Halloween is quickly nearing, which means it is time to start enjoying the holiday to its fullest potential. For me, that means visiting haunted houses and attractions. Our family absolutely loves going on haunted hayrides or houses. They are really so much fun. This past weekend, we were invited to go check out Terror Behind The Walls, the haunted house located inside Eastern State Penitentiary. This isn’t really a haunted house, but rumor has it that it actually is a haunted prison. Abandoned long ago, this building stands ominous and dark, with sinister shadows at every turn. Once a magnificent structure that housed infamous criminals, including the likes of Al Capone, Eastern State Penitentiary was a model for the world. The blueprint for the building is like a wheel with spokes, different hallways leading in different directions with an outer wall encompassing it. Once the prisoners sat in confinement day in and day out and in later years, the prison became the setting for escapes, riots and gruesome murders. Although the prisoners have long since gone, many say there are otherworldly inhabitants still there occupying the small cramped cells. In fact, many paranormal investigations have taken place here resulting in some pretty compelling evidence to support that theory.
Credit: Photo by R. Wise Courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary
Upon arrival at the penitentiary, you are immediately greeted by a large hovering gargoyle over the entrance. The tall walls are not welcoming and you find yourself wondering why you were crazy enough to take on the challenge of going through this kind of “entertainment.” There is a feeling that pervades the air and you couldn’t pick a more appropriate setting for a spooky attraction. Once you walk within the walls, you are sent to a holding area where you are given instructions and the option to select which type of experience you would like to have. Glow in the dark necklaces are given to participants who want the more intense version of the show. This allows those working the attraction to know that you are ok with being touched. By picking this option, you could possibly be separated from your group and placed in a prison cell! If you choose not to have anyone touch you at all, that is more than ok, just don’t select a necklace and they will know. Also, if at anytime you decide after putting the necklace on that you no longer want anyone to touch you, just take it off and throw it to the ground. One of the people in my group chose to do that and the performers were extremely respectful of that. However, I chose to wear the necklace. 
Terror Behind the Walls is set up in six different sections of the prison. You are guided with dividers and clearly marked signage to know where to go, so you can’t get lost. Walking through the abandoned and dilapidated hallways, looking through desolate cells, observing paint peeling from the walls, and the palpable heavy feeling in the air makes for an incredibly creepy experience in and of itself. Add to that strobe lights, fog, and Hollywood worthy make up and costumes and you have one freaky night!
Each area that we went through was incredible! Each section was unique and had scary and exciting elements within. I particularly loved the 3D section as it added many optical illusions to the already heightened sensations we were experiencing. Wearing the necklace definitely added to the thrill of the night, as there were many times throughout our tour where we were touched or taken into a different section. I did find it cool that there weren’t too many decorations needed for the prison, as the ambiance was already there. It wasn’t too bloody or vulgar, as one might think. Actually, it was a major psychological thrill. It was so much fun!
If you have brave kids, they would do great here. There were many children there the night we went to visit. They even have family nights on Sunday nights. It is the same show, just everyone knows to be on the lookout for younger children. We loved it so much that we will definitely be coming back with all our kids. I think we have found a new Halloween tradition for our family and I am thrilled about it!
I wish I could have taken pictures or a video to take you with me to show you just how incredible it was. But, alas, that is something you will have to find out for yourself! If you dare to brave the Terror Behind the Walls of the Eastern State Penitentiary, you too will find it is one of the coolest Halloween experiences you can possibly have.
* we were invited to come experience Terror Behind the Walls to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own.
themommyavenger.com 
How fun is this? My husband and I love stuff like this!! I wish we lived closer.
Halloween is really scary as ghosts are believed to be wandering a lot in this season. I don’t think I can stand even a minute in that area. I don’t dare to brave into it else you would probably see me lying down totally knocked unconscious haha.
I am really not into being scared.. lol my wife on the other hand eats this stuff up!
Wow! Looks fun! I’ve never thought of touring an old prison. Thanks for sharing.
No way would I be donning a necklace. Brave! 😉
I would love to go to the Eastern State Penn. I am all into this sorts of stuff.
So many of my friends and family are already posting their pictures from this weekend visiting there! I’m a huge scaredy cat, but would totally go with a group if I didn’t move 18 hours away. Glad you had a great time and made it out alive! haha~
This is so much fun. I haven’t toured old prisons since I moved from the Caribbean. I have to look for one near me to tour before Halloween is over!!!
This is a really eerie place. It’s nice that they made the experience interactive.
Your pictures were enough for me. And to think the place does have a real scary history. Yikes!
I used to LOVE Ghost Hunters and I saw the one filmed there. Seemed pretty creepy! I didn’t know they had it open to the public, sounds so fun!! Not sure how long I would last with a necklace though…
That looks awesome! This is the absolute perfect way to spend Halloween.
My wife will like this. I don’t do haunted houses, but I love Halloween candy. I might get some of her friends together to take her this year. We are not far from this.
This is going to be a fun Halloween event. I can’t even picture myself walking down that alley..
It looks wonderfully spooky for Halloween. I love that you have the necklace option. Sometimes being touched is just a little too scary. I wonder if the ghosts also respect the necklace.
Looks so scary. My son loves stuff like this. Me on the other hand, I am not brave enough!
I don’t think I’d be brave enough for this. But my son, who is 8, he is all about the haunting, ghost stories, etc. lol great for him
I would love to check this out. My husband would really love it.
It does look scary. lol. I think my daughter would get a kick out of this.
Spooky. I like visiting and/or learning about haunted places too.
I’d love to go in there and try to pick up some electric voice phenomenon.
Totally awesome! My husband would love to go there. I will have to tell him about this.
Now that would totally give me the creeps. However, I’d probably talk about it for the rest of my life.
Hehehe this place looks creepy! Kinda awesome 😉
Heck no! Get that glow stick necklace outta here! lol!
I love this kind of stuff. I have always believed in spirits and I would love to check this out. Thanks for sharing.
Aww man, this is really scary. I would like to watch something like this on tv but I’m not sure I could go through this myself. Super scary!
I would love to go on one of these tours. What fun! 🙂 I love this type of thing!
This is so awesome!!!! I wish I lived closer! So much fun!
Heck no! I would never do something like that!! SCCCCAAARRRYYYY!!!
One of my favorite places to visit. Such a great time! I should go again this year.
Would love to visit this place. I’m sure it would be an experience I would always remember.
OMG! This is right up my alley. I would so do the glow in the dark necklace. For some odd reason I like to be scared sh*tless lol.
This is so cool! Seems like something like “The Rock”
Wow, this is totally up my alley!
HilLesha
very creepy! perfect for october!
[…] am just itching to put up my Halloween decorations and start all the festivities. I love going to haunted houses and visiting spooky places. I love planning creative costumes with my kids, so naturally, I […]