Critic's Pick: Nashville Nightmare

Madison’s Nashville Nightmare is more than a simple haunted house. It is a full-fledged fear factory — a multi-attraction operation, creatively designed and staffed with a cast of committed local performers. This year’s lineup of primary attractions runs the gamut from officially licensed horror-icon status (“Jason Universe: Survive the Night”) to original science-fiction madness (“Vector Research: Code XIII”), monster mash-ups (“Fairy Tale Hell”) and, naturally, clown-based horror (“Mr. Sweets’ House of Horrors”). Nashville Nightmare also offers a pair of escape rooms — one zombie-based, the other witch-oriented — as well as a “Zombie Apocalypse Training Facility” (a shooting range with airsoft-like GellyBall pistols) and a 21-and-up secret bar with themed cocktails. For those who take Spooky Season seriously, Nashville Nightmare is a genuinely worthy group outing — though freakout fans ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. The facility kicks into high gear in October, open most nights throughout the month and a few days in November. Visit nashvillenightmare.com for tickets, hours and details. Word to the wise: Buy your tickets and fill out your waivers in advance.

Through Nov. 13 at Nashville Nightmare

1016 Madison Square, Madison