Eastern State Penitentiary

[PrincessKsMom]

I went there a couple of years ago with my aunt and it was so much fun! We didn't do the haunted house thing (it was in May) but we did one of the weekend convention things with the Ghost Hunters and got to investigate the place with the Ghost Hunters Jay and Grant are super nice by the way

I say do it. The place is eerie. My aunt and I didn't have any personal experiences there but we toured with a girl who claimed she did.

I would jump at the chance to do this with Jay and Grant.

 

[Singleminnie]

I love those types of places. About 8 years ago, my ex and I did a ghost tour (on a rainy day) of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. It is supposed to be haunted, I didn't see any ghosts, but it was spooky.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

One of my best friend's works at Eastern State Penitentiary at Halloween time. He has asked me to come to see him working many times and all of the times I've declined. It freaks me out too much to have people jumping out at me. Now, like other posters have said, give me a place that is haunted, I wouldn't mind touring it.

However, I do believe that Eastern State Penitentairy is both. My friend has told me many times about the ghosts and spirits that he seen there. I wouldnt' mind touring it, just not when there are actual people there to scare me! LOL!

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

I would say it is one of the best in the area. Pre kid my husband and I would go every weekend to a different haunted attraction and this was always my favorite. It is expensive and there is no bathrooms (mr. Bobs) I dont know if they still do but they used to check your bags and you could not take in any mace, perfume or stuff like that. If you don't go to Terror behind the walls I highly suggest going in the spring and going on a regular tour, its really a neat place!!

 

[Planogirl]

We did this last year! We did both the self-guided daytime tour and then the Halloween haunted house that evening.

It was so much fun. It was creepy but you spend most of the time in what haunt fans call a conga line because of the huge crowds. There are plenty of actors too but you are pretty much always surrounded by other people going through the haunt. Also, with most haunts the actors will not touch except by accident of course. If you don't run from them or look fearful they will look for those that are more easily scared. This is all to raise money so go if you can!

Definitely try to see this place during the day too. It's sad and spooky and beautiful and interesting all at the same time.

 

[loxie]

I went last year & it wasnt scary at all! I was pretty disappointed actually, because I wanted to be scared but just wasnt...It was fun tho.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thank you all for sharing your stories with me. I think I'll just suck it up and be a good mom and go. Let's just hope I don't become one of the souls that stays in Eastern State when the rest of my group goes home.

 

[Planogirl]

Thank you all for sharing your stories with me. I think I'll just suck it up and be a good mom and go. Let's just hope I don't become one of the souls that stays in Eastern State when the rest of my group goes home.

One bit of advice: don't let the buildings intimidate you. When you wait in line, the lighting and just the overall creepiness of the place can unsettle you if you let it. The attraction itself isn't so bad.

 

[omghidanielle]

I did this a couple years ago and remember being very disappointed. I feel like with all of the history and creepy architecture of the place, they could do a little better than the 'actors jumping out behind a wall' bit they went with. I distinctly remember one 'scene' in the haunted house being an actress dressed up like Martha Stewart sitting in a cell, knitting, just saying 'hello'. It was so corny and not at all what I was expecting.

 

[Laura24]

Wow, thanks for the first person POV. There will be 4 of us -- two who are dying to go (DD and her friend's mom) and two who would rather wait in the car (me and DD's friend). Is it very long? I guess no flashlights allowed? I'm kind of afraid of falling down and getting hurt too. If I panic, I might just start running and slam myself into a wall or fall down some stairs.

but have walked the outside perimeter and it is a little daunting on the outside at night...the dramatic lighting and eariness. However, there is a great restaurant just across the street from the Main gate...Urban Saloon....you can always hang out there and eat/drink away your worries!!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

One bit of advice: don't let the buildings intimidate you. When you wait in line, the lighting and just the overall creepiness of the place can unsettle you if you let it. The attraction itself isn't so bad.

Thanks, I'll definitely keep it in mind.

I did this a couple years ago and remember being very disappointed. I feel like with all of the history and creepy architecture of the place, they could do a little better than the 'actors jumping out behind a wall' bit they went with. I distinctly remember one 'scene' in the haunted house being an actress dressed up like Martha Stewart sitting in a cell, knitting, just saying 'hello'. It was so corny and not at all what I was expecting.

The other mom I'm going with is a HUGE Martha Stewart fan. She might actually appreciate it.

but have walked the outside perimeter and it is a little daunting on the outside at night...the dramatic lighting and eariness. However, there is a great restaurant just across the street from the Main gate...Urban Saloon....you can always hang out there and eat/drink away your worries!!

Thanks for the tip. This is definitely more my style. Glad to know I've got somewhere to wait if I chicken out.

 

[omghidanielle]

The other mom I'm going with is a HUGE Martha Stewart fan. She might actually appreciate it.

HAHA very funny! Well, keep in mind, I was there in 2003...or whenever she was actually in jail. I don't know if they'd keep that joke running or not.

 

[aprilgail2]

My husband and DS12 are heading up to Ulster NY this weekend for the Headless Horseman but even the website scares the crud out of me so I'm staying home.

We were there this past weekend! Drove 3 hours to get there. It was very fun- loved the props there etc. We are planning to do Eastern State next year! We are going upstate to Forest Of Fear this weekend and then the weekend after to a place called Fear Fest on Long Island....

 

[shimmyshimmy83]

I have only been on a regular weekend day, but I am not one that generally gets creeped out by things of this nature, bu this place was definitely a little eerie. I am not sure that I would be able to handle it with any extra haunting factor! Though I do think with a little bit of pressure from friends/family I would cave and go for it!!
If you don't like it you never have to do it again and you would still have braggig rights that you did it!!

 

[Planogirl]

We were there this past weekend! Drove 3 hours to get there. It was very fun- loved the props there etc. We are planning to do Eastern State next year! We are going upstate to Forest Of Fear this weekend and then the weekend after to a place called Fear Fest on Long Island....

Have you been to Bates Motel? That is the other one we saw in the area and it was wonderful. Great hayride and even greater house. We didn't do the corn maze since my allergies were going nuts.

That whole area has so many great haunts.

 

[hereyago]

SOOO,, this place is really "haunted" but then for Halloween they have alive people that scare you? I couldn't do both scary things at once.

 

[aprilgail2]

Have you been to Bates Motel? That is the other one we saw in the area and it was wonderful. Great hayride and even greater house. We didn't do the corn maze since my allergies were going nuts.

That whole area has so many great haunts.

No but it is on our list of ones we want to do!!

 

[Metro West]

Oh man! I would LOVE to tour this place one Halloween! It's right up my alley. The only problem is....I can't pull myself away from Halloween Horror Nights long enough to go.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Since you were all kind enough to respond to my request for information, I thought I should update this. Tonight we purchased tickets for the VIP After Dark Tour. 1 hour of a flashlight personal tour of the prison (15 people per tour) followed by a front of the line pass for the Haunted House. Guess I'd better wear my Depends. I'll be sure to post after the tour (if I'm still among the living).

 

[EveDallas]

I never have and never will go to a haunted house. That's where the bogeyman lives!