Miasma Chicago, United States

We could say Miasma is just a haunted house, except it isn’t. It’s a series of nightmare-fuelled attractions that only the brave (or slightly insane) dare to enter. Those who’ve survived call it life-altering; others don’t talk about it at all.

That’s because the attraction uses heavy story elements, combined with immersive contact to provoke you into feeling like you’re experiencing one of the worst nights of your life. To be fair, you probably are. But this place doesn’t just scare you—it sees into your mind, digs up the intense fears you’ve buried deep, and gives them a terrifying, sensory-overloading playground to muck around in.

You think we’re kidding? Miasma is so extreme, the website literally gives you a warning for the things you’ll come across during your experience. We’re talking aggressive physical contact, graphic adult content, emotional distress and psychological challenges. Do you have your psychiatrist on speed dial?

If you’re a sci-fi nut, ‘Death King’ is the experience for you. There’s nothing like religious themes, body horror and the threat of physical violence to have you dealing with the full spectrum of raw human emotions. Or maybe you want to try your luck with the ‘Desecration of the Seven Witches’? Perhaps fall into ‘The Great Silence’?

It doesn’t matter which one you pick, each room escalates into a terror you’ve never felt before, and you’re not just an observer—you’re the goddamn star of the show.

But don’t even think about just rocking up because you’re bored on a Friday night. Miasma is wildly exclusive, with a waiting list as long as your rolodex of re-occurring nightmares. It’s partly due to the attraction’s preference for small groups—so no scream goes unheard—but also because apparently Chicago is full of twisted individuals itching for a good scare. Are you one of them?

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