13th Floor Chicago

Melrose Park, IL
Reviewed on: Saturday, October 11, 2014

If you know anything about Haunted Houses, you probably recall the name “13th Floor.” That’s because it is the name of some very successful and high-quality attractions in Denver, San Antonio, and Phoenix. For 2014, the incredible talented 13th Floor Entertainment Group has decided to open another vision of horror right here in the Chicago suburb of Melrose Park.

Located in an industrial complex, 13th Floor has plenty of room to work with and does so without apology. With sets that seem to span 20+ feet into the rafters, guests are treated to an experience like none other in the area. They are detailed and beautiful, and easily transport the viewer into the scene. Even the opening room features larger-than-life scenes that reminded us of something we would see on the Broadway Stage for “Wicked.”

Just to give you an example, through our years in attending attractions, we have built up a general idea of where to go as we venture through haunted tours. With as much detail as the team here has put into their scenes, our crew was even tricked into going up some stairs that were part of the background details in a castle-styled room! They have really taken quite a bit of time to ensure every room is fully-encompassing.

Actors are also very detailed in their costumes. Some examples can be seen even before you enter the attraction. Main-stay characters like Mr. Hollows and the Grave Digger interacted not only outside, but inside the house as well! With additional fire-power from the Svenpuss acting troupe, guests were terrified to even walk through the door.

Inside, scenes ranged from traditional crypts and catacombs, to an intoxicating Tesla Coil and chain link fence maze, to a very detailed hillbilly house and morgue. As we mentioned before: detail, detail, detail.

The Bottom Line: Welcome to Chicago! The 13th Floor is definitely a must see (literally) for your October haunted house schedule! After talking to the management of this attraction, the visions they have for the future are going to blow us away!

2014 Scores:
Entertainment: 18 out of 20
Scare Factor & Fright: 8 out of 10
Acting: 6 out of 10
Sets & Room Detail: 9.5 out of 10
Costumes: 5 out of 5
Make Up: 4 out of 5
Sound: 4 out of 5
Lights: 4 out of 5
Props & Special Effects: 9 out of 10
Originality & Story Concept: 8 out of 10
Management & Owner Presentation: 5 out of 5
Website: 5 out of 5

Total: 85.5 points out of 100 points possible
– Official Haunted House Chicago Review Team Review