What was once home to infamous criminals such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton now hosts one of the nation’s most renowned Halloween attractions. Eastern State Penitentiary, considered to be the most haunted prison in the country, is just a 25-minute drive from Villanova’s campus, drawing in Villanova students every fall.
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary takes place in the heart of Philadelphia. This event features five haunted houses with a variety of terrifying thrills. For those looking for less fright, there are live dance performances every 30 minutes, ghost stories paired with s’mores and a walk-through sound and light show in Kaleidoscope Hall.
For history junkies, there are several opportunities to learn about the Penitentiary’s past, including a hospital flashlight tour available for an extra charge. Visitors in need of a break can explore the themed bars, lounges and festival food. VIP ticket holders even have access to a speakeasy at Al Capone’s cell.
For thrill-seekers, the first haunted house is called Delirium. Participants are given 3-D glasses for the vibrant colors and spinning tunnel. Next is Big Top Terror, followed by Machine Shop and Nightmares, building intensity with each stop. Around the corner is the Crypt, the longest and most intense house. Visitors are free to enter each haunted house as many times as they would like and in any order they choose.
While visitors are prohibited from touching the performers, walls and props, they can opt for a more interactive experience by wearing a glow necklace. Those wearing the glow necklace may be grabbed by the “monsters,” sent into hidden passageways and temporarily separated from their group.
Senior Alexa Raphael opted to wear the glow necklace with her friends. While the cost of the tickets may be daunting for a college student, the experience was worth it for her.
“When we went to the Crypt, my friend got taken away by an actor because she was wearing a glow necklace,” Raphael said. “I waited back with her and we ended up being the only ones in the haunted house. It was genuinely terrifying because the actors were not only jumping out at us, but following us, as well. My heart rate was through the roof by the time we made it out of there. The Crypt alone made it worth the money.”
At the entrance, staff reminds guests that if they are feeling too overwhelmed by the performers, they can say “Monster, be good,” and the actors will back off. Some people make it their goal to have performers break character without the key phrase, but these actors rarely budge.
Beyond the performers and props, the penitentiary’s eerie history enhances the experience. Eastern State Penitentiary closed in 1971 due to overcrowding issues. It was the first prison designed to encourage rehabilitation through isolation. When the inmates entered the facility, they were escorted into the prison with an eyeless hood placed over their heads. From that point on they endured solitary confinement. Prisoners were subject to physical abuse and many died from cold and starvation.
For many visitors, the setting adds an extra dimension of terror. Freshman Lexi Kobryn shared how the historical atmosphere enhanced her experience.
“The history of the Penitentiary added a haunted feel, which made my experience more frightening,” Kobryn said. “It was also very cool to see the setup of the old prison. It made the jump scares and props feel that much more real.”
Despite the scare factor, Halloween Nights welcomes all ages, with guests ranging from middle schoolers to adults. Groups of local students, couples on dates and families all enjoy time together at the Penitentiary. A staff member noted that the event is especially popular with college students.
“There are a lot of college students that come,” the staff member said. “I think that they all like it. Even if you don’t like scary things, there’s something for everyone.”
Parking for Halloween Nights is available at the Philadelphia Zoo garage, with a shuttle providing transport to the venue. The event runs through Nov. 9, with half-hour entry windows available between 6:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.. Tickets are roughly $50 and are available to be purchased online.
With its blend of haunted houses, rich history, live performances and great food, Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary offers a memorable Halloween evening. Set in one of America’s most notorious prisons and just a short trip from campus, the event provides an unforgettable, spooky experience.
