This article is from 2021 and may be outdated. We're working on restoring a newer version.
Some genuinely haunted houses — especially haunted hotels, museums, and B&Bs — charge admission.
Note: This is different from commercial, theatrical “haunted houses” that are set up at Halloween.
In this article, I’m talking about sites that seem to be haunted by actual ghosts and paranormal activity.
If you’re simply touring a haunted house, the admission price should be consistent with local museums.
Read online reviews before spending a cent.
Some haunted houses charge more for overnights and ghost hunting events, and similar experiences that provide extra value.
If you’re not promised extra value* as part of your visit, be sure you’re comfortable with the price of admission.
Is it a ghost hunting event?
If so, ticket prices should reflect these features:
– The quality of the guest speakers or investigators.
– Food and entertainment.
– How small or exclusive the event is. That is, will you be elbow-to-elbow with beeping EMF meters and swinging dowsing rods? Or, will you be able to conduct research, undistracted, with a small group of people?
– How much individual attention you can expect from the professional ghost hunters.
Is it a simple overnight vigil?
The price should match moderately priced hotels in that same area.
Of course, if the vigil includes a tour and a series of specific experiments — that can produce startling results — you may expect to pay more.
In general, compare the price of any haunted house visit with any similar hotel, museum, or historical home that doesn’t have ghosts.
If admission is considerably higher, be sure you’re getting a good value. Ask ghost hunting friends and read reviews. Weigh them against other, similar haunts you can visit, and your budget.
*No genuinely haunted house can (or should) claim that you’ll have a paranormal encounter. If they are… be skeptical. It might be mere entertainment, not the real thing.