Chicagoland screams · Updated October 1, 2026

Chicago haunted houses

Compare five current haunted attractions from O'Hare to Aurora, Lockport and Lake County—with official dates, drive-aware routes and group-fit guidance.

5 current optionsCity + four suburban zonesAdult + family guidanceOfficial sources linked
The short answer

What are the best haunted houses near Chicago?

Choose by geography before choosing by hype. 13th Floor is the closest big production to Chicago and O'Hare; HellsGate turns a Lockport trip into a full woodland-and-mansion adventure; Basement of the Dead and Disturbia anchor the western suburbs; and Realm of Terror is the strongest north-suburban option.

Last verified October 1, 2026. Check the official calendar and same-day ticket inventory before leaving.

Tonight · Thursday, October 1

What can you do tonight?

These choices have current Thursday-night signals. Confirm inventory before starting the drive.

Explicitly open

HellsGate Haunted House

The official schedule lists October 1 from 7–10 p.m. Parking and shuttle pickup are at 301 W. 2nd Street in Lockport.

Thursday hours shown

Disturbia Haunted House

The official site shows current Downers Grove evening operation and a 7–10 p.m. window. Check today's tickets before driving.

Choose the anchor

Five verified Chicago-area haunts

Start with the attraction nearest your group, then build dinner and the return trip around it.

Two-in-one ticket

Basement of the Dead

Aurora's indoor haunt combines the industrial Basement of the Dead with the blacklight Shattered 3D attraction. The 2026 season opens September 18 and runs through November 7 on select evenings.

Western suburbs

Disturbia Haunted House

A room-driven indoor attraction in Downers Grove. The official site lists a 2026 Halloween run beginning September 12, with October and November evenings.

Alternative formats

Realm of Terror

A roughly 30-minute main attraction with a midway, games and Monster Museum in Round Lake Beach. The 2026 season runs October 3–31, with Family Frights October 24 and No Actor Night October 29.

Compare quickly

Chicago haunts at a glance

ExperienceFormat2026 timingBest fitArea
13th FloorTwo themes + add-onsSept. 12–Nov. 8Big production near the citySchiller Park
HellsGateForest + mansionSept. 24–Nov. 1Destination nightLockport
Basement of the DeadTraditional + 3DSept. 18–Nov. 7Two experiences in one stopAurora
DisturbiaIndoor room-driven hauntFrom Sept. 12 into NovemberWestern-suburb groupsDowners Grove
Realm of TerrorHaunt + midwayOct. 3–31North suburbs + mixed groupsRound Lake Beach
Map Chicagoland

Open the right destination

These attractions span multiple expressways and counties. Save the correct address before leaving.

Four workable plans

Build the night

Closest to Chicago

Rosemont + 13th Floor

Eat near O'Hare, reserve 13th Floor as the sole anchor, and use its add-ons instead of crossing the suburbs.

Full adventure

Lockport + HellsGate

Arrive early for the shuttle, forest approach and mansion. Avoid scheduling another timed entry afterward.

Western pairing

Aurora + Downers Grove

Basement and Disturbia are the practical two-haunt pairing. Try it off-peak with early tickets and a large traffic buffer.

Lower intensity

Realm special events

Choose Family Frights October 24 or No Actor Night October 29 instead of the regular full-intensity show.

Fast answers

Chicago haunted-house FAQ

What are the best haunted houses near Chicago in 2026?

13th Floor is closest to Chicago, HellsGate is the adventure destination, Basement of the Dead and Disturbia serve the western suburbs, and Realm of Terror serves the north suburbs.

Which Chicago haunted houses are open tonight, October 1?

HellsGate explicitly lists 7–10 p.m. Disturbia also shows Thursday evening operation. Confirm tickets before traveling.

Which Chicago haunted house is closest to the city?

Among these five, 13th Floor in Schiller Park is generally closest to central Chicago and convenient to O'Hare and Rosemont.

Are any Chicago haunted houses suitable for children?

Realm of Terror offers Family Frights October 24 and No Actor Night October 29. Most regular shows are intense.

Can I visit two Chicago haunted houses in one night?

Basement of the Dead and Disturbia are the most practical pairing, but timed entry, traffic and queues still matter.

Is FrightTour affiliated with these attractions?

No. FrightTour is an independent planning guide.

FrightTour does not operate or represent these attractions. Dates, hours, prices, parking, shuttle procedures and age rules can change. Official venue pages are the final authority.

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