It's that time of year again: the leaves are falling, the temperature is cooling off, bonfires galore, pumpkin picking, and of course--Halloween. With Halloween comes the creepiest and uttermost disturbing haunted houses you can ever imagine. Let's just say I'm not a total fan of them; we have a bittersweet relationship, haunted houses and I. Over the past couple years I have been curious about going to all of these huge haunted houses and I wanted to know where the best places are to be scared at in Illinois.
Hopefully, if any of you scare-hungry fans (over the age of 13) are looking for new, local places to be terrified, I have researched and asked some of my friends for a couple haunted attractions that they love and that I have yet to visit, which someday I will conquer without peeing my pants to death.
1. 13th Floor Haunted House (Melrose Park, IL)
Said to be Chicago's "largest" haunted house, this attraction haunts those who fear the legend of the 13th floor; taking you through immersive sets that will never want you going into an apartment ever again. I find this to be a very common haunted house that a lot of my friends go to and love every year.
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
2. House of Torment Haunted House (Morton Grove, IL)
If you love terrifying monsters and haunting souls from the underworld, you're in for a real spook at the House of Torment. It is described as a "modern horror movie" experience than just any ol' haunted mansion.
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
3. Midnight Terror Haunted House (Oak Lawn, IL)
With more than 100+ actors, "directly from your nightmares", this newly built haunted attraction in Oak Lawn features two haunted houses with over 60+ rooms to get your blood pumping and hairs on edge.
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
4. Statesville Haunted Prison and City of the Dead (Crest Hill, IL)
"The Prisoners have rioted, the guards have fled, a darkness has seized control of this Maximum Security Prison and our Warden has opened the gates for visitors". Now doesn't that sound like a party? You are forced to escape the 23 security cells and come face to face with over a hundred criminals left in the prison that were "too evil to die". Apparently, no one can escape it--can you?
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
5. Torment at Twelve Hundred (Orion, IL)
With new stories added to this haunted house, each year consists of new and even more disturbing plots and scenes revolving around one cynical Doctor, Thomas Orment, who dared to bring back the dead at all costs. Noted as one of the goriest haunted houses, it doesn't disappoint.
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
6. Disturbia: Screams in the Park (Rosemont, IL)
Renewing Disturbia and the haunted experience was something that the Disturbia creators wanted to improve and make even scarier this time around. Taking you through an old Victorian style mansion, each level descends and it gets terrifying the more you work your way down...to Hell.
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
7. Basement of the Dead (Aurora, IL)
While this is not one of the biggest attraction in Illinois, it claims to be the scariest. What's more scarier than a haunted basement? Taking you through grueling scenes and rooms that get creepier the deeper you go.
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
8. Evil Intentions (Elgin, IL)
If you are looking for an "easier" start to haunted houses (like I am), this one seems to really spook! Walking through the haunted hallways gives you chills as actors pop out and terrify you.
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
9. Massacre Haunted House (Montgomery, IL)
Attracting said 'tens of thousands" of people every year, this incredibly blood filled house will inevitably knock your socks off. With a new "Escape Room" open for those who are only brave enough to uncover the riddles and find the keys to escape the room...hopefully.
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
10. Realm of Terror (Round Lake Beach, IL)
Last but, never least, this intense "Halloween Experience" claims to be the highest-ever rated haunted house in Illinois. One is to expect the most grotesquely intricate things your mind can conjure. Its said to "crawl into your head and mess you up for life". Doesn't that sound inviting?
Visit their website and buy tickets, here.
All of these morbid attractions will be open throughout this month and some through the beginning of November. More information can be found on their linked websites: directions, pricing, packages, photos, etc. If I could make it to at least one of these haunted attractions in my lifetime without peeing my pants, it will be a miracle sent from above. All of these attractions are sworn to redefine horror in their own unique ways and will really spook you into the Halloween mood!
