Haunted Houses in Chicago: Spooky season, which runs from September to November, is a favorite time for thrill-seekers who love getting scared. During this period, it’s not only acceptable but encouraged to indulge in frightening experiences for the sheer thrill of it. Forget staying home with a scary movie; venture to one of the best-haunted houses near Chicago for a real-life, spine-tingling adventure.
Illinois boasts some of the most terrifying haunted setups in the country, conveniently located close to the Windy City. These haunted houses offer a variety of terrifying elements, from actors who will surprise you around every dark corner to props so realistic you might question their authenticity (is that blood real?). Some haunted houses, like an old casket company, are even in unusual places.
Here’s a list of 13 haunted houses near Chicago that will give you nightmares or something even scarier. Prepare for an unforgettable and fear-inducing experience!
Haunted Houses in Chicago
Explore the spooky side of Chicago with a tour of its scariest spots, from the creepy Dungeon of Doom to the eerie HellsGate. Prepare for ghostly experiences at places like 13th Floor, Evil Intentions, and Midnight Terror.
We’ll dive into the chilling details of these haunted houses, where things that go bump in the night become a bone-chilling reality. Get ready to confront your biggest fears on this hair-raising adventure into the world of the supernatural!
#1. Dungeon of Doom
Starting our list is one of the best-haunted houses in Chicago, loved by many in the Midwest. On September 29, 2023, Dungeon of Doom starts the spooky season in Zion, Illinois. Prepare for scares, thrills, and impressive special effects and light shows. The haunted house introduces a new Dead Clown Alley and a 5,000-square-foot Sanctuary. Located at 600 29th St, Zion, IL 60099, tickets start at $25, and the haunting continues until September 29, 2023.
- Location: 600 29th St, Zion, IL 60099
- Attractions:
- Brand new Dead Clown Alley
- New 5,000 square-foot Sanctuary
- Tickets: Starting at $25
- Days of Operations: Through September 29, 2023
#2. HellsGate Haunted House
Prepare for a 1-hour drive to reach HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport, IL. It is unsuitable for kids, with a Yelp rating of 3.5 stars. The eerie journey begins with a bus ride to a secluded mansion in the woods featuring secret passages, slides, and terrifying creatures. Rated “high” for fear by Haunted Illinois, it’s not for those with doll phobias. Located at 3101 Canal St., Lockport, IL, 60441, tickets cost $35, and the haunting lasts until November 5.
- Location: 3101 Canal St., Lockport, IL, 60441
- Attractions:
- Multi-level makeshift mansion in the woods
- Secret passageways and slides
- Horrifying creatures
- Tickets: $35
- Days of Operations: Through November 5
#3. 13th Floor Haunted House
Returning for its tenth season, the 13th Floor Haunted House in Schiller Park promises terror in its 40,000 square feet. The new exhibits, The Deadlands and Depths of Darkness, offer post-apocalyptic horrors and deep-sea nightmares. Brace yourself for a spine-chilling experience.
- Location: 5050 River Rd, Schiller Park, IL 60176
- Attractions:
- The Deadlands (post-apocalyptic world)
- Depths of Darkness (ancient deep-sea nightmare)
- Tickets: Starting at $19.99
#4. Evil Intentions Haunted House
With a 1-hour, 7-minute drive, Evil Intentions awaits in an abandoned casket company. Not recommended for claustrophobes, this haunted house features witch, medical, and jail cell themes. The eerie history includes reported disappearances, hauntings, and cult activity in the 55,000-square-foot space.
- Location: 900 Grace St., Elgin, IL, 60210
- Recommended for Ages: 13 and up
- Tickets: From $35
- Days of Operations: Through October 31
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#5. Midnight Terror Haunted House
In its ninth year, Midnight Terror in Oak Lawn offers a mix of “old school” scares with new mechanics. The actor-driven show guarantees a spooky experience from September 29 to November 4.
- Location: 5520 W 111th St, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
- Attractions:
- “Old school” actor-driven show
- Tickets: Starting at $33
- Days of Operations: Through November 4
#6. Basement of the Dead
A 50-minute drive takes you to America’s Scariest Haunted House, Basement of the Dead. This haunted attraction offers two experiences: the classic dark basement and the less-scary Shattered 3D. Realistic props and set designs add to the fright, making it a top choice for horror enthusiasts.
- Location: 42 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506
- Recommended for Ages: 13 and up
- Tickets: From $23
- Days of Operations: Through November 5
- Special Night: Wednesdays (Isolation night, no actors present, only glow sticks)
#7. The Old Joliet Haunted Prison
The Old Joliet Haunted Prison presents two attractions inside a real abandoned prison: Cellblock 13 and SlaughterHouse Rot Shop. Immerse yourself in the chaos of a prison riot haunted by vengeful spirits seeking revenge.
- Location: 401 Woodruff Rd, Joliet, IL 60432
- Recommended for Ages: 12 and up
- Attractions:
- Cellblock 13
- SlaughterHouse Rot Shop
- Tickets: Starting at $19.99
- Days of Operations: Through November 5
#8. Basement of the Dead (Again)
In a 121-year-old, 15,000 square-foot basement, Basement of the Dead features evil spirits and unspeakable horror. Experience a show of animatronics and be prepared for monsters jumping and climbing around you. It’s a spooky adventure likened to entering a house full of Chuckies.
- Location: 42 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506
- Tickets: Starting at $19.99
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Summary
As the spooky season approaches from September to November, thrill-seekers in Houston can indulge in terrifying adventures at haunted houses. These haunted attractions offer a range of frights, from realistic props to unexpected scares, and promise an unforgettable experience.
From Dungeon of Doom in Zion, Illinois, with its Dead Clown Alley, to the eerie journey through HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport and the post-apocalyptic horrors of 13th Floor Haunted House in Schiller Park, each location provides a unique and fear-inducing adventure. With options like Evil Intentions Haunted House in an abandoned casket company, Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn, and the immersive Basement of the Dead in Aurora, Houston residents have various choices for spine-tingling encounters.
The Old Joliet Haunted Prison and The Old Joliet Prison Haunted House offer chilling experiences inside a real abandoned prison. At the same time, Basement of the Dead in Aurora brings evil spirits and animatronics to a 121-year-old basement. Prepare for nightmares or something even scarier at these haunted houses in Houston.