Summary:

Built in 1870, the building that is now known as the Raven’s Grin Inn has had many identities. Since the time it was built, it has been everything from a car dealership to a brothel. It has also been (and is currently) a haunted attraction that is open to the public. 

As you wait outside, the huge structure looms over you, filling you with an eerie sense of anticipation. Keep in mind that this isn’t your typical haunted house. In fact the term “haunted house” doesn’t do it justice. You won’t find typical house characters like Jason or Freddy, nor will you find a spinning vortex tunnel like most haunted houses have. This attraction has a style all its own. I guess the Raven’s Grin could be described as a haunted fun house, with equal portions of fright & comic relief, and definitely a lot of entertainment value. 

What some people don’t know is that not only is it a commercial haunted attraction, it also has a real haunted history.  At the start of the tour, you are given a brief history of some of the supernatural happenings that have been observed throughout the years. Unexplainable things have been happening in this building since the mid 1920’s. Strange sounds, mysterious apparitions and other unexplainable phenomena have been observed and documented by the owner Jim Warfield. Perhaps the best-known apparition is the “Lady in White”, who has been seen by many people over the years. She most often appears in the wine cellar, the most haunted room of the Raven’s Grin Inn. 

After you learn about some of the haunted history, you continue on through the house, winding your way through tunnels, crawl spaces and slides.  On your trip through the Raven's Grin, you will see many odd & creative displays and props, spawned from the delightfully twisted mind of the owner, Jim Warfield.  As part of the outdoor portion of the tour, you get to see Jim's old "spookmobile" that was hit from behind by a semi doing 80 MPH, with him in it!  How could he have survived such an impact?  Or did he...   

The most popular part of the house seems to be the slide in the "Bad Dreams Bedroom", which shoots you down from the top of the house into the stone wine cellar, which is 24 feet below the surface of the earth.  It is such a wild ride, it has been made an optional part of the tour.

The Raven's Grin is also quite a value, compared to other haunted attractions.  For the affordable $10 admission price, you get over an hour of entertainment.

If you are looking for a totally unique experience, this is it! The Raven’s Grin has developed quite a following and has actually become somewhat of a legend in the Chicagoland area and beyond.  It has been featured on television shows like HGTV Extreme Homes and Wild Chicago. Believe me, it is a totally unique experience. It’s something you’ll have to see for yourself.



Note: The best time to visit the Raven's Grin is in the off-season, when you can avoid the huge October crowds and get a more lengthy, in depth tour. If you visit on non-October dates, you also have the benefit of Jim Warfield, the creative force behind the Raven's Grin, guiding the entire tour. Because The Raven's Grin is open year-round (301 days a year), you can drop in nearly any day for a tour!

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