The attraction, entering its ninth year, debuted two new escape rooms. The Hotel Olson is an old hotel, shrouded in mystery after a string of disappearances. In The Basement, the power has been cut off. This forces those who enter to use lanterns as their only source of light. Manager Elizabeth Anselmo described the reactions these haunted houses have received from attendees.

“We’ve got a lot of screams happening right now,” she said. “It’s been really good. It’s our second night open but we’ve had a lot of fun and people are enjoying both of the buildings.”

Year after year, New Ulm Nightmares have looked to hone their craft and deliver more spine-chilling haunts than before. Anselmo said their haunted houses provide a unique experience for the people of New Ulm.

“A lot of people don’t really know what the traditional haunted house experience is,” she said. “We provide family fun for people to come out with food vendors and photo ops too.”

Two giant skeletons hold a Happy Halloween sign outside one of the haunted houses, The Basement. A unique feature is it’s pitch black atmosphere, forcing each participant to use only a lantern for light.

This year has seen New Ulm Nightmares expand its offerings. There are two five-minute escape rooms. In Sound the Alarm, you have to solve puzzles and find clues to sound the alarm. In Lights Out, the room is pitch black. Using only flashlights and their wits, participants have to escape. Anselmo said this expansion came from the owner’s travels to other haunted houses.

“Our owner likes to go visit other haunts all over the country,” she said. “He’s enjoyed escape rooms when he’s been to other places. I thought we would try it this year and see how it’s going. Yesterday we only had one [group escape] all night long.”

Also added was Pumpkin Chuckin. Participants can use a slingshot to launch three miniature pumpkins at a graveyard of skeletons. Anselmo said this has been popular, with attendees excited to give the skeletons a good walloping.

Anselmo said the themes are planned out well in advance. As this year’s iteration plays out, the theme for next year has already been decided. To keep the magic and frights alive, it will not be revealed until next year. Anselmo did reveal they are planning to expand even further, their 10th anniversary.

New Ulm Nightmares will be open the weekend before Halloween from 7-10 p.m. each night. Their last opening will be Halloween night, from 6-9 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.newulmnightmares.com/

Lexi Lee (left) helps Gabby Wegscheid (right) launch pumpkins at New Ulm Nightmares Saturday. Pumpkin throwing is a new addition this year, allowing participants to slingshot small pumpkins at a graveyard of skeletons.