STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Featured in this week’s Staten Ialsnd’s Best Dressed are photos of “best dressed houses” from Staten Island Haunted Houses (SIHH), a grassroots organization founded in 2022.
Their mission is simple: to make Halloween accessible, fun, and unforgettable for families across Staten Island and beyond.
“We wanted to take something we already loved and find a way to bring more people into it,” said Michael LaPayower of Huguenot, a co-founder and the group’s unofficial “Creative Operations Ghoul.” “Halloween should be easy to find, free to enjoy, and fun for everyone.”
Spooky scenes from Whispering Hollows, a haunted house attraction on Staten Island, open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout October 2025, located at 118 Duncan St. (Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)(Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)A spooky beginning
The idea sparked in July 2022 when LaPayower purchased his first animatronic Halloween decoration. Like many new home haunters, he worried about protecting his investment from the weather. Seeking advice, he reached out to Tim Imbemba of Annadale, whose 2021 Halloween display had gained attention on social media.
“Tim generously shared his tips,” LaPayower recalled. “That first message turned into a real friendship.”
Soon, LaPayower connected with another local decorator, John Dimiceli. The three began exchanging ideas, visiting each other’s setups, and offering feedback—forming the foundation of what would soon become SIHH.
By Halloween 2022, the trio was already guiding neighborhood visitors to each other’s homes.
Later that fall, the group held its first in-person meeting at Imbemba’s immersive haunt, Twisted Trails, and Staten Island Haunted Houses was officially born.
Spooky scenes from Whispering Hollows, a haunted house attraction on Staten Island, open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout October 2025, located at 118 Duncan St. (Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)(Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)Mapping the macabre
From its inception, SIHH prioritized accessibility and community connection. The group launched a website, www.sihauntedhouses.com, featuring a custom Google Map highlighting verified Halloween displays.
Each location is approved by the homeowner and vetted through video calls or in-person visits.
Lawn signs with QR codes make it easy for trick-or-treaters and Halloween fans to pull up the map from the street. Their digital footprint extends across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, helping to spread the haunted cheer even further.
“We don’t rank displays,” LaPayower emphasized. “We don’t want anyone to feel like their hard work isn’t good enough. Instead, our map is organized by driving routes so families can make the most of their night.”
Among the highlights this year is Whispering Hollows, a haunted house attraction created by Tom Cavagnaro. Located at 118 Duncan St., the walk-through haunt is open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout October 2025.
Organizers describe it as one of the must-see stops on the map: “The wait is over—Whispering Hollows is officially open Friday, Saturday and Sundays 6:30–9:30 throughout the month of October 2025. Custom props and a walk through a haunted house. It’s a house on the list you don’t want to miss.”
Spooky scenes from Whispering Hollows, a haunted house attraction on Staten Island, open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout October 2025, located at 118 Duncan St. (Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)(Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)
Spooky scenes from Whispering Hollows, a haunted house attraction on Staten Island, open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout October 2025, located at 118 Duncan St. (Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)(Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)
Spooky scenes from Whispering Hollows, a haunted house attraction on Staten Island, open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout October 2025, located at 118 Duncan St. (Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)(Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)
“Halloween Dead End on Rathbun” is located at
362 Rathbun Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10312.
(Courtesy Michael Lapayower, Chris MacNair and Crystal MacNair)(Courtesy Chris and Crystal MacNair)
“Halloween Dead End on Rathbun” is located at
362 Rathbun Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10312.
(Courtesy Michael Lapayower, Chris MacNair and Crystal MacNair)(Courtesy Chris and Crystal MacNair)
“Halloween Dead End on Rathbun” is located at
362 Rathbun Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10312.
(Courtesy Michael Lapayower, Chris MacNair and Crystal MacNair)(Courtesy Chris and Crystal MacNair)
“Halloween Dead End on Rathbun” is located at
362 Rathbun Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10312.
(Courtesy Michael Lapayower, Chris MacNair and Crystal MacNair)(Courtesy Chris and Crystal MacNair)
“Halloween Dead End on Rathbun” is located at
362 Rathbun Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10312.
(Courtesy Michael Lapayower, Chris MacNair and Crystal MacNair)(Courtesy Chris and Crystal MacNair)
Spooky scenes from Whispering Hollows, a haunted house attraction on Staten Island, open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout October 2025, located at 118 Duncan St. (Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)(Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)
Spooky scenes from Whispering Hollows, a haunted house attraction on Staten Island, open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout October 2025, located at 118 Duncan St. (Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)(Courtesy Tom Cavagnaro)
Vincent Peragine, a longtime member of Staten Island Haunted Houses, submitted these photos of his Halloween display, “Terror on the Tracks,” located at 203 South Railroad Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10312. The display is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (Courtesy Vincent Peragine)Courtesy Vincent Peragine
Vincent Peragine, a longtime member of Staten Island Haunted Houses, submitted these photos of his Halloween display, “Terror on the Tracks,” located at 203 South Railroad Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10312. The display is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (Courtesy Vincent Peragine)Courtesy Vincent Peragine
Vincent Peragine, a longtime member of Staten Island Haunted Houses, submitted these photos of his Halloween display, “Terror on the Tracks,” located at 203 South Railroad Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10312. The display is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (Courtesy Vincent Peragine)Courtesy Vincent Peragine
Vincent Peragine, a longtime member of Staten Island Haunted Houses, submitted these photos of his Halloween display, “Terror on the Tracks,” located at 203 South Railroad Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10312. The display is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (Courtesy Vincent Peragine)Courtesy Vincent Peragine
Vincent Peragine, a longtime member of Staten Island Haunted Houses, submitted these photos of his Halloween display, “Terror on the Tracks,” located at 203 South Railroad Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10312. The display is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (Courtesy Vincent Peragine)Courtesy Vincent Peragine
Vincent Peragine, a longtime member of Staten Island Haunted Houses, submitted these photos of his Halloween display, “Terror on the Tracks,” located at 203 South Railroad Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10312. The display is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (Courtesy Vincent Peragine)Courtesy Vincent Peragine
Vincent Peragine, a longtime member of Staten Island Haunted Houses, submitted these photos of his Halloween display, “Terror on the Tracks,” located at 203 South Railroad Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10312. The display is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (Courtesy Vincent Peragine)Courtesy Vincent Peragine
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