Screamworld, Houston

A bloody slaughterhouse. A strobe-lit maze patrolled by clowns. A zombie-infested bog. A room full of overdue utility bills. These are the most terrifying scenes humans can imagine, and many of them confront visitors to Screamworld, an attraction that stretches the haunted house experience across five uniquely spooky settings. Here, animatronic scares and disorienting lights lie in wait for groups, as do costumed actors seeking the perfect opportunity to spring from their hiding spots. Screamworld's performers don't shy away from offering an intense, frightening experience, and though the shrieks are all in good fun, the experience isn't recommended for children.

Inspiring those thrills and chills is practically an art form for Jim Fetterly, the mastermind behind Screamworld. Fetterly has designed annual haunted houses since 1989, so he and his team pride themselves on their ability to leave visitors with racing pulses, sweaty palms, and thoroughly spiked adrenaline levels. And their dedication has not gone unnoticed—America's Best Haunts continues to select Screamworld as one of the top haunted attractions in the country, while the Houston Chronicle hailed it as "Houston's longest-running and arguably best haunted house."