Eerie Acres Farm

Eerie Acres Farm in Butler, at 386 Eagle Mill Road, runs a haunt with its own characters, plus a midway that opens before the scares. Gates open ahead of the walk, and the haunt itself starts at dark. A no-scare daytime visit turns the lights up and the monsters off for young kids who want the sets without the frights, and Highland cattle from Chicora come out that afternoon, with face painting and kids' activities. A witches' night adds an after-party on the midway, and food and drink rotate from night to night. If anyone in the group is young, use the no-scare day; otherwise be at the gate when it opens so the wait is shortest before dark.

Our take: Choose the no-scare daytime visit if young kids are coming; otherwise be there when the gates open.