Spooky spots

With Halloween just around the corner, The Hill sought out three of the most haunted places in D.C. Depending on your tastes, there’s something for everyone — from a family outing, a date night, or a group of friends looking for a pre-Halloween scare.

1. Bennett’s Curse Haunted Attractions:

Bennett’s Curse gives participants the most fright for their buck. The theme park is an old castle, full of cursed knights, vampires, and creatures of the dark dominion. Its main features include the Castle Bennett, the House of the Vampires, and the Sanctuary of Insanity, which includes the Dominion of Darkness — an inflatable labyrinth of pitch-black hallways. You will encounter psychopaths, bloodthirsty dragons, and maybe find the vortex to the underworld. This attraction is recommended for those over the age of 10, costs $20, and is located in Hanover, Md. Check it out at bennettscurse.com .

2. Capital Hauntings:

For those who love fun historical tidbits and ghost stories, the Capital Hauntings tour in Lafayette Park is the perfect fit. The tour guides walk you through the historical site, telling of the rich history in the area — of the scandal, murders, and suicides that encompassed the park long ago. You will also hear about the activities of some of the most famous ghosts and spirits, including Dolley Madison and several others who still haunt the area around the White House. The tour runs every Friday until Halloween, costs $10, and meets at the 15th and I NW exit of the McPherson Square Metro. Visit http://washingtonwalks.com/tours/dc-hauntings.shtml .

3. Alexandria’s Original Ghost and Graveyard Tour:

Another great haunted tour is Alexandria’s Original Ghost and Graveyard Tour put on by Alexandria Colonial Tours. This tour is also full of mysteries, stories of romance, and ghosts, and participants will walk through Old Town Alexandria guided by a guide in 18th-century garb and a lantern light. To top it off, the tour ends in an Alexandria graveyard. The tour is one hour and six blocks long, costs $10, and runs every Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Learn more at www.alexcolonialtours.com/graveyard.html .

4. Markoff’s Haunted Forest:

The forest is celebrating its 16th year scaring the bejesus out of its patrons (whom they call victims). I attended the forest on opening night with some of my closest friends and let’s just say having a goblin chase you chanting “Pretty Kate! Pretty Kate!” and then consequently dreaming about it later, Markoff’s achieved its goal.

The Markoff brothers decided to start a summer camp in 1993 and proceeds from the forest benefit the camp. All patrons must sign a waiver before entering, because the forest is a little uneven at times, and just as a warning: what’s in there is pretty darn scary.

Markoff’s Haunted Forest is at 19120 Martinsburg Road in Dickerson, Md. Tickets: $25 per victim and $20 per child (victims under 46 inches). Open: weekends through Halloween, from about 6 to10:30 p.m.

Kate Oczypok contributed to this article.