Last updated on November 8, 2022 by Jeremy
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There is no shortage of great haunted houses in Pittsburgh.
But, in a way, many lairs follow a pretty standard plan. That is, you enter a themed area, walk a linear path, and be scared at every turn.
For those looking for something a little different (or just a solid hideout south of town), Castle Blood, housed in a century-old funeral home in Monessen, entertains by being as much a game as it is a place to have. silly fear. To put it bluntly, you’ll have to keep your cool to survive this one!
Castle Blood is a haunted house with a twist
Ultimately, there are two reasons why Castle Blood is one of Pittsburgh‘s most unique haunted attractions.
First, it is located in a century-old funeral home. Not only is it scary for the historical element, but also, by extension, it means that Castle Blood is a permanent installation. This gives owners many more opportunities for an immersive experience where you visit all floors of the castle during your walk, including an outdoor cemetery! (Yes, there are stairs inside the castle, and no it is not accessible.)
While we normally have a hard time suspending disbelief at experiences like this, Castle Blood does a pretty incredible job of making you feel like you’re in a haunted castle – the permanence of the location is l one of the reasons why it all works.
Second, beyond just being a lair, Castle Blood offers a gaming experience when you visit. While it doesn’t quite look like an escape room, it has comparable escape room vibes in some ways.
As you wander through the halls of the castle, between the shocks and horrors of a conventional haunted house, you’ll visit a dozen themed rooms featuring live actors who will guide you on a quest. These rooms can include a vampire clan, fortune teller room, mad scientist lab, etc. At each stop, you’ll interact with these ghouls to complete various tasks tailored to your ultimate goal (while much of Castle Blood remains the same each year, the individual tasks and overall quest element change each year).
Are we going to give away any of the surprises in this one? No, it’s up to you to find out when you visit. But if you’re looking for an immersive haunt, with slightly different twists than other haunted houses in the area, then Castle Blood is sure to tick the box.
For anyone who doesn’t want the full haunting experience but still wants to explore the grounds of it, they’ve got you covered with their Sunday matinee shows on select days!
Sunday mornings offer a Lights On experience
For those who love all things Halloween but don’t necessarily want the full haunting experience, Castle Blood offers a unique experience for an informed and fearless guided tour of the land.
These usually occur on the last two Sundays of October on an aptly named morning with a trick or treat for sweets. The lights are on, photos are allowed (part of why we visited), and to quote Boris de la Porte “the werewolves have been given squeaky toys and are locked in their cages” – ie that nothing frightening will appear to you. Yes, it’s made for kids, but it’s also enjoyable for those of all ages.
Visitors here will still be able to enjoy the atmosphere of Castle Blood as a whole, experience a simpler version of the year quest (again, kid-friendly), and will still be able to interact with all the main players who will help you. throughout your journey through the castle. So while we weren’t scared of the vivid daylight on our guided tour, we still felt like we had the full Castle Blood experience all around.
Overall, Castle Blood offers both its intricate and spellbinding designs and a unique gameplay element that you simply don’t see in haunted houses in our area.
So if you’re looking for something a little different for a Halloween experience, you better head to Monessen to check out Castle Blood in October!
blood castle is located at 100 Schoonmaker Ave in Monessen, Pennsylvania. Advanced tickets are sold online for defined time slots and are highly recommended to reduce your waiting times, even for the matinee show.
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