Take a quick scan of the local haunted house real estate market, and it looks like the Grinch has stolen Halloween this year.

The doors of a few major haunted attractions won't be creaking open this season: Fright Nights, a 14-year tradition at Station Square, is homeless, because the Amphitheater move to Sandcastle won't happen until next year. And special-effects wizard Tom Savini's Terrormania is on hold for this year at least.

Others -- like good zombies -- are coming back from the dead. Terrors by the Lake, which missed two years because of a fire, is back in a new location in Hampton.

The Scarehouse in Etna has a new permanent location this Halloween season -- a former theater and Elks facility that has been converted into two haunted attractions -- Hall of Nightmares, a classic haunted house, and Screamatorium, a more modern attraction in the vein of horror films such as "Saw."

Scott Simmons of Undead Productions hopes some of the displaced haunted house traffic "will translate into more business" for Scarehouse.

Simmons has been working on haunted houses for two decades and says the business has changed. "When I started, all you needed was a black robe and a mask." Today's horror-seekers are used to bigger, badder movie special effects and demand the same from a haunted house, he says.

In creating the exhibits, they pay a lot of attention to detail and production design. "The effects are more hightech. People expect that," Simmons says. "It's definitely a PG-13 haunted house. It's not gory, but it is intense."

Kennywood Park's Phantom Fright Nights is one of the area's larger attractions, rated No. 3 Halloween event by Amusement Today. It, too, is recommended for ages 13 and up. A combination of haunted rides and "Scare Zones," Phantom Fright Nights had a good opening weekend, says Kennywood director of public relations Mary Lou Rosemeyer. "What really helps us is the beautiful weather we've had, since we're outside."

Even if you're traveling to a new haunted house in a new neighborhood, be prepared to wait to get in. Several attractions offer higher priced VIP passes, enabling ticket holders to bypass long waiting lines.

Haunts

Phantom Fright Nights

Villa of the Vampire, Mortem Manor, Fort Despair, Death Valley Haunted Ghost Town and more. Not recommended for children under 13. Kennywood Park. Through Oct. 27. Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m.-1 a.m., plus Oct. 7, 7-11 p.m. $21 at the gate, $18 in advance at Giant Eagle locations. 412-461-0500; www.phantomfrightnights.com.

Terrors by the Lake

Haunted house designed by special effects artist Benzy. Presented by Western Pennsylvania Children's Charities, Inc., with proceeds going to local children's charities. Wildwood Highlands Family Fun Center, 2330 Wildwood Road, Hampton. Through Oct. 31. Wed., Thurs. and Sun. 7:30-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 7:30-11 p.m. $10. www.terrorsbythelake.org.

Hundred Acres Manor Haunted House

The Fun House, Manor Creek Bog, Hillbilly Hell, The Maze and more. Proceeds benefit Animal Friends and Homeless Children's Education Fund. Hundred Acres Drive, off Corrigan Drive, South Park. Through Oct. 28. Wed., Thurs. and Sun. 7-10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 7-11:30 p.m. $13. 412-851-HAUNT; www.hundredacresmanor.org.

The Scarehouse

Hall of Nightmares and Screamatorium. May be too intense for children under 13. 118 Locust St., Etna. Through Oct. 28. Thurs.-Sun., doors open at 7 p.m. $13. 412-781-5885; www.scarehouse.com.

Demon House

Monongahela, off the 43 Turnpike. Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 25-28, 31, Nov. 2-3. Doors open at 7 p.m. Box office closes at midnight Fri. and Sat. and at 11 p.m. Thurs., Sun. and Halloween. $15. www.demonhouse.com.

Scream Asylum

Three levels of haunts, geared to mild and brave visitors, plus carnival and rides. Trader Jack's, Thoms Run Road, Bridgeville. Through Oct. 28. Thurs. and Sun. 7-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 7-11:30 p.m. $13. www.screamasylum.com.

Temple of Terror

House of the Dead, Zombie Encounter and sideshows. Benefits Syria Shrine Center. Syria Shrine Center, Harmar. Through Oct. 30. Fri.-Sat. 7-11 p.m.; Sun., Mon. and Tues. 7-10 p.m. $12. 724-274-7000; www.templeofterror.net.

Fright Farm

Rich Farms, Route 857, Smithfield. Oct. 4-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-31. Wed., Thurs. and Sun., dusk to 10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., dusk to midnight. $15. 724-564-7644 or 1-888-564-7644; www.frightfarm.com.

Castle Blood

2860 Main St. (Route 40), Beallsville, Washington County. Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 31. Ticket booth open 7-10 p.m. $13. Also No-Scare daylight tours Oct. 21 and 28 1-4 p.m. $5. 724-632-3242; www.castleblood.com

Cheeseman's Fright Farm

Mazes, hayride and haunted house. Cheeseman Road, off Route 19, Portersville, Butler County. Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 18-21, 25-28, 31, Nov. 1-3; dusk to at least 10 p.m. Thurs. and Sun. $10, Fri. and Sat. $12. 724-368-3233; www.cheesemanfarm.com.

Alameda Park Haunted Bonfire

Storytelling, bonfire and refreshments. Kids invited to come in costume. Alameda Park, North New Castle Road on Alameda Park Road, two miles west of Butler. Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m. $5. 724-284-5383.

Halloween Trail

Haunted trail and treats for kids. Hospital Fitness Trail, Canonsburg General Hospital. Oct. 18. 4-5:30 p.m. Free. 724-873-5835.

Other happenings

Hallowboo!

Family Halloween celebration, with trick-or-treating in Storybook Forest, hay bale maze, haunted train ride and more. Idlewild Park, Ligonier. Oct. 6-7,13-14, 20-21, 27-28, noon-6 p.m. $18.95. 724-238-3666; www.idlewild.com.

Halloween Hayride

Pine Community Park, Pearce Mill Road, Pine. Oct. 19-20, 6-9 p.m. $3 adults, $2 children. 724-625-1591.

KDKA Zooboo for Kids' Sake

ZooBoo, with Haunted House, not-so-spooky Train Ride, Creepy Crafts and Monster Splash at the PPG Aquarium, moves to daylight hours. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Highland Park. Oct. 20-21, 27-28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with zoo admission. 412-665-3640; zoo.pgh.pa.us.

Owl-o-ween

Free treat bags for kids, plus hands-on craft projects. Kids under 12 in costume admitted free. National Aviary, North Side. Oct. 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31. $9 adults, $8 seniors, $7.50 children 2 and older. 412-323-7235; www.aviary.org.

Zombie Fest

Second annual Zombie event presented by WBGN's "It's Alive" show, Oct. 27-28. Zombie Ball with live bands Sat., 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Zombie Walk at Monroeville Mall Sun. 10 a.m. (registration 9 a.m.. Also gaming tournaments, speakers, films and more. Monroeville Expo Mart. $15 per day; $28 in advance for both days. Zombie Ball tickets $15 at the door. www.theitsaliveshow.com/Zombiefest2007.htm.

Night of the Singing Dead

Over-21 show featuring local musicians performing as departed music legends. Rex Theatre, 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. Oct. 27, 8 p.m. $13. www.nightofthesingingdead.com.

Halloween Happenings

Ghost stories, treats and refreshments. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Schenley Park. Free with conservatory admission. Oct. 28, 4-8 p.m. 412-622-6914; www.phipps.conservatory.org.

Bump in the Night

Non-scary family event. Frick Environmental Center, 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Squirrel Hill. Oct. 12-13, 19-20, 7-9 p.m. $10 adults, $8 children. Advance registration required. 412-422-6538.

Gateway Clipper Fleet Halloween Cruises

Murder Mystery Cruise, Oct. 24. Boards at 5:30 p.m., sails at 6:30 p.m. $39.95 adults, $35.95 seniors, $9.95/children.

Halloween Rocker with The Clarks, Oct. 26. Boards at 8 p.m., sails at 9 p.m. $25.

Halloween Dance with Donnie Iris, Oct. 27. Boards at 7 p.m., sails at 8 p.m. $20.

Kids' Halloween Monster Party Cruises, Oct. 28. Boards at 10 a.m., sails at 11 a.m. Second cruise boards at 1 p.m., sails 1:30 p.m. $16 adults, $14.50 seniors, $9.50 children.

Pumpkin Patch Trolley

Scenic fall trolley rides. Kids can pick out pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch and decorate them. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, near Washington County Fairgrounds. Oct. 12-14, 19-21, 26-28. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Adults $7, seniors $6, children 3-15 $4. 724-228-9256; www.pa-trolley.org.

2nd Annual Party in Pink Gala and Masquerade

Over-21 event presented by Star 100.7 and National City Bank in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Theme is Haunted Hollywood -- dress as a favorite celebrity past or present. Proceeds benefit Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation. James Center, 327 S. Main St., West End. Oct. 27, 8-11 p.m., with VIP patron reception 7-8 p.m. $25; VIP tickets $50. www.1007.com.

Northern Nightmares

Nightmare Bus Tour of spooky sites in Zelienople and Harmony, plus monster movies, Un-Beauty Pageant and entertainment. Oct. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27. Hourly tours 6:30-9:30 p.m. $8 tour, other activities free. 724-742-0400; www.northernnightmares.com.

Chiller Theater

Double feature screenings of classic horror films. Part of North Nightmares event. Beecher's Gelato & Gourmet Coffee. Beecher's Cafe, 204 South Main St., Zelienople. Oct. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27. 7 and 9 p.m. Free. 724-742-0400; www.northernnightmares.com/chiller_theater_schedule.htm.

Hobgoblin Hikes

Guided walk through haunted woods in two Westmoreland County parks. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Northmoreland Park, Oct. 19; Mammoth Park, Oct. 26; 7-9 p.m. Free. 724-830-3959; www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks.

Eerie Horror Film Festival

Annual horror film festival with appearances by Jason Mewes, Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Savini and others. See Web site for complete schedule. Erie Playhouse, Erie, Oct. 10-14. 1-814-873-4500; www.eeriehorrorfest.com.

Haunted Village

Presented by West Overton Museums. West Overton Village, Scottdale. Oct. 26-28, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $10 adults, $5 seniors and students, free under 6. 724-887-7910.

Pumpkinfest

PumpkinFest Queen Pageant, 5K run/walk, antique and classic auto show, parade, pumpkin contest, arts and crafts and food vendors. Confluence. Oct. 5-7. www.confluencepumpkinfest.org.

Pumpkin Fest

Conneaut Lake Park. Rides, music, pumpkin painting and more. Oct. 12-14. Fri. 4-10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. www.pumpkinfest.conneautlake.com/entertainment.html.

Pumpkin Festival

Reeger's Farm, Laurel Road, near Indiana. Oct. 6, 13; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 724-463-0440; www.reegersfarm.com.

Children's Harvest Day Festival

Allegheny Commons Park (East Park), North Side. Oct. 13, 1-5 p.m.

Brightwood Pumpkinfest

Horace Mann School Field, Brightwood, Oct. 20. 1-3 p.m.

Creepy Hollow

Haunted trail through woods. Proceeds benefit Hookstown Volunteer Fire Dept. Hookstown VFD, 102 Silver Slipper Road, Hookstown. Oct. 12-13,19-20, 26-27, 31. Dusk to 11 p.m. $5. 724-573-4111; hookvfd.org.

Haunted Hills Hayride and the Valley of Darkness

Route 48 (a half-mile north of the intersection with Route 30), North Versailles. Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 18-21, 24-30. Fri.-Sat. 7-11 p.m.; Sun. and weekdays 7-10 p.m. $10 each attraction, or $15 for both. 412-824-1214.