When it comes to Halloween, there are two types of people. The pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating type, and then the scary movie, haunted house type. If you’re looking for ways to be scared in Greater Des Moines, these haunted houses are sure to do the trick (or treat).
For more ways to celebrate, check out our other spookily exciting guide to general Halloween fanfare across the metro!
Slaughterhouse
Location: 500 Locust Street, Des Moines
Nights of Operation: Varies; Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays
Hours of Operation: Fridays/Saturdays: 7 p.m.-midnight. Other days: 7-10 p.m.
Admission: Thursdays and Sundays $25; Fridays and Saturdays $30
The Slaughterhouse not only takes pride in scaring the living daylights out of you, but their rich (and creepy) history as well. The Biggs family has a very macabre story behind their haunted attraction (read more here), which makes the experience all that more harrowing. Watch out for the Biggs family, they're ready for you. (Plus, check out their speakeasy “The Haunt”, hosting some pretty creepy yet entertaining pop-ups)
NEW: 21+ themed events are available on select Wednesdays and Thursdays. Otherwise, all other dates are for all ages. View the whole schedule here.
Phantom Fall Fest
Location: Adventureland, 3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
Nights of Operation: Saturday & Sundays: September 26-October 4, and Fridays-Sundays: October 9-October 31.
Hours of Operation: Fridays: 6-10 p.m.; Saturdays: noon-10 p.m.; Sundays: noon-9 p.m.
Admission: Tickets starting at $29.99
Adventureland is open for fall! Phantom Fall Fest is open weekends in October. During the day, enjoy Adventureland rides with festive foods and family fun. Once the sun goes down, the scares begin. Explore four haunted houses and three scare zones and watch out when exploring the park for creepy characters that are prowling the darkness. Select rides are open after dark as well, so the screams can continue.
The Docks Haunted House
Location: 97 Indiana Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
Nights of Operation: Every Friday & Saturday, October 9-31.
Hours of Operation: 7:30-11 p.m.
Admission: $25; Fast Pass for $45
Formerly known as Barnum Circus of Freaks, The Docks Haunted House brings an extraterrestrial twist to haunting in Des Moines. Located on Indiana Avenue, strange lights have appeared overhead, strange equipment has been found, and there’s something moving across the grounds. Find out what it is for yourself this Halloween season. Don't want to wait in line? Grab a fast pass and skip the line straight to the scaring.
Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park
Location: 4051 Dean Avenue, Des Moines
Nights of Operation: Every Friday and Saturday in October-November 1
Hours of Operation: 7-11 p.m.
Admission: Child (11 and under) $30; Adult (12 and older) $32
Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park is every haunted house lover’s dream. With six different haunted attractions, you could argue it’s six times as scary as a normal haunted house. You can enter Chaos, Sleepy Hollow’s most intense attraction featuring strobe lights and an execution room. You can also explore The Island of Dr. Demonik, Nightmare’s Funeral Home, Castle of Blood, and Freakshow. Need a break from the terror? Head over to Blazing Jack-O-Lanterns to tour hundreds of hand carved pumpkins! From horror movie characters to pop icons, you’re sure to see something spooktacular.
Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House
Location: 3805 6th Avenue, Des Moines
Nights of Operation: Fridays-Saturdays, October 2-17 and Thursdays-Sundays, October 18-31
Hours of Operation: Fridays/Saturdays: 7 p.m.-midnight. Other days: 7-10 p.m.
Admission: $25
First opening in 1984, Linn’s Haunted House is one of the oldest haunted houses in Des Moines. They have to be doing something right to make it this long. You start by crawling into a pitch-black tunnel that leads to the basement of horrors. Explore dozens of different haunted scenes, including a “laser hallway” and marshy swamp; all focused on suspense and scares rather than blood and gore. Fun Fact: Linn’s Haunted House also happens to be a locally owned grocery store; you can scream one day and shop another.
We would also like to add that on September 26 of this year, Linn’s founder passed away. In memoriam, be sure to support this local haunt and put it on your haunted house bucket list.
