The Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was constructed from 1858 to 1881 and admitted its first patients in 1864. After closing in 1994, it transformed into a tourist destination where people can explore its rich history. Each Halloween season, the asylum opens the tuberculosis ward for a renowned haunted attraction. Every year, a new theme is chosen—this year it’s called “Forsaken.” Known for its unconventional approach, the attraction always delivers unique experiences. It’s hard to imagine a more fitting setting than an old, haunted asylum.
Upon entering the asylum, we were surprised to encounter 96 other patients—far more than we anticipated, making the facility feel especially crowded. Each encounter with the cast left a strong impression; their performances made the environment feel authentic.
The actors didn’t just rely on screaming but engaged us with unique dialogues and convincingly portrayed insanity through behaviors like rocking, repeating lines, being aggressive, and maintaining high energy. Throughout our stay, we met many different ‘patients,’ each with distinct personalities and behaviors, which was amazing. One memorable moment was in the kitchen when the cook offered us some truly disgusting food.
Exceptional costuming anchored the attraction’s strong asylum theme, visible throughout about 90% of the experience. Actors wore hospital gowns, lab coats, and predominantly scrubs.
The makeup—featuring realistic blood and wounds—deepened the immersion. Though, at times, we wished for even more blood on certain characters.
The costumes matched each scene seamlessly: the satanic priest’s makeup and attire were perfect, while the clown section was vibrant and creative. One standout moment was encountering a cast member mopping up pools of blood on the floor, adding to the authenticity. Most memorable, however, was the impressive full body stuffed bear costume that truly resembled a life-sized stuffed animal and left a lasting impression.
When we arrived, parking staff efficiently directed us into the lot and helped us park. The address brought us right to the correct spot.
The first thing we noticed was a tent with three distinct lines for the flashlight tours. There were clear signs for the ticket booth displaying the evening’s entertainment prices.
In the distance, the haunted house stood out, brightly illuminated with red lights and swathed in fog. All the staff were welcoming and helpful.
The website offers everything you need to know about this attraction, such as its operating days and hours, as well as ticket prices.
As we stood in line waiting to enter, the atmosphere immediately let us know we were at a haunted attraction. Fog drifted through the air, and a glowing projection-mapped sign marked the spot, confirming we were in the right place. Although the attraction didn’t have a formal storyline, its direction was clear: set in an old, abandoned asylum. Much of the experience centered around a hospital theme. For more details, you can visit their website, where dialogue further explains the story of Forsaken.
We felt completely immersed in the attraction. There were no visible speakers, fog machines, or actors’ water bottles, which added to the realism. The space was fully detailed with no empty or unfinished areas. Everything felt believable, and the transitions between different sections were smooth and convincing.
The flow inside the house was impressive. By contrast, once outside, not much was happening except for a few queue actors interacting with patrons.
Where do we start? The amount of effects they used here was very impressive. From the sounds to the scenes, to the animatronics, and to the sensory effects we really appreciated the dedication they showed here.
The attraction’s sound and music were exceptionally well done, with perfectly balanced audio that was never too loud. A highlight was walking through a decontamination area, where dynamic lighting, thick fog, and a blaring alarm created an immersive effect. The animatronic actor illuminated by green and black lights particularly stood out, as we’d never seen an animatronic light up like that.
Lighting throughout was excellent, and moving props were everywhere, making it difficult to distinguish what was real. In one area, gurneys with props hidden beneath blankets sprang to life and began bouncing when we walked very creepily and effectively. The chapel setting used bouncing props in the pews for added eeriness. Air blasters in various locations enhanced the realism. Every scene and prop looked authentic, contributing to the attraction’s credibility.
A memorable room featured a blood-filled bathtub and a body hanging over it. However, our favorite effect was a narrow hallway, roughly four feet wide and twelve feet long, where clocks were projected spinning on both sides. This had a strong, trippy effect—brighter and more effective than a standard vortex tunnel, and unlike anything we’ve seen before.
The attraction included an outdoor section where visitors could view tombs of lost victims and see a real ambulance, which greatly enhanced the experience. When we exited outside, it felt like the tour was over, but there was still a final, smaller section inside the building. Before we were let back in, a dumpster next to the door gave off noises as if an animal was inside, further adding to the suspenseful atmosphere.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 9.08
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 9.67
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 8.92
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 9.25
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 8.75
The scares during our visit really stood out. Our group of three was combined with another three, so there were six of us altogether. As we walked behind the other group, we observed how actively the cast members tried to scare each of us. They succeeded in making sure every person in our group was startled at some point. We enjoyed this approach since no one was singled out; everyone experienced a scare.
We experienced scares from every single direction here and loved how often they tried to startle us. Cast members managed to appear at our sides, in front, behind, above, and even below us. At one point, a cast member ran along the wall, making the scene especially creepy and effective. Another performer leaped from a platform, cleverly attached to a bungee cord so she could quickly retract after each scare. It was awesome.
The cast members were very loud with their lines, though they didn’t scream at us, which made the experience especially effective and memorable. The moment that scared us most was the stuffed bear; we thought it was fake until it suddenly sprang at us. Even outside, a woman in the ambulance managed to startle us, showing just how effective the actors were. Overall, the cast was determined to make guests uncomfortable, and they succeeded.
We spent 27 minutes inside the haunted attraction, though it felt like nearly an hour. This duration matches the average time we’ve experienced at haunts this season. Ticket prices start at $30 for general admission and $60 for VIP, resulting in a Minutes Per Dollar (MPD) value of 0.90, slightly below average. Still, the attraction is worth it, blending the location’s history with haunted house thrills for a unique and memorable experience.
There isn’t much to do outside of the attraction apart from some projection mapping and a handful of entertaining queue actors. Among them, one particularly stands out: he had a head on a bungee string wrapped around his wrist that dramatically snaps back after coming close to guests—a clever, effective gag. He’s also famous for stealing people’s shoes. When he approached us, he handed us a “phone.” After we answered, he quipped, “What’s wrong with you? You’re talking to a shoe.”
There’s a merch stand where you can buy shirts and a food truck available on site. If you’re interested in exploring the asylum, head to the ticket booth to buy tickets for one of three flashlight tours. Each tour costs $11 and lasts around 30 minutes with a guide, splitting the time between historical facts and paranormal stories. Every time we visit, we strongly recommend taking one of these tours after going through the haunted house. The tours are both informative and memorable; you won’t regret participating.
Each season, we eagerly anticipate our visit to the Asylum, as they change about half of the haunted attraction. This keeps the scenes and scares fresh and exciting. Thank you, John and Michelle, for ensuring the experience stays unique. Every time we visit, it feels like our first time exploring the attraction. We survived and got discharged early—but will you?
71 Asylum Drive, Weston, West Virginia 26452