At this time of year, there’s no shortage of humans eager to scare themselves–or someone else–silly. At least it’s usually for a good cause.
Below is a sampling of some of the haunted houses stirring up screams around the Chicago area this year:
BROOKFIELD JAYCEES HAUNTED HOUSE: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 13-15, 19-22, 25-31; $6; Jaycee-Elhert Park, 4315 Park Ave., Brookfield. 708-387-4695.
CAPTAIN NIGHTMARE’S MANOR: Dare to step inside this haunted house where Captain Nightmare and his gang of ghosts, creatures and other characters lurk around every corner. Recommended for children age 5 to 12. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 15, 22, 29; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 11-14, 18-21, 25-28; $6 general admission, $4 per child for school groups of 20 or more; Navy Pier Skyline Stage, 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-JACK.
CHILDREN’S TRICK OR TREAT HOUSE: For children ages 7 and under. 3-5 p.m. Oct. 25-27; $2; Mayfair Park, 4550 W. Sunnyside Ave. 312-742-7529.
THE DARK IN THE PARK: Scare yourself silly in a nine-room Haunted Pavilion, a Cadaverous Carousel from the 1920s complete with ghouls as traveling companions, a Feel & Squeal Exhibit, a Virtual Reality Ride, big screen horror films and more. 6-10 p.m. Oct. 27-29, 31; $5, $3 children; Whiting Park at the lakefront, Whiting, Ind. 219-659-0292.
DR. VERMIN’S HAUNTED MANSION: The historic Dr. German House is the site of the third annual haunted house. The event features a tour through a ghoulishly decorated house and spooky skits geared to children preschool age through 5th grade. 7-9 p.m. Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 30, 31; $5, group rates are available for parties of 10 or more; Dr. German House, 10924 S. Prospect Ave. 773-881-1831.
DREAM REAPERS: A horrifying haunted house. Ten percent of profits will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation. Group sales available. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 13-15, 19-22, 25-31; $10; Melrose Crossing Mall, Mannheim Road at North Avenue, Melrose Park. 708-344-2084.
DUNGEONS OF DOOM HAUNTED HOUSE: A spooky haunted house in the Poultry Building of the Lake County Fairgrounds. Not recommended for children under age 12. 6:30 p.m.-midnight Oct. 13-31; $9; Lake County Fairgrounds, U.S. Highway 45 and Illinois Highway 120, Grayslake. 847-223-2204.
FRIGHT FEST: Six Flags Great America becomes transformed into a spooktacular Halloween playground with more than 250 monsters, ghouls, trolls, zombies and other creatures, two haunted houses, thousands of props, facades, decorations, special effects and more. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29; 5-11 p.m. Oct. 13, 20, 27; $42.99 adults, $21.49 seniors and children (48″ tall and under); children 2 and under free; Six Flags Great America Theme Park, 542 N. Illinois Highway 21, Gurnee. 847-249-4636.
GENESIS YOUTH MINISTRY’S HAUNTED HOUSE: Prepare to be frightened. Not recommended for young children. 7-11 p.m. Oct. 28; $3; St. Alphonsus Church, 411 N. Wheeling Rd., Prospect Heights. 847-255-7452.
GHOST STORIES GALORE: Listen to spooky tales by flashlight in an old log cabin. Call for age-appropriate times; preregistration necessary. Oct. 26, 27; $3 children, adults free; Skokie Heritage Museum, 8031 Floral, Skokie. 847-674-1500, ext. 9.
HAUNTED HOUSE: 7 p.m. Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28; $3; Athletic Field Park, 3546 W. Addison St; 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 26-31; $5; Blackhawk Park, 2318 N. Lavergne Ave. 312-746-5014; 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31; 50 cents; Stanton Park, 618 W. Scott St. 312-742-7529.
HAUNTED LABYRINTH: In its ninth year, this spine-tingling combination of fright and artistry is spooky for all ages. 7-10 p.m. Oct. 13, 14, 20-22, 25-31; $5, bring two non-perishable food items and get $1 off of admission; St. Benedict Rectory, 2215 W. Irving Park Rd. 773-583-2448 x8.
HAUNTED MANOR: This 30-foot-long-by-12-foot-high Victorian mansion offers 20 rooms full of magic and ghostly illusions. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 15, 22, 29; 3-9 p.m. Oct. 13, 14, 16-21, 23-28, 30, 31; $2; Charlestowne Mall, 3800 North Ave., St. Charles. 630-513-1120.
THE HAUNTINGS AT NAVY PIER: Children of all ages will delight in trick-or-treating, a new haunted house, hayrides on Doc Street, seasonal arts and crafts projects and more. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. through Oct. 31; free, haunted house $4-$6; Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-5225.
LAKE ZURICH HAUNTED HOUSE: A two-story, theme-maze featuring the smoke room, the vampire room and the guillotine room. 7:30-11:30 p.m. Oct. 20, 21, 26-28; noon-2 p.m. Oct. 28 children’s matinee; $6, $3 for matinee; Lake Zurich Haunted House, U.S. Highway 12 and Illinois Highway 22, Lake Zurich. 847-438-5146.
MACK MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE: 10 rooms of haunted terror, including Hells Kitchen, the Unliving Room and the Bloodbath Room. Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28; not scary hours (recommended for children under 10), 5-7 p.m., $3 for kids; $5 for adults; scary hours, 7-10 p.m., $5 for everyone; Lions Park, 100 Beachway Drive, Fox River Grove.
MANN PARK HAUNTED HOUSE: 6-10 p.m. Oct. 26-28; Mann Park, 2949 E. 131st St. 312-742-7529.
NOT-SO-HAUNTED-HAUNTED HOUSE: Annual haunted house recommended for children 4th grade age and under. 1, 6 p.m. Oct. 28; $4 children, free for parents; Palos Pool, 7607 W. College Drive, Palos Heights. 708-361-1807.
PALMER PARK TERROR: A scary haunted house. 6-10 p.m. Oct. 27; Palmer Park, 11100 S. Indiana Ave. 312-742-7529.
SCREAM SCENE–HAUNTED HOUSE: Prepare yourself for the scariest haunted house in town. Not for the faint of heart. 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28, 30, 31; $6; Skokie Water Playground (Bath House), 4701 Oakton St., Skokie. 847-674-1500, ext. 0.
SCREAMFEST: The 12th annual haunted house features 16 spooktacular nights with a two-section haunted theme: The Dark Haven Incident and The Enigma Project. The undead will arrive on opening night and dance the night away. 6 p.m. Oct. 13, 14, 16-21, 23-28, 30, 31; $10-$17; Odeum, 1033 N. Villa Ave., Villa Park. 630-941-9292.
SCREAMWAY: Chicago Motor Speedway’s transforms into “Screamway,” a haunted house with 40,000 square feet worth of terror. For the fainthearted or young, there is also an all-ages 3-D house, which features a pumpkin patch and petting zoo. Parking is free. 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13-15, 19-22, 25-31; $7-$15; Sportsman’s Park and Chicago Motor Speedway, 3301 S. Laramie Ave., Cicero. 708-652-2812.
STATEVILLE HAUNTED PRISON: Price includes hayride, haunted barn and Jefferson Graveyard visit. 7 p.m. Oct. 13-15, 19-22, 26-29; $15; Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm, 17250 S. Weber Rd., Crest Hill. 815-741-2693.
TOUR OF TERROR: Doors will creak open at Northbrook Park District’s Annual Haunted House, where slimy creatures and ghoulish ghosts lurk behind every twist and turn. 6-9 p.m. Oct. 21, 27, 28; $3 in advance, $4 at door; Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Ave., Northbrook. 847-291-2993.
TOUR OF TERROR HAUNTED HOUSE: For ages 8 and older. All who survive the terrifying trip will receive a bag full of Halloween goodies. 6-9 p.m. Oct. 21, 27, 28; $3 in advance, $4 at door; Meadowhill Chalet, 1501 Maple Ave., Northbrook. 847-291-2960.
WITCHES OF WAVELAND, HAUNTED TOWER AND FOREST: A hayride takes visitors through the haunted forest. 7, 10 p.m. Oct. 28; 7, 9 p.m. Oct. 29; $2, ages 7 and older; Waveland Clock Tower, 3800 N. Lake Shore Drive. 312-742-7529.
