When someone says they’re looking for a haunted house in Minneapolis, few names come up as often as The Haunting Experience. Operating since 1986, this attraction has built a reputation as one of the scariest and most immersive haunts in the Twin Cities area.
Below is a list of three of the most talked-about haunted houses and attractions at The Haunting Experience, ranked roughly by how intense their scares tend to be. Whether you want mild frights or full-on horror, there’s something for every kind of thrill-seeker.
The Haunting Experience
Fear Factor: Extreme
This spot is the benchmark. The Haunting Experience offers a terrifying Haunted House that feels more like walking through a horror film than a typical seasonal attraction.
Expect winding corridors, eerie hospital-wing sets, fog, strobe lights, sound effects, and live actors who never break character.
Massacre at The Haunting Experience
Fear Factor: Very High (21+ or 13+, depending on venue)
Some new-generation haunts ramp up the intensity with interactive gore, immersive horror, and physical scares, such as actors being permitted to touch guests or chase them through unlit corridors or cornfields.
These are usually not ideal for casual fright-seekers or younger visitors, but if you’re looking for the kind of experience that will test your nerves and leave lasting memories, or regrets, these immersive, high-intensity haunts are among the scariest in the area.
The Haunted Hayride at The Haunting Experience
Fear Factor: High
For those who want variety and don’t want to walk through a single haunted house, combos that offer both a hayride and a walk-through attraction are a good fit. Often, these rides take place outdoors, in dark woods, forest paths, or fields, and then segue into indoor scares.
These combos tend to keep the energy high and unpredictable: one moment you’re jolted by a chainsaw from a distance, the next you’re face-to-face with a masked actor in a narrow corridor. Such dynamic pacing amplifies fear compared to a single-scene haunted house.
Group-Friendly Experiences - Large-Group Outings and Night Outs
Visiting with a group of friends, high school seniors, or coworkers can change the entire vibe. Shared fear, group laughter, and the collective adrenaline can make a haunted house more fun. Plus, many attractions offer group discounts or tickets for parties of 20, 50, or 100. These tend to be easier to access and more flexible than extreme scare haunts, a good compromise if some in the group are more easily frightened than others.
Why The Haunting Experience Often Comes Out On Top
- Decades of History: Operating since 1986, The Haunting Experience has perfected the art of scaring visitors across generations.
- Variety: Haunted house, haunted hayride, and a brand-new 2025 attraction called “Massacre.”
- True Immersion: Hollywood-style sets, live actors, fog, strobe lighting, smells, and unpredictable paths.
- Group Friendly: Offers group rates and works great for friends or large parties.
- Accessible From Minneapolis: While technically located in Cottage Grove (just outside the city), it remains one of the most recommended “haunted houses in Minneapolis” for residents willing to travel a short distance.
Ready to Brave the Night? Visit The Haunting Experience
Don’t wait until the last minute. Tickets for top haunted houses fill up fast, especially on weekends close to Halloween. If you’re ready to face the fright, gather your bravest friends, choose your haunt, and book your night. The shadows are waiting. Can you survive the scream? Check out The Haunting Experience today!

