As someone who falls asleep to true crime podcasts, collects taxidermied bats, and stocks up on Spirit Halloween decor for year-round use, it is safe to say I am an avid lover of Halloween and all things spooky. This year I attended five haunted attractions in the Denver area, which I think makes me qualified to talk about them.
As the season is coming to a close, here is all you need to know before next October rolls around.
5) The Ritual – The Ritual haunted house located in Englewood is one of the best haunted houses in the area to get the bang for your buck. At a more reasonable price point of $25 per ticket, you can purchase a ticket online and attend at any point during the season as there are no time slots.
The Ritual is a well thought out local haunt that takes you through various spine-chilling scenes including an interactive swamp. This is the perfect haunted house for those who just want to dip their feet into the waters of haunted attractions, as it’s short and sweet but still frightening. I would recommend attending this attraction as early as 7pm to avoid a long wait to get in.
4) The Frightmare Compound – Westminster’s Frightmare Compound is Colorado’s oldest haunted house, celebrating its 40th year in the business. The Compound’s lengthy history and supposed actual hauntedness, makes it an essential attraction for Coloradans to attend at least once.
While I didn’t find this haunted house to be particularly scary, I was blown away by all the detail put into it. The only issue I had with the Frightmare Compound was that each group is sent in very close together, so it’s only a matter of time before everyone catches up to one another. Although, this is not an issue unique to the Compound. However, what does make the Compound unique from any other haunted attraction in the Denver area is the Monster Museum. After the actual haunted house, attendees are able to walk through a mini museum full of animatronics and props used previously in the Frightmare Compound, as well as various horror movie memorabilia.
3) Haunted Field of Screams – The Haunted Field of Screams in Thorton is one of Colorado’s most notable haunted attractions. Taking place almost entirely in a corn field, Haunted Field of Screams is not for the faint of heart. The most memorable part is that in order to get to the actual attraction, participants are loaded onto a hayride. Scare actors with chainsaws and ear piercing screams will jump onto the tractor, terrorizing attendees before they are dropped off at the entrance. This is one of the longest haunted houses in the area, lasting roughly forty-five minutes to an hour long. The scariest part of the entire attraction is trying to make your way through the corn in the darkness.
2) Terror in the Corn – Located at Anderson Farms in Erie, CO, Terror in the Corn is a bit of a drive from the city however, it’s well worth it. A mile long walk through the set of a haunted town, Terror in the Corn is one of the most popular fall attractions in Colorado.
Although I didn’t find this attraction to be particularly scary due to the fact that at some point every group catches up to one another, I still greatly enjoyed the experience. Terror in the Corn is very detailed and the scare actors are clever. This is also one of the most well organized haunted attractions I have been to, as time slots are followed to a T, making for a shorter wait time no matter when you get there. The length of the attraction makes it well worth the money, and your ticket also pays for you to be able to experience the rest of Anderson Farms’ Fall Festival.
1) The 13th Floor – The 13th Floor is by far the most famous haunted house in Denver. This attraction takes you along a journey through three different themed sections of one big haunted house. With a detailed set and talented scare actors at every corner, the 13th Floor provides attendees with a big adrenaline rush. A rickety elevator, unsteady floors, and dim lighting makes the walk through the haunted house disorienting, and often terrifying.
The haunted house itself is perfect to attend if you are looking for a good scare but don’t want to bear the cold from outdoors. However, if you are feeling particularly adventurous the 13th Floor also has smaller attractions on the property, all worth your time. As one of the top rated haunted houses in the state, the 13th Floor is a must-visit for Denver locals. That being said, I would recommend an early time slot, particularly the 7:00pm to avoid a long wait.
