So-Scary Kids Adventure, held on weekend afternoons from October 12 to October 27, 2025. This well-lit, Halloween-themed Playhouse features fun, child-friendly characters and is recommended for children three and up. For the safety of newborns and infants, children under the age of two are not permitted on this tour. Additionally, strollers, carriages, and baby carriers of any kind are not allowed.

Halloween is a scary time, but an even more frightening thought is this: Like many not-for-profit theaters, The Gateway Playhouse is struggling to keep its doors open. The idea of this historic theater shuttering is the most spine-chilling reality of all. Since the Haunted Playhouse is their biggest fundraiser of the year, the good news is that you can treat yourself to a ghoulishly good time and support this beloved Playhouse in the process.

Patrons are strongly recommended to purchase tickets in advance online at FearLI.com or by calling 631-286-1133. Fast Passes are available for an additional charge. Gateway's Haunted Playhouse is recommended for individuals 13 years of age and older. Due to the interactive nature of this event, it is not Wheelchair Accessible.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of "Grant Me a Higher Love," "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships," and "Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic." Her full-length Music Drama, "Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music," is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.