NYC Park Opens Massive Haunted Hotel Where Checking Out Isn’t So Easy

A new hotel in Brooklyn has a boiler room, a pitch-black hallway, and a honeymoon suite where nobody ever checks out. It’s not taking overnight reservations, though, because the whole thing is a Halloween attraction filled with zombies.

The Haunted Hotel at Lakeside opened October 9 at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park. It will be open on select dates through November 1 as part of the park’s Harvest Festival.

The walkthrough covers 7,680 square feet, with actors waiting inside the hotel rooms and service areas. Abracadabra NYC, which has been creating haunted attractions and costumes since 1981, built it specifically for the park.

Guests first arrive at a hotel lobby where the lights start flickering. From there, they’ll make their way past guest rooms, a restaurant, and a kitchen before reaching some of the less welcoming parts of the building.

There’s a Blackout Hall and a Haunted Honeymoon Suite

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One stop is called Blackout Hall, which is exactly what it sounds like. Visitors have to make their way through total darkness, with a wall to guide them.

There’s also a boiler room and a honeymoon suite, plus live actors and special effects along the route. Not all of it is indoors, since some sections take people across open-air courtyards and uncovered rooftop areas.

The walkthrough takes about 25 minutes, according to the LeFrak Center’s festival page. It’s recommended for ages 13 and older, but parents can decide whether to bring younger children.

The organizers also say the experience is a little less frightening during daylight hours. Guests looking for more scares can book an evening visit instead.

There’s a Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Outside

Visitors who don’t want the scares can stick to the other festival activities. There’s a 30-foot-by-30-foot corn maze, a pumpkin patch and games such as ring toss, giant checkers, Connect 4 and cornhole.

Walking through the pumpkin patch is free, although pumpkins cost $10 each. The corn maze costs $5, and visitors can also try their luck at carnival games around the grounds.

There are even tarot readers offering sessions on select days. Readings cost $15 for five minutes or $30 for 10 minutes, and they’re sold on-site. The festival also has a separate all-access pass that includes the maze, games, a small pumpkin, and pumpkin painting. Haunted Hotel tickets aren’t included in that pass.

Haunted Hotel Tickets Start at $20 on Mondays

Admission to the Haunted Hotel costs $35 on regular operating days or $20 on Mondays. Guests reserve a 30-minute arrival window and can show up anytime during that period.

Groups are limited to eight people, and smaller parties may be paired with other visitors. Same-day tickets are available if there’s room, although the organizers recommend booking ahead for busy weekends.

The hotel is located at 171 East Drive in Brooklyn. On Halloween, October 31, it’s scheduled to open at 11 a.m. and stay open until 11 p.m.