13th Floor – Get Ready to be Scared
Chicago, IL, USA
by James Klein
Bonfires burning bright Pumpkin faces in the night I remember Halloween
—The Misfits
It’s that time of year again. The sounds of screams fill the autumn air. Bright search lights roam the sky. As I walk towards the dark warehouse I can see some sort of creature in what appears to be chains hovering around a group of young girls as this ghoul suddenly takes off back inside. I have returned to the 13th Floor.
Located at 1940 George Street in Melrose Park, 13th Floor is one of Chicago’s premium haunted houses. While there is a parking lot across the street, I tend to go the cheap route and park at a nearby Aldi’s and walk my ass towards this chamber of horrors, preparing myself to be startled and amazed by what’s to come.
Tickets range from $19.95 on weekdays to $29.99 on Fridays to even $32.99 on Saturday’s. The best way to get tickets and to see how much they will cost is to go on the website at https://www.13thfloorchicago.com/admission.html
13th Floor
Split up in two haunted houses, 13th floor gives attendees the chance to go through The Possession and also Dead End District: The Cell.
While the name of The Possession is different (last year it was Cursed Purgatory) the haunted house is almost exactly the same. And that was just fine by me. I loved the sets and all the work that has gone into them and I had no problem returning to what feels like a gothic nightmare.
The slanted room with strobe lights, crawling through a small opening, even the gothic castle all return from the previous years. Still my all time favorite room is the swamp set that gives the illusion you are chest high in a swamp, all done with lights and lasers.
This year’s Dead End District: The Cell however is a little different. After a quick introduction by a young female zombie with a bloody head wound, we were subjected to walk through what appears to be a futuristic prison where several creatures and aliens appearing to be locked up…or are they?
Being a fan of the older man-in-suit monster films, I really dug the beginning of Dead End District: The Cell. I wanted to stop and take a closer look at these creatures and sets but with characters jumping out and screaming for you to continue, it was hard to take in the horrid beauty that I was witnessing.
As I ventured into this maze of hell, I realized that half way through that this year’s Dead End District I started noticing the same sets and rooms. I was a tad disappointed that not as many actors were on board near the end of the haunted house as walking out
into the night air wasn’t as thrilling as other years. Were some of the actors sick and called off that night? I am unsure but when the actor who usually chases or at least taunts you with a chainsaw missed his cue, I was already walking out the door.
Attendees this year are lead into a gift shop once the nightmare is over where one is given a chance to purchase t-shirts, hoodies, shot glasses, hats, etc.
13th Floor still packs a punch and I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing walking through these amazing sets. With the Halloween season upon us, 13th Floor is still highly recommended and a hell of a good time.
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