Minnesota Attraction Named 2nd Most ‘Legendary’ in the U.S.
Welcome to spooky... and spending season. According to the National Retail Federation, people will spend about $12 billion this year on Halloween costumes, scary decorations, and those big bags of snack-size candies.
Hopefully you saved some of your money for tickets to one of the scariest attractions in the country, right here in Minnesota. It was recently ranked as the second most legendary haunted attraction in the nation!
Why Do People Love Haunted Houses?
Texas A&M researchers say we love the adrenaline rush that comes with being scared and haunted houses deliver that no real threat of danger.
"With fear as entertainment, whether in movies or haunted houses, people can enter into those situations knowing that ultimately there is no real danger. The amygdala is the fear center of the brain and directs all sorts of responses — freezing, taking flight, hormonal responses, adrenaline, etc. Initially, you will get those responses activated (which are pretty easy to do), then you tell yourself it’s not real."
Minnesota's Best Halloween Attractions
Minnesota has a ton of fantastic attractions for thrill seekers. Valley Scare is always a popular option. Scream Town is ranked the 8th scariest in the country by CNN, and the Monster Bash Haunted House in Harmony is frequently listed among the best in the state. Recently, another attraction in Minnesota was named the 2nd most legendary in the entire nation.
The team at American Haunts has ranked the best Halloween attractions in the United States.
They say, "In the world of haunted attractions, the title of “legendary” is reserved for those venues that have not only endured the test of time but have consistently delivered fear with an unmatched level of creativity, innovation, and sheer terror."
Minnesota's Dead End Hayride is the 2nd Most Legendary Attraction in the Country.
"Ending up at Dead End Hayride is literally just the beginning of the road to terror, whether experiencing the hayride, the multiple micro haunted houses throughout the property, or the Haunted Cornfield. Set in the eerie backwoods of Minnesota, this haunt takes visitors on a terrifying journey through dark forests and desolate cornfields before plunging them into a labyrinth of fear. Dead End Hayride is a staple in the haunted attraction world with its dynamic settings and pulse-pounding encounters."
The Dead End Hayride, located at 28186 Kettle River Blvd N. in Wyoming, MN, promises an "intense and frightening experience." While visitors must be at least 10 years old, organizers recommend that guests be 13 and older.
For families, there's a friendly option called the "Great Pumpkin Trail," a half-mile walk featuring over 10,000 illuminated pumpkins, fun surprises, and great photo opportunities.
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Gallery Credit: Carly Ross