While there are plenty of fall and Halloween events in Kansas City to look forward to this year, for some it’s not Halloween without a good scare. If you really want to send chills down your spine, you’ll find this guide to local haunted houses, ghost tours, Halloween pop-up bars, and even a couple of spooky events for younger kids helpful.
While some are meant for adults, others allow teens or younger kids with an accompanying adult. Make sure you double check to see if tickets or reservations are required!
Haunted Houses
Exiled: Trail of Terrors
This is a haunted trail in the woods of Bonner Springs, KS. It is a one mile hike and the terrain is rugged, so make sure you have the physical stamina (and the right shoes) before you take on this haunted attraction. Kids must be at least 12 to enter. Open every Friday and Saturday night from Sept 29 – Oct 28.
The Beast, The Edge of Hell, and Macabre Cinema
These haunted houses in the West Bottoms have been an annual favorite for thrill seekers for years. While you can buy tickets to a single haunted house, many opt to take advantage of a discounted combo ticket. For an upcharge, you can get a VIP ticket to bypass the lines. All three haunted houses are scary in different ways. The Beast has an open floor plan meant to make you get turned around. The Edge of Hell is a multi-story experience set up as the levels of hell. Macabre Cinema has four floors of thrills in a haunted 1930s movie theater. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Ghost Tours
Alexander Majors House
In October, this historic site offers all ages and 21+ informational ghost tours as well as
paranormal investigations.
APex Paranormal
Check out their variety of ghost tours at haunted historic sites around the metro. Listen to our podcast featuring their tours.
Belvoir Winery
The inn and winery will be hosting events in October including paranormal investigations.
Full Moon Ghost Hunt
Get a tour of the spooky halls of The Beast haunted house and hear stories about the history of the building. Paranormal investigation equipment will be used to help with your investigation.
Ghost Tours of Kansas
This company is offering bus and walking ghost tours in Topeka.
Ghost Tours with Pioneer Trails Adventures
Enjoy a ghost tour of Independence, MO from a seat on a covered wagon.
Haunted and Historic Places Tour
Downtown Lee’s Summit is hosting ghost tours of its prominent buildings on October 21.
Haunted Fort Leavenworth Tour
Take a tour of haunted homes in Fort Leavenworth on October 20 and 21.
Haunted Taxi Tours
If you’d like to check out multiple haunted sites, consider a private haunted taxi tour to visit several spots around the metro, led by your own personal tour guide.
Haunted Trolley Tours of Atchison, Kansas
If you are up for a day (or night) trip, consider visiting Atchison, located about an hour northwest of the metro. Atchison is believed to be the most haunted town in Kansas, and there are an abundance of tours available to frighten you.
The Elms Hotel & Spa
If you are looking for a night away, book the paranormal package that includes an overnight stay and their haunted tour.
Other Events
Carved Haunted Trail
This event in Riverside, MO is on Saturday, October 21 from 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. There is a haunted trail, kids spooky trail, fortune tellers, fire performers, sideshow performers, magician, food trucks, and more. Tickets sold here for the haunted trail and fortune tellers, but the rest of the event is open to the public.
Dark Forest
Visit Powell Gardens for this immersive experience with Quixotic. You’ll journey through the woods with paranormal forces and supernatural beings. Event dates are October 13-15, 20-22 and 26-29. This event is rated PG-13 so may be appropriate for teens.
Full Moon Escape Room
Enjoy an escape room experience inside The Beast haunted house. This is geared towards adults and teens but kids under 13 are allowed with an accompanying adult.
Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun
The Halloween Haunt runs on Fridays and Saturdays (and select Thursdays) from September 15 thru October 28. The park comes alive with creepy shows and haunted houses and scares around every corner. It is not recommended for kids under 14.
Mom pro tip: If you are considering a season pass for 2024, buy a gold pass this fall and use it for the remaining 2023 dates, including Haunt.
The Basement: Unhinged
This “live escape room” is an immersive theater experience where there is a live performer in the room with you to heighten the experience.
The Exit Room
Located in Lee’s Summit, The Exit Room offers spooky themed escape rooms. Gather a group of friends and see if you can escape before the clock runs out!
Zombie Forest Night at Louisburg Family Farm
Dress like a zombie and come explore the corn maze at night! This event takes place on October 14 from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
For Younger Kids
Kid-Friendly Ghost Tours at Alexander Majors House
For $10 kids can do a tamer version of the ghost tour offered at this historic site on the evening of Friday October 7. Participants will also make Halloween crafts, play games, and enjoy a thematic snack.
Jack’s Hollow Haunted Drive Thru
This drive-thru Halloween event in Gardner, Kansas is open on most Friday and Saturday nights in October from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. You must have a reservation for timed entry. The event is free of charge but they encourage everyone to bring one new, unwrapped toy or teen gift, suitable for a child 0-17 years of age or a small donation. They accept cash, Cash App and Venmo.
Haunted Huzzah at the KC Renaissance Festival
Visit the Kansas City Renaissance Festival the weekend of October 14-15 to celebrate Halloween early with family-friendly events. Make sure to come in costume!
Night of the Living Farm
This annual event at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead has tons of Halloween activities for kids including a scary and non-scary hayride. This year the event is October 20-21 and October 27-28. Make sure to check out our Moms’ Guide to Night of the Living Farm!
Mom pro tip: If you want to ride the scary hayride go straight there when you enter. The line gets long and this way you can shorten your wait time and have more time for all the other activities afterward.
Themed Pop-Up Bars
- Apparition Spookeasy at Vignettes Bar in North Kansas City, MO
- Ghosts of Baseball Past at Legends Field in Kansas City, KS
- The Rocky Horror Pop-Up Bar at 9th and State in Kansas City, MO
