With Madison being the capitol of our beloved state of Wisconsin, it has a rich and often complicated history as well. And with that history, there are rumors of ghosts and hauntings all throughout our storied, vibrant, and eclectic city.
Haunted History
Learn More about Madison’s haunted history here.
Walking Ghost Tours: If you’re looking to learn about Madison’s ghosts with a tour guide, you’re in luck–we have a few different local tour groups that can walk you through the spooky side of downtown Madison, the UW Campus, and beyond.
Ghostly Pages
Perhaps you prefer your ghost stories to be read in a book? Whether you’re looking for paranormal stories, weird fantasy, mystery, horror, or thrillers–-Madison has a couple book shops that can help you with your reading list to make your October extra spooky.
Room of One’s Own: This popular, local book store is known for curating a menagerie of Halloween favorites and decorating their stacks for the occasion.
Mystery to Me Books: As the name of the shop states, Mystery to Me specializes in curating a wide selection of mystery books. Of course, they carry a wide variety of genres to appeal to a broad audience, but at the heart of it all–they are inspired by reading clues and keeping you at the edge of your seat, something that is truly fitting this time of year.
Spooky Attractions
If being spooked or startled is a part of what makes Halloween fun for you, well you can jump into a horror movie at several haunted attractions in the Madison area where everyone is the final girl or guy–it’s all in fun, of course.
Schuster’s Haunted Forest: Schuster’s Farm is located in Deerfield, Wisconsin. During the day, the farm offers favorite fall activities including a corn maze and pumpkin patch. However, once night falls, the farm turns into a landscape built for screams on an adventure through the woods. There is also a bar and live music in their barn so you can unwind from your trip of terror.
Screamin Acres: Located in Stoughton Wisconsin, just 20-30 minutes outside Madison, this haunted attraction is entering its 13th season. Screamin Acres consists of four different walk-through attractions with admission: Chop House, Lockup, The Last Resort, and Death Trap.
Terror at Tyrol: Before Tyrol Basin opens up for winter skiing and snowboarding, it welcomes a little scare in the fall for ages 13 and up.
Forsaken Souls Haunted Attraction: Located in Edgerton, where you can travel back in time to a 1920’s speakeasy riddled with terror.
If haunted houses aren’t really your thing, you can always head out to somewhere like a pumpkin farm or apple orchard for some fall fun that doesn’t involve jump scares: Our Guide to Fall in Madison, WI
Halloween Fun
Halloween is full of traditions from dressing in a costume to trick-or-treating. There is plenty of spooky fun happening in Madison for the entire family.
Sugar-Free Trick-or-Treating: Happening daily, you can venture out to Cave of the Mounds and for just $3 added to cave tour tickets, you can trick-or-treat for rocks or fossils, great treasures to keep around since candy doesn’t last forever.
Trick or Treating on State Street/Family Halloween (Oct 29): Put on your costume and head downtown on October 29th from 3-6pm for trick-or-treating at State Street businesses, hay rides around the capitol square, craft/arts projects, and more!
Looking for more ideas? Visit Madison has an event calendar you can check out.
Whether you’re strolling through decorated neighborhoods, catching a themed event downtown, or simply soaking in the fall colors around the city, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate. Everyone gets in on the fun — making Madison a truly one-of-a-kind place to enjoy Halloween.