Pumpkin patches, hayrides, and apple picking, there are so many cutesy fall activities to do. But your fall activities this year shouldn’t just be ones where you dress cute and take pictures. You should go to activities like haunted houses, too.
The review team of HauntedHouseChicago.com (HCC) visited about 40 haunted houses and events in Illinois and compared them all to each other. They then all rated and voted on the top 13 of 2024.
So, according to HCC, here is the top 10:
#1 HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport, IL.
#2 Abandoned Haunted House in Oak Lawn, IL
#3 Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn, IL
#4 Disturbia Haunted House in Montgomery, IL
#5 Massacre Haunted House in Montgomery, IL
#6 Realm of Terror Haunted House in Round Lake Beach, IL
#7 The Old Joliet Haunted Prison in Joliet, IL
#8 Basement of the Dead Haunted House in Aurora, IL
#9 Sonny Acres Farm Haunted Barn and Hayride in West Chicago, IL
#10 Twisted Crypt Haunted House in Rockford, IL
Now, after you choose which haunted location you are going to, once you arrive, there will be pleasantly surprising benefits. Haunted houses are on the less enchanting side, but they are fun, and they can be beneficial, too.
One of the most obvious benefits is the social aspect. According to Statista, the age group 18-24 took up the biggest portion, 25%, of haunted house visitors during 2014 and 2016. Haunted Houses are a great place to meet new friends, considering there are lots of young people. Going with your friends is great too. Whether you’re with a stranger or your best friend, having a shared experience of fear creates trust and connection.
No doubt visiting a haunted house or location raises your stress and anxiety levels. But being able to overcome these high levels of stress can actually be empowering psychologically.
According to Michelle Cutler, an associate professor of clinical psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, the rush of adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine can translate into feelings of euphoria and even empowerment once the fear subsides. Being able to overcome and learn to handle your fear will help your nervous system handle stress or fear better in the future. And you are guaranteed to experience some kind of stress in your future.
According to the National Library of Medicine, lifetime adversity was significantly associated with subsequent late-life depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment symptoms in older adults in the United States. So learning how to emotionally be able to face your fears in a safe and controlled environment helps you build confidence and resiliency in future stressful situations. Which will ultimately help your physical and mental health.
Haunted houses can be beneficial; they’re fun, exciting, and they show Halloween spirit. So don’t be scared, and at least go to one haunted house this fall season.
