Get Spooked in Illinois this Halloween

Best local Haunted House experience is “Basement of the Dead” located in Aurora, Illinois.

In the late 1920’s, Walker Laundry opened at 42 West New York St. and became Aurora’s largest laundry company. Around 1945 Imus Kilya was working there as a maintenance engineer. His son Al came to work as his assistant in 1960. Heat for the building and steam for the presses was supplied by a coal-fired boiler installed when the building was built. Al and Imus continually complained that it needed to be replaced, but management wouldn’t spend the money. In 1964 the boiler exploded maiming and scalding Al and Imus. They never returned to work and the rumor was they had vowed to get even.

Under the streets and buildings were sewer lines and tunnels well known to Al and Imus. A year or so after the explosion people from the laundry started to disappear and body parts were found in the river near the drainage pipes. Al and Imus were suspected but never found. The laundry eventually closed and the basement was never used again. Businesses have come and gone but nobody stays. Basement Of The Dead is proof that Al & Imus still exist and have made this basement their home. The mutilation and horror you will witness are so shocking, you’ll wish you never entered. 

Admission Costs: General Admission: $28  (13 years and older) – open now through the end of October.

Admission to both top-rated haunted attractions: Basement of the Dead and Shattered 3D
42 West York Street, Aurora, IL

Halloween is creeping up and there are plenty of festive family activities across the state. Whether it be haunted houses, trick-or-treating or costume parades, there are hair-raising activities for all in Illinois.

• Screams are heard year-round at Six Flags Great America but they’re amplified when Fright Fest is on. Enjoy an epic lineup of haunted houses and thrilling roller coasters…in the dark!
• At Navy Pier, fabulous fall deals and pumpkin pop-up installations will entertain all during the free Pier Pumpkin Lights event series.
• A Peoria tradition for 33 years, Wildlife Scary Park breaks attendance records every year. This event is kid-friendly and offers trick-or-treating, hayrides, animal encounters and much more!
• Experience fall festivals & events, haunted happenings, wineries and pumpkin patches on the Trail of Terror in Northern Illinois.
• The only event of it’s kind in the Chicago area, Night of 1000 Jack-o’-Lanterns sees the Chicago Botanic Garden decorated with more than 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Book tickets in advance to secure your spot.
• Locally enjoy the Pumpkin Patch Display (Sycamore Courthouse) and the Sycamore Pumpkin Parade (last Sunday in October).
• On October 19 and 20 visit the spirited McPike Mansion and celebrate Halloween during the annual McPike Mansion Halloween Campout. Visit the wine cellar to communicate with the spirits of McPike Mansion while you enjoy food and fun.