228 South 500 West, Valparaiso, IN
year: 2013
Amhurst Asylum, on the face of it, could potentially be one of those cases of hype over substance. This is a haunt that is relatively new, having only been in operation for a few years now, and right out of the gate it was charging $20 for admission. We tend to be wary of new haunts that have slick web sites and high prices, so although this haunt was on our list for a couple of years, we never got around to heading out there. To be honest, the only reason we did this year was because we got a 2 for 1 ticket deal, so we figured we wouldn't be out that much money if it turned out to be a waste of time.
Thus, we made a point of putting together a list of Indiana haunts and we went to them on Halloween night, which was pretty appropriate. The Asylum is located off the beaten path, which only adds to the creepiness. After purchasing tickets, visitors have to walk a short distance to a long hallway area outside of the main doors of the haunt. The line is populated by a series of odd live actors, who interact with the crowd. In line with the main theme of the haunt, the actors are more creepy than scary, and act as if they are going about their normal business and the people in line just happen to be there. As the name implies, Amhurst Asylum has an abandoned mental asylum theme. Confession time - we don't really like haunts with asylum themes. The main reason is that, in our opinion, there is only so much you can do with it. Usually, there are two approaches to this type of theme. One is to try to be scary, with crazy, threatening asylum inmates. The other is to try to be funny, playing up the weird factor. We find that the latter works much better, and this is where Amhurst Asylum excels. While we'd never say the haunt is scary, it is certainly creepy, a bit unsettling, and sometimes hilarious. The mix of creepiness and humor is excellent, and neither one overshadows the other. |
Commentary |
The actors, and there are many of them, are consistently different, with some simply talking to themselves, oblivious to your presence, to some that laugh and cackle and follow you around like excited children, and still others that act as though they desperately want to tell you their life stories. Also, there are some threatening actors sprinkled throughout, but even they are more funny than scary. One might wonder why a haunted house that's humorous is so good. Well, in our view, it's good because it's consistent. It's like watching a movie that has a good plot that hold together over the course of the entire show. The humor element at Amhurst Asylum is never over the top or corny. It fits right in, and it really makes it seem as though visitors are intruding on a private, crazy world that's best left alone. Also, we should add that, unlike Illinois haunts, the actors here can touch you, which definitely adds a new dimension to the experience. Having actors playing mental patients grabbing at your ankles or tickling your arm as you pass by increases the illusion of being in an asylum where the inmates are in control. Some actors that really stood out included a creepy nun who verbally assaulted visitors, a crazy woman in a giant locker/bathroom set who was constantly smelling her underarms and nether regions and inviting others to do the same, and a woman with a live skunk - yes, a live skunk!
'The sets in Amhurst Asylum are also excellent. The asylum appears to be from the 50's or 60's, and many of the sets continue this theme. There are long, dusty, deserted corridors with flickering lights, ceilings with cracks, flaking plaster, and even what look like bloodstains on them, and even an outdoor courtyard area with working fountain and artificial sky. A couple standout sets included an old fashioned living room area, complete with props from the 40's and 50's along with an old time radio playing old music, and a series of corridor sets with various props that blocked areas off. Consistent with the theme, the props included vintage wheelchairs, walkers, and even kids' toys. While any old wheelchairs and walkers could have worked, these were vintage to the era that the asylum was supposed to be from. It was a nice bit of attention to detail that shows how well done this haunt is.
We were most impressed with Amhurst Asylum. From our drive into the parking lot in the rain, which was reminiscent of the scene with wandering mental patients from the original Halloween, to the wide variety of detailed sets and excellent actors, the experience was enjoyable from start to finish. The haunt was long and it was quality, well worth the price of admission. We must admit that it surpassed our expectations, and it ranks up there with not only our favorite haunts of 2013, but with our favorite all time haunts. We highly recommend a visit to Amhurst Asylum for those who like a dash of fun with their scares. It's not often that a haunt mixes both and does it so well, but Amhurst certainly does!
'The sets in Amhurst Asylum are also excellent. The asylum appears to be from the 50's or 60's, and many of the sets continue this theme. There are long, dusty, deserted corridors with flickering lights, ceilings with cracks, flaking plaster, and even what look like bloodstains on them, and even an outdoor courtyard area with working fountain and artificial sky. A couple standout sets included an old fashioned living room area, complete with props from the 40's and 50's along with an old time radio playing old music, and a series of corridor sets with various props that blocked areas off. Consistent with the theme, the props included vintage wheelchairs, walkers, and even kids' toys. While any old wheelchairs and walkers could have worked, these were vintage to the era that the asylum was supposed to be from. It was a nice bit of attention to detail that shows how well done this haunt is.
We were most impressed with Amhurst Asylum. From our drive into the parking lot in the rain, which was reminiscent of the scene with wandering mental patients from the original Halloween, to the wide variety of detailed sets and excellent actors, the experience was enjoyable from start to finish. The haunt was long and it was quality, well worth the price of admission. We must admit that it surpassed our expectations, and it ranks up there with not only our favorite haunts of 2013, but with our favorite all time haunts. We highly recommend a visit to Amhurst Asylum for those who like a dash of fun with their scares. It's not often that a haunt mixes both and does it so well, but Amhurst certainly does!