A city with rich history like Madison is bound to have a few ghost stories, creepy-crawly tales and legends of things that go bump in the night. Reading spooky stories or watching scary movies is great, but experiencing the scary things to do in Madison is the best way to celebrate the Halloween season this fall (or all year round, if that's your vibe).
Classics like haunted houses and ghost tours are sure to make you shriek. But that’s not the only way to get in touch with the paranormal in Madison. If you’re a spooky spectator searching for all the haunted things to do, you’ve come to the right place.
Jump to your favorite scary thing to do:
Ghost tours
Booking a tour with Madison Ghost Walks is a great way to see a lot of Madison’s spooky side in three 90-minute experiences. These ghost tours uncover the chilling stories behind some of Madison’s iconic locales, with tours covering the Capitol Square (including King Street, the oldest street in Madison), the UW–Madison campus and State Street. Learn what used to bother the cast of Rocky Horror at the Majestic Theater, who’s buried under Abraham Lincoln on Bascom Hill, why you should be afraid of the “night manager” at the Orpheum and a whole lot more.
Mad City Ghost Walks offers historical walks along Madison's fraternity row and UW–Madison campus. Learn about Civil War ties to Camp Randall Stadium, spirits that roam the university's halls and the countless paranormal events recorded from State Street to the Memorial Union, along Lake Mendota and more. Book the appropriately named Best Damn Ghost Tour to experience all the goosebump-worthy stories.
Fun fact: Science Hall on the UW–Madison campus is widely considered one of the most haunted buildings in Madison. Students, faculty and visitors have reported things falling off shelves of their own accord, unexplained noises and a general uneasy feeling throughout the building.
Supernatural vibes
Autumn is the best time to dabble in the supernatural, the spiritual, the mystic and the macabre. Rituals and practices like tarot, palm reading and fortune-telling are ample in the Madison area.
For over 40 years, Mimosa Books & Gifts has been a spot for embracing community and spirituality in Madison. Their collection of gifts and healing tools includes tarot and oracle cards, essential oils, crystals, books and more. Embrace the mystery of your own journey and connect to spirituality in the shop located on State Street, or check out their website for blogs, newsletters, community events and more.
Ritual Moon on State Street is a combination tattoo and tarot store with a lineup of renowned tattoo artists, piercers and a psychic, all hailing from Las Vegas. Check out their website for their rotating lineup of guest artists visiting Madison from across the country.
Owners of Cosmic Delights, Andrew and Luna Lynn Frey, believe everyone has the power to conjure magic and bond with their inner spirit. They help people get in touch with spirituality through their store and services, including astrology and birth chart readings, tarot, psychic readings and other special events. Cosmic Delights has three locations: one on East Washington Avenue, one on Madison's north side and another on Madison's west side.
Haunted houses
The best way to get up-close-and-personal with all things creepy and catch an adrenaline rush while doing it is to visit a haunted house in Madison.
Schuster’s Farm is a family-friendly fall playground by day that transforms into a terrifying outdoor adventure for thrill-seekers by night. Schuster’s Haunted Forest takes you on a bone-chilling ride that is sure to make you scream (oh, and did we mention there’s a bar on site?).
Love scary haunts? How about five of them? Screamin’ Acres in Stoughton is home to five terrifying experiences, including the Death Trap sideshow meant to ... shock ... all who encounter it.
A twisted trail, a wicked maze, an “onslaught” meant to assault your senses and a scrap yard (where you could become the scraps) are waiting at Terror at Tyrol. Housed on the beloved skiing and snowboarding grounds in Mount Horeb, Terror at Tyrol is four frightening experiences all in one.
Pro tip: Looking for some hidden haunted gems? Hoyt Park in Madison is home to a mysterious mini-pyramid with unclear origins. The pyramid has etchings of faces and symbols that are known to give some people the creeps.
Freaky Festivals
The spookiest time of year wouldn't be complete without Madison's hauntingly good fall festival lineup.
Looking for more treats than tricks? Kick off October with Mount Horeb's family-friendly Fall Village Market. Located in charming downtown Mount Horeb, you'll encounter food trucks, boutique vendors, kids' activities, live music and more. This two-day event is the perfect ease-in to the season.
Join the creators of The Big Gay Market for the fall rendition of their popular event series, The Big Gay Spooky Market! This inclusive community gathering invites local makers, small businesses and shoppers to show off their spooky side each October.
Mount Horeb is also known to take the spook factor up a notch with their annual Witches Night Out celebration. Dress up like a witch or warlock and enjoy an evening of shopping, snacking and spellcasting (probably).
Scares In Unexpected Places
Some of Madison's favorite shops and eateries love to go all in on Halloween.
A Room of One’s Own bookstore is known for elaborately decorated haunted book sections and curated Halloween gift/book boxes.
Though its name may give away its specialty, there are still unexpected finds at Mystery to Me. This bookstore, located on Monroe Street, offers a wide variety of genres, specializing in ... you guessed it ... mystery novels. You can also find specially curated gifts like tarot cards and more.
Have you ever been served a drink on a Ouija board? Why not start at Oz by Oz, a King Street bar known for its eclectic ambiance, zodiac birthday party specials and pop-up events like star chart and tarot readings.
In the Spooky Spotlight
If live entertainment is your thing and spooky season makes you crave a show that's a little more trick than treat, keep reading.
The world premiere of Madison Ballet's Jekyll & Hyde takes place at Starlight Theater at MYArts October 29-November 1, and it's a can't-miss performance for fans of the classic tale and ballet alike. Artistic Director Ja' Malik and Rehearsal Director Richard Walters choreographed this powerful contemporary ballet performance as more than a retelling, but an examination of the psychological implications of one man's conflicting identities. Spooky, right?
This brand-new show will launch Madison Ballet's 45th season and is the perfect activity to add to your Halloween weekend itinerary.
