Kiddin' Around: 'Terror Behind the Walls'
The long: Now in its 25th year, "Terror Behind the Walls" is Eastern State Penitentiary's ingenious way to bring in coffins full of Halloween cash. The attraction is dark, loud, gory - and scary. If it were a movie, it would be PG-13. The actors/ ghouls also enforce a no-profanity rule. I know, because my 9-year-old son got busted.
The long: Now in its 25th year, "Terror Behind the Walls" is Eastern State Penitentiary's ingenious way to bring in coffins full of Halloween cash. The attraction is dark, loud, gory - and scary. If it were a movie, it would be PG-13. The actors/ ghouls also enforce a no-profanity rule. I know, because my 9-year-old son got busted.
The short: It's fun to be scared, and they do a great job.
The demo: ESP recommends that ages 7-12 attend Family Nights (Sundays until 7:30 p.m.). I went at 8 and signed waivers for my children, 9, 10 and 14. My daughter cried tears of excitement.
A dad's view: You know your kids. If they're scared of the Flying Dutchman in "SpongeBob SquarePants," don't take them to an 11-acre abandoned prison at night.
Backstory: Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 and quickly became the most famous prison in the world. Al Capone spent eight months there. The prison closed in 1971 and was opened for tours in 1994. The first "Terror Behind the Walls" was a small Halloween fundraiser in 1991. It's since gained national fame.
The setup: Guests file into the prison's courtyard and through six distinct attractions. It's all walking, with one visit to a second floor, and plenty of fog and screaming.
How it works: Follow the person in front of you and try to keep your eyes open. The ghouls and zombie prison guards won't touch you unless you get a "tracking device" that allows them to separate you from your group. One employee told my daughter about a special phrase,"Monsters, be good," that makes the actors back away.
Prices: Prices go up on weekends and as Halloween approaches, but it's always cheaper to order online. Weeknights, $19 online, $25 at the door. Fridays and Sundays, $29 and $35. Saturday and Oct. 31, $39 and $45. Family-night discounts available.
Basics: Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave., 7-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Oct. 26-29; 7 p.m.-midnight Friday, Sunday, Oct. 30 and Nov. 1; 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday and Oct. 31. "Remix" edition, Nov. 6-7. 215-236-3300, easternstate.org.
Daily News staff writer Jason Nark has sons who love this stuff, and a daughter who is terrified but a trouper.
