Ah, October. It's fall, the leaves are changing colors, it's finally sweater season, and hot chocolate becomes a necessity. Unless you’re like me. Screw the sweater, hot chocolate is good -- but leaves? They’ll grow back! It’s time for haunted farms. Ghouls, goblins, zombies, ghosts -- that's the best part about October. If you love being scared out of your own skin and being afraid to sleep alone for a week, you’re in luck! Tennessee and even Kentucky have some of the best haunted farms around! I’ve done some research and have narrowed down some of the best haunted farms in a 50 mile radius of Martin, Tenn.

Fear Factory.

If you’re willing to take a short drive to Union City, Tenn., you can enjoy 8,000 square feet and three floors of screams for only $12. They even have a Toxic Zombie Paintball attraction that costs $15 -- or you can do both for only $25 (talk about a deal). Pre-warning you, when I went they did touch the participants -- which for me is pretty cool -- but if you are going to punch a worker, it may not be the place for you.

• Dates: Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 30, and 31.
• Open: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Address: 106 South First Street, Union City, TN 38261
• Phone: 731-504-6547

The Slaughter House.

I personally am dying to go to this one! It is only $10 -- they only take cash -- and consists of over 35 rooms. Coolest part? It was an actual slaughter house! They have a website that tells more about the history behind the slaughter house, too!

• Dates: Oct. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31.
• Open: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
• Open: 7 pm to 10 p.m. on Sunday (Blackout Extreme)
• Address: 10537 Kentucky 80 West Fancy Farm, KY 42039
• Phone: 315-529-0320.

The 13th Realm

I’ve heard the most positive feedback from this haunted attraction. They have great special effects, and even interact and even give you a little pre-scare while you are standing in line. I suggest you go early and get in line because it gets very busy closer to Halloween and some have said to wait in line for an hour or two. On their Facebook page, they have a 4.6 to 5.0 rating -- I’d say it’s totally worth the drive -- and at only $13 it’s not too costly! There is also a Minions Pass that is $22.

• Dates: Oct. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 ,18, 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31.
• Open: 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
• Open: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.
• Address: 10486 Route 220 Atwood, TN 38220
• Phone: 731-662-4433.

Zombie Trail Paintball.

This is a newer attraction to Humboldt, but from what I’ve heard, it is very fun! How often will you get to say you shot a bunch of zombies with a paintball gun? They provide all of the supplies for a decent price! Each ride is one mile, but you pay mostly by how many paintballs you want to shoot. $15 for 100 paintballs; $20 for 200 paintballs; $25 for 300 paintballs! It’s definitely something worth trying, plus after midterms it’ll be a good stress relief.

• Dates: Oct. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31.
• Open: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• Open: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays.
• Address: 1533 Mason Grove Road Humboldt, TN 38343
• Phone: 731-487-1661

Talon Falls.

Talon Falls is probably one of the largest haunted parks in the area. The best part is that they have so many different options for what you can do there, they have a Screampark ($18) Dead End House ($12), Haunted Hayride ($12), Sinister Circus ($12), and now an Escape Room (can be booked online). You can do the Combo (not including the escape room) for $50 per person. From what I’ve heard, it is worth every penny and people go back every year!

• Dates: October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31^st
• Open: 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• Open: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
• Address: 2932 State Route 849 West, Melber, KY 42069
• Phone: 270-674-5690.

Medina Haunted Farm.

Being from the funky cold Medina, it was always a tradition. You go into a large shed-like building (theme changes every year), then you are guided into a haunted trail through the woods, and finally into the home of the farmer and his wife that dies there many years ago. If you decide to go, also stop by the Medina Doll House at Hope Hill Cemetery. Please be respectful of her grave, this is a real grave and shouldn’t be vandalized or messed with in any way. There is a man that lives near there and will ask you to leave if you act out of hand. I went a few years ago for the first time and I’ve never been so scared in my life!

• Dates: Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31.
• Open: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Price isn’t exact, but is usually $8.
• Address: Cumberland Street, Medina, TN 38355
• Phone: 731-562-7508.