With screams sounding in the distance and chainsaw motors running, haunted houses certainly scare many who have the nerve to go.
Finding Bonadeo Farms in Highland MI was not an easy task. While there is an illuminated sign at night, it is somewhat tucked into the dirt drive.
Driving in, they lined the road with torches to capture the ritualistic theme, a great way to start off. There were many parking areas that were easily accessible, and it was right by the main building where people buy tickets, which were only $25 per person.
Inside the decorated building, they served cider, donuts, and other festive treats, like candy apples. There was even a kids playground with a giant hay pile.
However, right outside the tone quickly shifted to the horrors of the night. In the waiting area, a tractor pulling the carton was itself straight out of a horror movie- loud and ominous, one someone would run away from.
On the ride, if you’re lucky, a scare actor may even hop on silently and wait until you see them and give you a good fright.
The haunted house is mainly inside, with scare actors popping out here and there. In the end, it goes outside into a corn maze which leads you to the exit where people are chased by a chainsaw wielding maniac.
The wait was minimal for a Friday night, and they even took a picture of your group before you went in. It took about 20 minutes to walk the entire experience. Overall, I think it was the best of the three for both family and friends.
The average cost for haunted houses is $25, and 80% of haunted attractions charge under $20 (America Haunts). Yet Rotten Manor charges $30 with an additional $10 for the fast past, which I highly recommend investing in.
Based in Holly, MI, Rotten Manor has three exhibits, with a new one last year called “The House of Wax.” But my personal favorite is the forest as it’s outside and not as crowded as the Manor.
The forest takes you on a path outside with many little themed buildings like the house made of candy from “Hansel and Gretel.”
There aren’t many scare actors in the forest path, mainly just in their respective themed places, and a few in the waiting area taking pictures with customers.
The wait was around two hours on a rainy Saturday night, and walking through the forest took about 15 minutes. There were even lines within the forest outside of the buildings. However, the option for a fast pass lane for the forest only bypassed one of the shacks where people waited and fed into the second one, which gave them about an hour head start.
There were many parking options and people were there to direct customers right off Dixie Highway into one of the spots.
Overall, this was a good place to go with friends if you’re willing to wait a while or show up early in the evening.
Many families come to this kids-friendly attraction, so many in fact that customers have to buy tickets at least a few days in advance. If you are looking for a more family-friendly experience, Glenlore Trails in Commerce is Halloween themed with many exotic light shows.
There were many stations where people could interact with machinery and even had singing pumpkins.
There were many families and young children who loved playing with all the lights. There was even a light game where people could stomp on fake spiders.
As the whole path is outside, a few heaters were sprinkled throughout the path and were very beneficial to cold parents while their kids did the activity near the heater.
Throughout the mile long dirt path, it was like walking through an enchanted forest. Parking was numerous, and at the entrance and roughly through halfway the path there was warm food and drinks.
Overall, this was a magical place that was very family friendly to young children and kept the parents entertained as well.
Haunted houses are a great way to bond with friends and family, whether it’s through jump scares that have you clutching each other, or if it’s simply walking down a mystical path lined with lights with your family.
