As Halloween nears, students are excitedly awaiting the “spooky season” for several reasons. Halloween is undoubtedly a time of excitement, whether it’s the opportunity to dress up, the fall-themed treats, or the horror movies and spooky events on the rise. One of the major appeals of the season, specifically for adrenaline junkies and people who indulge in horror, are scary attractions and events, the most widely known being haunted houses. While some dislike the jumpscare part of these places, others love the thrill and find it their favorite aspect of Halloween, seeking out the scariest and most memorable haunted houses wherever they can find them. 

Haunted houses have always been popular and tend to attract millions of willing and excited spectacles each year. People continue to go because it is the perfect scenario for those who crave an adrenaline rush without actually putting themselves in dangerous situations. One of these individuals is junior Lindsey Phillips, who annually puts haunted houses at the top of her Halloween to-do list. “I find them really exciting and love the anticipation of what’s coming next,” she said. ‘For me, the scarier, the better.”

Luckily for the Dubs, Atlanta has many famous haunted houses, making the opportunities endless and convenient. Holden Cooley, another Dub junior, is a fellow haunt lover and can vouch that Atlanta has some of the best. “Netherworld is my favorite for sure,” he said. “I go every year with my friends, and it never lets me down. It’s the perfect combination of scary and fun.” 

While many find haunted houses exciting, some simply do not see the appeal of willingly putting themselves in situations of fear. These horror haters respond to fear with shrieks of detest. Junior Peyton Mosley cannot find it in herself to enjoy the feeling of fear. From horror movies to, of course, haunted houses, everything scary is entirely avoided by her, regardless of the time of year. “I will never understand how people love the feeling of being scared,” she said, “the last place you will find me on Halloween is at a haunted house.” 

Spooky times are here, and whether you are a haunted house fan or not, there is much to appreciate about the season. For those who are fans of fear-evoking festivities, Halloween is the opportunity for thrilling and scary experiences. For those who are not, enjoy arguably the coziest time of the year and the fun costumes and excitement right around the corner. Happy Halloween, Dubs!