Halloween Horror in Schiller Park

Last night was the opening of “The 13th Floor Haunted House”. Our good friend Lisa Wolf from WIND radio and her co-host Carl Amari invited Jane and I to join them for some great pizza at Vila Napoli ( 8546 W. Lawrence in Schiller Park) great thin pizza) and then down the road to The 13th Floor Haunted House. Since we had no other plans and it had been eons since we did a “Haunted House” we hopped in the car for a unique experience.

The 13th Floor Chicago is located at 5050 River Road in Schiller Park ( just south of Rosemont) in what must have been a vacant building. Last night was a madhouse with lots of people, but I must say, quite organized chaos for those visiting. The rear of the building is where the box office is located and the entrances as well.

There are three ways to purchase your “experience”. They are:

Regular ( wait in line) admission starting at $19.99

Fast Pass, $10 additional makes you move thru the lines faster

STL ( skip the lines) Not sure if you are just walked in past everyone or what? $20 additional

Once you enter the building, after gong through metal detectors and having your purses checked ( ladies) you will have a picture taken of your party ( of course at the end, they will offer to see it to yo for a memory)

I think the actual tour ( led by Lisa, who evidently has no fear) took roughly 50 minutes. There is a maze of rooms and things or people popping out at you. They do not touch you!

There are moving bridges, floors and walls. There are dark areas as we twisted and turned through the maze. Jane was wobbly at some points, but she is a month away from having knee replacement, so it is understood.

The experience was one that I had not had since my youth at Riverview, where the Haunted House had a number of rooms ( and a turning barrel) to go through.

I thought to myself about the construction of this venue. How does one plan a Haunted House? How long did it take to build and after Halloween, will it come down?

If you are one that has never experienced one of these, I must tell you it was fun and I am planning to take the grandkids back , if they have the time and the GUTS!

It moves quickly and the ogres make sure you stay on track. ( I wonder how many local actors are filling these roles)

To learn more and/or buy tickets, visit www.13thfloorchicago.com

They open at 7 p.m. ( night is far scarier than day) and stay open until 10 p.m. weekdays, 11 p.m. Fridays and 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Parking is available for $13