Did you know that Denver is home to not one, but two, of the best haunted houses in the nation? Last week we got to check  them out, and we’re happy to report that though you may need a change of underpants, The 13th Floor and The Asylum are everything you’d hope.

First, we went to the 13^th Floor, which is #1 on the Discovery Channel’s “Scariest Haunted Houses” and #1 on USA Today’s “Best Haunted Houses” list, located off of Brighton Boulevard in an industrial area. We were given Fast Pass Admission so we could bypass the general admission line, which was awesome because even on a Monday, it was super busy. They had actors interacting with those out in the line, and we could hear screams echoing from inside the 25,000 sq foot warehouse. Every year the 13^th Floor has three themes.

“Slasher Remix” was the first theme upon entering the house; waiting inside were Freddie Kruger, Jason Voorhees and Micheal Meyers! Freddie kept trying to get us from above with his glove, as Micheal Meyers was happy to take a “stab.” The sets and props are just amazingly detailed and have so many special effects, including a particularly creepy Freddie behind a chain link fence.

After playing a part in our favorite ’80s and ’90s slasher flicks, we took a rickety elevator down to  “Undead Abomination.”  The elevator operator warned us not to get bitten or we’d be joining the ranks of the undead. The undead were everywhere; there were animatronic monsters and dark rooms with uneven soft floors, rooms with air bag walls ….there were even undead flying above while uttering noises you can’t even imagine.

We survived the undead, and made it to the realm of “Cursed The Ritual,”  where we followed winding brick alleyways, into a dank Louisiana-esque world, chock-full of witch doctors, voodoo people and a giant alligator!

The 13^th floor does it unlike anybody else, and we’d rate it at 5 out of 5; even if you aren’t easily scared, the jump scares will get you, and the sets and actors are out of this world!                                                            For tickets and a calendar click here

After making it back to our car, we drove the 3.5 miles to the Asylum Haunted House off of East 39^th Avenue, also in an industrial area. This house is also theme-based.

The first of three being “Post Mortem: The Escape.” Depending on the size of your group, you get locked into a room and have to figure out how to get out within a few minutes or you’ll get gassed. We got gassed…and just at the last second…we were let out to make our way to the next world.

“Primitive Fear: Anarchy,” where deranged townspeople have taken over and want you to join them. The set here was probably the best one, just complete chaos…debris, abandoned vehicles, abandoned buildings, and plenty of maniacal laughter. The residents REALLY want you to join them, and they aren’t afraid to tell you.

If you survive that, maybe you’ll make it to “Ridgegate: The Deranged,” which is full of escaped mental patients from the looney bin. They give the word crazy a new meaning as they follow you about, trying to coerce you into being their friends, and getting upset when ignored…..

The Asylum gets a 4 out of 5; while we really enjoyed the actors, and the effects, The 13^th floor is a tough act to follow! For Asylum tickets or times click here

Photos Courtesy of The 13th Floor and The Asylum