You know how when someone wrinkles up their nose and says, "Gaahhh...this tastes awful. Taste it." and we always, almost without fail, TASTE IT? Why, why, why do we do this? The only thing I can figure is that human nature has some inherent need to inflict self-torture. And that, my friends, is the only justification I can come up with for haunted houses. Every year, as Halloween approaches, Virginia goes in to full freak-out mode with haunted events, attractions and ghoul-infested houses to spare. So for your pleasure - or horror - we've made a list of some of the top terrifying attractions in the state. Consider yourself warned.

1. Darkwood Manor, Luray

Rated as the scariest haunted house in Virginia, Darkwood Manor earns its reputation for horror with truly terrifying interactive sets and theatrical activities. Featuring a new theme every year, Darkwood Manor presents "Wight" for 2015. Visit Darkwood Manor in downtown Luray and experience the haunting history of the manor for yourself.

2. Haunted Nightmares Haunted House, Winchester

Located at the High Hill Farm in Winchester, Haunted Nighmares lives up to its name with feature attractions like the "The Last Ride" - a buried alive simulator. With daytime and nighttime shows available, the day time tours offer a slightly less spooky experience for a younger audience, with a bouncy "haunted" house and kid-friendly maze available for the youngest visitors. Learn more about the thrills and chills awaiting you at Haunted Nightmares Haunted House.

3. Haunted Hunt Club Farm, Virginia Beach

By day, Hunt Club Farm is a beautiful farm in Virginia Beach offering a pumpkin patch, a petting farm, a country market and family friend-activities. But in the month of October, the farm transforms at night into a terrifying interactive event. Haunted Hunt Club Farm features the Field of Screams corn maze, the Haunted Hayride and the Village of the Dead - a horror-filled village with all-too-convincing actors and sets. To plan your visit to the Farm, visit Haunted Hunt Club Farm.

4. Shocktober's Paxton Manor, Leesburg

As a REAL haunted house that remains haunted long after Halloween is gone, Paxton Manor takes scary up a notch with an especially spooky backstory. In the late 1800s, Leesburg resident Jedidiah Carver was found guilty of acts of animal cruelty and exiled. It is said that he and his family lived in a series of caverns under Paxton Manor for years. The basement and caverns are now known as the "Well of Souls" and haunted tours are given every weekend in October for those brave enough to venture through the home's hidden staircases and passages. Learn more at Shocktober.

5. Gallows Dead Oak Hollow, Elliston

Claiming to be "Virginia's most terrifying haunted farm," the title seems well earned. Legend says the farm was the site of the Woodson Family Massacre - a family that isolated themselves in the mountains of Virginia, killing all who dared get too close until they were finally gunned down in 1979. Today, visitors to the horrifyingly haunted spot can see Purgatory, the Scarecrow's Harvest, Inbred Jed's Hospitality Shed and Massacre at 266. Learn more and plan your visit at Fear the Gallows if you dare.

6. Haunted Graham Mansion, Max Meadows

Like Paxton Manor, the Major Graham Mansion does not reserve its hauntings for Halloween only. This graceful antebellum mansion has long been the site of paranormal investigations resulting in whispered stories of hangings, shackled servants, insanity and ghostly Confederate soldiers. So you can only imagine the ghouls that come out to play during October when the mansion is turned into an interactive Halloween horror. Read the complete story and learn more about tours at Major Graham Mansion.

7. Route 29 Haunted Farm at Bucklands Farm, Warrenton

To quote the Route 29 Haunted Farm website, this is where your nightmares come to life. With attractions and layouts that change every year, you never know what creepy crawly horrors await you at the Haunted Farm. To plan your visit, go to Route 29 Haunted Farm and learn more.

8. Wicked Woods Haunted Forest, Spotsylvania

Praised as one of the spookiest and most professional haunted attractions in Virginia, Wicked Woods lies deep in the woods of Spotsylvania County, near Fredericksburg and Lake Anna. Featuring the Haunted Forest, the Insanitarium and Asylum and the all-new Funeral Home, Wicked Woods uses high-tech special effects, including actual props and sets from television and film. Experience larger-than-life scares for yourself at Wicked Woods.

9. Scottsburg House of Horror, Scottsburg

With tantalizingly scary twists and turns, eerie lights and noises sure to make you wish you were safe at home, Scottsburg House of Horrors may seem like its only purpose is to make grown men scream like little girls - but in reality, the horrific horrors benefit the Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Dept. The House of Horrors is run by Fire Department members and volunteers, giving you one more perfectly good reason to head out and have the be-jeezus scared out of you this Halloween. Visit Scottsburg House of Horror to find dates and times.

10. Scream Forest at the Creepy Hollow Scream Park, Glen Allen

Scream Forest is considered the largest and scariest haunted trail in Virginia for a reason. Namely, it is. Here's how it goes down. You get on a wagon. They drop you off in the middle of the woods. At night. You find your way back - with a stop at the Bedlam House Haunted House on the way. Then you spend the rest of the night figuring out how you're ever going to sleep again. To get in on this "intense walking adventure" (as the website delicately states), visit Scream Forest.

11. Zombie Contagion, Hampton

In this indoor attraction, the mythical town of Charlton Newport has discovered that a top-secret genetic experiment has gone horribly wrong - and now zombies have taken over. Your only job is to get out alive. With props, fog machines and real actors, Zombie Contagion simulates the fear and pandemonium of a real-life zombie invasion. Just take comfort in the fact that that your terror benefits the Peninsula Jaycees whose brave volunteers run the event each year. If you're ready to face the fear, visit Zombie Contagion.

12. Fields of Fear at Cox Farm, Centreville

In the daylight, Cox Farms offers farm animals, rides and endless fall festival activities. But by night, the farm transforms into 20 acres of fearful fun, including the Cornightmare, The Firegrounds and Fear Games, a Dark Side Hayride and The Forest: Back 40. Open throughout October, you won't want to miss the haunts and horrors on the farm. Plan your visit with times, directions and a complete list of attractions at Fields of Fear.

Now that you have a list of some of the best - and most terrifying - haunted attractions in Virginia, all you have to do is find the courage. In the meantime, be sure to let us know in the comments below if we've left any of your favorite Halloween haunts off the list! Happy haunting!