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According to the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA), haunted houses aren't just for Halloween anymore.

"There are over four dozen haunted attractions scattered across North America that are open all or most of the year," says Bill Criscione, Vice President of the IAHA. Many of these haunted attractions are in tourist rich cities like Myrtle Beach, Wisconsin Dells, or Niagara Falls.

In recent years, even seasonal haunted houses have dramatically expanded their operating schedules. "Many now open in early September," said IAHA President Timothy Gavinski, "and with Halloween falling on a Wednesday this year, many will stay open through early November."

For a list of year-round haunted houses visit www.iahaweb.com.

Modern horror icons Freddy Kreuger, Jason, and Leatherface are heading to Halloween Horror Nights 17 at Universal studios this Halloween season.

Universal studios is running a contest now through August 15, 2007, where the winner receives a trip for four (4) to either Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Hollywood to attend this year's Halloween Horror Nights. To enter, click here.

Wannado City, America's first indoor role-playing theme park for kids based in South Florida, has recently opened M-Lab. Created by Motorola, M-Lab emplowers young visitors to discover a career in innovation while touching upon science and technology in a high-tech, highly immersive environment.

In a press release, Peter Aloumanis, vice president, Motorola Sales & Services, is quoted as saying: "As a global technology company with a significant presence in South Florida -- and a major facility literally down the street from Wannado City -- it only made sense that we should have a venue [there]. With Motorola's more than 75-year history in technological innovation, we feel it is particularly appropriate to invest in the future by introducing children to innovation at a young age."

Designed by Gensler for children ages 8-12, the Motorola M-Lab simulates a scientific laboratory. Each visitor plays the role of an M-Ventor(TM) tasked with helping different organizations solve difficult problems using technology, teamwork and innovation. Assigned a sub-role within the M-Ventor teams, children must work together using an interactive video game to solve the problem.

"Wannado City is excited to have Motorola join our city," Luis Laresgoiti, chief creative officer of Wannado City said in the press release. "With the introduction of a science and technology venue, Motorola will provide kids with a fun and educational experience that is a perfect compliment to our existing professions."

Located in South Florida's Sawgrass Mills, the state's largest mall and the number two tourist destination in Florida, Wannado City is an indoor 140,000 square-feet facility -- the size of three football fields. Here, "kids can do what they Wannado"(TM), enabling children to experience a variety of occupations, from fire fighter to doctor to airline pilot.

For more information:
www.wannadocity.com
www.motorola.com/m-lab

OK. This isn't really genre travel, but I thought it would be of interested anyway.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game," iPulp Fiction Library will publish this classic story exclusively online. First published in the August 1977 issue of Analog, Ender's Game tells the story of a child prodigy being groomed to command Earth's starfleet in a war against an alien race. It has since spawned an epic series of novels that spans thousands of years and traverses the known universe and beyond.

Here's more about it form the press release:

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"Cheap short fiction - it's the lifeblood of literature," Mr. Card said, commenting on the literary value of pulp stories. The iPulp Fiction Library updates the legacy of dime novels and pulp magazines, providing free, quality genre fiction to new generations of readers age 10 to adult.

"Seasoned sci-fi fans will enjoy reading the original story that launched the saga of Ender Wiggins," said KB Shaw, publisher of the iPulp Fiction Library. "It's also a great way to introduce young readers to the genre. Ender's Game is filled with action, ideas, and unforgettable characters, making it ideal for use in the classroom. It will capture the imagination of even the most reluctant young male reader."

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You can find iPulp at www.incwell.com or www.ipulpfiction.com. Ender's Game will be published in two parts, starting with the July 1st issue. A version of the story formatted for optimal viewing on the Apple iPhone will also be posted.

Wes Craven said in a recent interview with Matt Withers of JoBlo.com that his Las Vegas show, Wes Craven's Magick Macabre, is coming along well.

"It's coming along well. [Producer] John [McColgan] has been preoccupied with PIRATE QUEEN on Broadway. We're just kind of waiting for that to settle down, but it's good. We've got a script and have had a lot of interest."

For more of the interview, click here. Or you can go right to the show's official website.