1. 13th Floor Haunted House Denver
If you want one haunt that people in Denver know about, this is it. 13th Floor has built a reputation for being the go-to when you’re serious about being scared. The set designs are elaborate (rickety elevators, disorienting floors), there are multiple themed sections, and rumors say the actors inside are more than willing to get you good. I liked this one because it doesn’t just rely on one jump-scare then stop—it keeps rolling. If you’ve got a group of friends and you want that “I-might-actually-scream” moment, 13th Floor delivers.
Pro tip: Go early to avoid the longest lines, and bring your nerve.
2. The Frightmare Compound
If 13th Floor is the big blockbuster haunted house, The Frightmare Compound is the “slice of horror pie with extra toppings.” It has the haunted house walkthrough, plus a monster museum, escape rooms, a coffin simulator ride—basically, more ways to freak out.
What I appreciated: you get value for your ticket, options for how scary you want it to be, and the whole experience feels like you walked into someone’s horror dream.
Pro tip: If you’re newer to scares or with younger friends, check which rooms are appropriate—they vary in intensity.
3. The Ritual Haunted House
This one leans into story. The Ritual casts you as a part of something dark—entering a cursed swamp, walking through a shack held together by “souls of the damned,” and facing creatures that feel like they stepped out of nightmares.
I enjoyed how immersive it felt: this isn’t just “walk through scary rooms”—it’s “live a horror scenario.”
Pro tip: Budget extra time—when a haunt goes deep with story and sets, you’ll want to linger (if you dare).
4. Terror in the Corn
Okay, technically a little outside Denver proper (in Erie), but this one is unique enough to count: haunted corn maze + haunted house experience. Walk the path, lose the light, and try not to think about what’s rustling in the stalks.
I liked that it mixes outdoors + indoors—you get the open-air tension of a field at night and the claustrophobic horror of the house.
Pro tip: Wear sturdy shoes. Corn mazes at night + spooky lighting = stumble potential.
5. Peabody‑Whitehead Mansion (Historic Haunted Landmark)
If you want something more “ghost-tour and historic chills” than full-on haunted house actors, this one’s your pick. The mansion dates to 1889 and has a reputation for hauntings—flying books, floating apparitions, weird disturbances.
I chose it because sometimes you want a quieter kind of scary: less “monster jumps out” and more “you feel someone watching you.”
Pro tip: Check tour times. Many historic haunts are only open certain nights or by reservation.
Why These Made My List
- Each of these spots brings a distinct flavor of fear: full-throttle haunt, immersive scenario, outdoor maze, historic ghost vibe.
- They’re all in or very close to the Denver area, so you don’t have to go hours away for a legit haunt.
- They vary in intensity, which means you can pick based on your group (friends, younger siblings, seasoned scare-seekers).
- I personally visited or researched enough to see they deliver on story, sets, or atmosphere (or all three).
Final Thoughts
Here’s how I’d pick depending on your mood:
- Want maximum terror with big sets? Go 13th Floor or The Ritual.
- Want a full “theme park of horror”? Choose The Frightmare Compound.
- Want something mix of outdoors + spooks? Terror in the Corn is your vibe.
- Want eerie history and ghost whispers more than screamers? Peabody-Whitehead Mansion is perfect.
