Anna Knapp’s Halloween tour of horrifying horror, part two – ‘The Haunted Majestic’

By Anna Knapp, RealWV

Located on the Ohio River in Huntington, is one of the most unique haunted attractions I have ever visited. A repurposed World War II medical barge is now the only floating haunted house in West Virginia, The Haunted Majestic.

The attraction’s sheer uniqueness alone makes it a must stop for anyone traveling through the area this spooky season. 

Once parked you make your way to the ticket booth where you will be presented with several different ticketing options. This year you have the option to walk through the barge, a haunted trail, and they are offering a virtual zombie hunting game in their midway. You can purchase them separately, or get the “Mega Haunt” pass to experience all of what the attraction has to offer.

While I was waiting for the barge and the “Trail of Terror” to open, I took a trip around their midway. The attraction offers concessions, a ton of carnival style games with a spooky twist, the virtual zombie game, and they have a merch store that is located on a barge itself! 

After enjoying the midway and hunting virtual zombies, it was time to go into the first attraction – the haunted barge!

My walkthrough was much different from last year, and I think the changes they made to the attraction were great. Last year you walked through a trail to get to the barge, but this year you are picked up by an ATV and take a short wagon ride to the barge.

While you are on the wagon, you will hear coast guard rules played on a speaker. Since the Haunted Majestic is on a boat, they have to work hard to provide for the safety of each and every guest. In order to ensure that level of safety, the walkthroughs all consist of small groups, and are guided by someone in the front and rear of the group at all times. 

The barge is an immersive experience of jump scares, animatronics, jarring sounds, and tight corners. My partner and I were paired up with a group of people we did not know, and they made the experience even more enjoyable.

I love seeing actors get a reaction out of guests because I know how good it feels to get a good scare.

At about the halfway mark, you will meet a comedic Merman who will tell a few jokes, and maybe even sing you a song. This also gives you the chance to look out at the still waters of the Ohio River just below where you are standing. The whole walkthrough was a very detailed experience that embraces the nautical atmosphere.

The set designs will keep you guessing about what could be around the next corner. While this attraction isn’t the scariest, it is in keeping with the “moderate” rating the website advertises – making this attraction a very kid-friendly experience that the whole family can enjoy.

Next we got in line for the “Trail of Terror,” and the attraction advertises this experience as “intense.” Compared to the barge tour, this attraction did up the intensity where you will meet zombies, clowns, grim reapers, chainsaws and a real SNAKE!

From graveyards, to school buses, to bubble filled corridors – with scenes that were so eerily quiet that you could hear yourself breathing – builds to the suspense of not knowing what was next. My favorite part of the trail was when I walked up on a girl that was giving off major “The Ring” vibes. Jump scares are fun in haunted houses, but this girl gave me chills just by standing still as I walked by her. 

Overall the Haunted Majestic is a must visit for the spooky season. The uniqueness and the history behind this attraction makes your visit so much fun.

They make it enjoyable for all ages, and something friends and family can do together. The owner, Dana, and this crew put a lot of hard work into this attraction, and it shows. My visit from start to finish was fun and I cannot wait to go back next season. 

For more information, including directions or to purchase tickets, visit hauntedmajestic.com.