Castle Blood sits in the heart of Monessen, Pennsylvania, in a large, eerie building that was once a funeral home. Setting itself apart from traditional haunted attractions, Castle Blood delivers a unique theatrical experience in the Pittsburgh area. Visitors must team up to solve puzzles and find their way out, all within a nostalgic ’90s haunted house atmosphere that completely immerses you in the Halloween spirit.
The cast is the main reason this show is even possible. Upon arrival, be aware of Borus, who will sit at the line and mock you creatively throughout your wait, engaging every guest with unique interactions. We loved how inventive he was! He welcomed us with, “Greetings, mortals. How many in your group?” and then jokingly questioned why we were checking our phones, asking what could be more important. His comments were hilarious and kept us entertained the whole time we waited to enter.
Upon entering, we encountered a diverse group of cast members stationed throughout the attraction, immediately making us feel like mortals in their realm. All of the performances were outstanding and several left a strong impression. Although we can’t remember every name, the fortune teller, professor, NightShade, the vampire, and the witch truly stood out.
The fortune teller instructed us to cut a deck of cards to reveal the path our journey would take. Discovering the qualities of loyalty, intelligence, and power led us forward on a single path. We enjoyed the cast member’s engaging dialogue in this role. The professor provided a notably interactive experience where we answered both general and true/false questions. For every correct answer, we chose where he placed a puzzle piece. His questions were both thoughtful and skillfully presented.
Nightshade first presented us with an objective; our group had to complete it to earn a talisman. She interacted with us throughout the process, encouraging us to think creatively. After we succeeded and received our talisman, we continued through the attraction and met a vampire. He gave each of us a light and impressed us by poetically rhyming for every person in our group. This cast member stood out, especially since we spent a considerable amount of time in his room.
We ended our adventure by meeting a witch who was inventively searching for the cat. Although we didn’t show her the cat right away, we realized later that one of us had been the cat all along. The witch made the moment memorable by naming someone Mr. Tiffles and having that person act like a cat so we could win a talisman. This amusing and engaging challenge required teamwork and made the experience even more rewarding.
The cast members were engaging and fun, which made the experience truly memorable. We especially enjoyed hearing each cast member’s unique accent, adding to the fun. We’ve never encountered an attraction with such extensive interactive dialogues before.
Castle Blood provides old-school costumes tailored to each cast member, with each outfit uniquely and expertly crafted for their specific role. We thoroughly enjoyed the diverse attire, including the well-made hats, dress shirts, pants, and dresses.
Our favorite costume in the entire attraction was the witch’s. Not only did her outfit and prosthetic look highly realistic, but her gloves also matched her face and included long fingernails, perfectly completing the ensemble. This made her costume uniquely different from the rest.
We entered the address of Castle Blood into our GPS, which directed us straight to the attraction. Upon arrival, parking was convenient with a lot located just up the hill. As you walk down the hill, you’ll see the gift shop on your left where you can purchase tickets if needed. The staff were all incredibly welcoming and friendly, making for a great evening. Their passion for their work is evident every night they’re open. The website is simple and user-friendly, featuring timed ticketing so you can select a specific entry time. While tickets are also sold at the door, those without timed entry may require a longer wait.
The attraction was extremely safe, with no hazards that could cause tripping or slipping. Cast members consistently reminded guests to watch their step when exiting rooms with steps, clearly caring about visitor safety. Furthermore, all stepped areas were very well-lit, minimizing any risk of falling, unless one was especially clumsy.
When we arrived at Castle Blood, its spooky appearance immediately let us know we were at a haunted house. The engraved names on each stone outside the house caught our attention – we thought it was a great touch that every year you can buy a spot to have your or your company’s name displayed on the wall. Waiting in line became part of the fun, thanks to the atmospheric music and our lively interactions with Borus. Once inside, we stayed fully immersed: nothing out of place broke the illusion, and we appreciated how well the cast members hid personal items like bags and water bottles. Even the speakers and lighting wires were concealed nicely.
You become a mortal visitor to the castle in this attraction, on a quest to find three talismans to complete your journey. Before entering, a cast member vividly explains the backstory and introduces the puzzles you’ll tackle inside. Their detailed storytelling brings the setting to life. Plus, the attraction’s theme changes every season, ensuring each visit feels new and exciting.
The music and sound effects throughout the attraction struck a perfect balance: immersive, but not overpowering, which allowed cast members to interact naturally with guests. Each scene featured its own soundtrack, giving every room a distinct feel. The rooms were impressively decorated, creating a sense of stepping back in time. We especially appreciated the attraction’s old-school vibe; adding more high-tech elements might risk losing its unique character.
The detailing and lighting in Castle Blood were excellent, making each detail pop and enhancing realism. We enjoyed examining the craftsmanship in each room. The standout scene for us was the lab; it was exceptionally well done and convincingly realistic, with every detail thoughtfully included. We also noticed some animatronics, all of which were effectively used.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 7.38
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 8.25
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 9
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 7
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 7
Castle Blood focuses more on a theatrical atmosphere than constant scares. However, it still offers several well-executed surprises. Whenever you feel at ease, the staff employ drop doors and revolving windows for sudden, effective frights.
Spoile Alert: The unexpected use of air blasters is a big help. The witch delivered an amazing scare; her face was half-covered, making her look like a mannequin. Once everyone was in the room, she locked eyes with one of us and delivered a truly excellent, unpredictable scare.
We spent 46 minutes inside Castle Blood, which surprised us as it didn’t feel like we were there that long. This is a great duration for this type of attraction. Tickets are $25 each, making it a super reasonable choice. With a Minutes Per Dollar (MPD) of 1.84, it’s well above average, almost giving you two minutes per dollar. Aside from a few photo ops and interacting with Borus at the front, there isn’t much additional entertainment in the line, besides some music. The experience ends with a trip through the gift shop, which offers plenty of cool items.
A big thank you to Gravely and his entire staff for making this evening fun and worthwhile. Our journey took 46 minutes, meaning we completed the puzzles faster than other guests, as it can take up to an hour to go through the show. If you get the chance, bring your friends or family! This attraction offers a unique night out and is quite different from your typical haunted house.
100 Schoonmaker Ave, Monessen, Pennsylvania 15062
