Frequently Asked Questions

Aura Haunted House is located in the Old Peoria State Hospital Historic District at 4500 Enterprise Drive, Bartonville Illinois in the Historic Pollak Hospital Building.

A psychiatric hospital operated by the State of Illinois from 1902 to 1973. Completed under the direction of Dr. George Zeller as a cottage system plan of 33 buildings. Among the buildings were patient/caretaker housing, a store, and the Pollak Hospital Building.

The Pollak Hospital was added to the state hospital campus in 1949, although tuberculosis deaths on the grounds dated back to the earliest days of the asylum. By 1906, it was the leading cause of death at the Peoria State Hospital. The high number of deaths convinced Dr. Zeller to try and control the spread of the illness by segregating the sick.

Built in 1949 the Pollak Hospital Building was built to care for patients with tuberculosis. The northern wing was for female patients and the southern wing was for male patients. It was named in honor of Dr. M. Pollak, who carried out the exhaustive research at the asylum in 1937.

By 1973, the Pollak Hospital was one of the last buildings on the grounds of the asylum that were still in use. During the hospitals years of operation, hundreds died and according to stories and eyewitness accounts, their spirits stayed behind to walk the hallways. Some visitors say, you can still feel the AURA of those patients still within the Pollak Hospital Building to this day.

YES. We are always open rain or shine. AURA is 100% indoors with a portion of the waiting line indoors during Halloween season. Most of the waiting line during Halloween season is outside. 

Yes, there has been significant evidence collected for years. Many paranormal interactions with spirits have been experienced and they may interact with you, just like they do with our staff.

Please visit our website calendar for the most up-to-date changes and times.

Yes, you can buy tickets at the Box Office or Online.
Demand rises the closer we get to Halloween. CLICK HERE for all pricing, options and information.

Yes. It is really scary!

If you have a smartphone, we are able to scan the tickets from your phone at our ticket booth. Otherwise, we recommend printing your QR codes at home. 

No.

We highly suggest planning your trip to Aura Haunted House in advance. If you can’t make it for the date you bought your ticket, it is still valid for any night of the season that we are open until it is scanned. Please note that, like many large events, we do not offer refunds under any circumstances.

Occasionally we have promotional tickets for eligible veterans, active-duty military personnel, first responders and their families.  Please visit Veteran Tickets Foundation at www.vettix.org or First Tickets Foundation at www.1sttix.org to check availability.

You must use an existing or create an account to request tickets.

No.

No. However, you can purchase another ticket if you would like to walk through again.

No. You paid us to frighten you. If you can’t finish the experience, we’ll take it as a compliment. Like most large live events, we do not offer refunds.

YES! We are always open rain or shine! Aura Haunted House is 100% indoors, with a portion of the waiting line indoors. Most of the waiting line during Halloween season is outside. On extremely busy nights most of the waiting line will be outside. 

A portion of the line is indoors. On rainy nights, we will do all we can to get as many people waiting inside, or under a tent, as possible. 

Yes. We do our best to have our staff watch out for you. 

We highly suggest planning your trip to Aura Haunted House in advance. If you can’t make it for the date you bought your ticket, it is still valid for any night of the season that we are open until it is scanned. Please note that, like many large events, we do not offer refunds under any circumstances.

It depends. During the first dates of the October dates, the wait is usually very short. As it gets closer to Halloween, specifically on a Friday or Saturday night, the wait can be long. We do offer a Fast Pass and a Now Pass that reduces your wait substantially, on very busy nights.

We cannot accommodate electric wheelchairs, however we are handicap accessible to standard sized, non-motorized wheelchairs. Guests entering in a wheelchair will have a slightly altered experience, including using a different entrance and alternate routes within the attraction. Please let the ticket booth know if you have a wheelchair so that we can escort you to the proper waiting areas.

Please contact us with any specific questions at aurahaunt@yahoo.com

No. Photography and video recording (including GoPros) are absolutely not permitted. 

If you get too scared, stay calm and tell the nearest actor and they will escort you outside. Please note, we do not give refunds under any circumstances. You paid us to scare you. 

We do not have lockers or a coat check at the haunted house. Very small purses and/or bags are allowed in, other bags should be left at home.

We do not offer parking on the haunted house property, but there is plenty of on-street parking available nearby. Please be respectful of our neighbors and do not park in any reserved or restricted lots, including the Backroads Saloon. Please do not litter on our neighbors' properties. 

It’s difficult to give an accurate answer to this question, some people run right through, while others take their time. It really depends on how well you can handle the fear! Most groups spend 20 minutes inside the haunt. 

Yes. We have many strobe lights throughout the entire haunted house as well theatrical fog. It is not recommended for people that have epilepsy to go through the haunted house. We also don’t recommend Aura Haunted House for people with asthma, heart issues or who are pregnant. We want everyone to have a safe time. You can always ask your physician to see if you can go through, however, we don’t want you to get hurt. 

The maximum group size is 6 people, but please keep in mind that, this is self-paced show and not everyone travels the same speed when scared. Especially on busy nights, some groups may meet up inside the haunt, however the show is designed to handle a large volume of people each night with maximum scares and entertainment for everyone. Please always continue moving forward inside the haunt; you never know where the next scare might come from! 

No. Our monsters will not touch you. Please be respectful and do not touch them. Incidental and unintentional contact may occur, as they do get very close but they will not touch. 

Yes. We close our ticket window to new arrivals at our specified closing hours. However, if you’re in line prior to the closing, you will be permitted entry. 

The short answer is no. As far as live creatures go, there are many life-like creatures in the haunted house. If there are real animals, they will be handled by professionals.

We recommend Aura Haunted House for ages 10 & up. However, we will not allow anyone under the age of 5. It is largely up to you as a parent to know what your child can handle. Also, remember that each guest has to be able to walk on their own (we are wheelchair accessible). We’ve had grown men bail out before they even made it inside and we’ve had children as young as 5 go through the whole house and love it. Aura contains many loud noises, dark and foggy areas, intense scares, monsters, and some mild gore. As a parent, please use your best discretion.
WARNING: THIS EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 10.

No. We love our furry friends too, but the environment created at Aura is definitely not one they’d enjoy.

No. Aura Haunted House is recommended for ages 10 & up. However, we will not allow anyone under the age of 5. EVERYONE who goes through must walk and children can NOT be carried. If they’re too young to walk, they’re too young, period. Aura contains moist & uneven walking surfaces and areas of total darkness. It is not safe or wise to carry a small child. Please use your discretion as a parent before purchasing a ticket for your child. Like many large events, we do not offer refunds under any circumstances.

We do not recommend people with asthma go through the haunted house. We suggest contacting your Physician to discuss the situation with them since we have numerous fog effects throughout the haunted house. If your doctor thinks you’ll be fine, we definitely recommend bringing your inhaler or another device that may help you breathe better. We just want everyone to have a safe time.

We do not recommend pregnant women go through the haunted house. We suggest calling your OBGYN and/or Physician to discuss the situation with them.

Blackout nights are a special event in total darkness, with one glowstick for your group (not each person) to guide your way through. Watch Out for the carnage and terror along the way! Aura BLACKOUT Nights are the most intense haunted house experience event of the year, for true horror fans.
WARNING: THIS EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 10.

The Aura Haunted House Box Office accepts cash and credit or debit cards. You can also purchase your tickets online in advance. Get tickets here.  

Please fill out the application HERE. 

Our staff advises against any costumes or costume pieces. However, most costumes are welcomed. Please be aware of the following safety restrictions: NO masks or helmets may be worn. NO over-sized costumes such as stilts or inflatables. NO hand-held props or costume pieces. Please note that like many large events, we do not offer refunds under any circumstances. 

Yes. We will not allow foul language, obscene behavior, weapons, alcohol, drugs, etc… We reserve the right to refuse admittance to anyone we deem not appropriate for entry. Please use your head!

Please email aurahaunt@yahoo.com or message us via our FACEBOOK PAGE.         

Please email us at aurahaunt@yahoo.com

Please pay attention and dress accordingly. It is strongly recommended to wear closed toe shoes. High heels and flip flops are strongly advised against. You will encounter various walking surfaces, darkness, and moisture inside the haunted house. Comfortable casual wear that you can move in is suggested.  

You will experience intense audio and lighting, extreme low visibility, and a physically demanding environment.

You should not participate if you are under 10 years of age, are pregnant, have claustrophobia, heart or respiratory problems.

• You will not be admitted if you appear intoxicated or are wearing any form of temporary cast, medical brace or crutches.
• No photography or videography is allowed.
• No Smoking. No lighters. No drinking or eating in the attraction.
• No Halloween type masks allowed. No flashlights. No profanity.
• No touching actors or staff. No alcohol allowed on the premises. No pets. No cell phone use while in the attraction.

Your ticket is a revocable license and may be taken up and admission refused. Holder of this ticket understands that there is inherent risk involved with attending these events. Holder voluntarily assumes all risks and dangers associated with participating in these events.

In consideration and acceptance of entrance, holder agrees to release the operator. its parent corporations, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and landlord from any liability, harm, injury or death, cost or expense whatsoever that may arise directly or indirectly from attending these events.

No Refunds or Exchanges! No Exceptions!