In this special collaboration, Justin Brady interviews Ian Miller, the mastermind behind Slaughterhouse Des Moines — the Best Haunted Attraction in Iowa. In 2024 it completed its 12th season and Miller gives gives listeners a sneak peak and explains why the creepy place is considered Des Moines’ Best Haunted House and coolest Halloween activity in Des Moines for 2024.
We’re proud to be partnering with Slaughterhouse on this special episode!
Des Moines Best Haunted House and Attraction
Slaughterhouse, located at 500 Locust Street, is a 20,000-square-foot subterranean space that offers a terrifying experience for those brave enough to enter. As Miller explains, this isn’t your typical haunted house. “We pride ourselves on being a 70/30 house,” he says, referring to the balance between live actors and props. “We’re 70 percent actor-driven and 30 percent prop-driven. There’s nothing more terrifying than the variable you can’t control, which is another human being.”
The attraction is designed with a cinematic level of detail that goes beyond the expected. “I was kind of expecting papier-mâché and cheap effects,” Brady admits, “but the amount of detail that goes into it is absolutely incredible.” Miller elaborates that much of the fine detail is hidden in the darkness, only revealed by the sporadic flicker of lights or the sudden activation of an actor-controlled effect. “You get a sense of what’s unseen,” he notes, “even if it’s not lit or obvious.”
Slaughterhouse Des Moines and The Haunt Speakeasy
Aside from the main attraction, Miller introduces listeners to The Haunt Speakeasy, that gives Iowans a taste all year round. During the Slaughterhouse season, The Haunt is paused to make way for Slaughterhouse. “Last year, we began programming it as a full-fledged bar operation,” he explains, offering a unique experience outside of the Slaughterhouse’s typical run. This year, the Haunt Speakeasy will temporarily close after a special visit from Slipknot on September 20th and will reopen post-season in November.
The theme for this year’s Slaughterhouse is “Year of the Stitches,” spotlighting the character Stitches Biggs, a familiar face to regulars. “You’ll catch glimpses of Stitches and his handiwork throughout the experience,” Miller teases. “It’s one of those come-and-see kind of things.” This theme marks the beginning of a series focused on developing the lore of Slaughterhouse’s many characters, hinting at bigger plans for the future.
The perfect Halloween Activity
Miller emphasizes that the horror experience begins long before visitors step inside. “Every little detail has been thought through,” he states, likening it to “the Disneyland of horror.” With a carefully curated environment that aims to heighten every sense, guests are thrust into a world of terror from the moment they arrive.
“This is the first year in a long time that we’ve offered any discounts,” Miller shares, encouraging everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to experience the terror.
Slaughterhouse is more than just a haunted house; it’s an immersive horror experience where theatricality and high attention to detail collide. With its new themes and ongoing evolution, the Slaughterhouse promises to continue being a must-visit for thrill-seekers in Des Moines. As Miller says, “Come out and have a little fun with us.”
Iowa Haunted Houses and Attractions?
Of the many haunted attractions in the Des Moines Metro and central Iowa including Sleepy Hollow Scream Park, Barnum Haunted House, Barnum Factory, and Linn’s Haunted House, fans consistently rate Slaughterhouse Des Moines in a category all in its own.
As you search for Iowa Halloween Attractions, make sure Slaughterhouse is on the very top of your list.
What happened to Tormented Souls Haunt and Scream Park?
Tormented Souls Haunt and Scream Park, a popular attraction in Madrid, Iowa has closed, mentioning highlighting the closure on their Facebook page:
To all you Tormented Souls Fright Seekers and Nightmare Enthusiasts, we bid you a spine-chilling farewell. Our crypt is now sealed, and the darkness has claimed its silence. We’ll mournfully miss the echo of your screams, the ghastly pursuits, and lurking in the shadows awaiting your return.
To our ghoulish performers, we say, “Wickedly well done, and we shall hauntfully miss you.”
To you all, perhaps one day, we’ll rise again to make our mischief, and bring madness to your dreams, but for now, we whisper our final, ghostly, “goodbye…”
What happened to Ames Haunted Forest, aka Ames Haunted Barn
The Ames Haunted Forest (Ames Haunted Barn), a popular Halloween attraction in Ames, closed after 25 years KCCI reported. Run by Lee and Lynn Ballard, the attraction on University Boulevard was set to open for its 26th season but closed due to the intense labor involved. The Ballard family managed the forest since their father founded it in 1999. They are proud to have continued his legacy and are grateful for the community support. The site will be repurposed to expand parking for Jack Trice Stadium, accommodating an additional 300-400 cars.