Lake Hickory Haunts is a haunted attraction located in northwest Hickory just south of the Rhodhiss bridge. Voted the #1 haunt in North Carolina by many different sources, Lake Hickory Haunts boasts a haunted boat adventure, a haunted house, a haunted circus, a haunted trail, and a number of other haunted buildings and sheds, plus a parade, a midway with a live DJ, games, concessions and more. The attraction is open 6pm-11pm every Friday and Saturday from late September through the first weekend in November, plus weeknights around Halloween and for special event nights.
Upon purchasing tickets, the experience begins in the midway where costumed characters wander around greeting visitors and a DJ provides entertainment to patrons awaiting in line. Concessions are available for purchase offering cotton candy, candy apples, popcorn, and drinks as well as branded memorabilia. Fast Pass and VIP ticket holders bypass the line for priority entrance into the attraction which features approximately 10 sets, including an optional and unique haunted boat ride across the lake. Actors dressed as monsters, creatures and characters act out skits along the way as guests make their way through, with different effects and technology employed along the way for an experience that leaves the senses mesmerized. The full tour takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
We recently visited Lake Hickory Haunts with our 10 year old daughter and found the experience frighteningly enjoyable! The sets were very elaborate and the acting very realistic (we had to remind ourselves, and sometimes one another, that it was all just pretend!). Excellent costumes abounded with performers always in character. Much work was put into the decor using smoke machines, strobe lights and 3D as an added bonus. There were plenty of thrills and chills to raise the heart rate, but none of the scenes were gory and the ghouls and goblins kept their hands to themselves. We enjoyed the haunted boat ride; it was a bit intimidating not knowing where the boat was headed and having nowhere to escape. The Big Top Circus in 3D was my personal favorite, topped off with a sensory overload in the vortex!
While Lake Hickory Haunts is recommended for adults and teens, younger children can participate at their parent's discretion. The attraction does contain strobe lights, fog machines, loud and startling sounds and other features that may frighten younger children and those who scare easily. As a family-friendly adventure, the Haunt does not include beloved characters such as Santa or the Easter Bunny so not to cast any negative associations on happy holidays. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the property.
Lake Hickory Haunts is located at 519 Carolina Avenue in Hickory. Tickets are sold on site on a first come, first served basis, with discounted tickets available for pre-purchase online; discount nights are also scheduled throughout the season. For more information, visit www.lakehickoryhaunts.com and like them on Facebook.
Enter to win one of TWO family four-packs of tickets to Lake Hickory Haunts! Winners will each receive four tickets good for adult, senior, military or child admission redeemable on the night of their choice. Click HERE to complete the entry form today! Earn bonus entries by commenting below, sharing/liking/commenting on posts about this giveaway on our Facebook page and for every new subscriber that signs up for our newsletter and mentions your name, but remember, you must complete the entry form for your bonuses to be awarded. Contest ended Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 11:59pm.
Congrats to our winners: Erica Rose and Brandi Going!
Contest Rules: One entry per email address; email address provided must be a subscriber to our wonderful newsletter to be entered to win, otherwise it will be added. Duplicate entries via the entry form will be deleted. Bonus entries will be awarded for commenting/liking/sharing the giveaway post on Facebook and for every new subscriber you refer; sharing posts about this giveaway on Facebook will help you earn the referral bonus. Winners will be chosen randomly from all eligible entries/bonus entries by random.org on October 22, 2015 and will be notified by email to the address provided on the form or via Facebook or by phone. Winners will be announced on Facebook and/or on our website; by entering contest, entrants give permission to have their name used in such announcements. Winners will have 24hrs to claim their prize; failure to respond within the 24hr timeframe may result in another winner being chosen. Odds of winning depend on total number of entries. No purchase necessary; you must be 18 or older and a Macaroni Kid Hickory/Western Piedmont newsletter subscriber to enter.
Click HERE for complete sweepstakes rules.
