The Headless Horseman is as close to an all-inclusive resort as a haunt can get. Including a hayride, nine mazes, escape rooms, and stage shows performed on a regular interval, it has something for even the most eccentric, esoteric, or even mellow Halloween tastes. As the most family-friendly Halloween experience we’ve found in the northeast, The Headless Horseman in Ulster Park, NY is a veritable town of frights, foods, and fun.
Driving up to The Headless Horseman is a treat in and of itself. Just when you start to give up hope that there could be anything to be found in the darkened hills of upstate New York, you set your eyes on a massive property that is decorated and groomed to suit a queen’s needs. I’m not sure if we had impeccable timing or The Headless Horseman has been able to master fog effects better than anyone else, but there was a cool mist over the whole property while we were there that made it seem like more of a dream than a nightmare. Dewy glow aside, I feel I cannot emphasize enough how warm and welcoming the entrance area is and, moreover, how thoroughly intoxicating the smell of warm cider and doughnuts can be. The Headless Horseman manages to execute just the right balance between autumnal treats and All Hallow’s Eve terrors.
The hayride is the anchor attraction for The Headless Horseman. “A Deal with the Devil” is this year’s hayride theme and, given the premium special effects and sets, it is, by far, The Headless Horseman’s crown jewel. Once on the hayride, you’ll get treated to a complete narrative experience along with a whole cast of characters and creatures. Given that you—along with your fellow riders—will be along for a devilish good time, you’ll be treated to our own personal favorite encounter of the night: Old Scratch, the devil’s influencer. He’s salty, sassy, and ready to pounce the moment you look away. If you happen to catch Old Scratch while you’re there, tell him we send our love!
Perhaps the cleverst aspect of The Haunted Horseman is that the hayride is your mode of transportation to the mazes. In addition to being wowed by the sheer scale of this operation, we were particularly taken by the way each house was linked together by a corn maze. Because you never fully exit a scare zone, you’ll be on your toes even before you enter the next house. While each of the nine houses have their strengths, two stood out to us: Lunar Motel and Two Raven Manor. As the beginning and end of The Headless Horseman’s attractions respectively, they pack the most punch in terms of visuals, actors, and effects. It’s not in my person to spoil any of the surprises, but expect to let loose some hearty chuckles and throaty screams the whole way through The Headless Horseman, especially in the final rooms of the Lunar Motel and Two Raven Manor.
Owned and operated by Michael Jubie, a retired detective, and his wife Nancy Jubie, a retired nurse, for over 25 years, The Headless Horseman has grown alongside the Jubies and their family of dedicated employees. This tightly knit community that works year-round on the property makes itself known through the care and attention to detail brought to each and every aspect of guests’ experiences at The Headless Horseman. When we say that this haunt is family friendly, we don’t mean that its attractions aren’t scary—in fact, their many sets, actors, and costumes are creatively weird and wild—but everything seems more up to code, safely constructed, and carefully surveilled than other haunts we’ve been to. Given Michael Jubie’s background in law enforcement, we felt there was no way a rotten apple could sneak into the bunch and ruin anyone else’s fun. For this reason, The Headless Horseman gets a gold star for keeping rowdy crowds at bay. Should you and your group want to double-down on family friendly fun, then we recommend making your way to The Headless Horseman for their Children’s Day on October 26th, which promises a tiny taste of terror for your toothsome tots.
General admission tickets to The Headless Horseman start at $42 and you have the option to add a Scream Pass for $25 which would give you the ability to skip to the front of the line. Sundays seem to be less busy, but the additional Scream Pass would be recommended for those who may expect to get antsy or impatient on a Friday or Saturday. The Headless Horseman will be operating Thursdays through Sundays from now until the first weekend of October. And, should you not be able to do the trek to Ulster Park, fear not! The Headless Horseman gets a Christmas overlay each year for Frosty Fest! Even though A Frosty Fest isn’t fearful occasion, The Headless Horseman makes sure you get your fill of holiday lights once your Halloween pumpkin finally folds in on itself.
