With Halloween slowly creeping upon us, there’s no better way to get into the spirit of the season than by embracing one of the most time-honored traditions: visiting a haunted house! And while there’s plenty of places in the city to get your chills and thrills, one haunt up in Plant City was just ranked among the best in the U.S.
Located between Tampa and Orlando, just off Interstate 4 (hence the nickname i4 Fear Park), Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail was recently named the No. 4 haunted attraction in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best. Each selection was nominated by an expert panel and voted on by readers based on actor’s qualities, set designs and special effects, as well as the value for money they offer.
What makes Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail so spooky?
With multiple trails winding down natural woods, tractor-pulled hayrides and escape rooms, this outdoor park may just be one of the scariest in Florida. Visitors can expect spine-chilling characters — such as Sir Henry himself — flashing lights and plenty of scares. There’s also laser tag and axe-throwing experiences to add to the thrill.
“It’s an entire night of outdoor fun at Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, thanks to the attraction’s multiple, hand-built, interactive horror experiences, each with their own storyline,” 10Best wrote in its ranking. “The central gathering spot is patrolled by roaming scare actors, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.”
Their haunted trails feature a different theme annually, with the following to be expected this year:
- City of Slaughter
- Ravensgate Asylum
- Skinwalker’s Hex
- Legends of Halloween (haunted hayride)
Because of how intense the scares are, the outdoor attraction is recommended for guests aged 12 and over, and attendees should wear closed-toed shoes.
Two Florida haunted houses rank among the country’s best
In addition to Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, another Florida haunt made it onto 10Best’s list at No. 6! Just a couple of minutes north of Orlando, in Altamonte Springs, is A Petrified Forest. Living up to its name, this nighttime park is also known for its wood trails — some of which are simply lit up by a single glowstick and even allow for the scare actors to touch you!
📍 Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail (No. 4 on the list): 2837 S Frontage Rd, Plant City, FL 33566
📍 A Petrified Forest (No. 6): 1360 E Altamonte Dr, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701