Music Lessons + More w/ ThePatrickRichardson

Haunt Gauntlet: Logs and Links

WHAT:

Since I was a child, my favorite holiday/season has been Halloween. I’m lucky to have married someone who shares this passion/preference… when the Fall seasons comes, we GO HARD for Halloween Attractions.

By “Halloween Attraction” we include the out-door “agri-tainment” of hayrides and spook-walks and and corn-maze…to the indoor attractions of haunted-houses, escape rooms, and immersive horror theater……or any variant or combination of the above.

WHERE:

So it turns out, Philadelphia PA is pretty much in the middle of the tri-state Philly/Jersey/Delaware spook-epicenter, with an impressive concentration of in- and out-door Haunted Attractions.

HERE is our Google Map of the haunted attractions we’ve found so far…

…including places on our wish-list we have yet to try (black), and places we’ve tried ( color-coded green>yellow>blue ) and reviewed ( in text below ).

WHY?…

As we’ve concentrated increasingly more of our vacation time/energy to doing as many Haunted Activities into the September-through-October-into-November season, our ritual “Haunt Gauntlet” has found a great variety for all kind of experience, and we want to share what we’ve learned, so that others might find what they’re looking for an have their own good haunted time.

HOW to Compare:

Different strokes for different folks.

Almost ALL haunt-sites have (walk-through) houses. Not all have hay-rides. Extras are a mixed bag (from escape rooms to paint-ball to petting zoos.

Only some offer food. Same with alcohol.

More importantly: Not all people want to get SCARED… or even the same kind… and those that ARE looking for a good scream, we’ve found there are different dimensions of “scare”…

Some haunted houses are “no-touch” (with just visual startles)…others disclaim the “scare actors can/will” touch you…or even detain you and act out something spooky/gross…some even involve a wavier and/or safe-word between customer and scare-actor to negotiate a consensual/responsible “scare-experience.”

So, in the links and reviews below, we include detail on “food, drink, touch, etc. To help you make your choice. But as we went from “fans of fright-fun” to “fanatics and connoisseurs,” we started noticing a deeper pattern based on different kinds “base emotion” of stress (and relief) that get played out in a good scare.

We settled on 3 flavors of fright” for more granular scoring for each haunted attraction. The Here are their name, explication, examples for low/mid/high scores. All three “flight-flavors” are scare-scored 00-10. All examples are things we’ve personally experienced (so far).

  • Startle: jump-scares, loud-noises, unexpected touch, surprise realizations, frantic chases, etc… the jolting adrenaline of the unknown or unexpected. Whether piercing a peaceful silence, or
    • 00…no surprises, note even a “boo”
    • 03…people and props set up to “get ya”… modest frequency/intensity.
    • 07…chased by zombies, shrill alarms
    • 10… exploding flames, exploding/crumbling scenery
  • Disgust: gory visuals, nasty themes (scat, vomit, etc), and even foul smells… the involuntary sensory discomfort of (voluntary yet) tantalizing exposure to “sick” and “taboo”
    • 00…”G-rated”, excluding any blood, gore, bodily injury or other bodily functions. Scarecrows are scary
    • 03…”PG-rated”, blood-less zombies, decayed, gross monsters, gory sculptures
    • 07…”R-rated”, viscerally gory actors (or interactions), portrayals of poop
    • 10…”X-rated”, actors bleeding upon you, nudity or other transgressive visuals, putrid-smelling environments, being “force-fed” nasty-but-harmless things.
  • Dread: the fear of the unknown, (but perhaps-inevitable) threat. “Where’s the exit.” Getting truly lost in open or cramped darkness. “Am I being followed?” Not every creepy feeling gets a release. This is the hardest experience to cultivate (requiring more space, time, and undivided attention).
    • 00…broad daylight, “we’re all friends here”
    • 03…spooky and dark mazes, leering actors…
    • 07…getting LOST in blind darkness, immersive stalking by scare-actors,
    • 10…loss/surrender of mobility/vision/agency, creating (temporary) discord within friend-group.

We scores each separately as ave found each of these “base emotions” to be somewhat mutually-exclusive (at least at one time), but may be cultivated at separate parts/times of the same venue.

Thus, in the log(s) below of haunted attractions/venues that we’ve enjoyed, we rate each by the above three “scare score” metrics, based on our subjective report.

WHICH Haunted Attractions:

Here is our Haunt Gauntlet log, listing each attraction

summarized by the following template…

Business Name

“one sentence description”

Web Site URL for features/calendar/ticketing (links may be dead / outdated)

Location (last known), URL to Google Maps

  • Attractions:
    • # houses
    • hayride ?
    • escape rooms ?
    • fairway games ?
    • etc…
  • FOODs: (trucks, kitchen, etc), URL ?
  • BOOZE: policy/options for alcohol
  • ==> Touch Policy (no-touch, optional, will-touch, etc)

Date(s) we attended (…from YYYY-MM–DD)

  • #Distinctions
    • #kid-friendly,
    • #VIP fast-pass option,
    • etc.
  • Summary of our Recommendation(s)
    • standout observations
    • FOR : referral
    • NOT : caveats to avoid
  • Scare-Scores /10
    • Startle :
    • Disgust :
    • Dread…:

URL Link to detailed Post.

Attractions will be listed alphabetically

Brighton Asylum

“escape room complex w/ seasonal haunts”

separate websites/tickets for…

2 Brighton Ave #20, Passaic, NJ 07055

  • Attractions:
    • 2+ houses (huge)
    • fairway games
    • photo-ops
  • Foods: huts
  • Booze: ???
  • ==> touch-optional

2026-02–14…

  • Distinctions:
    • #rain-or-shine, #teen-friendly
  • Recommended…
    • FOR: young-adults seeking long/immersive
    • NOT: pre-teens, mobility-limited
  • Scare-scores / 10
    • Startle : 7
    • Disgust : 2
    • Dread : 5

Review Post TBA…

Easter State Penitentiary /

Central Philly Fun and scare within historic prison/museum

“Terror Behind the Walls” / ticketing

2027 Fairmount Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19130

  • Attractions:
  • 4+ houses
  • fairway/campfires
  • Foods: snacks/desserts (no “meals”)
  • Booze: beer-garden, bar-area(s)
  • ==> touch-optional

2024…2019…2014…, etc

  • Recommendations…
    • “Good spread and variety at your own order/pacing. Plenty restaurants nearby”
    • FOR: friend-groups
    • NOT: isolation,
  • Scare-Scores /10
    • Startle : 7
    • Disgust : 4
    • Dread…: 7

post TBA

Field of Terror

“unique Farm-site w/ Hayride, houses, PAINTBALL and Petting-Zoo.”

features/calendar/ticketing

831 Windsor-Perrineville Rd East Windsor, NJ 08520

  • Attractions:
    • 3+ houses
    • hayride
    • zombie paint-ball hayride (pay for 2nd round of ammo)
    • petting zoo (pet goats to relax)
  • FOODs:
  • BOOZE:
    • #kid-friendly, #no-VIP,
  • ==> no-touch

2025-11–1

  • Distinctions:
    • novel paintball, impressive food, self-paced, goat-petting breaks.
  • Recommendations…
    • FOR:
    • NOT:
  • Scare-Scores /10
    • Startle : 6
    • Disgust : 3
    • Dread…: 6

Post TBA

Field of Screams …

“…”

features/calendar/ticketing for…

191 College Avenue. Mountville, PA 17554

  • Attractions:
    • 4x permanent houses,
    • Hayride w/ extensive animatronics
    • walk,
    • fairway,
    • music/showcase stage.
    • escape rooms
  • FOODs: various trucks
  • BOOZE: bar area
  • ==> will-touch

…2024-11-15…2025-11-14…2024-11–02…2023-10–28…

  • Distinctions:
    • immersive atmosphere with outstanding design, costuming, and integration, animatronic set-pieces,
  • Recommendations:
    • FOR:
    • NOT:
  • Scare-Scores /10 (regular, blackout)
    • Startle : 6, 8
    • Disgust : 6, 9
    • Dread…: 6, 7

Post TBA

Fright Factory

South Philly warehouse haunt

features/calendar/ticketing via HauntPay

2200 S. Swanson Street , Philadelphia, PA 19148

#no-touch, #kids,

  • Attractions:
    • 1 large, linear house
  • FOODs: N/A
  • BOOZE: none
  • ==> no-touch

2024-10–13

  • Distinctions:
    • large, mild, yet consistent.
  • Recommendations…
    • FOR: large groups of/with younger kids
    • NOT:
  • Scare-Scores / 10
    • Startle : 4
    • Disgust : 3
    • Dread…: 4

Post TBA

Fright Land

“N.Deleware fairgrounds farm w/ FULL Assortment”

features/calendar/ticketing

309 Port Penn Road. Middletown, DE 19709

  • Attractions:
    • hayride
    • 8 houses
    • midway rides and games
  • food: fairway
  • booze:
  • ==> will-touch
    • “may get touched, wet, or (mild electric) shock“

2024-10–13

  • Distinctions:
    • #teen-friendly, #parking, #5+hours
  • Recommendations…
    • FOR: mixed/large groups and marathon visits.
    • NOT: limited-mobility
  • Scare-Scores / 10
    • Startle : 8
    • Disgust : 5
    • Dread…: 8 getting shocked in dark

Post TBA

Halls of Horror

“Immersive, intense, slow, slow walkthrough haunted house”

features/calendar/ticketing

​320 Delaware Ave, Palmerton, Pa

  • Attractions:
    • single, linear walkthrough
  • FOODs: food trucks nearby
  • BOOZE: N/A
  • ==> touch-optional
    • “blood-experience”
  • #touch, #slow-paced, #blood

2025-10–11

  • Distinctions:
    • unique “Blood Experience” (TM) option, incredible set and make-up, slow-line/sparse-entry eliminated “crowd” inside
  • Recommendations:
    • FOR:
    • NOT:
  • 3-way Scare-Scores
    • Startle : 9
    • Disgust : 8
    • Dread…: 9

Post TBA

Headless Horseman (NY)

“…”

features/calendar/ticketing

Location (last known)

  • Attractions:
    • 4+ houses,
    • hayride
    • escape rooms
    • stage-magic
  • FOODs:
  • BOOZE:
  • ==> touch-optional

2014-10–04..2024-10–19…

  • Distinctions:
    • vast and remote. killer mazes, great food.
    • kid-friendly
  • Recommendations…
    • FOR:
    • NOT:
  • Scare-Scores /10
  • Startle : 8
  • Disgust : 6
  • Dread…: 7

Post TBA

Jason’s Woods

“…”

Website / ticketing (links may be dead)

778 Broadway, Route 9W Ulster Park, NY 12487

  • Attractions:
    • 3+ houses,
    • hayride (uniquely hi-tech)
    • stage (music/ DJ)
  • FOODs: various trucks
  • BOOZE: ???
  • ==> will-touch

2022-10–29…2023-10–27….2024-11–01…2025-10–18

  • Distinctions:
    • #teen,
    • #hi-tech-HayRide,
    • #isolation-truck haunts
    • “Lost” trail interweaves hayride path
  • Recommendation…
    • FOR: teens-and-up
    • NOT: young children,
  • Scare-Scores /10
    • Startle : 7
    • Disgust : 5
    • Dread…: 8 …the “Lost” walk, the iso-trucks

Post TBA

Lehigh Valley Scream Park

“…”

URL for features/calendar/ticketing

2951 Betz Court Orefield. PA 18069

  • Attractions:
    • 3+ houses,
    • Hayride,
    • fairway
    • DJ
  • ==> touch-optional

2025/-//

  • #Distinctions
    • #outdoors
    • #mazes
    • #pyrotechnics
  • Recommendation…
    • FOR:
    • NOT:
  • Scare-Scores / 10
    • Startle : 8
    • Disgust : 4
    • Dread : 8 …on a rainy night

Post TBA

Lincoln Mills Haunted House

“…”

Website / ticketing (links may be dead)

4100 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19127

  • Attractions:
  • FOODs:
  • BOOZE:
  • ==> no-touch

Date(s) we attended:

Our Review:

  • Distinctions:
    • moderate-intensity startle-trudge
    • #kid-friendly,
    • #crowded
  • Recommendation…
    • FOR: people wanting to stay in Philly
    • NOT: seeking isolation
  • Scare-Scores /10
    • Startle : 5
    • Disgust : 4
    • Dread…: 3

Post TBA

No Hope After Dark (New Hope train ride)

“classy train-ride with haunted-accessories”

URL for features/calendar/ticketing

New Hope Railroad station:

32 W Bridge St, New Hope, PA 18938

  • Attractions:
    • train-ride
    • hauntd layout
    • music-stage
  • FOODs: ???
  • BOOZE: on-train bar
  • ==> no-touch

2024-10–27

  • Distinctions:
    • luxury vintage train to- and from a quaint haunt. a GREAT date-night.
  • Recommendation…
    • FOR:
    • NOT:
  • Scare-Scores /10
    • Startle : 4
    • Disgust : 2
    • Dread…: 2

Post TBA

PennHurst Asylum

“…”

Website / ticketing

Pennhurst Asylum, 601 N Church St, Spring City, PA 19475

  • Attractions:
  • 4+ houses (in real/historic asylum), circus performers,
  • FOODs:
  • BOOZE:
  • ==> will-touch

WE went: 2023-11–03… 2024-02–09… 2024-10–04… 2025-02–14… 2025-10-03

  • Distinctions:
    • #teen-friendly, #food, #drinks
  • Recommendation…
    • FOR:
    • NOT:
  • Scare-Score
    • Startle : 7
    • Disgust : 7 those real wards
    • Dread…: 8 those real tunnels

Post TBA…

SchockToberFest

“…”

URL for features/calendar/ticketing

94 Park Ave., Sinking Spring, PA 19608

  • Attractions:
    • 2+ houses
    • Hayride
    • fairway games,
    • laser-tag zombie-hunt,
    • zombie make-up for customers,
    • live music
  • FOODs: fairway
  • BOOZE: ???
  • ==> will-touch ?

2025-11–07

  • Distinctions:
    • outdoors
  • Recommendation…
    • FOR:
    • NOT:
  • 3-way Scare-Scores
    • Startle : 9
    • Disgust : 7
    • Dread…: 8 …those mazes

Link to detailed Post.

Sleepy Hollow Acres

“…”

URL for features/calendar/ticketing

881 Highland Road Newtown PA 18940

  • Attractions:
    • 2 houses
    • Hayride
    • karaoke stage
    • outdoor walk
  • FOODs: kitchen
  • BOOZE: “dry” county, forbidden
  • ==> no-touch

2025/Oct//

  • Distinctions:
    • #kid friendly
    • #clean-cut
    • #no-booze
  • Recommendation…
    • FOR: large groups, pre-teens
    • NOT: college kids, dates.
  • 3-way Scare-Scores
  • Startle : 6
  • Disgust : 2
  • Dread…: 4 ( long/open walks between attractions)

Link to detailed Post.

Valley of Fear

“…”

URL for features/calendar/ticketing

301 W Bristol Road. Feasterville, PA 19053

  • Attractions
    • 1 house (large)
    • hayride
    • 1 walk (long)
  • FOODs: trucks, many, varied, high-quality (link here)
  • BOOZE: ???
  • ==> no-touch

Date(s) we attended

  • Distinctions:
    • All dining tables/fires sit between parking and ticketing/entrance.
    • Perfect for parents to drop off hand wait while kids go in.
  • Recommendations
    • FOR: large groups of pre-teens
    • NOT: those seeking intense/long/remote experience
  • 3-way Scare-Scores
    • Startle :
    • Disgust :
    • Dread…:

Link to detailed Post.