7 Haunted Places in DSM to Check Out This Month

It’s October, and that means it’s time for all the haunted happenings around Greater Des Moines (DSM). Whether you like haunted houses or the paranormal, these seven locations should be on your list this year!

Haunted Houses and Spooky Places in Greater Des Moines

1. Drake Municipal Observatory

Located on the Drake University campus (4898 Observatory Road in Des Moines), the Drake Observatory is open to the public during public educational lectures in the fall, spring and summer. Admission is free and open to all so check one out this month on Oct. 11, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25. While you’re there, you just might experience something paranormal at the university’s most haunted building.

2. Haunting at Farrar

The Farrar Schoolhouse is located on six acres of rural farmland and has been visited by numerous paranormal groups over the years. Recently, the schoolhouse changed ownership, but you can still head to the location at 11125 NE 134th Ave. in Maxwell to see the exterior of the building. Watch the Haunting at Farrar Facebook page for other updates.

One of DSM’s most famous Haunted Houses, Linn’s Haunted House, is well-known in the region. This year, the attraction has experienced fire damages, which have delayed the opening of the haunted house. You can support Linn’s Haunted House by donating to this Venmo account: @linnshauntedhouse to help the family get it up and running again!

3. Haunted Woods

The Haunted Woods attraction is now open and presenting The Mare Witch III, featuring scares and surprises at 1478 Gateway Dr. in Carlisle. The Haunted Woods is a cash-only attraction. Attend on the following dates: Oct. 11 – 13, Oct. 18 – 20 and Oct. 25 – 31. Hours are Friday and Saturday from 7 – 11 p.m. and Sunday from 7 – 9 p.m. From Sunday, Oct. 27 through Wednesday, Oct. 30, hours are 7 – 9 p.m., and on Thursday, Oct. 31, hours are 7 – 11 p.m.

4. The Jordan House

With 16 rooms, this historic West Des Moines mansion is now a museum as well as a location where spirits have been reported over the years. Visit The Jordan House at 2001 Fuller Road in West Des Moines when tours are held on Fridays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and you just might catch a glimpse of one of its spirits. People claim to have seen and heard the spirit of Eda Jordan … maybe you will, too!

5. Phantom Fall Fest

Adventureland Resort’s annual Phantom Fall Fest is now offering scare zones like Deadsville and Hellbillies. Experience the thrills of haunts like mAlice in Wonderland, CarnEvil, Cornstalkers and Spirits of the Swamp, too. See the October hours for Phantom Fall Fest here. Check it out at 305 34th Ave. NW in Altoona.

Adventureland offers family-friendly fun this month, too, including Trick or Treat Trail daily from Noon – 5 p.m. on Main Street, as well as daily activities like the Hay Maze, Pumpkin Painting, Scream Contest, Kids Costume Contest and Scary-oke.

6. Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park

Buy your tickets online to this DSM Halloween attraction on one of the following dates: Oct. 11 – 13, Oct. 18 – 20, Oct. 25 – 27, Oct. 31 – Nov. 1. This year marks 30 years of fears by attending live shows, making your way through new attractions and checking out Werewolf Café. Learn more about attractions like Chaos Red, Dragon’s Lair and Apocalypse here, and scream your way through the park at 4051 Dean Ave. in Des Moines.

7. The Slaughterhouse Haunted Attraction

2024 is the Year of the Stitches at The Slaughterhouse Haunted Attraction at 500 Locust St. in Des Moines. Get your tickets ahead of time for dates throughout October and even into November. Along with The House, 21+ are invited to The Haunt, Des Moines’ Speakeasy of the Macabre on select nights, or to take part in The Game, The Slaughterhouse escape room. You can even buy gear from The Slaughterhouse shop, featuring a custom collection from local t-shirt shop, Raygun.

Looking for things to do in Downtown DSM? Here’s a few free things happening in October (the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood’s Halloween on the Hill is a neighborhood haunted house event for the community!), as well as a few spooky things to do in Uptown Ankeny this month. And don’t forget Family Halloween at Living History Farms Oct. 18 – 20 and Oct. 25 – 27! Watch for more Halloween-themed events to be featured on the blog throughout the month at DSMpartnership.com.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.