23 Haunted Houses in ILLINOIS (Spooky, Creepy & Eerie)
Living a life revolving around joy and blue can be tedious.
There is much more to the life in front of you than what you see as if there’s a parchment filtering your sight, making you only witness the writings in its front and clueless of its back.
Open your eyes, widen your ears, and strengthen your senses!
Enter a new world of the unknown and introduce yourself with another spice.
Have a bit of fright!
Get your nerves ready as we tour the scariest haunted houses in Illinois.
Here are 23 haunted houses you can add to your freaky go-to list:
And by the way, you may also want to check out some of Illinois’ ghost towns.
Haunted Houses in Springfield, Illinois
1. Terror on the Square (Scary Live Actors)
Are you looking for a haunted location with scary facilities and special effects?
Gate your heart and beware of the chills as you explore this haunted attraction!
Terror on the Square presents you its spooky dark hallways and scary surprises that will give you the creeps with the help of their live actors.
It is situated inside the Menard County Courthouse.
Inside, you’ll witness several creepy scenes as well as brilliant acting and jumpscares you’ll never forget.
Operating from late September to November, the Halloween season from day to night, Terror on the Square is worthy of your attention as it will surely make your heart drum loud.
So head to this horror attraction now and get ready to put your heart on a spooky rollercoaster!
Address: Illinois State Fairgrounds 801 E Sangamon Ave Springfield, IL 62702
2. The Haunted Halls of Jacksonville (Foggy Rooms & Live Actors)
Bring a friend and grab tight as you visit one of the oldest haunted attractions in Illinois!
This haunted attraction will send you chills and a huge sensation of creepiness.
Having 13,000 square feet of space and containing 23 rooms of spookiness, you’ll indeed have so much to explore.
Walking through their corridors, you’ll be introduced to foggy dark rooms packed with special effects.
Their rooms are themed with different concepts, like a creepy clown and a damned laboratory that will make you shiver.
They also have live actors and jumpscares that indeed add more yelp of fright to the scene!
Be careful on your way, though; you might get carried away and pounce on the brilliant actors.
Plan your visit now and get ready for a fun-spooky experience!
Address: 230 S. Main St. Jacksonville, IL 62650
3. Torment at Twelve Hundred (Indoor Horror & Spooky Themes)
Expect a day loaded with horror as you visit this 25,000-square-foot indoor haunted house!
Torment at Twelve Hundred is another popular haunted attraction in Springfield, Illinois.
It is located at the Bartonville State Hospital, a real-life haunted former mental hospital that locals believe to be haunted.
Visitors to the haunted home have described seeing apparitions, feeling cold spots, and hearing odd noises, among other paranormal phenomena.
While the attraction is meant to be spooky, the performers and personnel are trained to ensure that all guests are safe and have a good time.
The haunted house contains many spooky themes, including a haunted mental asylum, a terrifying carnival, and a haunted funeral home.
Discounts for groups and students are available when purchasing Torment at Twelve Hundred tickets online or in person, so head to their site now and prepare for your spooky adventure!
Address: 402 E. Saint Joseph St. Bartonville, IL 61607
4. Raven’s Curse Haunted House (Realistic & Spooky Themes)
Feel the chills and the eeriness upon visiting this haunted house.
With its realistic, terrifying decors and dimmed interior, you’ll have a horror movie-like experience!
Raven’s Curse Haunted House is currently at 302 Swan Ave, Centralia.
Upon visiting, look out for witnessing apparitions, feeling cold spots, and hearing odd noises, among other paranormal phenomena as experienced and reported by previous visitors!
Adding to the real-life horror of the house, it is decorated with several spooky themes, including a haunted mansion, a creepy carnival, and a forest overrun with zombies.
But don’t worry, as a group of seasoned specialists manage the haunted home and put up much effort to give visitors a horrific experience.
Furthermore, for kids and families who wish to experience the haunted home without the horrors, Raven’s Curse now provides a “lights on” tour.
Address: 65 miles from Springfield, 302 Swan Ave, Centralia, IL 62801
Also see our article on Castles in Illinois.
Haunted Houses in Decatur, Illinois
1. Hoppers Haunted House (Dark, Eerie & Interactive)
Be ready to be transported in a world of darkness and fright.
Hopper Haunted House is not designed for people with soft hearts.
This haunted house’s plan is to scare you like no other!
From its creepy corridors, eerie rooms, themed scenarios, and special effects, you’ll surely jump more than once.
The reality and detailing of each corner of the house especially add to the spooky atmosphere.
Furthermore, the adventure inside will be challenging as you can immerse yourself in interactive activities such as escape rooms and laser tag, making it worthwhile to visit the house.
The Hopper Haunted House opens in late September through early November.
In case of hunger, there are food vendors in the area.
Visit the haunted house now and experience a memorable 20 minutes of your life!
Address: Hopper Haunted House11576 Illinois Rt 48 Decatur, IL 62521
2. The Haunt at Bonesaw Mill (Haunted Attraction & Interactive Options)
Another place to look for spooks is The Haunt at Bonesaw Mill!
The Haunt at Bonesaw Mill Decatur is a haunted attraction and a working mill.
It is near the intersection of Illinois Route 24 and State Route 87 and has been open since 1983.
There are several attractions to choose from in its vicinity, including the Haunted House, the Terror Zone, and the Scream Zone.
Suppose you’re looking for something more interactive.
In that case, options are available for you, such as the Zombie Apocalypse and other games, laser tag, and other activities that can be done inside or outside, depending on weather conditions.
The Haunt at Bonesaw Mill Decatur is open every night from 7:00 pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from 6:00 pm to midnight on Sundays through Thursdays.
Tickets are sold at the door for $21 per person or $10 for children ages 6-12.
Address: 451 N Brush College Rd, Decatur, IL 62521, United States
3. Factory of Fear (Impressive Sets & Spooky Music)
The Factory of Fear in Decatur, Illinois, is a great option!
In search of a spine-tingling sensation?
Thanks to its impressive sets and superb performers, this haunted attraction will give you shivers and chills.
All horror fans should go to Factory of Fear in Decatur, Illinois!
The staff of Factory of Fear has spent every penny possible creating a frightful setting.
Extensive sets, special effects, and spooky music abound throughout the attraction.
With their attention to detail, the team strives to produce a realistic horror experience that makes you feel as though you’re in a horror movie.
The performers give their parts their absolute best effort, heightening the scene’s realism.
In addition, they provide additional eerie activities like virtual reality and escape rooms.
What are you waiting for?
Gather your friends and family, and head to Factory of Fear for a night of terror and fun!
Address: 5027 S 2nd St, Decatur, IL 62521, United States
4. Scareport (Haunted House, Hayrides & Corn Maze)
Travel to a terrifying port of thrills in Decatur.
Presenting The Scareport, one of the top Halloween attractions in Decatur, Illinois.
Scareport provides several terrifying activities that will make you shudder with horror, including a haunted house, hayrides, and a corn maze.
The biggest draw of Scareport is the haunted home.
This haunted mansion will have you screaming from the jump scares and terrifying creatures that lurk around every corner.
Hayrides can be right for you if you want a more calm experience.
Yet, if you’re looking for a more significant challenge, you should put their corn maze at the top of your list.
Be cautious, and attempt to escape before the intruding beasts locate you!
Plan your visit now and enter the world of spookiness with your family!
Address: 430 W Harrison Ave, Decatur, IL 62522
Also see our article on Escape Rooms in Illinois.
Haunted Houses in Rockford, Illinois
1. Twisted Crypt Haunted House (Frightening Effects & Talented Actors)
Brace yourself and get ready to enter the gates of horror.
The Twisted Crypt Haunted House presents you its frightening special effects, talented live actors, and terrifying scenes popular to locals and visitors in Rockford, Illinois.
This Haunted house is open to the public every Halloween season from mid-September through early November.
With their scary-themed rooms, you should bring a companion to share the fright as you go through their haunted asylum, zombie-infested city, or creepy carnival rooms.
Quick warning, make sure you and your friend have a strong heart and do not bring a young friend as this haunted house is not designed for the weak!
Upon entering the attraction, you will be required to sign a waiver confirming that you are aware and agree that the actors may touch or grab you and you may witness frightening scenes and scary loud sounds.
If you must bring kids, there is an option such as the “lights-on” tour for a milder experience.
Address: 5420 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108
2. Midway Village Museum (Historic & Ghost Walk Tour)
Look into the story of the Midway Village Museum and prepare yourself for the chills!
The Midway Village Museum is a history museum situated in Rockford, Illinois.
It is meant to preserve and narrate the history of Rockford from mid-19th to the mid-20th century.
Visiting the creepy Museum, you may observe 30 historic buildings, such as a blacksmith shop, a Victorian Mansion, or a barn, restored to their look in the days.
Although the Museum is entirely aged and creepy looking, there are no reports of paranormal activity.
But if you are looking for some scary experience, the Museum hosts a “Ghost Walk” tour every Halloween season.
This tour tackles history and narrates ghost stories and legends, although this does not mean to be taken as a paranormal investigation but solely for entertainment.
Address: 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, IL 61107
3. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens (Real Haunted Location)
Hold up, think twice upon visiting this real-life haunted location!
No, this is not an entertainment horror house where you’ll see live actors and manufactured props to scare you.
This location has accurate reports of paranormal activity and has a reputation for being haunted!
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens was built in 1865, offering guided tours inside presenting collections such as decorative arts, personal artifacts of the Tinker family, and other furnishings.
The structure is adorned with hand-carved woodwork, stained glass windows, and a spiral staircase, making it a perfect representation of Swiss Gothic architecture.
Despite the horror experience in the location, they host yearly events such as lectures, concerts, and workshops.
But beware, if you plan on attending, make sure you talk to real people, not ghosts!
Address: Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens 411 Kent St Rockford, IL 61102
4. Coronado Performing Arts Center (Rumored to be Haunted)
Have you recovered from the chills?
To bring the spook again, learn about another real-life haunted location, the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
This attraction has been constantly rumored to be haunted, as reported by visitors throughout the years.
Many reports of seeing apparitions, footsteps, and strange noises and sensations inside the theater!
The ghosts must have been excited to perform in the theater too!
Furthermore, one person the people suspect that is haunting the place is a former stagehand named “Jimmy.”
He passed away during a performance in the year 1930s.
But don’t let these stories scare you away and stop you from visiting the Coronado Performing Arts Center and watching entertaining performances!
If you are a horror fanatic, bring your camera to film the performances and catch a paranormal experience.
Address: Coronado Performing Arts Center 314 North Main Street Rockford, IL 61101
Also see our article on Festivals in Illinois.
Haunted Houses in Peoria, Illinois
1. The Pettengill-Morron House (Historic & No Evidence of Paranormal)
Challenge yourself not to hold on to your friend’s arm upon visiting this old haunted house!
The Pettengill-Morron House is a historic house museum built in the year 1896.
Although there is no evidence of paranormal activity in the area, the visitors’ reports and the house’s creepy ambiance are enough to scare you.
The house was initially built for a prominent businessman and politician named Moses Pettengill.
It was later sold to the Morron family, who stayed there for 60 years and made renovations.
The current creepiness of the house may be due to its Second Empire architectural style.
There are also original furnishings, artworks, and personal belongings of the late Peetingill and Morron family, which you may observe as you attend the museums’ guided tours.
The Museum’s admission fee varies and is open to the public from May to December.
Address: The Pettengill-Morron House 1212 West Moss Avenue Peoria, IL 61606
2. Realm of Terror (Frightening & Extreme)
You’ll close your eyes tight and scream your lungs out in this haunted house!
Realm of Terror serves you with a night of screams as you enter the haunted house in a former warehouse building.
There is definitely no dull moment in this haunted attraction.
The place has horrific sets, special effects, and live actors that all add to the frightening and fun experience.
You may expect themed rooms with creepy props and eerie dark corridors inside.
There are also mazes!
Keep your panic from taking over you or you’ll never pass the maze!
If you have severe heart conditions, it may be best to step back, as this haunted house is quite extreme.
The Realm of Terror opens during weekends and extended hours on Halloween night in October.
Address: 144 miles from Peoria, 421 W Rollins Rd, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073, U.S.
3. Terror on Washington Street (Terrifying Themed Rooms)
It’s time to take group dates to another level.
Bring your friends to a horror adventure and escape the terror together in the Terror on Washington Street!
This haunted attraction is popular in Peoria and operates yearly during Halloween.
Entering the house, you and your friends may expect terrifying themed rooms, including a creepy clown room and a frightening zombie room.
There is also a room decorated as a haunted forest.
Keep your friend together and try not to jump at the scary talented live actors you’ll encounter!
For the ticket options, there is a general admission, a VIP admission, and of course, group rates.
Ensure that none of you are weak-hearted, as the scenes inside will be nerve-wracking.
But don’t worry about the general safety of the haunted attraction, as the staff is doing a great job in keeping a safe experience for all visitors.
Address: 47 miles from Peoria,19 Washington St. Clinton, IL 61727
4. Spider Hill Haunted Attractions (Various Attractions & Interactive)
Located in Greater Peoria, this Haunted House will make your stomach churn from fright as you witness the different attractions they feature, such as the Massacre Mansion, Zombie Invasion Paintball, the Freak Show, and the Trail of Terror.
This haunted attraction opens in October, usually from 7 pm to 11 pm on selected dates which you can check on their website.
Apart from the scary attractions you can visit on-site, you can also enjoy other activities, such as chilling in their bonfires, purchasing in their gift shops, and buying food from vendors.
Furthermore, an outdoor haunted trail is adorned with scary themes through the woods, which adds more spice to the fright!
In addition, if you’d prefer a more interactive activity, try the Zombie Invasion Paintball, which allows you to shoot paintballs at zombies!
Address: Three Sisters Park, 17189 N. Route 29, Chillicothe, IL 61523
Also see our article on Christmas in Illinois.
Haunted Houses in Chicago, Illinois
1. 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago (Based on Legend & Realistic)
Located in Melrose Park, the 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago opens yearly to welcome another set of people to frighten.
They are usually open from September to early November.
What’s interesting about this haunted house and what sets it apart from others is the story’s inspiration behind it.
The main attraction was based on the famous legend of the 13th floor of a building claimed to be haunted.
This backstory makes your visit even more terrifying, as if a horror myth is coming to life and you’re a part of it!
Inside, attractions include the creepy Deadly Reflection maze, the Possession Room, and the Clown Room.
Due to the realism, intricate sets, scary special effects, and brilliant scare tactics, the haunted house managed to bag multiple awards.
Furthermore, for the tickets, you can purchase them online or at the box office.
There are VIP and Fast Pass options offered for an additional fee.
Address: 1940 George St, Melrose Park, IL 60160, United States
2. H.H. Holmes’ Murder Castle (Dark Past & Paranormal Reports)
This haunted building may be eliminated but never forgotten.
The H.H. Holmes’ Murder Castle has a very dark past.
Designed and owned by H.H. Holmes, a notorious serial killer, the building was used as a storage for the bodies of his victims.
H.H. Holmes confessed to murdering at least 27 innocent people and disposing of the bodies in the basement of a nearby pharmacy connected to his building.
The building’s basement has a dissecting table, a crematorium, and a chute.
This building is terrifying and as if made to shelter his dark agendas.
It has over 100 rooms with no windows, secret passages, and doors that lead nowhere.
Gas lines are even equipped in some rooms, which he would control to asphyxiate his victims.
Furthermore, the castle was used as a hotel during the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, and some rooms were meant to trap and kill the guests.
The place has numerous paranormal reports, and people suspect the victims’ ghosts still linger.
Today, the building is already demolished, but its horrifying history will never be erased.
Address: 3101 Canal St, Lockport, IL 60441, United States
3. The Drake Hotel (Historic & Ghost Sightings)
This historic hotel in the Gold Coast neighborhood is another location for ghost hunters and paranormal experts.
The Drake Hotel was built in 1920 and is known for its iconic architecture and luxurious amenities.
It is also famous for its Sunday brunch and tea service in the Palm Court.
The hotel sheltered many notable guests, such as Princess Diana, Frank Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe.
Hiding behind its beauty, rumors of it being haunted circling.
There have been many reports from the visitors of ghost sightings and unexplained creepy occurrences in many areas around the hotel, particularly the tenth floor, the Palm Court, and the Cape Cod Room.
One story that is well-known to the hotel is the haunting of the Lady in Red, who is said to be a female ghost lingering on the tenth floor.
Address: 140 E Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
4. Jane Addams Hull House (Settlement House & Paranormal Reports)
Another candidate for a real-life paranormal place is the Jane Addams Hull House.
This house was built in the n year 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr as a settlement house.
The house served as a community center, providing social and educational services to immigrants and working-class residents.
It expanded to include 13 buildings over time, offering a broader range of services such as literature, art, music, and healthcare classes.
Several notable guests, such as Jane Addams, Florence Kelley, and Upton Sinclair, had stayed in the Hull House.
Today, the house has an eerie atmosphere, and there have been many reports of paranormal incidents.
Furthermore, it was reopened as a museum in 2015 after being closed in 2012 due to financial constraints.
Address: 800 S Halsted St Chicago, IL 60607 United States
Also see our article on Museums in Illinois.
Haunted Houses in Elgin, Illinois
1. Evil Intentions Haunted House (Extreme Horror & Creative Sets)
Visit another heart-thumping attraction and extreme place of horror!
The Evil Intentions Haunted House is a famous haunted house in Elgin containing three different attractions, including the Factory of Malum, Ashes to Ashes, and Darkness Rising.
You will surely enjoy the frightening scenes thanks to their creative sets and special effects with intricate detailing to make the experience more realistic.
This attraction is not recommended for younger children, people with heart issues, and those prone to fainting.
That said, you best know the haunted house experience will be frightening!
The Evil Intentions Haunted House opens from late September to early November and extends its operation during the Halloween Season.
Head to this horror land now and bring along plenty of courage!
Address: 900 Grace Street Elgin, IL 60120
2. The Elgin State Hospital (Historic & Haunted Reputation)
This fear-triggering structure, established in 1869, holds creepy stories of actual paranormal occurrences.
The Elgin State Hospital was built on 1,000 acres of land in Elgin, containing several cottages to shelter patients and a main building.
Its objective was to provide aid to mentally ill individuals hence the cottage, which they believed to give a more humane experience for them rather than the usual plain boring rooms.
The hospital then became overcrowded and needed more staff, leading to poor living conditions for the patients.
There were also several reports of abuse and neglect.
It had gone to renovations and improvements in year 1950s and 1960s but closed by the 1990s.
Since then, some original structures have remained untouched while others have been demolished or repurposed.
The hospital has a prominent reputation for being haunted over the years.
Due to its past, it is also often a subject of urban legends and ghost stories.
Address: 750 S State St, Elgin, IL 60123, United States
3. The Gifford-Davidson House (Greek Revival & Ghosty Occurences)
The eerie Gifford-Davidson House was built in 1857 by George Gifford, a wealthy businessman who became successful in the leather trade.
It has a Greek Revival style adorned with tall columns and a symmetrical facade.
The house had sheltered Gifford, his wife, and his children until his passing in 1880.
Since then, the house has been passed on and repurposed as a boarding and funeral home.
It was then bought by Frederick and Caroline Davidson in 1919, restored to its original physique, and even added a ballroom and other modern amenities.
The house is proud to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a great representation of Greek Revival architecture in the Midwest.
Due to its old age and passing from different hands, there have been numerous reports of ghostly occurrences from visitors and even paranormal investigators.
Address: 201 Cedar Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120
If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best Picnic Spots, Small Towns, and Safari in Illinois.
Looking beyond Illinois? Check out our article on the scariest haunted houses in Texas and California’s most creepy haunted houses.