Tremors of fear and anticipation shudder through you as your friends tug you along unwillingly to the wooden doors of the abandoned jail. An eerie draft of cold air hits you as you enter. Though you try to brace yourself, nothing can properly prepare you for the gruesome blood and menacing words of those who try to scare you in any way possible. This was the experience we had at Eastern State Penitentiary: Terror Behind the Walls.

Residing on 2027 Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison, has transformed into a massive haunted house where we were scared out of our minds. The terror escalated as we progressed through the carefully planned-out sequence of six distinctively frightening sections: The Gauntlet, Lock Down, Detritos, Infirmary, The Experiment, and Night Watch. Lock Down was actually in the cellblocks, and Infirmary was filled with ‘mentally ill’ patients on the loose. Each section was terrifying in its own way.

The actors were nothing less than excellent. Their makeup was professionally done and extremely realistic.  They knew just when to jump out of the darkest corners or cells and chase you down the narrow hallways until you couldn’t stand it.  However, the performers were not permitted to touch you unless you chose to wear a neon glow stick around your neck (see below for more).

The music was designed especially for the Penitentiary, and we found that it greatly added to the overall experience. And let us not forget the strobe lights, flashing in time so that we could never see our surroundings clearly and intensifying the scare level. The whole adventure – actors, music, eerie surroundings and all – was frighteningly realistic. There was never a point when we were not clinging to each other, crying, or screeching hysterically, yet the entire experience was a blast.

Can you handle the extreme terror? Here are some easy ways to make your experience at Eastern State more enjoyable.

1. The saying, “There is safety in numbers”, applies to this event: Go with a group of three or more so that you have people to cling to when you are overcome with fear.
2. Stick with the group ahead or behind you if you are absolutely terrified, because then you can anticipate what is coming next, and you will not experience the full scare. If you want the full experience, then only stay with your small group so you will not see what lies ahead.
3. Another lifesaving tip – the simple but crucial phrase, “Monster be gone.” When an actor at Eastern State Penitentiary hears this phrase, he or she knows you have spoken the code word for “Stop scaring me!” Still, if you want your money’s worth, we suggest limiting your use of this magical phrase.
4. As previously mentioned, you have the option of wearing a glow stick around your neck. This permits actors to touch you, include you in the action, send you into hidden passageways, and separate you from your group. If you are scared easily, do not take the glow stick on your first visit. However, if you are up for the challenge, then good luck! Luckily, the glow stick does not cost any extra money, so you can take it off at any time if the intensified experience is too much for you.

Already planning your visit? Then buy your tickets quickly, because you will be surprised by the multitude of people hoping to be petrified. Come indulge yourself in a night of wild adventure and exhilarating terror through October and up until November 9th.

Eastern State Penitentiary is usually open from 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM on Fridays and Sundays. On crowded Saturdays, its hours are 6:30 PM -12:30 AM. On weekdays, it operates from 7:00-11:00 PM. Online ticket prices range from $19 on weekdays to $29 on Fridays and $39 on Saturdays, but you have to pay more if you buy at the door. Lastly, it is open rain or shine, perfect as an instant mood-changer on a rainy day. See http://www.easternstate.org/halloween for more, and check out their daytime historical tours.