@nytimes

What does it take to scare the candy corn out of someone? In the weeks leading up to Halloween, The New York Times spoke to performers at two of New York’s hallowed haunted attractions — Blood Manor in Manhattan and Headless Horseman in Ulster Park — who explained the secrets behind the shocks. Because it takes more than ghoulish makeup and vibrating vocal cords to make ticket holders scream. Such haunts, the industry term for a variety of haunted attractions, became popular in the 1980s. Spencer Terry, the president of the Haunted Attractions Association, estimates that there are about 1,800 professional haunts in the U.S. this year. While horror now thrives in sundry forms, these destinations offer something entirely immersive, a 360-degree experience in which audiences can star in their worst nightmares. “When I make a grown man scream and fall on his knees,” said Nicole Borbone, who performs at Blood Manor, “I’ve done my job.” Tap the link in our bio to read more about the actors — the clowns, killers, corpse brides and victims weeping silicone wounds — who really like to scare people. Photos by @eriktanner

October 30, 2021