Get Into the Halloween Spirit at Myrtle Beach Haunted Houses

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The smaller crowds and moderate temperatures of fall make October the perfect month to vacation in Myrtle Beach. But if you visit the Grand Strand in the latter part of the month, it can also be downright scary — on purpose. Myrtle Beach is home to several haunted houses and attractions that can literally make your fall getaway a scream. For guests at The Breakers Resort who enjoy the thrills and chills of the spookiest holiday of the year, here's a list of some of the scariest places in town:

* Terror Under the Bridge: This haunted house has changed locations several times over the past decade. In fact, it is no longer under a bridge, as the original name from its time in Conway implies. But this popular haunt has finally found a home at the X Gym sports complex in Myrtle Beach, and it's a real scream. Visitors stumble through a dark maze of scary character actors and strobe lights that create the eerie sensation thrill-seekers crave. Located off George Bishop Parkway in the Fantasy Harbour section of town, Terror Under the Bridge is open Oct. 21 through Halloween night from 7 to 11 p.m.

* Dr. Screams: Double your spine-tingling pleasure by visiting both of these locations this fall. After several successful years in Myrtle Beach, the doctor is making a haunted house call to North Myrtle Beach with a second location at the House of Blues with an entirely different theme than the original. The Broadway at the Beach location takes patrons on a wild ambulance ride to a haunted hospital that is crawling with creepy patients and staff. The new branch has a yet-to-be-announced theme that is sure to be equally spooky. The Broadway branch opens for business on Oct. 14, while the HoB location is set for an Oct. 19 debut. Both haunted houses are open through Halloween.

* Howl-O-Scream: Unlike the traditional haunted houses, this North Myrtle Beach festival is fun for the whole family. There are lots of fun games, rides, and arts and craft projects for the little ones, including a fear-free hayride. But for older visitors who prefer their Halloween celebration with a little bit more adrenaline, there's also a Haunted Hayride that takes passengers through a field of fearful actors and displays. Held at the new North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, Howl-O-Scream is held Saturday, Oct. 29, and admission to the festivities is only $5 per carload.

* Monster’s Ball: Broadway at the Beach is also home to a mix of family-friendly and adults-only Halloween activities, highlighted by the Monster’s Ball Costume Contest at Celebrity Square, where some spooky creatures and hilarious costumes are on full display while live music rocks the night away on Saturday, Oct. 29. Other, more kid-friendly events include the Oct. 22 Truck-or-Treat event offering trick-or-treating and hands-on, up-close views of emergency vehicles, trash trucks and more. The culmination comes Halloween night when kids can trick-or-treat at participating shops and watch the free fireworks show that evening.

* Boardwalk Fright Nights: Guests at The Breakers are only a short stroll away from some spooky good times on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Fright Nights will begin at dusk every Friday and Saturday in the month of October and will feature live music, trick-or-treating and roaming character actors dressed as zombies wandering the downtown district in search of brains. Visitors looking for some chills can visit Ripley's Haunted Adventure, and people-watching will be at its peak as costumed patrons are on full display.

After a scary night out on the town, head back to The Breakers to unwind and relax in luxury. Whether you are looking for fun or fear this fall and this Halloween weekend, you are sure to find it in Myrtle Beach.