2012 Official Haunted House Chicago Top 13

As the clock strikes twelve, we find ourselves at the apex of yet another haunting season. But, before we bid farewell, it is finally time to present the 2012 Official Haunted House Chicago Top 13.

After traversing 2,346 miles this season, here is our list of the best around:

1. Statesville Haunted Prison & City of the Dead in Crest Hill, IL
2. Realm of Terror Horror Experience in Round Lake Beach, IL
3. Amhurst Asylum in Valparaiso, IN
4. Basement of the Dead in Aurora, IL
5. Wisconsin Feargrounds in Waukesha, WI
6. Asylum Xperiment in Villa Park, IL
7. Fear City & Hades in Morton Grove, IL
8. Fear Itself at Legend Park in Mishawaka, IN
9. Abyss Haunted House in Channahon, IL
10. Dream Reapers Haunted House in Melrose Park, IL
11. Reapers Realm in Hammond, IN
12. Spook Hollow & MC Manor in Marquette Heights, IL
13. The Haunted Infirmary at Bartonville Insane Asylum in Bartonville, IL (tied)
Niles Haunted House Scream Park in Niles, MI (tied)
Abandoned Haunted House Complex in Mount Pleasant, WI (tied)

(A special note that this year, we had a three-way tie for 13th place, based on the total number of points earned according to the scale used by the Haunted House Chicago Review Team.)

Congratulations to all haunted attractions for an outstanding season of haunting!

Now, who's counting down the days until 2013?

2012 Jim Warfield Acting Award Winner

Congratulations to Stevie Calabrese as "Auntie Mom" from Realm of Terror Horror Experience in Round Lake Beach, IL! She has been chosen as Haunted House Chicago's 2012 Jim Warfield Acting Award winner!

(Because of you, we check under our beds twice.)

Stay tuned for the 2012 Haunted House Chicago Official Top 13 at midnight!

2012 New Haunted Attraction of the Year

Congratulations to Abandoned Haunted House Complex in Mount Pleasant, WI, for being chosen as Haunted House Chicago's 2012 New Haunted Attraction of the Year! More Information

Happy Devil's Night and stay tuned for more news and awards over the next 24 hours!

Travel Channel Filming "Halloween Craziest" at Statesville Haunted Prison on Thursday, 10/18/12

Come to Statesville® on Thursday Night for Your Chance to be on TV!

Travel Channel will be at Statesville Haunted Prison® on Thursday, October 18 to film Chicagoland's own favorite haunt! The crew is filming for the Halloween special "Halloween Craziest," the 3rd in the series that began last year with "Halloween Crazy" and continues this year with "Halloween Crazier"; "Halloween Craziest" will air on the Travel Channel in October 2013!

Attention haunt enthusiasts! If you want to appear on this Travel Channel Halloween special, get yourself to Statesville® on Thursday night and be ready to scream! The crew will be filming the most enthusiastic, most easily-frightened and most scream-prone guests who come to Statesville® and if they pick you, you may end up on TV!

Do you have big news about your haunted house? Send it to darkchicago@gmail.com!

Bride of the Stripping Dead at the Admiral Theater

The Stripping Dead return for Bride of the Stripping Dead at the Admiral Theater on October 18th & 19th. Full details and tickets at http://strippingdead.com/; Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/events/281017955340449/.

Use coupon code "MAYA" to receive $10 OFF each ticket!

2012 Halloween Season Preview

Hello Haunt Fans!

 

It has been a LONG off-season, hasn’t it? Thankfully, the date on the calendar now shows September.  AND if you are quiet enough, you can probably hear this year’s cast of monsters, zombies, creatures, and freaks awakening to terrorize your neighborhood.

 

Eventually, the weather will cool down, and that familiar chill will return. The kids will head back to school, the leaves will change colors, and football will once again rule the television.

 

Even while talking with different Haunt owners, the feeling of restlessness is shared. So many different attractions are chomping-at-the-bit with the chance to help give you a reason to change your underwear.

 

Here’s some news to help wet your whistle as we prepare for Halloween 2012. (We will continue to update it as more comes in.)

 

To begin, the biggest news of the off-season concerned long-time Top 13 attraction, Dream Reapers in Melrose Park, IL. After last year’s season, they were robbed of a good majority of their revenue from the 2011 season. To help recap their lost funds, Dream Reapers opened a Christmas-themed haunted attraction for two weekends in December 2011. Even after an outstanding performance and overwhelming support, the owners of Dream Reapers announced that the 2012 season will be their 13^th and final season.

 

Haunted High School in Oconomowoc, WI, has also announced this will be their final operating year.

 

However, all is not lost. A few attractions are expanding their experiences for 2012. Wisconsin Feargrounds in Waukesha, WI, have added two new attractions, “Shadow Lands” and “Revenge.” Asylum Experiment in Villa Park, IL, is adding a third attraction named, “The House.” Abyss in Channahon, IL, will be adding a fourth attraction. Dark Side Haunted Adventure in Ixonia, WI, will also be adding a fifth attraction!

 

Congratulations to the following attractions celebrating anniversaries of fear:

Lombard Jaycees in Lombard, IL – 42 Years

Brookfield Jaycees in Brookfield, IL – 36 Years

Haunted Trails Frightmare in Burbank, IL – 21 Years

Henry Street Horrors in Pontiac, IL – 17 Years

Realm of Terror in Round Lake Beach, IL – 10 Years

Fear Itself in Mishawaka, IN – 5 Years

 

On the opposite side of that card, congratulations to our brand-new attractions Fables Studios in River Grove, IL, and Abandoned Haunted House in Sturtevant, WI. Have a great first-year!

 

Of course, each year has a few movers and shakers. Fear Asylum in Belvedere, IL, is changing their attraction to include a “waiver” concept. Screamatorium has moved to their new location in Poplar Grove, IL.  Screams in the Park in Rosemont, IL, now abandons the tent and moves inside the parking garage. Fear City in Morton Grove, IL, now joins with Hades to provide a new combination attraction, with proceeds benefiting the National MS Society. Psychosis in Elgin, IL, will be “kidnapping victims.” Last, but not least, CEP in LaGrange, IL, returns after a year layoff.

 

No news on your favorite haunt? Don’t fear! More updates will be posted all season long! Have a tip? Share it with us!

 

Want to enhance your Halloween season entertainment? Here are some movies and concerts that will keep your head spinning. (You have to supply the pea soup.)

 

The Big Screen

While no one knows quite for sure when Rob Zombie’s new flick, “Lords of Salem” will actually be released to the US, we do have a couple of highlights for the next two months of movie action. On September 5, Jessica Biel stars in “The Tall Man.” Then on September 14^th, we will get the 5^th installment of the “Resident Evil” series named, “Retribution.” Releasing on the same day, Elisabeth Shue stars in the “House at the End of the Street.” To lighten up the season, Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg have a chilling good animated time in “Hotel Transylvania,” which premieres on September 28^th.

Heading into October, October 5^th bring us three premieres. Tim Burton has his animated production of, “Frankenweenie,” Ethan Hawke stars in “Sinister,” and finally an interesting “mask” movie named, “V/H/S.” Not to be outdone, “Smiley,” another “mask” movie hits theatres on October 11^th. As we head into the home stretch, we are given two more presents. On October 19^th, the 4^th installment of the “Paranormal Activity” series hits the big screen. We finish off the season, “Silent Hill: Revelation,” premiering on October 26^th.

The Big Stage

 

The monsters of rock, Kiss and Motley Crew team up for a pair of shows at the Midwest Bank Amphitheatre on 9/7 and Alpine Valley on 9/8. The mighty Riotfest hits Humboldt Park Chicago 9/14-9/16, with headliners such as Iggy Pop and Gwar. Hatebreed plays the House of Blues on 9/19. Want a chance for some possible Pantera? Check out Down at House of Blues on 9/22. Finishing out September, Static-X plays a series of shows in Bloomington (9/24), Joliet (9/27), and Milwaukee (9/29).

 

Heading into October, if you want to see some REAL beards, check out classic sharp-dressed men, ZZ Top on 10/2 at the Chicago Theatre. Easily the highlight show of the season, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson take the stage at the Allstate on 10/11, and the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington on 10/13. Waka Flocka plays the Congress on 10/21. Deftones at the Aragon ballroom on 10/23. If you can’t find the time to make the pair of Justin Bieber shows, don’t worry, there are other options. Close out your October at the infamous Freakfest in Madison on 10/27, or the Misfits at House of Blues on 11/5.

 

Regardless of where you scream at, keep checking Haunted House Chicago all season long for everything to make your holiday season the best yet!

 

From all of our staff, have a frightful and safe Halloween Season!

Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention

Get in the mood for the impending 2012 Halloween & Haunted House Season at the 10th Annual Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention, August 10-12 at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare in Rosemont, IL! Details at http://www.flashbackweekend.com.

http://www.flashbackweekend.com

HHC Remembers George Carpenter

Friday, April 20, 2012, the Haunted Attraction Family lost a beloved member, George Carpenter. He was the creator, designer, and original owner of Nightmares: Basement of the Dead in Aurora, as well as co-owner of Skully’s Family Fun in Oswego, IL. He passed away at the age of 68.

Under his direction and vision, he created and operated Nightmares: Basement of the Dead, a haunted and terrifying journey through the basement of a 1900’s laundry building tracing the steps of Al and Imus Kilya.

In 2003, its first operating year, Nightmares: Basement of the Dead was chosen by Haunted House Chicago as their “New Attraction of the Year.” George and his family continued to perfect the attraction until in 2008, Haunted House Chicago awarded it their highest honor, “Haunted Attraction of the Year.”

George sold the attraction in 2010 and began developing a new family-friendly attraction with his family. The attraction is known as Skully’s Family Fun and launched in 2011 in Oswego, IL.

George was a very caring and passionate man about everything in his life. While most of those in the haunt industry may have only known him for his work on Nightmares, George had many other projects and interests, including monster trucks and his family. But, regardless of the topic, he shared his excitement with everyone around him.

We at Haunted House Chicago feel honored to have known him and called him a friend. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

Featured Listings SOLD OUT. Prominent Listings Still Available...

Haunted House Owners: The ten 2012 Featured Listing spots have sold out, but there are still 11 spots available in the rotating banners on every page of HauntedHouseChicago.com - for information on how to secure yours (you can get more than one if you want), go HERE.

Special Event: Nightmares Before X-Mas

The day before Halloween, something very tragic happened. After a month of hard work and undying efforts, Dream Reapers Haunted House in Melrose Park, IL, was robbed. The felonious thieves managed to crawl away with the safe that held approximately $150,000 of revenue. The money would have been used for the lease on the building and to help pay their acting staff.

To help recover some of the funds lost, the owners of Dream Reapers have decided to revamp their attraction with a Christmas theme and open their doors for two weekends in December.

Not only has major media television and newspapers been great in publicizing the event, but others in the haunt industry have surrounded Dream Reapers with love and support. Other haunted attraction actors and staff members have been quick to jump to Facebook and spread the word like wildfire.

The Staff of Haunted House Chicago along with at least 20 other haunted attractions from the Chicagoland area showed their support this weekend. Some donated their time and staffed the attraction while others brought as many as they could and paid admission to experience the nightmares.

If you missed this past weekend, or just want another chance to enjoy some of the spirit, Dream Reapers will be open this upcoming weekend, Friday, December 16th, and Saturday, December 17th. Admission is $20 and not only will you receive an outstanding fun and entertaining
show, but you will be supporting a great cause!

For more information, please go to: http://www.dreamreapers.com/

Nightmares Before Christmas - Help Out Dream Reapers!

From the Facebook Event Page (click the link for more info):

"The haunt you all know and love needs your help!! On October 30th, Dream Reapers was broken into and in the process, we were also robbed. This tragic event will force us to close our doors indefinitely. But monsters don't give up without a fight!

This December, we are doing a "fundraiser" and opening our doors to the public for a once in a lifetime event you have never experienced before! On December 9th and 10th we are turning our frightening haunt into a horrible Christmas-themed Nightmare! Come visit the dark and dank halls, but filled with some of the most visually disturbing Christmas themed scenes that you will never forget. Come spread Christmas cheer by invoking your worst fears!

Dream Reapers needs your help! Invite any and everybody. This will be an event that you'll never forget! Christmas never looked this scary! Admission is $20, and times are 7:00PM to 11:00PM. The zombie elves have arisen from their frozen graves to give you the most frightening experience of your life! Come see for yourself!

Also remember, if you cannot come, please make a donation to our cause to keep the dead alive...We are a family full of a passion that cannot die and will not.... Please support us...This was a tragedy, but support us so we can stay haunting you!!"

Many Chicagoland Haunted Houses OPEN THIS WEEKEND!

Halloween 2011 may have come and gone, but some haunted houses are just too evil to close their wretched gates without taking one last opportunity to scare you to death! Check the schedules for the haunted houses you may have missed this season, or for that one that was so cool you just have to go back - they might be open! Statesville Haunted Prison, The HHC Review Team's Top Pick for 2011, is open Friday November 4th & Saturday November 5th - head over to http://www.statesvillehauntedprison.com for details and a coupon!

The Official 2011 Top 13

The witching hour is close at hand. And before we say farewell to another Halloween season, it is time to unveil Haunted House Chicago's Official 2011 Top 13, as chosen by our Review Team.

After visiting and experiencing 36 attractions and traversing 2,704 miles this season, here is our list of the best around:

1. Statesville Haunted Prison & City of the Dead in Crest Hill, IL
2. Wisconsin Feargrounds in Waukesha, WI
3. Realm of Terror Horror Experience in Round Lake Beach, IL
4. Basement of the Dead in Aurora, IL
5. Amhurst Asylum Haunted Attraction in Valparaiso, IN
6. Asylum Xperiment in Villa Park, IL
7. Niles Haunted House Scream Park in Niles, MI
8. Lake Hills Haunted House in St. John, IN
9. Fear Itself at Legend Park in Mishawaka, IN
10. Spook Hollow & MC Manor in Marquette Heights, IL
11. The Haunted Infirmary at Bartonville Insane Asylum in Bartonville, IL
12. Dream Reapers Haunted House in Melrose Park, IL
13. Fear City in Morton Grove, IL

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding haunted attractions!

The 2011 New Haunted Attraction of the Year

Congratulations to The Haunted Infirmary at Bartonville Insane Asylum in Bartonville, IL, for being chosen as Haunted House Chicago's 2011 New Haunted Attraction of the Year!

Halloween 2011

Hello Halloween! We have been waiting for you! Whether this night & season was about trick-or-treating, haunted housing, dressing in costume, carving pumpkins, or parties, we hope that it was everything that you hoped for and more!

Thank you for joining us this and every season! We hope you enjoyed our website as much as we enjoyed making it!

From all of us at Haunted House Chicago to all of you and yours, we wish you a very safe, haunted, and Happy Halloween!

The 2011 Jim Warfield Acting Award Recipients have already been announced. But, stay tuned for the 2011 Top 13 Haunted Attractions!

The 2011 Jim Warfield Acting Award Winners

The HauntedHouseChicago.com Review Team has named their 2011 Jim Warfield Acting Award winners! They are David Raue as "Vladimir" and "Mad Dog" from Statesville Haunted Prison in Crest Hill, IL and Emma Leigh Smith as "Nancy" from Niles Haunted House Scream Park in Niles, MI, and Wisconsin Feargrounds in Waukesha, WI.

Congratulations to you both, and thank you for making all our lives a little bit scarier! The 2011 Top 13 Haunted Houses will be announced later tonight!

Watch Days of the Living Dead Season 3 Episode 7 NOW!

As Statesville Haunted Prison® enters the second week of the Halloween season, the Zombie Army team & crew pull together as the inherent stress of the job pulls at their sanity!

Get 41% Off Your Ticket at the Abyss on Saturday

The Abyss is running a 41% Off special Saturday night (the 29th) - details HERE.

People's Choice Vote Terminated Due to Cheating

Due to the fact that certain haunted houses simply can't resist the urge to try to cheat and stuff the ballot box in their own favor (yes, we know who you are), HauntedHouseChicago.com is doing away with the People's Choice Vote. The idea was to let the public vote for their favorites; what we're seeing are haunted houses paying people to do a technical end-run around our system. HauntedHouseChicago.com would rather kill this feature than see it abused to mislead our users.

You can still use the Skull Rating feature and write reviews for the haunted houses listed on this site, but from now on, only the HHC Official Review Team will be rating the top haunted houses each year.

Nightmares: Basement of the Dead Video

Do you have a 2011 video for your haunted house? Send the link to spirits@hauntedhousechicago.com!