Chicago, IL

Looking for somewhere scary to go in the Chicago area for Halloween? Here are a few places that I have been to in previous Halloween seasons.

Statesville Haunted House - Located near the Stateville prison, this scare house was pretty scary for me as an adult and I would imagine that it would be even more scary for pre-teens or young teenagers. There are two different parts to the haunted house, making it a fairly lengthy walk. This is good because the tickets are pretty pricey.

The details
Tickets: $30 at the door, $40 online for VIP treatment
When: Now through Halloween, from 7-11 p.m. weekends, 7-10 p.m. weekdays
Where: 17250 S. Weber Road, Crest Hill, Illinois
For more information: (877) SCARED2 or you can visit the website here.


Haunted Sanitarium - This haunted spot has a convenient city location for those of you city folks without access to a car. It is located right on the lakefront at Fullerton, easily accessible by bus or taxi. The sanitarium is sponsored by the Chicago Park District as is housed at the Theater on the Lake. Unfortunately, when I went to this place in Halloween 2004, I was not impressed by it. We had wait a very long time and I was not really scared that much. Again, it might be good for young teens, but we did not find it that scary. It is recommended for ages 13 and up.

The details
Tickets: $10, $8 for students with I.D.
When: Now through Halloween, 6-11p.m. weekends, 7-11p.m. weekdays
Where: Theater on the Lake, 2400 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago
For more information: (312)742-7994

Fennville Haunted Corn Maze - Although this haunted spot is way out of Chicagoland, located in Fennville, Michigan, I wanted to include it because it is the scariest Halloween event I have ever experienced. The corn maze is extremely dark, so that makes it scary in itself. Add to that people jumping out with chainsaws and you have a real fright fest. I can’t guarantee it is worth the drive there just for the maze, but if you are in the area, I would highly recommend it. They also have a non-scary corn maze as well.

The details
Tickets: $14, includes “3-D effects barn”
When: The only remaining dates are October 26th and 27th, from dark until 10pm
Where: Crane Orchard, 6054 124th Ave., Fennville, MI 49408
For more information: (269) 561-8651

Overall, I think that the key to enjoying a haunted house is just surrender to it and allow yourself to be scared. It will be more fun than going into it with the attitude that it is silly or you can’t be scared. Try to imagine it is real and then you will have a more haunting time!

Halloween, Statesville, haunted house, fennville, corn maze