If you’ve been around here for a while, you know we’re a haunted house family. We have our favorites, and Fear Factory is right at the top of the list. Every single year, we look forward to our visit, and it might just be the best haunted attraction in Utah.
We love going in the off season for Halfway to Halloween, and of course during the spookiest season of all. Fear Factory is a tradition around here, and this year they gave us a night we’re still talking about.
When you’re a haunted house aficionado and you go to a lot of them, you start to notice something. It’s easy for an attraction to rinse and repeat what it did the year before. Same scares, same layout, new year.
That has never been the case at Fear Factory. They have always been great at keeping things fresh. They add new areas, rearrange, and refocus, and they clearly care about the people who make this a yearly tradition. You never walk in thinking you know exactly what’s coming.
This year, though, they really upped their game. We visited this weekend, and the whole crew was blown away.
I don’t normally scream much in haunted houses. I tend to think they’re more fun than scary.
Not this time. Fear Factory kept me on my toes from start to finish, and I let out many, many screams, to the surprise of myself and everyone with me. It was incredible!
The new areas, sensory features, and layouts had all of us completely enthralled. Just when I thought I had the rhythm of a room figured out, nope. I did not.
Part of what makes Fear Factory so special is where it lives. The attraction is housed in the old Portland Cement Works in Salt Lake City’s industrial district, a historic property that once bustled as a working factory. It’s a huge complex made up of six buildings, a tower rising six stories, and two underground passages, and every bit of it is haunted. With more than 100 live actors on any given night, there is always something lurking around the next corner.
Plan on about 45 minutes inside, and wear good shoes. There are plenty of stairs, including metal grate steps, so this is not the night for sandals or heels.
One thing I appreciate is that you can tailor the night to your group. General admission is the classic experience, and the actors will not touch you. If you want to turn up the intensity, you can add the Touch of Fear upgrade when you buy your tickets. Trained actors will lightly touch you, and yes, it only goes one way. You are not allowed to touch them. This is my favorite way to experience it and I highly recommend you do this!
There are also upgrade options like Instant Entry and Rockstar if you’d rather skip the longer lines. And here’s a cool option for you–get a membership and get an entry for every night they are open for the season.
Here’s what I love most about Fear Factory: the haunted house is the star of the night, but the experience doesn’t start or stop there.
The moment you arrive at the complex, you can feel the vibe pulling you in. Costumed characters wander the property warming you up for the scares, and there are entertainers on site, plus plenty of photo ops for solo and group pics. By the time you reach the doors of the attraction, you’re already in the mood.
After the haunted house, you can head to the brand new Midway and soak up the fun and energy of the night. It’s a great place to catch your breath, laugh about who screamed the loudest, and keep the party going.
We grabbed some yummy food and treats, including The Other Side donuts, which are way more than your average glazed donut. There are also dirty sodas, specialty drinks, and games to enjoy. It turned a haunted house visit into a full night out, and our crew really loved it.
We were so impressed with the entire experience. From the first costumed character to the last bite of donut, everything felt thought out and fun. Fear Factory has always been a favorite, but this year felt like a whole new level.
If you’ve never been, make this the year. If you’re a yearly regular like us, trust me, you’ll want to see what’s new.
Fear Factory is open select nights through November 1, so there is still time to catch it this Halloween season. You can see the calendar and grab tickets at fearfactoryslc.com.
A few tips:
- Book ahead. Some dates and times sell out, especially on weekends.
- Sign your waiver. Everyone in your group needs one before entry, and it’s tied to your ticket.
- Go on a Sunday through Thursday if you want shorter lines and a more intimate experience.
Fear Factory is located at 666 W 800 S in Salt Lake City. If you only go to one haunted attraction in Utah this year, make it Fear Factory!
*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*
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