I wasn’t planning on visiting a haunted house that day. In fact, my first answer was no. But sometimes the best adventures are the ones you never planned.
Disclosure: Greatful Moments was hosted by the North American Cryptid Museum for our visit. During our visit, we were unexpectedly invited to tour the haunted house. The thoughts and opinions in this article are our own.
If you had told me before our visit to the North American Crypted Museum that I would walk through a haunted house and then turn around and walk through it a second time, I probably would have laughed. As well as telling you your creazy. Me? In a haunted house? My first response was, “No. No. No way!”
David, our cousin Joseph—the son of Lisa and Larry Marie Bird—and I had visited the North American Cryptid Museum in Plano, Texas. We were there to explore the museum, learn about its legendary creatures, and enjoy an experience that was different from our usual outings.
We weren’t expecting a haunted-house tour to become part of the day. As we were getting ready to leave, one of the staff members invited us to see the haunted house. I hadn’t planned for that experience, and I certainly wasn’t standing there wishing someone would take me into a haunted attraction.
But the invitation came, and eventually I decided to give it a try. And guess what? I made it all the way through. Then I walked back through it again! I had so much fun checking out puppets and clocks that I almost forgot I was in a Haunted House. But just encase I remembered I kept an eye on David at all times.
I still find that funny because I had been so sure I didn’t want to go inside. Sometimes we surprise ourselves when we give something a chance, especially when we have welcoming people around us who understand that we’re a little uncertain. For the record, I am not promising that I’ve become a haunted-house enthusiast overnight. But I did have fun, and I came away with a story I will be telling for a long time.
Before we get into the details, I want to make something clear: we did not arrange a separate haunted-house visit in advance. We discovered the opportunity when we were already at the museum. The staff made us feel welcome, and that helped me feel comfortable enough to say yes after my initial refusal.
That is one of the things I appreciated about our visit. Nobody made me feel silly for being hesitant. I wasn’t pressured to pretend I was braver than I was. I was simply invited to take a look. Not because the staff wanted to frighten me they wanted me to see all the art work which was amazing.
The haunted house is located at the same Plano venue as the North American Cryptid Museum. The buildings are side by side and connected, but they are separate attractions, and visitors need to pay attention to ticket options when planning to experience both. If you haven’t read our main museum review yet, start here:
That article shares more about the museum’s exhibits, the people who made us feel welcome, and the educational opportunities I discovered during our visit. One of my favorite things about the haunted house was seeing the thirteen witches. Along with all the clocks I wasn’t expecting.
There was something about that display that caught my attention, and I found myself appreciating the creativity that went into bringing the scenes to life. As we moved through the attraction, there were so many different details to take in. We saw aquatic scenes, angels, a bar, a room that had once been a library, and a coffin. The library was especially memorable to me. I even wanted to sit in the chair!
That probably isn’t the reaction most people expect to hear about a haunted house, but I was interested in the setting and the details. Instead of spending the whole time worrying about what might happen next, I found myself looking at what the creators had put together and listening to the stories they had to share with me.
That is one reason I would encourage visitors not to rush through an attraction like this. There can be more to see than you notice on the first pass. And if you’re wondering whether I saw everything the first time, apparently not. I went back through again to get to the front of the building and saw things I had missed!
Now, I can’t tell my haunted-house story without mentioning David. I made it through the attraction without the kind of screaming I thought might happen. David, however, did get startled when our guide quietly moved out of sight and then surprised him. I am not going to pretend I didn’t find that funny.
The attraction is designed to create suspense, and sometimes it is the unexpected moment that gets you. You can be watching one thing and miss what is happening somewhere else. David has been asking when we can go back at night, so I don’t think the experience put him off too badly! As for me, I am keeping this story. I plan to tell people about it, and I may just have to take it to my grave.
The more I looked around, the more I thought about the work that goes into building an immersive attraction. A haunted house isn’t simply a collection of dark rooms. The setting, lighting, costumes, props, and placement of each detail help create the experience.
Some scenes invite you to look closely, while others are designed to make you wonder what might be waiting around the next corner. During our visit, I also had the opportunity to learn about the art studio and the creative work connected with the attractions. I found it interesting to discover how much goes into making the costumes and props.
That is another reason this experience could lead to conversations with older children and teens who enjoy art, design, storytelling, or theatrical production. Of course, the haunted house is meant to be frightening for visitors, so families should consider their children’s ages, interests, and comfort levels before deciding whether to go.
Our son Charlie chose not to join us that day because he doesn’t enjoy horror and was worried about what we might encounter. I wouldn’t want to surprise him with an experience he wasn’t comfortable trying. If we return together, I want it to be when he feels ready.
Was I afraid? This is the question Charlie asked me when I got home and this is the question I expect people to ask. I will be truthful with you I was nervous about going inside. That is why my first answer was no. But after the staff worked hard to calm my fears I wasn’t scared and yes, I would go back during the day as long as its a non-scary day and the lights are on,
As I entered, I wasn’t as anxious as I expected to be. I didn’t find myself feeling claustrophobic, and I was able to look around and enjoy the details. That doesn’t mean everyone will react the same way. People have different comfort levels, and what one person finds fun can be too intense for someone else.
I also think having a friendly guide made a difference. The invitation felt welcoming rather than intimidating, and I appreciated being able to experience something unfamiliar without feeling out of place. My biggest surprise was discovering that I enjoyed the experience enough to go through it twice. I wouldn’t have predicted that at the beginning of the day!
If you’re thinking about visiting Dark Hour Haunted House, here are some details to check before you go.
Location: Dark Hour Haunted House is located at 701 Taylor Drive, Plano, Texas 75074, at the same venue as the North American Cryptid Museum.
Operating dates: The haunted house is a seasonal attraction that operates on selected dates. For the 2026 season, the published season runs from September 19 through November 13. Always check the official calendar for the date you want.
Opening times: Hours vary by date, so don’t assume the attraction opens at the same time every night.
How long does it take? The walk-through is generally estimated at approximately 20–30 minutes. Allow extra time for waiting in line and enjoying the overall experience. We found that there was plenty to look at, and visitors who pay attention to the details may feel they need longer.
Age guidance: The attraction’s published recommendation is ages 10 and up. Parents should check current rules and consider their child’s individual comfort with frightening scenes.
Tickets: The haunted house and North American Cryptid Museum are separate attractions. Although their buildings are side by side and connected, a ticket to one does not automatically include admission to the other. Check the official ticket options for any available packages.
Food and drinks: Don’t assume there will be regular food or drink service. Check the venue’s current event information before your visit.
Official website: DarkHourHauntedHouse.com
For the museum’s hours, tours, and other visitor information, visit NorthAmericanCryptidMuseum.com.
I started the day thinking I knew exactly what I would and would not do. Visit a museum? Sure. Look at mysterious creatures? Absolutely. Walk through a haunted house? No. No. No way! But that isn’t how the day ended. A staff member invited us to take a look, I decided to try it, and I walked through the entire attraction. Then I went through it a second time.
I enjoyed the thirteen witches, the aquatic scenes, the angels, the bar, the library, and all the little details that made me want to keep looking. David got startled, which gave me another story to tell, and I left with a new appreciation for the creativity behind the experience.
Would I go back? I just might. And if I do, I will probably be paying even closer attention to the details. I might even consider a nighttime visit someday—but I am not making any promises! Sometimes an unexpected invitation leads to a memory you never would have made if you had stuck with your first answer. This time, I’m glad I changed mine.
Until next time, may your days be Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed!
HAUNTED HOUSE ADVENTURE
A Greatful Moments Spooky Exploration Activity
Ready to explore a haunted house? Whether you feel brave, nervous, curious, or a little bit of everything, this activity is all about noticing the details and remembering your adventure!
1. HOW DID YOU FEEL?
Before entering, I felt:
After going through, I felt:
2. RATE YOUR ADVENTURE
| Part of the adventure | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spookiness | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| Creativity | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| Surprises | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| Overall fun | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
3. MY FAVORITE SCENE
Which room, character, creature, or decoration stood out to you?
MY SPOOKY SCRAPBOOK
Remember the details. Tell your story. Let your imagination fly!
4. DRAW YOUR FAVORITE PART
Draw a scene, a spooky character, a mysterious room, or something you would add if you designed your own haunted attraction.
5. THE BIG SURPRISE
Did anything startle you or catch you by surprise?
6. IF I COULD DESIGN A HAUNTED HOUSE…
My haunted house would include these three things:
7. MY FINAL THOUGHTS
The best part of my adventure was…
One thing I will remember is…
Trying something new can be an adventure all by itself. You don’t have to be fearless to be brave!
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Greatful Moments
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
