Urban Discoveries Baltimore

Haunted houses, crib sheets, and liquor all serve basically the same end:  making the unmanageable seem manageable. So, whether you’re a dresser-up for the eve of All Saints’ or not, consider it a duty to your psyche to mock death at least once this October. Four places for doing so:

1.    The Cox’s Point Haunted Mansion in Cox Point (800 Riverside Drive) is the cheapest and the oldest on the list, though its employees, under the direction of special-effects artist Steve Myers, pride themselves on craft. They are illusionists, all right? $8 for adults, $4 for kids.

2.    Bennett’s Curse House of Vampyres in Arundel Mills (7000 Arundel Mills Circle) claims several honors, among them inclusion in the Top Ten list for America’s Best Haunts as well as a mention on the Travel Channel. Vast, medieval, and now incorporating the Sanctuary of Insanity and Dominion of Darkness, both of which are playfully sadistic extensions of the spectacular if loosely themed show. Stumble along while getting jumped at by horrifying things. Don’t go with someone you’re trying to impress. Tickets are $20. Not handicapped accessible.

3.    Creepywoods Haunted Trail at Huber’s Farm in Kingsville (11898 Philadelphia Road) is run by the same guys who do Bennett’s Curse, only this one’s outdoors. Also not handicapped accessible. Tickets are $15.

4.    Kim’s Krypt in Dundalk (1748 Merritt Boulevard) at the Merrit Park Shopping Center is the campy, home-grown, catch-all, haunted series-of-rooms you never knew you craved until this moment. Even our own fearless editor, Rachel, got scared there. So, if you want to see scabbing-edge pop culture references (let’s hope last year’s Saw V room has been updated) rendered terrifying by passionate volunteers, then you need to see Kim’s.  Tickets are $12.

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