You've Got Perks: Halloween Nights at Eastern State!
October 23, 2023
The massive Eastern State Penitentiary — a gothic, castle-like structure in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood — is also home to one of the biggest Halloween attractions in the country.
Open now thru 11/11 - Halloween Nights is made up of 15 separate attractions - including five terrifying haunted houses as well as historic tours, live performances, themed bars and lounges, and other hidden surprises across the 10-acre site. And when you have a SEPTA Key card - you've got Perks! Get $3 off tickets when you use code HN32SEPTA. [Offer valid online only. Not valid Saturdays in October. Cannot be combined with any other offer.]
When inside of the ESP - those brave enough to participate can make their way through the Big Top Terror, Nightmares, The Crypt, Machine Shop and Delirium. With Big Top - which was new last year - visitors will find themselves behind the scenes at a sinister carnival. And for Nightmares - also new last year - the scares come in the form of sleep paralysis demons and The Sandman.
The Crypt brings visitors into the lair of an ancient vampire clan, the Machine Shop opts to bring visitors on a one-way path to encounter menacing shop workers eager for you to join their crew, and lastly - Delirium features Medusa and her minions taking visitors on a mind-altering trip through a murky neon jungle where nothing is quite as it seems.
However - as a release states - Halloween Nights has also expanded several scare zones throughout the festival for the 2023 season - including a courtyard in the northwest corner of the Penitentiary complex that now allows two paths for visitors to choose from with scary or less scary as choices. Those who are a bit more daring on the other hand can “opt in” for a more intense experience (this option was brought back last year for the first time since 2019.)
With the opt-in portion - visitors will don a glow necklace - and anyone wearing one may be grabbed, sent into hidden passageways, and even temporarily separated from their group. All you have to do is pick one up at the “Glowzebo” at the entrance of Halloween Nights.
And with all of the excitement - some people might be ready for a drink.
The Bizarre Bar features some off-the-clock performers from the Big Top - while also sporting carnival-themed food and drinks. At The Bloodline Lounge on the other hand - visitors can indulge in vampire-themed food and drinks in this darkly styled watering hole.
Get there on SEPTA. Bus Routes 49, 48, 43, 33, 32 & 7 all get you [terrifyingly] close.
