A haunted attraction is a form of entertainment that simulates the experience of entering a haunted location that might be inhabited by ghosts, monsters, witches, serial killers, or humorous characters including The Addams Family, Casper the Friendly Ghost, The Ghostly Trio, and The Munsters. Haunted attractions can take place in many locations, including temporarily constructed simulated "haunted houses" or actual abandoned and dilapidated homes, corn mazes or cornfields, hedge mazes, farms or farmhouses, wooded areas or forests, abandoned asylums, defunct or old prisons, abandoned amusement parks or active amusement parks, ships or boats, abandoned factories, shopping malls, and parks. Haunted attractions (also known as "haunts" or "mazes" within the industry) use many effects, intense lighting (strobe lights, black lights, and so forth), animatronics, CGI, scent dispensers, fog machines, air blasters, old antiques, gory images, and intense scenes of terror, torment, crime, mischief, or comedy. Visitors often come in contact with various actors dressed up in elaborate and often scary costumes, masks, and prosthetics; these actors perform skits or hide and jump out unexpectedly to scare, shock, disturb, or amuse the customer. The typical haunted attraction starts operating during the week/weekend of late September or early October to the last week/weekend in October or first week/weekend of November. In particular, they are especially active during the triduum of Allhallowtide. Additionally, there is a sub culture of haunted attractions that are open year round and a few that open during special occasions such as haunt conventions or Spring Break (aka Scream Break). There are some attractions that may even offer the option for a fast pass which will allow customers to skip the line for an additional cost. Some attractions are run by Jaycees associations or charities, while many are for profit.

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