When you think of haunted house attractions, a common thing that pops into your mind is: I better go to one in early October to avoid the crowds on Halloween week. The unique thing about Brighton Asylum is its status as one of the few attractions that stays open throughout the year, with holiday-haunt events to keep the spooky fun alive. My friends and I made plans to go to Brighton Asylum after hearing raving reviews about it. Intrigued from the get-go, we found ourselves amusingly reading the waiver after buying our fast pass tickets, including add-ons like Hack-Shack Axe Throwing, entrance to the Horror Museum Attraction, and a five-minute escape room (spoiler alert: we didn’t escape).

Skipping the long lines was what kept us sane throughout the night. The flickering lights, decorated areas for photo ops, and distant screams from people waiting in the queue set the tone perfectly. Each room in the 3 Haunts was intricately designed. My favorites would be the section referencing the movie “It” and the eerie church. What I found very considerate was that there were EXIT doors after every room for people who thought they had reached their limit. The actors scared the wits out of many who dared to walk through the rooms, they knew exactly how to play to the crowd, mixing jumpscares with subtle dread. The use of animatronics and moving props was particularly impressive and caught us off guard more than once. There was a bridge that started to rock as you crossed it! Adding more to the unexpected was the genius implementation of lasers and fog to resemble water in a swamp. After leaving the third Haunt of the attraction, we were led directly to the Fear Shop. It showed cool memorabilia of iconic horror movies and merchandise from Brighton Asylum. One of the ladies working the counter at the Fear Shop had some kind words to share, “Everyone who works here is sort of like family”. Anyone who wishes to be a part of what goes on behind the scenes can check out the Brighton Asylum website to apply.

Afterward, we made our way to the Hack-Shack Axe Throwing, a brief break from the adrenaline-pumping terror of the main attraction. There’s something oddly satisfying about hurling an axe at a target, even if you’re not very good at it. The Horror Museum Attraction was a delightful stroll through some recognizable outfits from horror movies. Keanu Reeves’s suit from Constantine looked oddly like Slenderman on the white mannequin. We then stood in line for the five-minute escape room, which ironically had the longest wait time. Despite our best efforts, we failed to escape the voodoo-themed shack in time, adding a touch of humility to our otherwise daring night. With events like “Santa’s Slay” coming up in December, there have been talks about returning for more spine-chilling fun, so stay tuned for that…