Nothing says Halloween like a spooky haunted house, and the Des Moines area is teeming with top-tier haunted houses and scream parks. Many of them feature Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects, offering thrilling experiences that are perfect for teens looking for a scream fest.
Be sure to check out our events calendar and Halloween Fun Guide for more Halloween fun!
Warning! Be Ware!
When picking out a haunted attraction to go to for Halloween fun with kids, it helps to know your child. Even then, it may not guarantee a good time. While kids may be fascinated with ghosts and zombies, many haunted houses are the kind that nightmares (and sleepless nights for you) are made of.
Before taking your child to a haunted attraction be sure to do a little research. Check out the haunted houses’ website or call them and ask what the attraction is rated. Also, ask yourself this question: “How much is my child able to distinguish between fantasy and reality?” Even if your child knows the haunted house isn’t real, his or her imagination can turn the experience into something troubling afterward.
Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Des Moines:
Barnum Circus of Freaks: A Haunted House Experience
97 Indiana Avenue, Suite B12000 • Des Moines, IA 50314 • (515) 346-7993
Get ready for a spine-chilling circus experience! The Barnum Circus of Freaks haunted house promises eerie encounters with twisted circus performers and horrifying sideshows. This haunt will have you looking over your shoulder at every turn.
Dates: October 4-26, 2024
Times: Friday through Sunday 7:30 to 11:00 pm
Cost: $25 General Admission
Haunted Woods
Gateway Drive • Carlisle, IA 50047 • (515) 250-4447
Take a haunted walk through the woods where terrifying creatures lurk behind every tree. The Haunted Woods is not for the faint of heart and offers a natural outdoor setting that adds to the terror. Located just a few minutes South of Des Moines off Highway 5.
Dates: October 4-31, 2024
Times: Friday and Saturday 7:00 to 11:00 pm; Sunday 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Cost: $20 per person
Linn’s Haunted House
3805 6th Avenue • Des Moines, IA • (515) 282-6318
Located in the basement of one of the only surviving independent supermarkets in Des Moines, Linn’s Haunted House relies on suspense and startles rather than blood and gore, making it a unique classic haunted house experience. If you’re looking for pure Halloween fun without the over-the-top gore, Linn’s is the place to be. It’s guaranteed to get your pulse racing!
Dates: September 29-October 31, 2024
Times: Vary. See the website for the schedule.
Cost: Adults: $25; Children (10 & under:) $20 (Must be accompanied by an adult)
Phantom Fall Fest
Adventureland • 3200 Adventureland Drive • Altoona, IA 50009 • (515) 266-2121
The Phantom Fall Fest at Adventureland offers an immersive haunted experience featuring terrifying attractions, live actors, and haunting special effects. This festival-style haunt is packed with spooky experiences that will keep you on edge all night.
Dates: September 21-October 27, 2024
Times: Vary. See the website for the schedule.
Cost: $35+
Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park
4051 Dean Avenue • Des Moines, IA • 50317 • (515) 262-4100
Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park is packed with thrilling attractions to keep the undead—and the living—entertained. Popular features include Zombie Paintball, Nightmare Estates, and the infamous Castle of Blood. For a night of pulse-pounding Halloween fun, this scream park is a must-visit!
Dates: October 4-November 1, 2024
Times: Thursdays and Sundays 7:00 to 9:30 pm; Fridays and Saturdays 7:00 to 11:30 pm
Cost: Admission $25+; VIP Fast Passes $45+; Parking $5
The Slaughterhouse
500 Locust Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (669) 244-7447
For those craving the ultimate horror experience, The Slaughterhouse is a terrifying haunt that offers intense scares and gory scenes. Enter if you dare—this one is not for the faint of heart.
Dates: September 27-November 1, 2024
Times: Thursdays and Sundays 7:00 to 11:00 pm
Cost: $20+.
Great Local Resource
Des Moines Haunted Houses
Des Moines Haunted Houses is your go-to for all things spooky! Whether it’s a business-sponsored scream fest, a haunted house at a church, or a decked-out residence, this site has you covered. With a calendar and maps, it’s the ultimate guide to finding the best haunts in the area!
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