Michigan's Scariest Haunted House Has Three Speakeasies

Westland — This October, I'm on a mission to find the best haunted house in Michigan.

And spoiler alert: I think I might have found it on my first try.

I am, admittedly, a huge scaredy cat. You couldn't pay me to sit through a horror movie, I don't like being alone in the dark, and I've never once dressed as anything scary for Halloween.

But for whatever reason, I've always taken a particular liking to haunted houses.

Growing up, I went to my small town's haunted houses and corn mazes every fall and absolutely loved them. However, some of the scare factor was lost when half of the terrifying masked killers chasing me around were just kids I went to high school with who weren't particularly committed to the bit.

That's not what we're looking for now.

I want a haunted house that will spare no expense to make me scream. If I'm not constantly having to remind myself it's not real, that they can't touch me, and I am in fact going to survive, then I don't want it!

For my first attempt, I decided to try out Hush Haunted Attraction in Westland. This one seemed like a good place to start, because it's been ranked among the best haunted houses in the country and has a unique concept I'd never seen before.

What's special about this place is that it's actually a haunted house speakeasy.

The attraction consists of three different haunted houses with three secret bars inside for guests 21 and older. Each bar has its own unique theme with different cocktails to match, and I genuinely think this idea is brilliant.

Not only was it so much fun getting to find each of the hidden bars and try out all the different drinks, but they also come at the perfect time. You make it through a terrifying haunted house and get rewarded with a fun cocktail to calm your nerves before willingly subjecting yourself to the whole thing all over again.

The bartenders were also so much fun. The vibes were high, the energy was great, and, best of all, the drinks actually weren't that expensive!

And if you've ever been to a popular haunted house before, you know that just waiting to get in is half the night. Well, at Hush, they actually turn this into part of the experience with live Cirque du Soleil-style performances happening right in front of you.

And these aren't just stupid little acts they threw together to distract you while you wait. These people are insanely talented and genuinely mesmerizing to watch. We saw a woman performing on aerial silks, a man swallowing fire, and even a burlesque performance.

The three haunted houses are also connected by a massive midway they call the "scare zone” and this is where you'll have an opportunity to take photos with some of the characters roaming around.

And unlike the kids from my hometown haunted houses, these people are COMMITTED to their role.

Beyond being dressed as decaying zombies, blood-splattered clowns, or whatever else exists in your worst nightmares, they absolutely refuse to break character, even when you're just trying to take a picture with them. They're creepy, weird, and unsettling in exactly the way you'd hope the actors at a haunted house would be.

And don't think you're safe just because you're outside the houses either. They will absolutely still try to scare you any chance they get. One actor dressed as a ghost bride was silently crawling underneath the crowd-control ropes, horrifying everyone waiting in line, and one of my worst scares of the entire night came from a bloody skeleton that snuck up behind me while I was getting a drink.

As for how scary the haunted houses themselves were, they definitely met my expectations.

While I've already admitted that I'm probably easier to scare than the average person, there were some jump scares that I'm sure would get even the bravest souls. It's practically pitch black and silent as you creep your way through, just waiting for whatever bloody, mangled devil creature is about to jump out at you next. It genuinely felt like walking through a real-life horror movie, with the suspense building every time you turn a corner.

The first house was terrifying, partially because it was my first scare of the night and I had absolutely no idea what to expect.

It was also, importantly, before we'd had any drinks.

By the second house, I at least knew what I was getting myself into. I'd probably say this one was the least scary of the three, although that's not saying much considering I was still screaming like a little girl the entire way through it.

But then came the third house... and let's just say they definitely saved the best for last.

The final and biggest house is themed as the "Master's Mansion," and they pulled out all the stops for this one. It was the longest and by far the most terrifying. The jump scares were coming from every which way and I genuinely had no idea what to expect next. People were popping out from the floorboards, dropping upside down directly in front of our faces, and even after they gave you that initial fright, the terrifying creatures would follow right behind you, which I I hated.

Hush's website warns that the experience is typically too intense for children under 13. Before going, I figured that was probably just a safety precaution or maybe even a marketing gimmick.

After going, I think they ought to change it to too intense for anyone under 22.

But in my quest to find the best haunted house in Michigan, I can confidently say we're off to a ridiculously good start.

This was easily the best experience I've ever had at a Halloween-type attraction. The haunted houses are genuinely scary, but the secret bars, live performances, and commitment from everyone working there elevate the entire experience into something you won't find anywhere else.

It's the perfect activity for adults wanting to get into the Halloween spirit and experience that same excitement they got from haunted houses as kids, except now you get rewarded with cocktails along the way!

And Hush doesn't completely disappear once Halloween is over, either. They have an elaborate tiki bar that's open year-round when the haunted attraction closes. They decorate for every holiday and host fun events all the time throughout the year.

But if you're looking to visit during the Halloween season, I would definitely plan ahead.

This place is extremely popular. Most nights sell out, and wait times can get up to three hours on busy nights, so you'll definitely want to book your tickets ahead of time.

Did I strike lightning in a bottle and find Michigan's best haunted house on my very first try?

I guess we'll have to wait and see.