Compare five current haunted attractions from O'Hare to Aurora, Lockport and Lake County—with official dates, drive-aware routes and group-fit guidance.
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.
Stay in the city for a haunted-house fundraiser supporting the Chase Park after-school teen program. The 2026 theme is Chuckles’ Sweet 16…A Party to Die For.
General admission is $16 before tax. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are valid only for the selected time slot; there are no onsite sales, refunds or exchanges. The official calendar lists October 23–25 and October 30–31 sessions, plus a separate November 1 Black Out event. Check the specific session and ticket type before buying.
The Park District does not recommend the event for children under 10. The operator lists low visibility, fog, strobes, loud sound, tight walkways and uneven pathways. Confirm access needs directly before booking.
Use 4701 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640. Pick a nearby meal stop around your entry time and keep this as the evening’s anchor rather than rushing to a suburban haunt.
This spotlight was checked October 21, 2026. The five main attraction listings below retain their October 1 verification date.
Start with the attraction nearest your group, then build dinner and the return trip around it.
Two 2026 themes plus optional mini escape games and secret-bar packages in Schiller Park. Select nights September 12–November 8; the event warns it may be too intense for children 12 and under.
A torch-lit forest, cemetery and multi-level mansion with secret passages and slides. The 2026 season runs September 24–November 1 on select dates, with more than 150 live actors advertised.
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.
A room-driven indoor attraction in Downers Grove. The official site lists a 2026 Halloween run beginning September 12, with October and November evenings.
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.
| Experience | Format | 2026 timing | Best fit | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Floor | Two themes + add-ons | Sept. 12–Nov. 8 | Big production near the city | Schiller Park |
| HellsGate | Forest + mansion | Sept. 24–Nov. 1 | Destination night | Lockport |
| Basement of the Dead | Traditional + 3D | Sept. 18–Nov. 7 | Two experiences in one stop | Aurora |
| Disturbia | Indoor room-driven haunt | From Sept. 12 into November | Western-suburb groups | Downers Grove |
| Realm of Terror | Haunt + midway | Oct. 3–31 | North suburbs + mixed groups | Round Lake Beach |
These attractions span multiple expressways and counties. Save the correct address before leaving.
Eat near O'Hare, reserve 13th Floor as the sole anchor, and use its add-ons instead of crossing the suburbs.
Arrive early for the shuttle, forest approach and mansion. Avoid scheduling another timed entry afterward.
Basement and Disturbia are the practical two-haunt pairing. Try it off-peak with early tickets and a large traffic buffer.
Choose Family Frights October 24 or No Actor Night October 29 instead of the regular full-intensity show.
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.
Use each operator’s official calendar and select the exact date and entry time. A season date range does not mean the attraction opens every night. Park After Dark requires advance online tickets.
Among these five, 13th Floor in Schiller Park is generally closest to central Chicago and convenient to O'Hare and Rosemont.
Realm of Terror offers Family Frights October 24 and No Actor Night October 29. Most regular shows are intense.
Basement of the Dead and Disturbia are the most practical pairing, but timed entry, traffic and queues still matter.
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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