Deep, twisty mazes and dark warehouses and hallways upon hallways of webs one must push through, in order to find the exit?
Those are some of the heart-jumping hallmarks of the Halloween season around Southern California, the world's creepy capital of movie-style haunted attractions. But not every experience that raises the forearm hairs takes place under a roof.
The city is dotted with scares that happen, if not totally, then mostly under the sky. This means we can get our chills on when it is actually a little chilly, courtesy of the night air, and we only need look at the stars above if the fright grow too fearsome.
Here are a few alfresco destinations that are Halloweening-up this October...
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride: Hayrides by their very hay-oriented nature, tend to be a nature-based happening, and this eerie extravaganza at Griffith Park's Old Zoo delivers on the outdoor part. For sure, there's a few inside things, like a way-dark maze called The In-Between, but zip up your jacket for this one: You're among the trees. Brr/eek. Through Oct. 31
Silver City Ghost Town: Here's a history-haunty twist on the Halloween mazes: An actual ghost town a couple of hours north of Los Angeles. Nope, you won't be going through tunnels, nor will monsters jump out at you, but you will wander an Old-West-y street with paranormal investigators, and you'll be doing so after dark. There are only a few dates left for 2014, so sign up, brave ones.
The Terror Tram: The roll into the deepest recesses of the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot'll take you by the "Psycho" house, yes, but plenty of shrubs and low hills. Then you're off and under the night sky, trying to do your very darndest to avoid the walking dead. Does facing off with walkers from "The Walking Dead" get easier outside? You be the judge. It's part of Halloween Horror Nights, and it is on through Nov. 2.
