Necropolis Underground Haunted Attractions Review (2024)

We began our adventure through Nightmare House, and it quickly became apparent that we were not only unwelcome but irksome visitors as well. Between intruding upon a resident’s privacy, interrupting another’s movie, and insulting a smaller ghoul (who vehemently assured us she was NOT a child), we found ourselves incurring everyone’s ire the moment we stepped onto the neglected home’s porch. All was not vexation and rage, however, as we wandered further into the abode. An attempt was made at offering refreshments, though we’re pretty sure the terrors in the kitchen were eyeballing us as vittles for themselves instead of presenting us with treats.

There were even some monsters that were happy to see us – the infamous Dr. Cutter made his presence known about halfway through, maliciously sneering and lighting up the darkness with electric rods as he pounced and popped from every hidden vantage point he had access to. Grandpa seemed pleased as well, thoroughly enjoying sending us tumbling this way and that on rickety bridges while our attention was elsewhere.

The residents were a little bare bones in Nightmare House, but with what we encountered at our next destination, perhaps this was done on purpose? A ploy to lull us into a false sense of security before all hell broke loose?

Journeying on into The Cemetery of the Damned, the atmosphere appeared to explode the moment we stepped foot inside the gates. Grim grinning ghosts came out to socialize that evening with absolute fervor as we became overwhelmed from the very start. Dr. Cutter had followed us from Nightmare House and appeared to lead the onslaught of terrors that banded together to creep, crawl, slither, and leap from every tomb and sepulcher in the cemetery.

One particularly imposing figure was a shrouded and masked ghoul with wicked claws that held aloft a lantern as if to light our way. Instead of being a comfort, he would wait until we got close enough to emit an ear-piercing and horrifying shriek, rattling our nerves. Another appeared to be some kind of witch doctor who made unknown symbols and gestures around us as we moved through the rows of graves. We had hoped that, perhaps, he was blessing us, but his sinister bellow of “TORTURE!” as we rounded a corner into a dark room dashed those hopes.

Barely a moment’s peace was had during our visit, and we had quite the entourage that chased us out, hollering and cackling with ominous glee. Considering the trek we had through the cemetery, we were looking forward to some R and R as we continued into the Dead and Breakfast.

A delightfully menacing and amusing receptionist greeted us, proudly proclaiming that he had polished the rats and roaches for our arrival (how sweet?) before ushering us onward towards room 13. Once again, Dr. Cutter made himself an uninvited guest as he stalked us through one hall after another, shouting threats and terrorizing those of us who are not particularly fond of electricity.

One room 13 (yes, there are multiple) housed a masked priest attempting to exorcise the tortured woman who writhed and shrieked upon an eerily green glowing bed. However, considering he pointed his crucifix towards us our entire stay, perhaps he believed we were the source of the problem? Unfortunately, the Dead and Breakfast was also light on guests, but I’m sure housekeeping has their bodies stashed somewhere.

Our final stop for this evening was The Bunker, home of the crazed, blind doctor who had made our lives hell for the entire walkthrough. Dr. Cutter, himself, ‘welcomed’ us inside along with his receptionist, who insisted The Bunker was her home and not his. We don’t believe she’ll have a job much longer after that.

One of the slider ghouls sat in the waiting room, magazine in hand and irritated that his appointment had been circumvented for ours. We ran into him again further in, happily munching on someone’s hand and offering us a bite. As we made our way through, it became obvious that the good doctor had been busy as patients were everywhere in various states of torture and madness. One of them even tried to escape along with us, but sadly, Dr. Cutter stopped him before he could get far. The Administration section of The Bunker is where things really took off, and much like the cemetery, monsters began to swarm us from every nook and cranny. It is a wonder we made it out alive and in one piece.

There’s a sinister evil that lurks beneath the Indianapolis city streets, and it looks as real as it feels. Necropolis Underground is packed with crazy creatures and detailed demons, popping out of every corner to showcase their unique looks. The first attraction Nightmare House featured some fantastically spooky and intricate costumes, complete with shredded filthy garments and shocking masks.

For the actors that were not in masks, they had elaborate makeup, colored contacts, and a few even had sets of yellowed fangs for teeth. Some looks that stood out were the soiled underpants man and the pumpkin creature; both were very fitting nightmarish beings that roamed the house.

As we roamed through the graveyard we were greeted by sinister-looking zombies featuring full face paint and draped in chains. The cemetery held the most fearsome ghouls we encountered the entire time! The undead looked as if they had just emerged from the ground. A Voodoo doctor, complete with tribal paint and a bone nose piercing, commanded his horde of zombies.

From the graveyard, we were led to the Dead and Breakfast, filled with some of the most disgusting and psychopathic hotel staff we have ever seen! Outfitted in rotted, stained, and decaying uniforms, they looked like they fit right in, helping to make your stay as uncomfortable as possible.

Last but not least, we were faced with the Bunker! Dr. Cutter is by far one of the most electrifying characters we’ve seen. His ghastly appearance is outlined by his ecstatic hair, pure white eyes, and grizzly sharp smile. His experiments looked like they were straight out of a scifi novel! Most of the patients here wore hospital and psychiatric patient attire but with a bloody twist!

Overall, we were quite impressed by Necropolis’ attention to detail and costume execution.

Planning our visit to Necropolis Underground was effortless, with all the necessary details easily accessible on the website. The GPS guided us straight to the well-lit parking lot, where a large sign above the building confirmed our arrival. The parking area was spacious and easy to navigate, with attendants on hand to help us find an available spot. Best of all, parking was free of charge.

Before entering the main attraction, guests pass through a security checkpoint, where staff conduct a quick wanding procedure for safety. The staff members were friendly and approachable, readily answering any questions and providing assistance throughout our visit.

The steps leading into the building were well-lit but quite steep, so take your time while descending. Once inside, navigating to the appropriate queue for our tickets was straightforward. Although the area was dimly lit, it posed no difficulty since we were already familiar with where we needed to go. Be sure to arrive early to catch the opening ceremony—it’s a must-see show that sets the tone for the entire experience.

The outside of Necropolis is quite unassuming, the large banner hanging on one side the only clue that something else lies within. However, the moment you descend the rusty, metal steps into the darkness, everything changes.

Thick fog fills industrial rooms covered in mottled paint, metal fencing, and exposed architecture. Everything has this dirty, gritty feeling to it that makes you uneasy as if you’ve trespassed into unfinished construction. Once you leave the stairwell, nowhere is safe.

Queue actors skulk the entire waiting area and they have no qualms slinking out of the fog and darkness to give you a scare. It is highly recommended to arrive at Necropolis early to witness the Opening Ceremony, a pre-show where all the monsters are set loose on the waiting haunt goers before skittering off into the attraction. Describing the experience as ‘entertaining’ is an understatement.

Every attraction has its own theme and it’s easy to recognize as you wait to be allowed inside. Once inside, everything is highly detailed and decorated appropriately. There is always something to look at and new decorations/animatronics/etc are being added with each visit.

The only real issue with Necropolis is there are not enough actors to go around. The entire attraction is absolutely enormous and it would take a small army to fully staff the place. However, the cast they do have is always in top form and it’s obvious that they thoroughly enjoy what they do.

Once you manage to survive The Bunker (correction, if), you exit out into the Dead City Festival, where there is more fun to be had. Axe throwing and Escape Rooms are available for an additional price, as well as a tarot reading booth. Snacks and merchandise are also available, and everything is easy to locate in one central area.

But beware, even though you may have survived, you’re still not safe from the wandering scare actors. Essentially, you’re not truly safe until you go topside, and even then, there may be a stray monster in the parking lot.

Necropolis features a variety of immersive themes, including dilapidated motels, New Orleans-style cemeteries, haunted estates, and an underground medical facility. While we’ve already praised the exceptional cast, it’s time to cast a spotlight—or rather, a shadow—on some of the remarkable effects encountered throughout our journey.

Nightmare House is filled with captivating set pieces, some uniquely crafted for Necropolis and others that may be familiar to seasoned haunt enthusiasts. Visitors can explore a haunted auto shop, navigate a graveyard recently disturbed by grave robbers, and pass through a series of familiar spaces such as a library, toy room, nursery, and a laser swamp. Proceed with caution in the cavern, as a surprise awaits that is sure to sweep you off your feet!

Cemetery of the Damned utilizes a voodoo theme, leading guests through an above-ground graveyard overgrown with moss and decay. The scene is enhanced by blue lighting that simulates a night sky overhead, while flashes of strobe lights between scenes mimic the effect of a passing thunderstorm. Beyond the cemetery, visitors will encounter a live execution in the torture chamber and explore a tomb, which offers a unique take on the classic vortex tunnel.

Dead and Breakfast takes you through an abandoned motel in search of the elusive Room 13, where you’re meant to rest for the night. However, it appears the residents have already claimed it—and they’re hungry for blood. To make your escape, you’ll have to slip through hidden passages in the walls, crawl through a fireplace, and wade through the grimy sewer pipes of this forsaken establishment. As you delve deeper into this motel from hell, the atmosphere grows increasingly bizarre. Remain vigilant in the dark corridors—there are a few surprises that can deliver quite a shock.

At last, we arrive at The Bunker, an underground testing facility where you become the test subject. The walls are coated in grime and decay, while jars filled with body parts and alien-like specimens line the hallways. Throughout, you’ll encounter scenes resembling a deranged hospital, complete with surgical procedures and unsettling experiments. The rooms depict a once-thriving medical facility now abandoned, though its inhabitants have clearly never left.

The visuals crafted by the team at Necropolis Underground never fail to impress, providing a stunning backdrop that perfectly complements the energetic cast of monsters. With no shortage of captivating details and immersive scenes, each house offers its own unique appeal. While some areas may stand out more than others, the overall experience at this remarkable attraction is sure to leave a lasting impression.

From the moment we stepped into Nightmare House, it was immediately clear that we were in for a relentless onslaught from the residents of this underground Hellscape. The haunt struck a solid balance between impressive animatronics and a dynamic cast whose energy never wavered. The sheer number of hiding spots throughout the attraction was remarkable—we’re convinced that even with hundreds of actors, there would still be empty places to conceal more. It was truly impressive how many options the cast had to launch their attacks, keeping us constantly on edge.

Cemetery of the Damned appeared to have the largest cast, with scares coming from all directions, multiple double-tap encounters, and clever distractions setting up the next fright.

In contrast, Nightmare House had some notable gaps in activity, with stretches of time where we walked without encountering any scares, creating moments of noticeable vacancy.

Dr. Cutter and a few other creatures followed our group across multiple attractions, relentlessly targeting one of our members—though he would insist that he wasn’t scared, not even a little. While these interactions were directed at a specific person, the rest of the cast did a commendable job of engaging the entire group, ensuring that everyone shared in the experience and received a fair amount of attention.

The actors in Dead and Breakfast and The Bunker delivered a different style of engagement, focusing on dialogue-oriented interactions without sacrificing the scares. The cast was aggressive, often getting up close and personal to push us out of our comfort zones. They were also quick-witted, effortlessly responding to any sarcastic remarks with equally sharp retorts.

If there is room for improvement at Necropolis, it would be in enhancing the intensity of some of the finales. During our visit, the large neon skeleton animatronic at the end of Cemetery of the Damned was not operational.

While we found this attraction to be the most frightening of the night, its overall score was diminished by the underwhelming conclusion. An actor did his best to improvise and maintain the experience, attempting to entertain and distract us from the malfunction, but the lack of a climactic finish left us wanting something more.

The strongest finale of the night belonged to The Bunker, where the entire lineup of queue actors converged in the hallways for an all-out assault. We spent a solid two minutes navigating this relentless barrage, and even after being funneled into the midway, the intensity did not let up.

Kudos to the team for remaining in character and continuing to stalk us throughout the night. Their relentless nature ensured that we never had a moment to catch our breath—an approach that many haunts could learn from.

Necropolis offers a variety of ticket options to suit different preferences, including group packages, VIP passes, and front-of-the-line access. For the best experience, we recommend visiting on less busy evenings, such as Fridays and Sundays. However, for those unable to adjust their schedules, there are options available to help you navigate any potential crowds, ensuring a smooth experience even on busier nights.

Our tour through all four haunts lasted 31 minutes. With a general admission price of $35, this translates to a value of 0.89 minutes per dollar spent. While this is slightly lower compared to other nearby attractions, it still represents good value given the overall quality of the experience.
For guests looking to bypass the standard lines, VIP passes are available for approximately $50. For the fastest entry, front-of-the-line passes can be purchased for $75, providing priority access and eliminating wait times.

After completing the haunt, be sure to explore the Dead City Festival, Necropolis Underground’s midway area. For a small upcharge they offer a range of activities, including axe throwing, escape games, tarot readings, and concessions, along with merchandise for sale. The festival also features cast members roaming the area and various photo opportunities to enhance your visit.