Gwinnett Daily Post

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It's a chance to visit a late 1800s sanitarium for the criminally insane, without a time machine or a lobotomy. Its creator cites numerous brave souls claiming it's even better than Netherworld, the Atlanta-area gold standard.

It's Terror in the Square, located at 250 Nash St., just half a mile from Lawrenceville's downtown square.

"We have animatronics, we have the large monsters and whatnot. But it's the actors that get you. That's the real scare factor," creator Alex Shead said.

Open through Sunday this weekend and again on Friday and Saturday next week, the 70,000-square-foot house of horrors boasts more than 50 actors nightly and more than $250,000 worth of fright-inducing work.

Attractions include the Insanity and Torment tours, as well as nightly re-creations of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video by a professional dance crew.

For hours and more information, visit www.terrorinthesquare.com.

Trail of Terror

This haunted attraction beckons guests into the woods for a guided encounter with creatures from the Shadow Realm -- don't fear the woods, fear what's in them.

The attraction will be open from 7 to 11 p.m. today and Saturday and 7 p.m. until the last guest leaves Sunday. Trail of Terror is at the Olde Sharon Schoolhouse, 3604 Old Atlanta Road in Suwanee. Tickets are $13.

For those who would prefer a lighter scare, Twilight Tours are offered from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for $5 and are recommended for all ages.

For more information, visit www.fearofshadows.com.