It’s the s p o o k i e s t time of year! And one of my favorite ways to get in the Halloween spirit (other than watching my buddy Charlie Brown get shunned trick or treating with his friends) is to drive around and look at the AMAZING Halloween displays in the area. Here is a constantly growing list of the best Halloween houses in Chicagoland that you just can’t miss!
NOTE: Since I grew up in the Northwest Suburbs, I know many of the scariest spots in that area. If you have others to add from elsewhere in Chicagoland, please comment below so I can check them out and add them to the list! Also, even though this article has a 2015 publish date, I constantly update it!
Straight Up SCARY Halloween Houses in Chicagoland
Super Scary with lights, sounds, and movement (the girl on the swing haunts my dreams, I swear). Good for visiting during the day for those who are more timid…it is definitely extra spooky at night. 1784 Everett Avenue, Des Plaines.
Ever wanted to check out a haunted graveyard? Well I have TWO for you to check out. One, including lights and other special effects, is located near Salem and Harvard in Arlington Heights.
This corner house was my favorite house to visit as a kid. They park a hearse outside on Halloween, have smoke and sound effects, and even serve their candy out of a coffin. Located where Manor Lane turns into Western Avenue, adjacent to North Park in Park Ridge.
The popular “Lights on Magnolia” houses from 4504-4507 Magnolia Drive in Rolling Meadows are a crowd pleaser not just during December but also leading up to Halloween. Be warned that this display is quite gory and creepy, so you might want to avoid it if you have small kiddos.
Another epic and creepy display? 217 Norman Street in Des Plaines. I don’t know what is scariest–the caskets, skeletons, sound effects, or creepy creatures.
Whimsical & Inflatable Halloween Houses in Chicagoland
There are tons of decorated houses and inflatables within the Charlemagne subdivision in Northbrook. Our favorite is at the intersection of Brittany Court and Charlemagne Drive…perfect for a visit any time of day…and watch out for the moving spider!
Another fun stop is a fun inflatable display right outside of Arlington International Race Track on Euclid and Wilke.
Just Plain FUN Halloween Houses in Chicagoland
Wilmette’s gorgeous houses get all decked out for Halloween. The most popular stretch is on Lawndale Street, with the highlight at 208 Lawndale Street in Wilmette.
Two different neighbors come together to create an epic Halloween display on Berkley and Hintz Road in Arlington Heights. One house is the stuff of clown filled nightmares while another has tons of unique, musical inflatables.
Check out how creative Park Ridge residents use skeletons in their displays at a house on Oakton between Florence and Goodwin (across from Oakton Ice Arena) and at the show stopping “Dirty Dancing” inspired skeleton display at a house on Norman Boulevard near Washington Elementary School.
Halloween House Displays in Chicagoland Worth the Drive
Making the trek out of Lake in the Hills is totally worth it if you want to get scared for FREE at an elaborate and private haunted yard WITH LIVE ACTORS at Haunt 31.
If straight up light displays are more your style, don’t forget about the new Fall Light Show display at Goebbert’s in Pine Grove or at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up.
Looking for other Fall fun, including crafts, activities, and more? Then check this out!
6641 N Oconto Edison Park
Awesome tip, will be sure to check it out!
I love how some people go all out for Halloween. We are the Halloween capitol of the US because we have Salem and practically every house there is all done up in October.
That must be so fun!
I love this time of year and seeing all the houses decorated for Halloween. Great post!
Glad you enjoyed it! Happy Halloween!
They really take their decorations seriously, I love it. So much Halloween spirit! Those are really awesome, it would be a waste not to visit and see.
Can you imagine doing all of that work and no one visiting? It would be such a bummer.
I just wonder how long it takes them to put up these elaborate displays…and even worse, to take them down!
I keep reading all of these articles about people fighting about Halloween decor…some feeling it was too scary for kids. It has become very serious business when the real intent should be to just enjoy and have fun!
Kudos to the people who put the time and effort for this. Awesome work of art indeed!
Such an investment with both time and money!
This is exactly why I love the holidays. Just so much fun!! I love the spiders on the house one, the most! I so want to do that!
I love it, too! Such a great display day or night and not too spooky.
They really go all out with their decorations. My favorite would be the yard with lots of zombies.
The graphic stuff is a bit much for me too…but the light show is amazing (and PG for my little guys!).
I just can’t get over how absolutely creative people can be. Love it.
The house at 1784. Evertt avenue in Des plaines, is truly awsome, def worth the drive, you have to get out and look all around and up & down the house to see everything..and the owner is very nice also..
I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the tip!
I am such a wimp! The blood and guts would have me up all night! I bet the kids love it though and I need to get my butt in gear and get my house decorated. Thanks for the fun pics!
I prefer the spooky spiders and light displays too! #scardeycat
WOW Chicago has Halloween game! I dont think we have anything like that around here.
And it just keeps getting better and better each year!
It just gets better and better each year, too!
We stick to the houses with the fun lights…no blood and/or gore for my boys.
My boys are OBSESSED with the pirate ship and the house with the big spiders. So fun!
I thought it was creative too. And their display is so classy without any gore, which I prefer. Halloween can be a little too spooky for me!
Thankfully living in a big city we have a ton of fun to choose from.
I love the sign, too!
I love that so many people decorate for Halloween. Driving around to find them is just as fun as looking for Christmas lights.
Agreed! We always make some hot cider or hot chocolate to bring along, too!
My poor dog gets totally freaked out every time we go on a walk…I think she prefers the Christmas lights.
This is such an great post! This gave me (and my hubby) some great ideas for this year. Thanks again and hope to see a similar post around the Christmas season as well.
I have a very popular list of updated homes every holiday season. Be sure to check it out!