5 Best Haunted Houses in Illinois

The 13th Floor Haunted House in Chicago is often called the scariest haunted house in the state. Themed rooms shift every season, but the level of terror stays high. Expect cinematic sets, professional actors, and lighting that makes your skin crawl.

This isn’t a place for the faint-hearted; the scare factor is brutal.

Located in Schiller Park, it's open throughout the Halloween season, with haunted house operational hours posted online. Tickets sell out fast, especially during "discount day" events, so buy online if you want to guarantee entry. They also offer a respawn pass for the brave who want to relive the madness.

Want your nightmares to linger? Basement of the Dead, set in an actual basement beneath Aurora, is a premier haunted house experience. Known for intense makeup and gruesome storylines, it's a favorite among horror fans.

The main attraction includes the "two haunts for one ticket," and they offer a respawn pass in case you tap out early. Aurora is easy to reach from Chicago, and this site is a must for fans who crave scary with a side of chaos.

Statesville Haunted Prison, a once-renowned Illinois haunt, held its final season in 2021 after 25 years of scares.

Set in a prison-themed environment, this haunt built tension through 23 rooms of psychological horror. Real bars, tight hallways, and a crew of deranged actors made this one of the most terrifying haunted house visits in the Midwest.

This multilevel mansion of dread offers an immersive experience unlike anything else. HellsGate is literally hidden in the woods, and guests must walk a haunted trail before even entering. The site is a hit with media outlets and consistently ranked among Illinois haunted houses.

It’s also rare in that you can enter anytime during your time slot. Be warned: This haunted house can and will refuse service to disruptive guests.

Set inside a former Elgin casket factory, Evil Intentions turns fear into an art form. The haunt leans hard into occult themes, with creepy symbolism, narrow halls, and pitch-black rooms. The actors here are relentless, committed, and disturbingly good.

The attraction opens for a limited time in October. Make sure to check the haunt’s event calendar for any special openings in February or December if you want the full schedule of off-season events.

The scare factor is high enough that staff are trained to help panicked guests find an escape route.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.