October is our season. This year I ran three Texas haunts back to back with my girlfriend, Julie May. House of Torment in Austin on opening night. 13th Floor in San Antonio the next weekend. Bat City Scaregrounds in Buda the weekend after. Three different personalities. All worth seeing for different reasons.

I go to these as a fan first. I also pay attention to the things most people feel but don’t really spend a ton of time talking about. How the line moves. How staff speak to guests. Whether the energy holds between the big moments.

The season in context

Halloween is booming. Spending is expected to reach $13.1 billion, up from $11.6 billion last year. Roughly 24% plan to visit a haunted attraction. In the Austin area, “haunted house” searches hit about 446,000 last October, which matches what we felt on site. Plan ahead.

Most professional haunts see 7,500 to 10,000 paid guests per season. Fewer than 3% break 35,000, and the mega events that push 40,000 to 60,000 are rare. Ticket prices track that reality. Standard General Admission often lands in the $20–$40 range, premium nights and add-ons can push closer to $60 or more a person, and theme park events can sit higher. Many operators raised prices around 15% year over year to cover labor, materials, and insurance. What that means for you: value is less about the face price and more about how the night feels before, during, and after the haunt.

Texas is stacked with options, from national “bucket list” haunts to local favorites. That variety is why experience design matters. A place that nails immersion between the houses wins more than a place that only spikes your heart rate inside the walls. Entertainment in between, friendly staff, smart sound and light, a reason to linger. Those details stretch your night and make the memory stick.

If you are choosing tonight

House of Torment (Austin): Long, cinematic walkthroughs and reliable production.

13th Floor (San Antonio): Grittier setting, tighter spaces, biggest jump factor. We recommend leaving the kiddos at home for this one.

Bat City Scaregrounds (Buda): Full-evening vibe with live entertainment, roaming characters, and welcoming staff, the place you linger after the haunts.

House of Torment - Austin, TX

Where and when. 2632 Ridgepoint Dr, Austin. Select nights from mid September through early November. Hours shift by date. There is a partial indoor waiting area, so light rain usually is not a showstopper. Parking is free street parking only. Give yourself time to find a legal spot and walk.

Tickets and add ons. Online only. General admission usually ranges from about twenty to low thirties depending on the night. Fast pass is a simple upgrade that saves real time on peak weekends. Season pass is available for frequent visits. Add ons rotate by season and can include Blackout, Phobia, mini escape rooms, axe throwing, Hades Zombie Simulation, and the Neon Coffin secret bar for guests 21 and up. Plan those choices on the calendar before you arrive.

Our night. We went on opening night. Staff kept the lines organized, and we were surprised by what felt like a small turnout for opening night. Once you cross the threshold, this is where House of Torment earns its reputation. Long, cinematic walkthroughs with strong set craft and clean transitions. The pacing stacks tension instead of relying on the same beat over and over. Outside, the stage area was quiet during our visit. If there was entertainment later that night, we did not catch it. The focus felt squarely on the houses, and that is where they deliver.

What others say. Local outlets regularly point to the Hollywood quality of the sets and call it one of the city’s must-do October experiences. Coverage ahead of opening week this year called out the unique scare design and compared the quality favorably to big theme park events.

Tips. Buy online. Check the date and time window closely. If you are going Friday or Saturday in October, fast pass is worth considering. Wear closed toed shoes. Watch street signs and do not block driveways. Keep bags minimal and follow the clear bag policy. Groups cap at ten once you enter.

13th Floor - San Antonio, TX

Where and when. 1203 E Commerce St, San Antonio. Select nights from mid September through early November. The haunt sits by St. Paul Square and Sunset Station, and there is a large parking lot directly next to the venue, which makes arrival simple.

Tickets and add ons. Online only. General admission can start under twenty dollars on select dates and scales by demand. Fast pass is offered during checkout and matters on peak weekends. There is a 21 and up bar near the entrance, but you will be asked to finish before entering the houses.

Our night. This one hits fast. The approach feels industrial and a little unforgiving, which works for the mood. The front-of-house line moves past a small bar hut before you are routed inside. That front zone felt rushed and not very welcoming. Inside the haunts, the shift is immediate. The actors are locked in and willing to improvise if you interact. The spaces run tighter than House of Torment, which amps the jump factor and makes timing feel sharper. Of the three venues, this was the scariest to us.

What stood out. Commitment from the cast inside the attraction. Smart timing in close quarters. If your goal is to get rattled, this is the pick.

Tips. Use the on-site lot and arrive a bit early on peak dates. If you do not like crowds or get overwhelmed, aim for an earlier weeknight slot. Fast pass can save your night on Fridays and Saturdays in October. This location reads older teens and adults. Gauge your group before bringing younger kids. Keep bags minimal and follow the clear bag policy.

Bat City Scaregrounds - Buda, TX

Where and when. 14101 S. Turnersville Rd, Buda. A quick drive from Austin. Select nights through October. Outdoor venue with free on-site gravel parking. Wear shoes that can handle it. No alcohol on site.

Tickets and what they include. General admission typically sits around thirty dollars and covers all three haunted houses. Fast pass is available on busy nights. Season pass options show up for frequent flyers.

Our night. We met the owner, Corey, right as we were heading in. Quick hello, quick smile, and the kind of welcome that tells you the team cares. We were even able to grab a quick statement from him. That tone held all night. Gate staff were friendly and efficient. The area felt alive, almost like a dark yet friendly carnival. A band played in character on a raised stage so the music carried across the lines. An aerial hoop performer was going right alongside them. Roaming actors stayed in character without crowding you. It reads like a small town festival wrapped around three serious haunts.

Inside, we kept saying the same thing. We had not seen that before. The 3D glasses are used to add depth and surprise without turning into a gimmick. Sound design is intentional. Scene transitions are playful and well paced. You can feel the crew thinking about everything between the big scares, not just the scares themselves.

In the owner’s words. “Once I finished graduate school, I felt a strong urge to focus my creative talents in a practical way to build something epic. I’ve always been an interdisciplinary artist and huge fan of horror and haunted houses, so it felt natural to go that route. Halloween theme parks like Bat City Scaregrounds and Nightmare on 19th Street allow my production team and I to be creative in several ways (audio, set design, makeup/FX, etc) which definitely suits my personality.

Originally, my parks were an open canvas to creatively explore and collaborate with other artists, but the experience of operating them through the years has become something more. While the artistic elements are still there, seeing thousands of people enjoying themselves at my parks has been such a positive experience. Being able to create core, positive memories for people during the Halloween season has been a primary motivation and the most wonderful experience so far.”

What stood out. Cast culture. You feel it at the gate. The raised stage and roaming performers keep the energy up and shrink perceived wait times. The houses deliver fresh creative choices that stick with you on the ride home.

Tips. Arrive a little early to immerse yourself fully. VIP pass is helpful on peak days. Shoes with traction are smart. Plan to hang out after your last house. It is that kind of night.

Why Bat City is our favorite this season

All three were worth the night. Bat City wins for us because the experience does not stop when you exit the haunts. Energy is high from the moment you park to the moment you leave. The band in character. Roaming actors who add to the mood without crowding you and interact when they can tell you want to. Staff who smile and help. That tone changes how everything else lands.

Inside the houses, the creative choices feel unique and intentional. The 3D sequence adds depth instead of being a throwaway. Sound and light are used to guide you, not just blast you. We found ourselves pointing out small details to each after each one saying “i’ve never seen that before”.

It also feels like a place you want to stay. After you run the haunts, you do not sprint to the car. You hang out, watch the stage, people watch, and talk about your favorite moments. That counts as value even if it is not listed on a ticket page.

Plan your night

Tickets at a glance

House of Torment (Austin): GA usually in the twenty to low thirties. Fast pass helps on peak nights. I’ve tried various upgrades here and, in my experience, they were not worth it. On more than one visit I did not get to complete certain add ons. Honest note for planners.

13th Floor (San Antonio): GA can start under twenty dollars on some dates and scales by demand. Fast pass is available during checkout.

Bat City Scaregrounds (Buda): GA is commonly around thirty dollars and covers all three houses. VIP pass available.

Parking

House of Torment: Free street parking only. Give yourself time to find a legal spot and walk.

13th Floor: Large parking lot directly next to the venue. Easiest arrival of the three.

Bat City Scaregrounds: Free on site gravel lot. Shoes with traction help.

FAQ

Are they open in rain?

House of Torment: Partial indoor queue. Light rain usually continues. Heavy weather can change ops. Check same-day updates.

13th Floor: Mostly covered queues or fast-moving lines. Light rain usually continues.

Bat City Scaregrounds: Outdoor venue. They post closure calls by late afternoon.

Age guidance

House of Torment: Intense but discretionary. Reads older teens and adults. We have seen younger kids here.

13th Floor: Same. Tight spaces and stronger jump scares. Our honest opinion is to leave the kids at home for this one but we did see some older kids.

Bat City Scaregrounds: Recommends 12+. No children 5 and under.

Photos and video

All three: no recording inside the houses. Photos are fine outside. Respect actors’ space.

Alcohol

House of Torment: Themed bar options appear on select nights. Check your date.

13th Floor: 21+ bar near the entrance. You must finish drinks before entering.

Bat City Scaregrounds: No alcohol on site. Family-friendlier crowd as a result.

Parking

House of Torment: Free street parking only. Plan a short walk and obey signs.

13th Floor: Large lot directly next to the venue. Easiest arrival.

Bat City Scaregrounds: Free on-site gravel lot. Wear shoes with traction.

How long does it take?

House of Torment: Long, cinematic walkthroughs. Expect the fullest runtime of the three.

13th Floor: Shorter, tighter, and more intense.

Bat City Scaregrounds: Three houses plus a lively grounds. Plan extra time to hang out.

Footwear and terrain

House of Torment: Hard floors and street approaches. Closed-toe shoes.

13th Floor: Urban lot. Closed-toe is smart.

Bat City Scaregrounds: Outdoor grounds and gravel. Real shoes or boots.

Accessibility

All three publish guidance. Surfaces, strobe effects, fog, and narrow corridors can be challenging. If you have mobility or sensory needs, email ahead for current accommodations and skip-line options.

Sensory warnings

All three use strobes, fog, loud sound, and darkness. Bat City adds a 3D segment. If you are sensitive, ask staff to flag the most intense sections before you enter.

Refunds and reschedules

All three sell dated tickets online. Treat them as nonrefundable unless the venue announces a closure. If weather threatens, check the venue’s same-day posts.

Food

House of Torment: Concessions vary by night.

13th Floor: Bar at the entrance, then no drinks inside houses.

Bat City Scaregrounds: Vendor village changes by night. No alcohol allowed.

What to bring (and not)

Bring your phone, ID, payment method, and patience. Leave big bags, props, and anything fragile in the car. Heels and flip-flops are a bad idea.

Closing

If you only pick one this season, pick the haunt that makes you want to stay a while. For us, that was Bat City Scaregrounds. The welcome at the gate, the band in character, the aerial set, the way the cast keeps the mood high between houses. We even met Corey on the way in and the tone of that quick hello showed up in a hundred little moments after. It felt like a place built to linger, not just hit the houses and leave.

House of Torment still delivers long, cinematic runs. 13th Floor still punches hardest inside the haunt. But if you want the full Halloween feeling with music, good vibes, and fresh ideas wrapped around three strong houses with staff that truly want to be there, go to Bat City Scaregrounds. Buy online, get there a little early, wear real shoes, and plan to hang out after your last haunt.