Thursday, November 14, 2013

November 14, 2013 - Winding Creek Haunted Woods in Plainfield, IL

By request, we've just posted our review of Winding Creek Haunted Woods in Plainfield, IL - this is a haunted trail combined with a haunted house, and it's simply excellent! High on creativity and fun.

Check out our full review here: http://horrortourers.weebly.com/winding-creek-haunted-woods-2013.html

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

November 13, 2013 - Resurrection Graveyard Home Haunt, Evergreen Park, IL

It's not often that we Tourers go to a haunt, pay some money, and think "geez, that's worth more than XXX dollars." However, Resurrection Graveyard is one of those haunts. While it's a home haunt, they do change a mandatory $5 donation fee. Thus, it's not free, but it's certainly worth $5 and then some.

To be frank, there are pay haunts that could take some lessons from Resurrection Graveyard. We say "pay haunts" and not "professional haunts" as we don't want to give the impression that Resurrection Graveyard is not professional - it is, no question about it.  Put simply, this is one of the best home haunts we've ever been to, easily rivaling some pay haunts for overall haunt experience.

Check out the full review, here:

http://horrortourers.weebly.com/resurrection-graveyard-2013.html

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

November 6, 2013 - Frankfort Jaycees Haunted House, Frankfort, IL

Just posted our review of the Frankfort Area Jaycees Haunted House in Frankfort, IL. This one was our worst haunted house of 2012, but our "most improved" for 2013 - quite the turnaround!

Check out the full review here:

Monday, November 4, 2013

November 4, 2013 - Spirits on Sproat Yard Display, Oak Lawn, IL (2013)

Halloween may be over, but the reviews keep coming! Keep celebrating the season with us! We just posted our 2013 review for a great yard display in Oak Lawn, IL called Spirits on Sproat. If you like movie monsters, this is the place to visit!

Check out the full review here.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

November 2, 2013 - The Final Haunting Night

One more night of haunting fun for 2013. Tonight we're headed to the Northern suburbs, including stops at Dungeon of Doom Haunted House in Zion, Haunted House of Macbre in Antioch, The Realm of Terror Haunted House in Round Lake Beach, and Disturbia Torment of Fears in Addison.

Following our final haunt visits, we will be concentrating on adding full reviews of all of them - look for many in the coming weeks. It's the perfect way to while away the days until next year!

Monday, October 28, 2013

October 28, 2013 - Into the Final Stretch

Wow, the season sure has flown by! We're into the last few days before Halloween, and we still have a lot of things to see. We've hit 88 haunts of varying types so far, and we should be over 100 by the time all is said and done. We'll keep you posted with all of our visits as well as all of our reviews, which will be coming over the next couple of weeks.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

October 26, 2013 - Another busy haunting weekend

We visited the western suburbs last night, covering Lombard, Aurora, St. Charles, Glendale Heights, Carol Stream and more. We have also posted some more reviews, for the following:

House of Nightmares - Alsip, IL
Haunted Cemetery Display - Hometown, IL
Village of Screamfield - Plainfield, IL
 KC Scaregrounds - St. Charles.

You can see all of our 2013 reviews and more at our web site, here

Monday, October 21, 2013

October 21, 2013 - Another Great Haunt Weekend!

Well, another weekend has come and gone, and we Horror Tourers managed to squeeze in another 25 haunts, bringing our 2013 total to 60 (so far). We covered everywhere from the south and southwest suburbs, to central Illinois, to the far western suburbs, to the O'Hare Airport area, to the north side of Chicago. We visited many fine haunts, including Screams in the Park in Rosemont, Gates of Delirium in Gilman, St. Pat's Haunted High School in Kankakee, Agony home haunt and Count Kuhadja's in Joliet, Winding Creek Haunted Woods in Plainfield, and Hair Razor and The Catacombs in Chicago.

Really, there are too many to list, but rest assured that we will have full reviews of all of them soon. Right now, you can check out the following new reviews, from both this
weekend and previous weekends:

Logan Scare Manor - Chicago,IL
Lost Souls Cemetery - Chicago, IL
Kenton Avenue Graveyard - Chicago, IL
Evil Intentions - Elgin, IL
Frightmare - Burbank, IL
Hambly Home Haunt - Plainfield, IL
Dark Summit - Summit, IL
Haunted Hell - Lansing, IL

Saturday, October 19, 2013

October 18, 2013 - Asylum Xperiment Haunted House in Villa Park

This year, we made our very first visit to Asylum Xperiment in Villa Park, a haunt that has three separate attractions within it. For various reasons, including price and time, we never made it to this haunt before, so we had no idea what to expect.

In short, it was fantastic, and left us wondering why we didn't manage it sooner. Lots to see, lots of detailed sets and actors, as well as an almost 30 minute walkthrough all added up to a great time.

Check out our video commentary here.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

October 15, 2013 - Basement of the Dead


Just posted our review of Basement of the Dead in Aurora - a great haunt high on theatrics! Basement of the Dead is one of two haunts located in the same place. The other is Shattered, a 3-D haunt experience. Both are worthwhile to visit. First up is Basement of the Dead, the more traditional of the two haunts. It is located in an actual basement, and visitors have to descend stairs to get into it. The first scene is one of large hooded figures lining the walls. It’s really hard to tell if they are real or not, which is the mark of a well-planned haunt experience.

Want more? Full review, click here.



Monday, October 14, 2013

October 14, 2013 - Another Haunting Weekend Down!

Another haunting weekend down - three more to go! We managed to hit 21haunts this weekend, including the following:

Frightmare Haunted House at Haunted Trails Family Entertainment ParkBurbank
Thanatophobialand - Lockport, IL
Lombard Jaycees Haunted House - Lombard, IL
Dark Summit Haunted House - Summit, IL
Frankfort Area Jaycees Haunted House - Frankfort, IL
Misdom Manor - Lansing, IL
DEAD Central Haunted Attraction - Crestwood, IL
House Of Nightmares - Alsip, IL
Nightmare at the Terrace Haunted House - Worth, IL
The Nephilim Fallen Angels - Burbank, IL

That doesn't take into account any of the great home haunts and yard displays, either, like Shurley House of the Dead in Orland, Spirits on Sproat in Oak Lawn, and many more.

Look for our full reviews, coming soon!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

October 13, 2013 - Psychosis

We Horror Tourers just posted our 2013 review for Psychosis Haunted House - in short, we loved it! Some great changes and improvements. Full review here:

Saturday, October 12, 2013

October 11, 2013 - The Nephilim Yard Disaply in Burbank, IL

We Horror Tourers made our first 2013 visit to The Nephilim Fallen Angels in Burbank, IL last night. It was better than last year, and we loved it last year! So much to see, great actors, lots of props. You NEED to see this home haunt. Lots of love and dedication there! Check out our full review here.

Friday, October 11, 2013

October 11 - 2nd full weekend of haunting!

Just finalized our haunt plans for tonight. On the agenda is a tour of the south suburbs, including stops at Nightmare at the Terrace Haunted House in Worth, DEAD Central Haunted Attraction in Crestwood, and possibly House Of Nightmares in Alsip. In between, we'll be visiting some great home haunts, like Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn and maybe even Resurrection Graveyard Haunted House in Evergreen Park. Just too many others to list! We'll posts some pics as we go along.

Be sure to check out our Twitter feed at @horrortourers or our instagram at thehorrortourers. Stay tuned!

Monday, October 7, 2013

October 4-6, 2013 - First full haunting weekend

Had a great touring weekend! Visited CarnEvil in Hoffman Estates, Asylum Xperiment Haunted House in Villa Park, Eleventh Hour Haunted House in Melrose Park, Psychosis Haunted House in Elgin, Evil Intentions Haunted House in Elgin, Nightmare From North Street in Dundee, Canyon Trail Cemetery in Carol Stream, Souls Of The Forsaken in Plainfield, Millstone Manor in Rolling Meadows, Hambly Home Haunt in Plainfield, and The Massacre Haunted House in Naperville. Look for our reviews, coming soon!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

October 1, 2013 - Fear Itself at Legend Park, Mishawaka, IN

2013 haunt season rolls on, and we bring you our review of Fear Itself, a "scream" park in Indiana featuring five haunts in one place, all for one low price.

The Fear Itself complex is consists primarily of one large, long building which houses four out of the five haunts (a sixth, "Rat Trap" was under construction when we arrived, and it appeared to be in a location separate to the main building). The closeness of all of the haunts saves a lot of time and makes it easy to get form haunt to haunt. The five haunts on offer when we visited were the Thirteenth Hour and Sinister Circus (both 3D experiences),
Rock Monkey Caves, Lost in the Woods (a haunted trail),
and the Cuckoo's Next (a psych hospital).


Find out what we thought by checking out our full review here

Monday, September 30, 2013

September 30 - A "gift" from a Haunt Inmate

My present from the "surgeon" at the Cuckoo's Nest at Fear Itself at Legend Park in Mishawaka, Indiana. Look for our review coming soon!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

September 27, 2013 - Niles Screampark, Niles Michigan

Had a fun time at the Niles Haunted House Scream Park in Niles Township, Michigan last night. $30 for five haunts - three haunted houses, one haunted maze, and a hayride. Main house is over 20 minutes long, filled with animatronics and such. A lot like a fun fair at the carnival. The place as been around for 40 years now, and it definitely has a "throwback" feel - I felt as if we were at a 70's carnival. Wonderful retro feel that includes all of the haunted house sets, too. You can tell some of the props are very old, but it's kind of like visiting an old, abandoned fun fair in some ways.

Unfortunately, no photos of any kind are allowed (no cameras are even allowed into the park and yes, they do pat you down and use metal detectors). Look for a writeup coming soon!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - one day to go!

We at Horror Tourers will officially start the 2013 haunt season tomorrow, with a visit to several local attractions. We have some last minute finalizing to do, but we'll either be at the Niles Screampark in Niles, Michigan, or Evil Intentions in Elgin. There's not a lot going on this weekend, but we like to make sure we maximize the haunt season.

At right is our "we were here" card - as we tour around various haunts, we sometimes run into the owners/operators, but other times there's no one around. Thus, we like to leave a card to let people know we were there and that we'll be reviewing the haunt.

If you are an owner/operator and see this card, you'll know we've been there, so look for our review!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Horror Tourers - Coming Soon to a Haunt Near You!

Only two more days until Haunt Season 2013 begins. We've got a packed schedule already, and we'll be keeping everyone up to date on where we'll be and when. Be sure to say hello!

At right is an example of our Horror Tourers wear - look for it!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Nightmare on Cronin Commentary

 

Only three days left until the first haunting weekend! Today's post is our video commentary for Nightmare on Cronin home haunt in Justice, IL - a fantastic home haunt that we look forward to every year. Nightmare on Cronin is one of those haunts that just makes the entire haunting experience worthwhile. It really shows how people get into the Halloween spirit, and how home haunters can really make a lot out of a little. It also shows how enthusiasm can really make or break a haunt. Check out our full review here.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Cicero's Town Hall of Horrors, Cicero, IL


Our countdown continues with our commentary on an excellent haunt - Cicero Hall of Horrors in Cicero, IL. This haunt has very long lines, and now that we've been there we know why! Lots of twists and turns, great use of space, and some surprises, too. Check out our thoughts here.



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Likes and Dislikes


Over the years that we have been touring, we've come across a lot of things that we have liked, from creative twists on old ideas, to elaborate setups, to things that just plain stand out from the ordinary. Conversely, we've also developed a dislike for certain things that we encounter in haunted houses. Here's a short video outlining some of the things we don't really like in haunted houses. These are things that can apply to any houses, not just certain ones, and when we encounter them they tend to make our experience a bit less enjoyable.




Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Monsters and Madmen

Monsters and Madmen is a haunt we really miss. It was held in a small garden center in Homer Glen, but showed good things come in small packages, as the haunt packed in the scares.

We loved this haunt. It had great set design, actors, and some clever twists and turns. Unfortunately for us (and everyone else), 2010 seems to have been its last year. Fortunately, Horror Tourer Paul did a complete video walkthrough of the haunt, and we present the (mostly) unedited video here, so everyone can watch the chaos unfold!

Check out the video here.

Monday, September 16, 2013

September 16, 2013 - Historical Reviews Done!

With our just posted reviews of Trilogy of Terror in Roselle, Lombard Jaycees Haunted House in Lombard, Saint Pascal's Haunted House in Chicago, Eleventh Hour Haunted House in Melrose Park and an oldie from 2010 - Monsters and Madmen in Homer Glen, all of our historical reviews are now up. Over 100 reviews, 40+ videos, and hundreds of photos of Illinois and NW Indiana haunts, all available for your perusal.

Check them all out while we wait for the 2013 season!

Countdown to 2013 - St. Pat's Haunted High, Kankakee, IL

Today on our countdown we bring you one of our favorite haunts, and one we've been going to for the past five years or so. It's one of those haunts that is better than it might seem at first glance. If fact, it's really good!

What is it and where is it? It's St. Pat's Haunted High in Kankakee. Located in and old, abandoned high school building, this haunt takes full advantage of the surroundings, making visitors travel up and down old staircases, through dilapidated (though not unsafe) corridors and former schoolrooms, all the while being assaulted by various ghouls.

Not only does St. Pat's use the main high school building, the haunt continues outside and down into the basement as well, so there's plenty to see! Check out our full review here.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Winding Creek Haunted Woods, Plainfield, IL

After a brief hiatus (to check out our first haunt of the season - a Friday the 13th special!), we're back with a fantastic home haunt located in Plainfield, IL. Winding Creek Haunted Woods is just that - a large haunted wood setup beside a (real) creek. In addition to the outdoor portion there is also a traditional indoor haunted house portion. Overall, Winding Creek is one ofthe best home haunts we have seen, and rivals a number of smaller pay haunts in its level of detail and length. This one is definitely on our "to do" list for 2013!

Read our full review here.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Torture Point Haunted Trail in Crete, IL

 


Our on the spot review of the Torture Point haunted trail in Crete, IL. We loved this haunt in 2010 - one of our favorites for that year. Unfortunately, 2012 wasn't the same. Find out our thoughts, and check out the full review here.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Haunts in Joliet, IL


Only 15 days until the first haunt weekend of 2013! We've got as triple play of haunts for you this time around - all of them in Joliet, Illinois. From the ghoulishly comical nature of Count Kuhadja's, to the more traditional setup of Madness on Midland, to the large, elaborate home haunt that is Agony Haunted House, Joliet boasts some excellent Halloween experiences.

From ghoulish drunken hillbillies, to skeletal biker bartenders, to Victorian hearses, creepy clowns, and toxic waste dumps, you're sure to find something interesting at one of these haunts. Click on any of them to see our full reviews.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Frankfort Jaycees Haunted House, Frankfort, IL

Occasionally, we at Horror Tourers come across a haunt we really don't like. This doesn't happen often, as even if we don't really "love" a haunt, we usually enjoy it. However, sometimes we find one that really fails on numerous levels. It's even worse when it's a haunt we used to like and have been going to for years. Our 2012 visit to Frankfort Jaycees was just that - a  decent haunt that really put on a bad show, at least on the night we went there.

Check out all of our reasons why, and view our video commentary here.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Dark Shadows, Orland Hills, IL

As we move ever closer to the first weekend of Halloween season 2013, we continue to bring you new posts about various haunts we have reviewed. Today's is a home haunt located in Orland Hills, IL, that stands out amongst the many haunts we have visited.

Dark Shadows, as it is called, is both a yard display and a home haunt in the owner's garage. Everything there is homemade, and some of the props easily rival those found at professional haunts. This is definitely one home haunt that you need to see. It's FREE, fun, and a great choice for an enjoyable haunt visit.

For our full review, which includes lots of photos and a couple of video walkthroughs, click here.

Countdown to 2013 - Shurley House of the Dead, Orland Park, IL

Only 18 days to go until the first haunting weekend of 2013! Our haunt for today is the Shurley House of the Dead, a huge yard display located in Orland Park, IL. There is so much to see here that it could require two trips to get it all in. The entire front yard is filled with animated and static props, and the windows of the house are filled as well. The top windows in the house contain projections of various ghouls, and there are even live actors on certain nights. It's easily one of the best yard displays we have ever seen, and if you think a yard display simply means a few pumpkins, tombstones, and ghosts, check out Shurley House and think again!

Full review here.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Eerie Acres, Chicago, IL

Eerie Acres is an elaborate yard display on the south side of Chicago. One thing that the south side is known for, particularly in the area where Eerie Acres is, is the lack of lawn space. Houses are close together and there is very little space in front or to the sides. Thus, presenting an effective yard display requires some finesse. Fortunately, Eerie Acres makes excellent use of a small area to create a very entertaining display.

For our full review, click here.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Chainsaw Ratings Explained

Want to know how we come up with the ratings we use when visiting haunts? Want to know the criteria we base our ratings on? Check out our video explaining our chainsaw ratings and get some insight into the minds of the Horror Tourers!

Full video is here.

Countdown to 2013 - Abyss Haunted House in Channahon, IL

Only 21 days until the first haunting weekend for 2013, and we continue our countdown with a great pay haunt - Abyss Haunted House in Channahon, IL. This one is a very creepy haunt, part of which is set in an old barn that is supposed to be really haunted. Whether it is or not is not known, but it does add to the atmosphere! In addition to being very professional in layout, with great, detailed sets and excellent live actors, it is also one of the longer pay haunts, clocking in at about 45-50 minutes. Check out our review here.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Corner of the Cursed

We continue to count down the days until the first weekend of Halloween Season 2013 (September 27th). Only 22 days to go!

Corner of the Cursed is one of the newer yard displays that the Tourers have visited. 2011 was the very first year for this haunt, and it was decently impressive. The haunt is located on a corner lot (hence the "Corner" in the name) and has a lot of space to work with.

The font yard of the house consists of various props, including a headless body bleeding into a bucket, various skeletal ghouls on the trees and in the trees, a winged Grim Reaper-like demon, and even a castle-like facade on the front of the house with ghosts hanging out of the windows. Full review here.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Dead End Cemetery

For today's haunt, we shine the spotlight on Dead End Cemetery located, appropriately enough, on a dead end street. It features a giant spectral figure topped with a Jack-O-Lantern head presiding over the entire yard, a skeleton driving an antique hearse, a shiny golden-faced skull as the Grim Reaper, complete with scythe and severed head, and a large melting skeleton. This melting skeleton looks as though it has been severely burned, with flesh dripping off of it. It was something we had not encountered before and was certainly the most memorable part of the display.

For our full review, click here

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Endless Road

Today's entry is for Endless Road, a yard display in Justice, IL. This particular display is located down a seemingly deserted road, which makes it all the more atmospheric.

There is plenty to see at this display as well. The entire display is set along a circular driveway, so visitors enter at one end, go around in a big circle, and exit back where they entered. The entrance is covered with a dark semi-transparent material that shields the display from people driving by. It adds to the Halloween feel, and it makes people get out of their cars to actually visit instead of just driving by.

For a full review, click here.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Haunted Yard Display, Oak Forest, IL

Today's entry is for a Haunted Yard display in Oak Forest.This yard display took us all by surprise. While searching for one of the regular Oak Forest displays, we came across this one, which featured lifesize figures of famous monsters like Jason, Freddy Krueger, and Mike Myers, as well as a first for us - figures of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden! Check it all out here:

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Cemetery Display in Justice, IL

No, the title isn't purposely vague, "Cemetery Display" was the actual name of this yard display in Justice, IL. Aside from the generic title, it was rather creative, featuring a spooky Jason Voorhees, a cool Michael Meyers, and half of a body covered in raw meat and maggots (which we hope was part of the display and not something more sinister!).

Check out our full review here.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Krohn's House of Terrors

Krohn's House of Terrors is one of several elaborate yard displays in the Mokena area. Along with Fear on Fiona, Grant's Graveyard, and Sunny Acres, those looking for some Halloween fun at no cost need look no further.

The Tourers first visited this location in 2010, and have come back each year since. The centerpiece of the display is a large pirate ship in the driveway of the haunt itself. This pirate ship practically life size, and features a fully decked out (no pun intended) interior composed of skeleton pirates. Surrounding the ship are light displays that look like flames, and the outside of the ship is lit by a series of skull lanterns. Although the ship is simply a display and is not something visitors can walk through, it is still most impressive.

Feel free to check out our full review here.

Countdown to 2013 - The Chop Shop

The Chop Shop was an accidental discovery for the Tourers - we were looking for Jason's Campsite Massacre and stumbled upon this one, which we originally thought was the Campsite location. It turns out it was not, so we wound up taking a look at this one as well.

The Chop Shop display is a rather simple one, featuring a few lighted objects, some tombstones, a skeletal creature hanging from the garage, and what looks like a Jason Voorhees figure imprisoned in a cage. Overall, nothing remarkable, although there was one figure at the edge of the driveway that was motion activated and started crawling towards you once you passed. Aside from that, there's not a lot to see, although the display does hold promise.

You can check out our full review here.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Nightmare at the Terrace

Today's review is for Nightmare at the Terrace, a great little pay haunt in Worth, Illinois. We've been visiting this one since it opened in 2009 - it's got a lot of atmosphere, some creative sets (like a homicidal Easter Bunny with missing ears), great actor enthusiasm and, at $10, some good bang for your buck. Unfortunately we didn't see a listing for 2012, so we thought it had folded, but it turns out we just missed it and it will be back in 2013, so we've very excited! We can't wait for this one to come around. Check out our full review here.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Jason's Campsite Massacre

Today's post is a new yard display that plays on the famous Halloween and horror them of Jason Voorhees - this one, however, is the first one we've seen dedicated solely to the Friday the 13th movies. It comes complete with Mrs. Voorhees' disembodied head and a life size Jason in a bedroom window. Check out our review here.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Grant's Graveyard

Today's entry is for Grant's Graveyard, a great yard display in Mokena, IL. Amongst the many props is a creepy clown carousel, a ghoulish couple in a demon headed carriage, and a ghoul ready to blow himself up. Many of the props are unique and cannot be seen elsewhere. Not only is the yard filled with many props, but the walkway up to the house is decorated with many different types of props, from skeletons to mummies to a sign proclaiming the property as a haunted house (as if anyone needed to be reminded on that1)

On the right hand side of the house is a large scarecrow display, complete with the word "Boo!" spelled out in large orange lights. There is a large Creeper from the movie Jeepers Creepers on the garage roof, and a towering scarecrow-like creature that watches over all of the proceedings.

One of the best things about Grant's Graveyard is that the giant scarecrow is really a live actor on stilts. In 2010, the figure looked like a Predator from the movie of the same name, and stood over the entrance to the front yard. He was so still that he fooled many people, including the Tourers, until he suddenly came to life and followed visitors around. In 2012 it was even better, as the stiltman was disguised as a skeleton-headed scarecrow hanging amongst stalks of cor.

For more, see our full review here.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Nightmare on Cronin

Today's featured haunt is Nightmare on Cronin, a hone haunt in Justice, IL. This one really shows just how cool a home haunt can be. It was definitely on the level on some pay haunts we have been to, and it was free! It's hard to believe people do this in their front yards!

Check it out here.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Frankenstein's Wedding

Today's haunt review is for Frankenstein's Wedding, an elaborate home haunt/yard display in Oak Forest, IL. Frankenstein's Wedding features the marriage of the Frankenstein Monster to his bride, presided over by a maniac preacher as the main display you can see.  There are also many other features on display here, a creepy cemetery in the front lawn, creatures everywhere you look, even on the rooftop!

For our full review, complete with photos, slideshow, and on the spot review, click here.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Spirits on Sproat

Today's haunt is Spirits on Sproat,  a yard display located in Oak Lawn, IL. The Tourers have been visiting this location since 2009, and we always enjoy coming back to see what's new (and even what's old).

The "spirits" of the haunt name are life size figures representing famous monsters from horror movies, TV, literature, and even some inventions direct from the owner's mind. Some of the more recognizable figures include Leatherface, Freddy Krueger, Michael Meyers, and Jason Voorhees, although there are many more. 

All of the figures are hand created, so they represent a departure from your typical Halloween stand up displays. Check out our review, complete with video walkthrough and commentary here.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Devil's Playground walkthrough

Just added a walkthrough of our visit to the Devil's Playground Halloween yard display in Oak Lawn, Illinois. All of the props are handmade, and the display is wired so that it looks completely dark until you approach the house. This is the only haunt where a prop scared all the Tourers at the same time! Check out our full review here.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - 8/11 - Fear on Fiona

Today's review is another of the great haunts in the Mokena area. This one is called Fear on Fiona, and it's a large yard display with lots of props, both animated and static. There is a huge amount to see here, and sometimes the props are augmented with live actors milling through the crowd. This is definitely one haunt that we make a point of visiting year after year.

This haunt gets very busy during the latter part of the season, so if you like a lot of Halloween action, plan your visit towards the end of October. On the other hand, if you like to look at all of the props in more quiet surroundings, visit during the week or earlier in the season.

Check out our full review here.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Countdown to 2013 - Gates of Delirium

The countdown to Halloween season 2013 continues! Check out today's review - Gates of Delirium Haunted Attraction in Gilman, IL - this is simply one of the most atmospheric haunts we have been to. It has detailed sets, great actors, and it's set inside a carpeted building, which deadens sound and makes it even creepier! Although it's about 90 minutes from home base, we make a point to hit it every year. It's that good!

Friday, August 9, 2013

Coutndown to 2013 - The Devil's Playground

Today's haunt is a review for the Devil's Playground, which is a home haunt/yard display located in Oak Lawn, Illinois. It's a nicely done setup, with many homemade props. IT also holds the distinction of being the only haunt the Tourers have visited where all three of us got surprised at the same time!

Check it out here.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Countdown 2013 - Resurrection Graveyard

Today's updated review is for Resurrection Graveyard Haunted House, one of the finest home haunts in the Chicagoland area, and one that rivals some pay haunts in quality.

We stumbled upon thus haunt in 2010 and it's hard to believe this is something people do in their own front yard. The actor enthusiasm, the sets, and everything about this haunt makes it top notch.

We absolutely love it! Check out our review here.