With Halloween right around the corner, Hauntworld.com, the haunt industry's leading trade publication and haunted house website, is welcoming people 'Back to Ghoul' by announcing its list of the Top 13 Professional Haunted Attractions in the country. These attractions are being recognized for their attention to detail, high-quality special effects, and overall scare factor.

    Ranging from haunted hotels and prisons to spooky hayrides, the list
represents the best haunted attractions the nation has to offer, as
selected and voted on by the Haunted House Industry and the editors of
Hauntworld Magazine. In an industry that has reached the multi-billion
dollar mark, these haunts are leading the way in scream-inducing
innovations.

    "The haunts industry fits into a special niche of the entertainment
world, where the main goal is to provide an intensely frightening
experience, yet leave customers exhilarated enough to return next year, or
even next week," said Editor-in-Chief of Hauntworld Magazine, Larry
Kirchner. "In order to accomplish this, a tremendous amount of production
is involved in each successful haunt. Owners have behind-the-scenes teams of master Hollywood special effects technicians, make-up artists, set designers, and trained actors -- this list represents the best-of-the-best
in the country."

    2008 Top 13 Professional Haunted Attractions

    1. 13th Gate - Baton Rouge, Louisiana -http://www.midnightproduction.com

    2. The Darkness - St. Louis, Missouri - http://www.scarefest.com

    3. Netherworld - Atlanta, Georgia - http://www.fearworld.com

    4. Haunted Overload - Lee, New Hampshire -http://www.hauntedoverload.com

    5. Scarehouse - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - http://www.scarehouse.com

    6. House of Torment - Austin, Texas - http://www.houseoftorment.com

    7. Bates Motel - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - http://www.thebatesmotel.com

    8. Headless Horseman - Ulster Park, New York - http://www.headlesshorseman.com

    9. Dead Acres - Columbus, Ohio - http://www.deadacres.com

    10. Spookywoods - High Point, North Carolina - http://www.spookywoods.com

    11. House of Shock - New Orleans, Louisiana - http://www.houseofshock.com

    12. Erebus - Detroit, Michigan - http://www.hauntedpontiac.com

    13. Cutting Edge - Dallas, Texas - http://www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse.com

    Other notable haunts recognized by Hauntworld Magazine include:

    Top 10 Amusement Park Halloween Events

    1. Universal Studios Horror Nights - Orlando, FL -
http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com

    2. Knott's Scary Farm - Los Angeles, CA - http://www.halloweenhaunt.com

    3. 'Phantom Fright Nights' - Kennywood Amusement Park - Pittsburgh, PA
- http://www.kennywood.com

    4. Universal Studios Horror Nights - Hollywood, CA -
http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com

    5. Tampa Busch Gardens - Tampa, FL - http://www.howl-o-scream.com

    6. Busch Gardens - Williamsburg, VA - http://www.howl-o-scream.com

    7. Kings Island Haunt - Cincinnati, OH - http://www.visitkingsisland.com

    8. Cedar Point Haunt - Sandusky, OH - http://www.cedarpoint.com

    9. Six Flags Fright Fest - Freehold, NJ - http://www.frightfest.com

    10. Old Tucson Studios Nightfall - Tucson, AZ - http://www.oldtucson.com

    Top Haunted Amusement Attractions 2008

    1. House of Horror - Universal Studios Hollywood -
http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com

    2. Disney World Haunted Mansion - Orlando, FL - http://www.disney.com

    3. Ghostwood Estates - Kennywood Amusement Park, Pittsburgh, PA -
http://www.kennywood.com

    4. Tower of Terror - MGM Studios, Orlando, FL - http://www.disney.com

    5. Revenge of the Mummy Ride - Universal Studios Hollywood, CA -
http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com

    Best Haunted Hayride 2008

    1. Headless Horseman - Ulster Park, NY - http://www.headlesshorseman.com

    2. Bates Motel - Philadelphia, PA - http://www.thebatesmotel.com

    Best Home Haunted House 2008

    1. Graveside Manor - Coventry, CT - http://www.gravesidemanor.com

    2. Rot Haunted House - Thousand Oaks, CA - http://www.rothauntedhouse.com

    3. DC Cemetery - Mountain View, CA - http://www.dc-cemetery.com

    For more information on this year's Top Haunted Attractions as well as
finding haunted attractions all across the nation please visit
http://www.hauntworld.com.