Maybe you’ve been to Kennywood and visited the pop-up bars — and now want something a bit more scary for your spooky-season fun. Perhaps you’re looking for a haunted attraction where the performers can act (not just scream). And maybe you like being ahead of the going-out curve — for any of these reasons and more, Portals of Fear should be a Halloween destination. But, Portals of Fear isn’t the only haunted attraction to visit either. In fact we have a list of the five best haunted houses around Pittsburgh to fill your October with.

What to Expect at Portals of Fear, One of Pittsburgh’s Newest — and Best — Haunted Houses

Just in its second year, Portals of Fear — located in a former school building in West Mifflin — instantly ranks among the best haunted attractions in the region.

The key difference at Portals of Fear, which was designed by owners (and spouses) Chuck Morrison and Stephanie Boyles, lies in the quality of the performers. Forget the old conception of teens in scary masks screaming at you; here, the actors are skilled and well prepared, deftly weaving brief scenes as you pass through each room, complete with actual prepared dialogue — and moments of interaction, should you have the gumption to respond.

You won’t want to rush from room to room; these are gifted and entertaining performers giving it their all. Pay attention. (And note the excellent makeup, by Spencer Dillman and Sue Weil, and costumes, by Melary Stanko.)

Much of what those performers say advances the attraction’s plot — yes, there’s a consistent story here, not just a collection of zombies and chainsaws. Upon entry, you’ll be briefed and “sanitized” by a representative of the DIU (that’s the Demonic Investigation Unit); it seems that portals to disturbing, parallel dimensions have been opened in the building, and it’s your job to see what the hell is going on in there.

That leads to a series of different settings — a convincing convenience store and storage unit, the site of a dark mass, even a trip to the underworld — all overrun with things that shouldn’t exist in our reality. It’s fun and fresh, and gives guests more of an in-world role to play. That’s a rarity at haunted attractions.

What’s Included in the Raven Room VIP Experience?

Also rare: A true premium experience at a Halloween activity. At Portals of Fear, those willing to gather a group (and pay for extra perks) get much more to their evening, thanks to a genuine VIP room — with some spooky surprises.

Opt for the Raven Room VIP Experience, and your group will be shown to a private lounge upon arrival. A selection of snacks and beverages (including, but not limited to, non-alcoholic options) await … as does a mysterious concierge, ready to help you relax — and give you some lore.

There’s a backstory to the Raven Room, you see; I won’t spoil it here, but this is no mere hangout. You’ll have escape-room puzzles to solve during your VIP hour. It’s a fun, interactive touch that helps to turn a trip to Portals of Fear into a full evening.

Oh, and there’s a bit of extra mischief afoot; with help from closed-circuit cameras and a push-button air cannon, you can even scare some of your fellow customers while you wait in the Raven Room. But beware: Once you enter the attraction (with no line; Raven Room guests head straight in), the next VIP group will be trying to scare you, too.

Is Portals of Fear Too Scary for Kids? (Age Recommendations & Safety)

The good news for skittish children and their wary parents: There’s (slightly) less gore at Portals of Fear. This is an attraction that focuses more on setting and story than animatronic blood and guts.

The bad news: The performances are loud, intense and good at getting under your skin. (Metaphorically, of course.) While Portals of Fear isn’t an “extreme” attraction, and performers will not come into physical contact with guests, they are really trying to scare you.

No one under the age of 8 is allowed inside; the recommendation is for patrons to be at least 13. If you have a particularly bold 10-year-old, they won’t be denied entry, but don’t be surprised if they’re more scared than they bargained for.

Note that the attraction covers three floors of the building and involves climbing stairs.

How Long Does the Attraction Take and How Long Are the Lines?

The main walkthrough at Portals of Fear will last about 25 minutes — give or take a bit, depending on how fast you move through the attraction. (The maximum group size is 6, so if you go with a larger posse, you may be split up.) The Raven Room experience lasts for an hour before entering the attraction itself.

On busy nights approaching Halloween, the line for admission can take an hour or more; your best bet is to arrive at 7 p.m. and head straight for the line before it gets long. You can enjoy the rest of the offerings on-site afterwards.

What Else to Do: Drinks, Live Music, Vendors, and Tarot Readers

Even if you don’t opt for the Raven Room experience, your night doesn’t have to end when you leave the haunt. There are usually vendors of spooky wares lined up for your perusal; live music also accompanies the experience on select nights. An adults-only bar will give you a place to decompress after your encounter with the Demonic Investigation Unit (and concessions are available if you forgot dinner).

Also look for a divination station, where you can have your tarot cards or runes read — if you dare see what lies ahead.

How Do You Get to Portals of Fear? Where Do You Park?

The attraction is located in West Mifflin, not too far from Kennywood Park. It’ll come up if you type Portals of Fear into your GPS — but, vitally, that’s the address of the building itself, not the parking area.

To park, navigate to 805 Glencairn Street, West Mifflin, PA, 15122; you’ll be directed to a parking spot, then board a free shuttle bound for the main gate. This process can take 10-15 minutes, so allow that time if you’re meeting people at the attraction.

If you’re using a rideshare service, head straight to the building itself at 25 Majka Street, West Mifflin, PA, 15122.

Don’t let the spooky fun stop here. Check out our Guide to Halloween in Pittsburgh for more events, recipes, and other ideas for the season.

About the Author

Sean Collier is the editor-in-chief of Shady Ave and the arts and culture editor of TABLE Magazine. Before joining the TABLE Media team, he spent nearly 15 years as a writer, editor and columnist at Pittsburgh Magazine. As the in-house film critic for the top-rated WDVE Morning Show since 2009, he’s been Pittsburgh’s most widely heard voice on movies for nearly two decades. A Pittsburgh native, Sean has since 2020 appeared weekly on KDKA-TV’s popular Pittsburgh Today Live talk show. He’s the co-founder of Vigilance Theater Group and an active stand-up comedian and event host. He can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @seancollierpgh.

Photos by Aiden Flame

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