2 new Halloween haunted houses set for Long Island this season

Two new haunted houses are headed to Long Island this Halloween season: one in Nassau and the other in Suffolk. Here's the rundown on each "nightmare"-themed attraction.

'Nightmare in Nassau'

1500 Old Country Road, Unit 207, Westbury

NYPD Deputy Chief Frank DiGiacomo, of Floral Park, and his partner, retired FDNY firefighter Chris Landano, spent nine years putting on haunts in Park Slope, Brooklyn and Bayside, Queens. Now, the duo is coming to Samanea New York in Westbury with "Nightmare in Nassau" from Sept. 26 to Nov. 2.

"We feel like we fit well in the mall because all the places inside are geared toward family entertainment," DiGiacomo says. Located on the second floor, down from the Cheesecake Factory and RYCO's Escape Room & Lounge, the 10,000-square-foot haunt features more than 20 rooms themed to haunting scenarios using up to 25 live actors.

"Each room gets more in depth with various scary experiences," DiGiacomo says. "Attendees get hit with a lot of scares right from the beginning. There are animatronics, special effects, theatrical lighting and puppets."

Rooms include a Werewolf Room, an Evil Egyptian Room, a Scary Baby Room, a Brutal Butcher Room, a Nasty Nurses' Room and a Jekyll & Hyde Room.

"At the end, you go through a vortex tunnel into a 3D clown room," DiGiacomo says. "It’s a wild conclusion."

Live haunt actors interact with people in the queue line, plus photo ops with them are available and a merchandise table has items for sale. A not-so-scary haunt will be offered on select days for all ages.

• WHEN Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (plus Monday, Oct. 13), 7 p.m. to midnight, Sept. 26-Nov. 2; not-so-scary haunt: noon to 4 p.m., Oct. 11-13, 18-19, 25-26, Nov. 1-2
• COST $34.99-$49.99
• MORE INFO nightmareinnassau.com

Nightmare on Main Street Presents: 'Escape from the Penitentiary'

155 W. Main St.

Be careful when walking down West Main Street in Smithtown, as you might accidentally end up behind bars. Bull Smith's Tavern is opening a new haunt called Nightmare on Main Street Presents: "Escape from the Penitentiary," which will run Oct. 10 through Nov. 2.

Guests will enter a prison below the streets housing notorious criminals. "They will board the ‘hellevator’ that simulates them being lowered into the prison," co-owner Max Feinberg says. "Somewhere on the ride down all hell breaks loose."

This 6,000-square-foot facility, designed by  Abracadabra NYC, will use a dozen live actors plus animatronics within a series of rooms, mazes and hallways.

"We are focused on the storytelling aspect. This is not just a haunt where you open the door, walk through and get scared," Feinberg says. "It’s very immersive where the guests become part of the storyline. That starts from the minute they get their ticket to the minute they escape ... if they are able to."

It's important to note that the scare factor here is intense; it's not recommended for young children or those who frighten easily. Those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

"We are trying to scare people’s pants off; that’s the goal here," Feinberg warns. "This is not designed to be a family-friendly experience."

The outdoor facility is adjacent to the restaurant, which will also match the Halloween spirit in its decor. Each paid entry comes with a Halloween-themed cocktail or mocktail.

• WHEN Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 7 to 11 p.m., Oct. 10-Nov. 2
• COST $40
• MORE INFO nightmareonmainstreetli.com