Terror Behind The Walls In Eastern State Opens Sept. 22

PHILADELPHIA – The infamous horror attraction that calls a defunct prison its home is set to open its doors this week for another season of fright, as Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary opens Friday, Sept. 22.

You have from this Friday through Saturday, Nov. 11 to visit the six attractions, including one new attraction, in America's first penitentiary.

Fans will see the return of the Lockdown, Infirmary, Breakout, Quarantine 4D, and the Machine Shop. New this year is the Blood Yard attraction.

This is how Terror Behind the Walls describes the Blood Yard:

Deep within the ruins of the prison compound, visitors discover the camp of a gruesome colony. A path marked with bones leads them deeper into the lair of the butcher, the warriors, and their ancient empress –the forgotten who now reside amongst the fragments of the lost prison.The beating of the drums becomes louder and louder, faster and faster. Finally they reach the source –a gory site of gnawed bones and decayed flesh. The carnage sends a clear message: you could be next. Hunt or be hunted.

All six attractions are included with admission. Tickets are available online or at the door, subject to
availability and prices start at $19 with nightly variations in cost.

Since 1995, the Eastern State Penitentiary on Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia has transformed from eerie to absolutely terrifying with the Terror Behind The Walls haunted house.

While the scares at Terror Behind the Walls are for fun, Eastern State has a history of alleged hauntings.

"As early as the 1940s, officers and inmates reported mysterious visions and eerie experiences in the ancient prison," the penitentiary's website says. "And the ghost sightings have only increased since Eastern State was abandoned in 1971." Due to it's paranormal history, the prison has been featured on several paranormal-focused TV shows such as Ghost Hunters and MTV's Fear.

With a history of ghastly activity, you might not know if you're being scared by a masked person or a specter.

Terror Behind The Walls has been named one of the top haunted house and Halloween attractions by the Travel Channel, the New York Times, and Forbes, according to its website.

Visit the Terror Behind The Walls website for attraction previews (which are scary themselves), VIP package information, dates and times, frequently asked questions, and ticket purchases.

Photo via Dave Ginsberg