Whether you’re an adrenaline-loving Halloween fanatic or an anxious scaredy-cat dragged along by your friends, you may find yourself at a haunted house this fall. While there are many to choose from, some are better than others; there is only one that’s called the “largest and longest indoor haunted attraction in Colorado,” and with a plethora of awards to back up its quality and fear level, the clear choice is the 13th Floor Haunted House.
Most buildings don’t have a 13th floor, but a visit to this Denver favorite will take you in an elevator down 13 floors to three different worlds filled with what fears us most.
The first is Half Alive, where you can explore Dr. Hadelstein’s Bio Engineer Facility, sent into lockdown after the escape of strange science experiments, underwater creatures, yetis, sasquatches and more. The fear begins immediately in Half Alive, especially with unique lighting effects that make you feel like you’re wading through a swamp and jump scares around every corner.
Once you make it out of the lab, you’ll find yourself in The Possession, the second world set in an orphanage full of restless spirits. You may find yourself wanting to run to avoid the Nun and other unsettling scenes during this portion of the haunted house, but try your best to take in the impressive effects and costumes that make you feel like you’ve been dropped into a scene from American Horror Story.
There is a sense of relief in entering the final world, Trick or Treat, because you know you’re getting close to the finish line. The scares are far from over, though. An homage to the classic Halloween motifs, this section introduces the Femoral family, a group of “Necrofarmers” who have set up a Halloween carnival from which you must escape. There is no comfort in the classic pumpkins and hay bales, as more jump scares, uneven flooring, creepy music and other effects keep you hurrying toward the exit.
There’s a huge sense of relief and accomplishment in completing the haunted house, and while a part of you wants to calm your heart rate and forget the whole thing, a part of you is tempted to turn around and jump in line to do it again.
Erin Urban is the General Manager of the 13th Floor, and this position includes a bit of everything, from designing and construction to costumes and makeup, even just selling concessions. Urban has been with the 13th Floor company for eight years, but, in her words, she’s been “haunting since [she] was 11.” 20 years in the industry has caused her Halloween spirit to only grow; she speaks highly of the holiday and has a clear passion for the work she does.
“You get to be someone else for a while. You get to see the reactions you create by making a scene,” said Urban. “Just the reaction you get from the public is so gratifying.”
Urban is right to have pride in the 13th Floor, too. The haunted house has been featured on national television on networks like USA Today, MTV and The Travel Channel, and it has been ranked number one on multiple lists of the most scary haunted houses.
The 13th Floor is not recommended for children under 12, and ticket prices start at $27.99 depending on the day. Fast Pass and Skip the Line tickets are also available for a higher cost. While it closes for the season on Nov. 10, the haunted house is certain to reopen next year with new designs and even more scares.
