Basement of the Dead Haunted House 2021

Basement of the Dead & Shattered 3D Nightmare
Aurora, Illinois
Visited on: Sunday, October 3, 2021

Vital Signs:
Opened: 2003 originally, new owners took over in 2010
Number of seasons-to-date: 18 (11 with new ownership)
Number of attractions: 2
Size: 12,000 square feet
Number of actors: 55
Fun Fact: This attraction is ACTUALLY in the basement of a 100-year-old building in the middle of downtown Aurora

Since 2003, Basement of the Dead Haunted House has been one of the most recognized attractions in the Chicagoland area. Being a main staple on our HHC Top 13 list every year and taking the crown in 2008 and 2016, this attraction has a very large following that continues to grow each year adding more accolades to its name.

For those that are afraid of the dark, this is the place to confront your fears head-on and dive right into the depths of its darkness! For those unaware, this attraction is set within a real basement, there’s nothing fake about the creepy in here. From the odor to the cobwebs, even we can’t tell what’s real or fake! Within the walls of the basement, the dark is their best friend. For other attractions, lighting is important, but at Basement of the Dead, it takes it to a whole new level and puts you out of your comfort zone not knowing what is lurking in the darkness in front of you.

Before actually entering the first attraction, the utilization of wait line entertainment goes above and beyond! When we say party, we mean OVER THE TOP all around Halloween party atmosphere that goes all night long. From roaming line actors playing with the patrons, to the live DJ spinning their favorite tracks, to free giveaways being thrown into the crowd. Waiting in line here is never boring or dull.

Beginning our tour into the basement, you’re hit with that musty basement smell, and that’s when you know that what comes next will definitely send shivers up your spine.

The creators and designers behind this attraction are always working on changing and updating the rooms in the off-season, 2021 was no exception. From the mannequin room, spider filled sewer, the doll room and the church, the actors in here are ready to attack. Other rooms that grabbed our attention were the nurse area and the rotating Satanic room, you’ll be in for a real surprise when you try to exit from Hell.

One of our highlight rooms this year was the swamp. Be careful of what’s lurking in the dark, but more importantly, be careful and watch your step, you never know what you may be stepping on!

Once escaping from the Basement, the fun and screams don’t stop there. Patrons now get to experience the second attraction, “Shattered 3D Nightmare”. For those afraid of clowns, this one may or may not be for you, be prepared to hold on to your loved one, you’re in for a treat! This haunt gives its patrons 3D glasses and sends you off into the 3D nightmare of bright lights, remarkable 3D artwork and a bunch of hungry clowns ready to make you their friend!

Weaving throughout this attraction, an eclectic and loud soundtrack plays overhead, muffling the screams from within. With perfectly timed animatronics and live actors attacking from all angles, you won’t know which clown is real or isn’t! Be careful as you leave, you never know which clown may try to keep you as theirs forever.

Monsters of Note: Zoey, Peeler the Skin Stealer, Simbu Darkfang, and Monky

The Bottom Line: With the balanced amount of scare, fun, and overall wait line entertainment this attraction continues to grow each and every season and keeps getting darker, dirtier, and scarier! If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out these attractions, you won’t want to miss out.

But, don’t just take our word for it, check out media from our visit: