13th Floor Haunted House Chicago 2021
13th Floor Haunted House Chicago
Schiller Park, IL
Visited on: Thursday, September 30, 2021
Vital Signs:
Opened: 2014
Number of seasons-to-date: 7
Number of attractions: 2
Number of actors: 50
Setting: Indoor
Fun Fact: Part of 13th Floor Entertainment Group with over 14 attractions nationally
Opening back in 2014, 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago has been a staple. Gracing our market by bringing the scares and details from nationally acclaimed set designers, managers, and overall crew from 13th Floor Entertainment Group. Now housing 2 attractions in the Chicago market, rounding out their haunted attractions nationwide to 14, this group knows how to produce an attraction and they do it very well.
Being named HHC’s Best New Haunted Attraction in 2014, this show has been a constant on our Top 13 list. This year in the offseason, 13th Floor had quite the change that included moving to a new location AND having only 2 months to put it all together! Originally based in Melrose Park, their new home is located in Schiller Park, right off of River Road, very close to all the hustle and bustle of the Fashion Outlets of Chicago Mall and the Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District.
But, enough about that, let’s dive into the details! Something well known about 13th Floor is that here, it’s all about the detail. When we say that the sets are massive, we mean 20-foot high and fully submerging you into the experience. The illusions of what you’re walking through become a reality as the details come down to every spider web, candle flame flicker, smell, and even running water! Incorporating tighter spaces and an eclectic and powerful choice of music playing overhead, nothing is overlooked here as you make your way through each scene.
This year’s first attraction, Bad Blood, themed after a feud between the Vampires and Werewolves takes you through an asylum, hospital ward, and even down to the CTA train. One of the most memorable (and smelliest) rooms we went through was that of the bathroom, make sure to take a deep sniff in there, you’ll know exactly what we mean! Not to mention, the walk through the sewers. Including real water running made it feel as if we were heading underground to the far depths below the safety of the street. The actors inside were hungry and some made their presence even more prevalent by appearing in multiple scenes throughout. With careful and precise timing, speed, agility, and overall talent their attacks were spot on and full of energy! Make sure you keep an ear open for the one of the best soundtracks in a haunted house yet!
The second attraction, Spirit of Halloween, submerges you entirely between the living and the dead, summoning the spirits of the underworld to cross over to the land of the living. As we made our way from the cemetery to the Church, every actor made you feel as though the darkness would appear instantly. Though all of our encounters were dark and permeated with evil, one that specifically caught our attention was from the Nun near the Tilted/Sunken Church and through to the graveyard. Her intensity and persistence certainly made us fearful that those spirits and entities would be following us out the door and leaving with us.
If nuns and churches aren’t what haunt your nightmares, don’t worry, the greenhouse featuring the Venus flytrap, the large mansion stairwell scene, or one of our all-time favorites – the apothecary room are certain to send shivers down your spine. The actress within the apothecary was superb, from the words she was speaking, down to the garland of garlic in her hand to ward off the demon spirits.
For extra credit, if you want to continue enjoying the spirits, head down the block to the famous Hala Kahiki Tiki Bar and show then your ticket stub to unlock the 13th Floor secret drink menu! (21+)
Monsters of Note: The nun, bunny in the library, voodoo woman in apothecary
The Bottom Line: As always, this attraction is on our “must-see” list, especially with the new location! Factoring in their phenomenal crew, set details, design, and numerous hungry actors roaming throughout, you are guaranteed a frightful experience.
But, don’t just take our word for it, check out media from our visit:
–Official Haunted House Chicago Review Team Review
