Terror Behind the Walls runs rain or shine. Please dress for the weather. Most of the event takes place inside; however, the line and some sections of the tour are outdoors, and the penitentiary is not heated.
You bet it's scary. We do our absolute best to terrify you and your friends. Imagine just being inside an 11-acre abandoned prison at night. This is the nation’s premier haunted attraction, head and shoulders above the hay rides and other haunted houses out there. Our goal is to make you scared. Really scared. And yes, it's possible that someone (or something?) might be lurking inside one of those empty, dark cells you keep walking past...More of what to expect on our Preview page.
We recommend that kids ages 7-12 visit on our Family Nights held each Sunday of the event, plus Wednesday, October 12; Thursday, October 13; and Tuesday, October 18. Kids under the age of seven are not permitted on the site.
Yes, but only on certain nights. On Family Nights kids’** tickets are available for half price until 9 pm.* Discounted kids’ tickets are also available for pre-scheduled groups of 20 or more. Discounted kids’ tickets are not available on other nights of the show, so we highly recommend that families or groups with children visit on Family Nights.
Yes they are. It’s the exact same show, but our actors are on the lookout for kids so that they can chill out if a kid says, "Monster be good." But kids who don't ask for mercy get none!
Take the Ghost Bus! Easy, inexpensive parking; a free trolley or bus ride; and real ghost stories!
During every night of Terror Behind the Walls, Eastern State Penitentiary offers off-site parking at the Philadelphia Zoo (about twelve blocks from the penitentiary). For just $15 per car ($12 if you purchase in advance) you'll get easy, inexpensive parking; a trolley or bus ride; and real ghost stories!
For more information and directions see our Ghost Bus Parking Page.
When you enter the penitentiary complex your first stop will be "Yard Out." Here, inside the penitentiary's 177 year old recreation yard, you'll encounter insane prisoners and sadistic guards. Our video introduction will keep you entertained with real ghost stories about Eastern State, clips from MTV's "FEAR," FOX’s "Scariest Places on Earth,” and SyFy’s "Ghost Hunters," all filmed here. You can expect to spend about 25-30 minutes in "Yard Out."
Once you enter the haunted attraction, it takes about 45 minutes to go through all of the haunted houses. After surviving Terror Behind the Walls, you may wish to visit one of the historic site's exhibits or gift shop, feast on some batter-dipped Oreos or fresh funnel cake at the snack bar, or groove to the Monster Mash with our Zombie DJ. All haunted attractions and admission to the historic site's exhibit are included in the ticket price.
Terror Behind the Walls is not expensive compared to other first-rate Halloween events. Most events on the scale of TBTW typically range from $30 to $40.
Eastern State Penitentiary is a tax-exempt charitable organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All revenue from the Halloween show benefits the preservation efforts at this National Historic Landmark. In fact, you can write off one-half of your ticket cost as a donation to charity on your income taxes. Our Federal Employer Identification Number is 31-1627155. Save your ticket stub. Halloween tours are the single largest source of revenue for the historic site. Thank you for your support!
You can download a $3 off coupon right from our website! If you want to save even more, visit any Pennsylvania or New Jersey LUKOIL location for a $5 off coupon* *Coupons available while supplies last
Good question. Yes, Terror Behind the Walls (TBTW) takes place in America's Most Historic Prison. You will begin your tour in a former exercise yard, surrounded by massive 30-foot high walls. During your tour, you will walk down several real cellblocks, past the long abandoned cells that once held some of the 80,000 men and women that served time at Eastern State. Halfway through the tour, you will have a chance to visit the penitentiary’s central surveillance hub. Here, you will have a magnificent view down all seven original cellblocks.
Following the tour you will receive free admission to one of the historic site's small exhibits (formerly the no–contact visitation room for inmates), where you can watch a video about the penitentiary’s history and read a bit about the penitentiary's past.
The best way to learn about Eastern State's history and architecture is to visit during daytime hours. All visitors to TBTW receive $5 off a daytime tour ticket with their TBTW ticket or ticket stub. Daytime admission includes an audio tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, several 5-minute Hands-On History interactive experiences, history exhibits, and our award-winning artist installations.
We hope you will gain a glimpse into Eastern State’s fascinating history during TBTW and return for a daytime prison tour.
Eastern State Penitentiary is a ruin. It was abandoned in 1971. We therefore require that every visitor complete a waiver before entering the property. A waiver can be downloaded here.
No! Due to stabilization efforts, Terror Behind the Walls tours have been "hard hat free" since 2001.
Each ticket allows visitors to enter within a specific 1/2 hour window (The first time slot each evening is 7:00 to 7:30 pm. The next time slot is 7:30 to 8:00 pm...). You will be able to choose your entry time when you purchase your tickets, based on availability. We will nearly always get you in within the 1/2 hour opening shown on your ticket; however, you will not get in before your 1/2 hour window even if you arrive early. For example, if you purchase a ticket for the 7:30 – 8:00 pm time slot you will get in sometime between 7:30 and 8:00 pm. If you arrive at 7:30 pm you may have to wait up to a 1/2 hour in line. If you arrive at 7:00 pm, you would still get in between 7:30 – 8:00 pm so you would still have to wait at least a 1/2 hour, maybe even an hour. Please do not arrive before your time slot.
In general, if you have to ask, it is better to leave questionable items in the car, or better yet, at home. The staff at Terror Behind the Walls is dedicated to providing a safe, fun, high quality Halloween event for every visitor. Therefore, any potentially dangerous objects, including weapons of any kind, pepper spray, pocket knives, lighters, cameras, flashlights, alcoholic beverages, etc. are not permitted inside the penitentiary.
We have a strict "no guns" policy, which means that even persons licensed to carry a firearm, including off-duty law enforcement officers, will not be permitted to bring their weapon into the penitentiary complex (and we can't hold them for you either). Our Security Team checks all bags for potentially dangerous objects and conducts random pat-downs.
NO! No alcoholic beverages are permitted inside the penitentiary complex.
Yes, Philadelphia Police Officers - as well as uniformed and plain clothed security officers (Guest Relations) - are on duty every hour the attraction is open. In addition, the penitentiary complex is monitored by an infrared security surveillance system. Eastern State Penitentiary has a zero tolerance policy for troublemakers. Troublemakers will be ejected from the penitentiary complex without refund. We want everyone to have a safe, fun and spooky time.
Terror Behind the Walls begins at 7 pm each night; however, tickets are sold in half-hour time slots. You do not have to arrive at 7 pm if you prepurchased your tickets online, by phone, or at the penitentiary Box Office. You should show up during your time slot, which is the half hour window listed on you ticket. For example, if you purchase a ticket for 8:00-8:30 pm, you should show up between 8:00 and 8:30 pm. We will nearly always get you in during your half hour window.
If you have not prepurchased tickets, simply show up and you can purchase tickets for the next available time slot at the penitentiary Box Office, subject to availability. See the Schedule and Prices page for specific dates and times for Terror Behind the Walls.
Yes! Discounted tickets are available for groups of 20 or more on specific nights. In order to receive the discounted ticket price, groups must make reservations in advance and prepay. Please see our Group Tour page for a list of group tour nights, group tour rates and instructions on booking a group tour.
No, it’s better! Each year, Terror Behind the Walls is a little bit bigger and a little bit better, with new effects and updated and expanded attractions. Terror Behind the Walls was named the #1 haunted attraction in America by AOL City Guide in October 2008. In recent years, Terror Behind the Walls has consistently been ranked as one of the top haunted attractions in the nation. Previous recognitions include: "One of the top three must see haunted houses in America!" by Haunted Attraction Magazine (2009), "6th Best Haunted House in the United States" by Hauntworld Magazine (2007), "The scariest haunted house in America!" by the Rachael Ray Daytime Talk Show (2007) and "One of America's Scariest Halloween Attractions" by The Travel Channel (2006).
No, but if you find it, let us know! Although widely rumored to exist, there is no 13 floor haunted house in the United States where visitors receive all or a portion of their money back if they make it all the way through. You can find out more about the origins of this urban legend at snopes.com.
No. Likewise, we ask that you do not touch the monsters.
Can I attend TBTW if I am Pregnant or Have Other Health Risks?
Terror Behind the Walls is a high startle, high intensity event featuring strobe lights, fog, loud noises, and electrical effects that can affect pacemakers, other implanted medical devices, and those prone to seizures. Visitors who are pregnant or who have certain health conditions should check with their physician before attending the event.
Many visitors in wheelchairs take the Terror Behind the Walls tour every year. That said, the Eastern State Penitentiary complex is not fully ADA compliant. The building is over 180 years old, and is a National Historic Landmark. Sections of it may never be fully accessible.
There is a small section of the Terror Behind the Walls route that goes up onto the second floor of a cellblock. This section of the route can easily be bypassed. The rest of the route is equipped with ADA compliant ramps and meets most ADA guidelines.
* No combination of discounts.
** Kids are ages 7 - 12. Kids under the age of seven (7) are not permitted on the site.