ENTER,IFYOUDARE
Chicago area gears up for so much fun it’s scary
It’s just about time for area haunted houses to creak open their dilapidated doors and unleash the horror that’s been bottled up for almost a year. The Chicago suburbs are home to an abundance of haunted houses, from Aurora to Zion. Each one offers something different but all have the same mission — to scare the hell out of its unwitting victims.
Peter Koklamanis, co-owner of Dungeon of Doom Haunted House in Zion, said the haunt is “going back to infrastructural basics” for its 26th year. His business partner in the haunt is Anthony Relken.
“We’re thinking of ourselves as like year number one so we don’t stalemate after 25 years,” he said. “We’re looking at our sound systems, we’re looking at our projection systems, we’re looking at our killer crew and our staff. We’re remolding our operation to be renewed, rejuvenated and refreshed.”
The includes investing in infrastructure, reinventing some characters and relocating some scares.
That includes bringing back classic scares and upping the “creep factor,” he said.
Attractions at Dungeon of Doom include the popular “Buried Alive” experience, available for an extra $5.
“You go into an elevated room that’s suspended six feet off the ground. You and your group go into what we call a crypt,” he said.
It gives you the illusion of being underground. A gravedigger introduces the experience and “within two minutes, you are fully submersed in a foreign debris that is forced over your body,” he said.
“You are literally pinned in this debris that is safe enough to breathe … but you are definitely claustrophobic,” he said. “If you’re lucky … you survive to tell your story. There is nothing like it.”
Other parts of the haunt include The Underworld and The Vortex, which have both undergone renovations since last Halloween; and Condemned — Temple of Doom, a jungle area where the missionaries came to tame the natives and failed, he said.
“The natives converted them,” he said. “The floors are all on a 15-degree pitch and they go in different directions.”
Then there’s the Slaughter House, with its horrific gallery of carcasses and butcher’s instruments of torture; and Mercy General Hospital, one of Dungeon of Doom’s most popular and largest attractions.
“It’s a deranged hospital full of actors that are ready to give you an environment that invokes a feel of insanity,” he said.
After Halloween, the Dungeon of Doom runs Blackout Nov. 4-5, where groups walk through with one glowstick while the show is still going on.
“Our animatronics are still live. Our characters are illuminated by LEDs. It’s a totally different experience.”
For folks who want to keep the scary season rolling for as long as possible, Dungeon of Doom offers a two-day winter event, Sub Thermal Nightmare on Dec. 16-17.
“It’s a totally new story in a frozen tundra experience,” he said. “It’s not Christmas-themed at all. It’s truly a post-apocalyptic … nuclear winter.”
Here are some area haunted houses that had their information available on their website or Facebook pages. Before you go, check websites or social media for information, including age restrictions and recommendations. Many haunted houses offer group rates.
Aurora
Basement of the Dead: Hours and days vary Sept. 23-Oct. 31. Isolation Nights are Oct. 5, 12 and 19. Blackout Night is Nov. 5. At 42 W. New York St. Admission: $35-$100. 630-896-2466; Basementofthedead.com.
Reserved ticket times can be purchased online. Combo tickets for Basement of the Dead and Disturbia Haunted Attraction in Downers Grove are available. Other ticket options include VIP skip the general admission line and immediate access skip the VIP and general admission lines. Online discounts available.
Wednesday Nights of Isolation and Blackout Night feature the house without actors, when guests are given a glowstick to traverse the 15,000 square-foot basement in total darkness.
Downers Grove
Disturbia Haunted Attraction: Hours vary Sept. 25-Oct. 31. At 1213 Butterfield Road Suite D. Nights of Isolation (no actors) are Oct. 5, 12 and 19. Blackout Night (no lights) is Nov. 5. Admission: $35-$100. 630-896-2466; Disturbiachicago.com.
Reserved ticket times can be purchased online. Combo tickets for Disturbia and Basement of the Dead in Aurora are available. Other ticket options include VIP skip the general admission line and immediate access skip the VIP and general admission lines. Online discounts available.
Amenities include free parking, concessions, gift shop and Porta-Potties on-site.
Elgin
Evil Intentions: Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight Sept. 30 and Fridays and Saturdays in October and 7-10 p.m. Sundays in October plus Oct. 20, 27 and 31. At 900 Grace St. Admission: $35-$75. 630-634-2858; Eihaunt.com.
Ticket options include general admission, VIP and instant access. The abandoned Elgin Casket Company has seen murder, occult activity and unexplained occurrences.
Nightmare on Chicago Street: 6-11 p.m. Oct. 22. Between Douglas and Vila streets. Admission: $35; $50 for VIP parking (does not include ticket to event.) nightmareonchicagostreet.com.
After a two-year absence, the much-loved event returns for some undead fun. There will be two stages for bands, a DJ stage, street performers, a Thunder Dome freak show stage, a medical tent of undead experimentation, wickedly unique vendors, concessions, costumed characters and horrifying decorations. There will be special appearances by “Svengoolie” Rich Koz and The Pack Drumline, which recently competed on “America’s Got Talent.”
Gurnee
Fright Fest: Hours vary Sept. 17-Oct. 31. At 1 Great America Parkway. Admission: $89.99; haunted houses require a Haunted Attraction Pass or a bundled ticket. Parking $35. 847-249-4636; Sixflags.com/ greatamerica/events/fright-festevent.
Chicago’s favorite Halloween event returns with family-friendly scares during the day and no-holds-barred terror after 6 p.m. Nighttime festivities include six stage shows, like “The Ringmaster’s Cabaret” and “Love at First Fright”; nine scare zones (“Forbidden Forest,” “Ride Cemetery”) and six haunted houses (“Manslaughter Manor,” “Big Top Terror.”)
New this year is a Kid’s Boo Fest with a Trick-or-Treat Trail, daytime shows and other not-soscary experiences. Also new this season is Hellfire S’mores, where guests can make their own gooey treats at a s’mores pit station. Online discounts available.
Joliet
Old Joliet Haunted Prison: Hours vary Sept. 24-Nov. 5. At 401 Woodruff Road. Admission: $24.99-$99.99 general admission; fast pass, skip-the-line and premium VIP tickets available. Hauntedprison.com.
This haunt, presented by 13th Floor Entertainment, is back for its sophomore season of scares. Set in an actual abandoned prison, the theme is carried throughout.
Lockport
Hayride of Horror and Curse of the Bayou: 7-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 30-Oct. 29. At Dellwood Park, 199 E. Woods Drive. Admission: $15 for one attraction, $25 for both, $35 for speed pass to both. 815-838-1183; Lockportpark.org/HayrideOfHorror.
This family-friendly haunted attraction, presented by the Lockport Township Park District, consists of a hayride through a barren, moonlit field set with scary scenes and menacing characters. The brave can check out the more sinister Curse of the Bayou walking attraction.
Hell’s Gate: Open 7-10 p.m. Thursdays, Sundays and Oct. 26 and 31; 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 30-Nov. 5. At 3101 S. Canal St. Admission: Tickets, $35; $50 VIP; $65 instant entry. For $125, you can mark a friend as a personal target for the entire tour, which includes a VIP ticket, T-shirt and photo op inside the house. $150 all-access pass includes VIP ticket, backstage tour, T-shirt and photo op. 605-301-4283; Hellsgate.com.
Guests must park at 301 W. 2nd St., and take a shuttle bus to the house — which is a multilevel mansion hidden in the woods filled with unimaginable horrors. The adventure begins the minute you exit the bus. Find the key hidden inside and get your money back.
While the infamous Statesville Haunted Prison shuttered for good in 2021, its inmates have found a new home in the woods and roaming the halls at HellsGate.
Montgomery
The Massacre Haunted House: Hours vary Sept. 24-Oct. 30. At 299 Montgomery Road. Tickets: $29.99-$69.99; general admission, fast pass, skip the line. 708-320-3327; FearTheMassacre. com.
This long-running haunted attraction includes escape rooms and ax throwing in addition to the 30,000-square-foot house.
Oak Lawn
Midnight Terror Haunted House: Hours vary Sept. 23-Nov. 5. At 5520 W. 111th St. Admission: $28-$65; general admission, fast pass, immediate access. 708-5710266; Midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com.
This haunt touts its use of “old school” theatrics and “new school” technology.
Round Lake Beach Realm of Terror Haunted House:
See website for 2022 schedule. At 421 W. Rollins Road. Admission: $19.99-$49.99; general admission, skip the line, VIP. 847-973-6053; Realmofterror.com.
The Haunt Bar serves up “boo”-zy concoctions like Thirst for Blood and Terror Punch, along with traditional Pumpkin Ale and Oktoberfest beer.
Realm of Terror benefits from getting its horrific makeup effects from “Faceoff ” Season 9’s Stevie Calabrese.
Schiller Park 13th Floor Haunted House:
Open through Nov 5. At 5050 River Road, Schiller Park. Admission: $29.99-$49.99; general admission, fast pass, skip the line. 708-571-3326; 13thfloorchicago. com.
Presented by the Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, attractions this year include Outcast Carnival, featuring feral, mutant carnies; and All Hallows” Eve with its group of cursed, undead trick-or-treaters. Extend the fun with a mini-escape room experience.
St. Charles
Monster Purge: Times vary Thursdays-Sundays, excluding Oct. 13 and including Oct. 31, Sept. 29-Oct. 31. At Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road. Admission: $29.95-$45.94. Monsterpurge.com.
It’s zombie paintball from the safety of a freakin’ cool monster truck bus. Expect a fastpaced ride that lasts about 12-15 minutes.
It is advised you arrive at Kane County Fairgrounds at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled ride time. No refunds will be given if you miss your scheduled time.
Children under 6 are not permitted; ages 6-12 permitted with a paid adult. All rides include 100 rounds of paintballs. You can purchase more paintball pods of 100 for $10 per pod, cash only, while on the bus.
Zion
Dungeon of Doom: Hours are 7-10:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and Oct. 9, 16, 23 and 31; 7-11 p.m. Sept. 24, 30, Oct. 1 and 30; and 7 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays in October. At 600 29th St. Admission: $30-$55. 847-262-3666; Dungeonofdoom.com.
New this year is a Slasher Night Oct. 31 featuring a tribute to horror icons.
The popular “Buried Alive” attraction is back, free with VIP tickets and $5 additional charge with general admission. Blackout Night is 7:30-10:30 p.m. Nov. 4 and 7:30-11 p.m. Nov. 5. Sub Thermal Nightmare winter event is 7-11 p.m. Dec. 16-17.