almost didn’t go last night… and now I can’t stop thinking about it
First, just to be completely transparent: I have absolutely no affiliation with Dark Prison. I don’t work there, or volunteer there, I don't know anyone who works there, or have any connection to it whatsoever. I paid for my tickets yesterday, and went last night. So I’m just posting because I thought it was AWESOME
If you don't know what I'm talking about, the closed Nevada State Prison in Warm Springs is currently the setting for a haunted house called Dark Prison.
And… they did a GOOD job.
I’ve been to plenty of haunted houses over the years, and this is probably the best one I've personally experienced. The setting alone gives them an upper hand, they absolutely nailed the atmosphere, and There is SO much set work, so many props, even have anamatronics, and really scary live actors. They’ve taken different wings of the actual prison and turned them into a freaky labyrinth.
So you can understand let me elaborate: I went with my friend who is basically Stone Cold Steve Austin when it comes to getting scared — you aren't gonna get one over on her, shrugging stuff off or laughing- well even she admitted being scared a couple times. Of course, downplaying the matter
SO If you love haunted houses — or you’re the type of person who gets the crap scared out of you — I really think this one is worth checking out.
And the attraction is more than just the haunted house.
They have tarot readings and Ouija boards set up in the dimly lit mess hall and meat locker, a little midway where you can buy tickets and play games like “Scream Like a Banshee” and a version of the Wheel of Morality, an area where you can get fake prison tattoos, and various props set up for photos, A food truck, 2 bars (one VIP) an art collective and am gift shop....
We spent the better part of 2 hours inside.
BUT We also paid extra for the VIP tickets, and honestly, I'm glad we did.
Part of the reason I wanted to go in the first place was because I’m interested in the history of the prison, and the VIP experience takes you behind the scenes into areas that aren't dressed up for Halloween. You get to hear some of the history behind the prison, its construction, and some genuinely hard-to-believe facts about the place. I was captivated, lots of interesting stuff
VIP also gets you, a laminated VIP pass, a drink at the upstairs bar and a parting gift from the gift shop. You get to choose between a Dark Prison lapel pin or a canvas tote bag.
I chose the tote. I'm planning on turning it into a panel for a sweatshirt, so I'm pretty happy with that as my souvenir.
Assuming if you made it this far your thinking your going to attend so I have
a few tips for you::
• Buy your tickets online beforehand. The price goes up significantly if you buy them at the gate.
• Promo code: "BUNNIEE" gets you $5 off each ticket.
• Wear GOOD closed-toe shoes. Seriously. You're walking through an actual old prison, and some of the surfaces are uneven — or worse. There are also sections where you can't really see the floor you're walking on. Keep your feet covered and make sure you have shoes you can comfortably walk in.
• Charge your phone before you go. You can't use them in the haunted house not for pictures not as flashlights but you will need them when you arrive, to scan a QR code to access the waiver, and everyone entering has to sign it. It's easy and only takes a few minutes, so you'll need a phone with enough battery to do it.
To sum it up, I wasn't expecting much, walked out thinking, “Okay… that was actually friggin awesome.”
Again — not affiliated, not sponsored, not getting paid. Just a person who went last night and had a great time.