Haunted Houses of Des Moines

Haunted Houses of Des Moines

By Allen Huffman

As a great poet once said…

Trick or treat.

Smell my feet.

Give me something good to eat.

With those words of wisdom, we begin our journey to Halloweentown. This town is full of wonderful fall traditions, such as telling corny jokes to neighbors in exchange for candy. But every town seems to have a “bad part of town,” and for Halloweentown, there are several.

Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House

You know you’re in a bad part of town by the screams that come from certain buildings. For example, down the road at Linn’s Supermarket, something quite terrifying has been going on in their basement since 1984. If you are brave enough to give them $20, they will allow you to get down on your hands and knees and crawl into their dark, dark basement. You will encounter dozens of rooms of classic Halloween jump scares. At Linn’s Haunted House, the frights are more “things that go growl in the dark” than heavy metal mayhem. Still, a glow-in-the-dark plastic skeleton has never been scarier.

What: Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House

Where: 3805 6th Ave Des Moines, IA 50313

When: Sep 30, Oct 7-8, 14-15, 21-23 and 27-31, 2022. Opens at 7 p.m.

How Much: $20

Discounts: Save $5 the first two weekends if you print a coupon from their website.

Websitehttps://www.linnshauntedhouse.com/

Haunted Houses in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com
Photo source Fall Fantom Fest

Phantom Fall Fest

There is one part of Halloweentown that has been known as a place for happiness and fun for almost fifty years … but all that changes this year. Reports of a phantom at Adventureland Park have been confirmed. It seems this once lovely amusement park has been turned into four different houses of haunts, while three other zones in the park have become quite scary. So scary, in fact, anyone under 18 must have a chaperone (21+) with them to even be there. But, for family fun, Saturday and Sundays before 6 p.m. will be far more pleasant. Family rides will be available during the day, then the phantom takes over and shuts them down leaving only thirteen rides that will shake, rattle and roll visitors. There hasn’t been a Halloween event at Adventureland since their 2018 Haunted Hotel, and never one inside the park, so this is one you don’t want to miss.

What: Phantom Fall Fest

Where: 3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009

When: Sep 30-Oct 2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30, 2022. Fri 6pm-11pm, Sat 1pm-11pm, Sun 1pm-8pm

How Much: $69.99 + $20 parking (plus tax) at the gate. Credit/gift cards only (no cash).

Discounts: $34.99 + $15 parking (plus tax) online.

Websitehttps://www.adventurelandresort.com/things-to-do/events/phantom-fall-fest

Haunted Houses in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com
Photo source Slaughterhouse

The Slaughterhouse

Folks who frequent downtown may think finding a parking spot scary, but if you’ve ever driven down Locust St. late at night, you might find something even scarier: the remnants of an old abandoned (?) Slaughterhouse. The old timers say it’s no place for children. Loud music and screams can be heard reverberating through the thick walls. Yet brave, brave folks still line up to go in. Sometimes they come out, assuming they don’t get stuck admiring the movie-set quality scenery.

What: The Slaughterhouse

Where: 500 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

When: Sep 30-Oct 2, 7-9, 14-16, 20-23 and 27-30, 2022. Opens at 7 p.m.

How Much: $25-$30 (online discount) depending on the night.

Websitehttp://slaughterhousedm.com/

Haunted Houses in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com
Photo source Scare DSM

Scare DSM

If a former slaughterhouse still isn’t enough, just over a mile away on Indiana Ave is Scare DSM. Some say this location was haunted before the new crew opened up shop in 2021, but we have it on good authority that any hauntings here now are completely different hauntings. Details on what goes on inside are hard to come by, but based on some images that have been smuggled out, whatever it is sure looks terrifying.

What: Scare DSM

Where: 97 Indiana Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

When: Sep 30-Oct 1, 7-8, 14-15, 20-23 and 27-30, 2022. Opens at 7:30.

How Much: $25-$45 depending on the night.

Websitehttp://scaredsm.com/

Haunted Houses in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com

Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park

If all of this downtown activity sounds a bit too intense, perhaps a trip out east would be more relaxing. Just past the state fairgrounds is a little Sleepy Hollow. It is quite peaceful…usually. This time of year, there’s a reason they add “haunted” and “scream” to their name. Not all their attractions are scream inducing, though, so this one might be the best bet for families wanting to spend an evening together with food and decorations. If anyone braves their multiple haunted attractions, they will find that the terror is often over quickly enough to not cause too many nightmares…

What: Sleepy Hollow Scream Park

Where: 4051 Dean Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317

When: Sep 30-Oct 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-23 and 27-30, 2022. Opens at 7 p.m.

How Much: $30-$48 depending on the night.

Discounts: $19.99 offer for opening weekend only.

Websitehttp://sleepyhollowscreampark.com/

Haunted Houses in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com
Photo source Tormented Souls

Tormented Souls Haunt and Scream Park

Sometimes running away is the only way to survive. Running away just over half an hour northwest to the peaceful Edgewood Park in Madrid, Iowa might be a great survival technique. The park is quite safe, the locals say, but don’t linger too long. A mysterious “terror bus” has been known to show up regularly and transport visitors deep in to the woods, dropping them off at the abandoned mining town of Zook Spur. Many Tormented Souls haunt this area, but if you see any zombies, you can sign up to blast them with paintballs and try to end the Zee-pocalypse.

What: Tormented Souls Haunted and Scream Park

Where: Edgewood Park, 340th St, Madrid, IA 50156. (follow the signs to the proper side)

When: Oct 1, 7-8, 14-15, 22-22 and 28-29, 2022. First bus pickup is at 7:15 p.m.

How Much: TBA as of 9/26/2022, so check their website.

Websitehttps://tormentedsoulshaunt.com/tickets/

Haunted Houses in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com
Photo source Trail of Terror

And, as they say, more…

And if this isn’t far enough away, there’s always a drive up north to the Ames Haunted Forest (http://www.ameshauntedforest.com/) or perhaps to the Trail of Terror fundraiser (https://www.baxterfundays.com/trail-of-terror) in Mingo, Iowa. Both are extensive outside haunted hikes.

Regardless of which ones you choose, the haunts of Halloweentown greatly appreciate your visit.

Good luck…

In Memoriam…

2022 is the year we say goodbye to the Waukee Haunted House as well as the Ankeny Haunted Barn. Both have closed down, and will be missed by all who screamed there.

Allen Huffman publishes a website that covers all the haunted attractions in the area. Find even more information on spooky spots in Des Moines at www.dmhauntedhouses.com.

For additional Halloween fun, be sure to visit dsm4kids’ Halloween Fun Guide.