Four and a half stars
7323 E. Hanna

Hanna Haunted Acres is the Old Faithful of Indianapolis haunts – you have a pretty good idea of what you’re getting into, you know you can rely on it, it’s not going to let you down. That said, for the last few years it felt like it was falling into a bit of a rut, a little TOO familiar. I’m pleased to report that while all the old standbys are still in place, Haunted Acres has gotten a fresh coat of paint, so to speak, that makes it new and relevant even to jaded hauntgoers like me. They’ve bumped their traditional range of events – three haunted houses, a corn maze, and a hay ride – to include a sixth, the Blackout Maze, which is just what it sounds like – making your way through total darkness, and just as creepy as it sounds. The hayride, always the central attraction of Haunted Acres, is as fine as ever, with an overhaul that adds plenty of new animatronics and creepiness to the already-excellent goings-on. And, of course, it still has one of the most hair-raising finales of any haunt out there. (If you’ve never done it before, just make sure you get a seat near the back of the trailer. Trust me on this one.) At $27, Hanna Haunted Acres is a bit pricy, but it’s not just one haunted house – it’s practically a county fair of scares. You’ll be at it for at least two hours, not counting time waiting in lines, so you’ll get your money’s worth. $27 for all six events; Hannahauntedacres.com.