Halloween is supposed to be scary—but would you step inside a haunted prison at night, with eerie characters and ghostly inmates lurking around every corner?
A visit to Eastern State Penitentiary, Halloween Nights is just that. Every Halloween season, the 10-acre former jail transforms into five haunted houses with themed bars, live entertainment, historic tours, and seasonal food and drinks.
This year, Dark Tides is a new attraction that puts you inside an “abandoned” fishing village – but don’t be fooled, there are secrets lurking under the docks. You’ll soon realize it’s not abandoned at all.
Another new feature is Apocalypse Pass, which is an outdoor scare zone where you’re caught in the middle of an unpredictable outbreak.
Be on the lookout for a new lineup of characters, with the theme Shadow of the Veil, who will be hiding in every twist and turn.
The real kicker is the “opt in” option – if you want a more intense experience, you can pick up a glow necklace, which gives the characters the ability to grab you, send you into a passageway – sometimes separated from your crew – with you expected to find your way out.
There’s also a new hybrid option, which lets you either join a guided storytelling tour or explore on your own. There are four acts – two open flow, and two in sequence – so that you don’t have to wait in multiple lines, but instead go through the haunted houses with fewer interruptions.
And when you need a break from screaming, fair chance Philadelphia vendors Triple Bottom Brewing and Down North Pizza will set up stands, along with Bao & Bun Studio, Corneey’s Corn on the Cob and Gourmet Popcorn, and Hardy Funnel Cakes.
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary is open on select nights from Friday, September 19, through November 8. ESP is located at 2027 Fairmount Ave. in Philadelphia, PA.
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