In the small, quaint town of New Era, Michigan, lies a terrifying plot of land overrun with psychotic clowns. Haunted Acres offers visitors two haunted attractions as well as two other entertainment attractions.
The first main attraction and by far the most anticipated is the Field of Screams corn maze. A horror-stricken trail that stretches across 10 acres. The second main attraction is The Devil’s Playground, an indoor haunted attraction built on the ruins of an old barn and filled with only spooky animatronics and props.
Overall Score Per Attraction:
Field of Screams: 6.97
The Devil’s Playground: 4.05
The cast at Haunted Acres was a small, tight-knit group. They were primarily located through the Field of Screams corn maze and were an energetic, rowdy clan of characters. Given the corn maze’s size, we did encounter a few dead spaces, but, as we will discuss in the scare factor, it worked in favor of the attraction.
While waiting in the queue lines, we encountered a few terrifying characters as well. Two small, creepy children caused havoc while contorting themselves into knots, all while stalking, mocking, and intimidating visitors in the Midway Area. Unfortunately, in the Devil’s Playground, we did not cross paths with any cast members.
Field of Screams: 7.69
The Devil’s Playground: 0
As for costumes, it was difficult to see them in the cornfield at times, but when we could, they were complete characters. Some clowns wore colorful clothes, while others wore black-and-white outfits. Their masks were realistic and terrifying, creating an unsettling character. Some clowns were equipped with loud horns, and some with weapons. As we continued our hike, we encountered the likes of Ghostface, Leatherface, and the Grinch, who was wielding a chainsaw!
On the Midway, Christmas came early, and we got a visit from Krampus! The Krampus costume was detailed from horn to huff. Later, we met one of the terrifying clowns that tormented visitors in the cornfield. His mask perfectly matched his outfit, with long dreads and a goth-metal look; he was a true one-of-a-kind character.
Field of Screams: 7.15
The Devil’s Playground: 0
Even though Haunted Acres is truly located in the middle of nowhere, Google Maps did a great job getting us there. Upon arrival, we noticed the lack of lighting in the parking lot and insufficient parking assistance.
With that being said, the customer service at Haunted Acres is truly top-notch. We were greeted with nothing but smiles at the ticket booth. All the staff we encountered were full of life and willing to help in any way they could, from concessions to the merch booth and the queue line attendants. Everyone was in such a happy mood, and we could tell they were genuinely thrilled to be there. All the critical information, such as dates and times, ticket pricing, location, and attraction types, can easily be found on their website or Facebook Page, along with photos and videos to see what Haunted Acres is all about.
We got to meet the owner, Mike, and we could tell this was his pride and joy. He was running around, being part of the action, scaring people both in the haunt and in the queue lines. He was switching costumes and helping put out fires, and yet he made sure to stop and talk with us. He was taking photos, chatting with other visitors, and making everyone feel like they were part of the Haunted Acres Family.
Even before we got to Haunted Acres, the immersion set in. Located down a long dirt road in the middle of nowhere, the feeling that you are alone sets in. As we approached from down the road, lights from midway filled the sky. As you enter the pre-haunt area and midway, you are greeted by a small town tucked away in the corn. With metal music blasting and endless little sets, you felt like you were in some Halloween town.
Even though there is no storyline for the main attractions, it’s hard not to be fully immersed while in a corn field, and in the Devil’s Playground, each scene you enter tells its own story.
Field of Screams: 8.5
The Devil’s Playground: 8
Haunted Acres Field of Screams is more of a traditional-style corn maze, mainly relying on actors to deliver the scares. With that, there were no animatronics in Field of Screams, just good old-fashioned personal interaction with some terrifying clowns and some scary characters! The lighting created an eerie effect while just being bright enough to light the path. Along our journey, we encounter a few scenes, such as an area built from barrels and another from pallets. The most terrifying of all: a Christmas scene complete with the song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer playing in the background.
In the Devil’s Playground, it was the opposite; it relied only on animatronics and props to deliver the scares. Each room had its own theme, from zombies and a butcher shop to witches in the swamp. Throughout the haunt, an eerie soundtrack played, but each room also featured its own terrifying sounds.
Field of Screams: 3.25
The Devil’s Playground: 6.4
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 5
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 7
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 6
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 4.75
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 2.5
As we mentioned in the cast category, we did encounter some dead areas along the way in the Field of Screams, but it honestly worked in favor of the scare factor. Each dead area we came across was just long enough to let your mind wander for the worst. The rustling of leaves, the swaying of corn stalks in the wind, the shadows that danced in the night, everything played tricks on you, and just when you got used to it. BAM! It’s too late. You get hit with one of the many jump scares that lie within the corn maze.
We also noticed that Haunted Acres utilized a single actor across multiple areas, a perfect way to make it feel as if there was more than there was. They would set up ideal suspense scares. An actor would be following you, and when you look back, they would be gone. Then, as fast as they disappeared, they would reappear, giving you the true feeling that you are never alone and someone could always be watching and waiting. Because there are no actors in this attraction, they rely on props and animatronics to deliver jump scares.
Field of Screams: 7.28
The Devils Playground: 3.0
Tickets for Haunted Acres are just $25 for the entire season. It took us 20 minutes to get through the Field of Screams and The Devil’s Playground. That brings the MPD (Minutes Per Dollar) to 0.8, which is one of the best we’ve seen this year. Now, add Vertigo and the pallet maze, and you get a great bang for your buck!
Haunted Acres also offers food at the concessions stand, along with warm doughnuts and cider. Don’t forget to pick up a Frankenfuel energy drink while you’re here to get you through the night! They also have a fantastic merch booth packed with shirts, hoodies, hats, and so much more. The designs on the merch are among the most incredible we’ve seen at a haunt.
Overall, we had a great time at Haunted Acres, with all the attractions, endless photo opportunities, and the conversations we had with staff and other customers. We lost track of time and ended up spending three and a half hours there!
7970 W Park Road, New Era, Michigan 49446
