the mommy avenger

It’s that time of year again! The air is crisp, pumpkin spice is in literally everything, and the creepy vibes are calling. There’s something undeniably thrilling about stepping into a haunted house that gets my blood pumping and my heart racing in the best way possible.

This year, we decided to brave the 13th Floor Haunted House in Denver. If you’re looking for a haunted house that will leave you equal parts exhilarated and questioning your life choices (but in a good way, I promise!), this one is a must-see.

As soon as we arrived, we could feel the excitement buzzing in the air. My friends and I were greeted by eerie, atmospheric lighting and actors in full costume. These performers don’t just stand around looking creepy—they are committed. And by committed, I mean they’ll sneak up on you while you’re standing in line and make you scream before you even set foot inside the building.

Now, as someone who is always up for an adventure, I went into this with a healthy dose of caution. But, wow, the 13th Floor doesn’t just scare you—it immerses you in an experience. From the moment you enter, the haunt takes over all your senses. The sound design is on another level—there are eerie whispers, creaking doors, and heart-stopping bangs that come out of nowhere. And the smells! Yes, smells. They pump in these musty, dank scents that make you feel like you’re in a crumbling, haunted building.

And let’s talk about the sets. I’ve seen my share of haunted houses, but the detail here was incredible. The 13th Floor has this uncanny ability to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a horror movie. From narrow, twisting hallways to rooms that disorient you with optical illusions and bizarre lighting, it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. If you’re unnerved by tight spaces or dim lighting, let’s just say you’ll be clutching your friends for dear life before you make it to the first room.

What’s a haunted house without its monsters? And let me tell you—the 13th Floor does NOT hold back. There were creatures that looked like they crawled straight out of our nightmares. Zombies, demonic clowns (yes, clowns!), and some kind of half-human-half-beast thing that I’m still trying to erase from my memory. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill actors in masks. The makeup, the prosthetics, the sheer terror they evoke—it’s next level.

But, in true Mommy Avenger fashion, I also couldn’t help but appreciate how much work goes into making something this scary. You could tell the actors really love their jobs. They don’t just jump out and scream “boo.” They stay in character. They’ll follow you, taunt you, and get uncomfortably close. It’s a delicate balance of fun and freaky, but it never feels too over the top, which I think is the mark of a great haunted house.

I won’t lie—there were a few moments some in our group thought they’d made a huge mistake by coming here. (Like when that possessed doll came to life? Nope. Hard pass!) But by the end, everyone was laughing, shaking, and talking about how awesome it was.

If you’re someone who loves the thrill of being scared or just wants to experience something completely different this Halloween season, you need to visit 13th Floor Haunted House. It’s rated in the top 5 most terrifying Haunted Houses in the USA by USA Today!

Would I recommend it for little ones? Absolutely not. Keep this one for your adult friends who enjoy a good scare. But for those of us brave (or crazy) enough to face it, this haunted house is definitely one for the memory books.

Trust me, there’s no better way to kick off spooky season than by diving headfirst into a night of frights at the 13th Floor Haunted House. Just be sure to bring someone whose hand you can squeeze when the terror gets a little too real!

You can get your tickets online now. 13th Floor Haunted House in Denver is open select nights now through November 9, 2024.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}