Lincoln Mill Haunted House Scares Up Another Season
PHILADELPHIA, PA — As Lincoln Mill Haunted House enters its fourth season, Manayunk’s riverside fright factory continues to double down on what has long set it apart from other haunted attractions in the industry: story. In a market crowded with jump scares and chainsaws, Lincoln Mill threads its scares through a cohesive mythology about a 1930s mill owner named Viktor Kane - owner, innovator, abuser - whose legacy, the legend insists, was unearthed when Hurricane Ida flooded the property and exposed a subterranean chamber beneath the mill in 2021.
Thanks to tactical uplighting, dedicated queue line actors and a deeply thematic facade, the haunted mill is plenty intimidating before you even set foot inside the maze. Guests can expect to see sliders, puppeteers and larger-than-life costumes wandering the grounds, setting the tone for what you’re about to experience inside the scare maze. The team is well-practiced at keeping those long lines moving, so even in the ugliest of weather (which we seem to encounter every time we visit), operations remain smooth and efficient. On a typical night, groups are pulsed at the door with 2-3 minutes between dispatches; though, the busier it gets, the shorter the gap between one group and the next. Once you’ve reached the front of the queue, you’ll be given a rules and safety briefing before being turned loose in the decaying halls of the Viktor Kane’s old mill…plus or minus a little ride on what I like to call the “hellavator”.
Above: All kinds of custom masks and makeup are used to bring terrifying characters to life inside Lincoln Mill Haunted House.
To tell you everything that you can expect to experience inside the maze would be doing a disservice to the haunt, but suffice it to say, Lincoln Mill’s billboard slogan of “actually scary” is truth in advertising. The attraction’s footprint is compact but utilized with staggering precision. Sightlines are tightly controlled; cables, compressors and effects routing are hidden in plain sight by smart lighting and themed clutter. The scenic approach sells the setting as a flooded-out industrial basement in one moment and a fever-dream memory palace in the next. You’ll work your way through the entire history and lore of the mill, from Viktor Kane’s troubled childhood to his grisly, macabre tenure as the mill owner, encountering all of the lives he’s touched and corrupted along the way. The emphasis on linear storytelling here is strong, and the house clearly rewards repeat visits as you pick up more and more context each time - and if you have a phobia, the “mill workers” are sure to unearth it.
The scare maze is clearly the crown jewel of the overall experience; but with each passing year, Lincoln Mill also expands their midway experience a bit more, too. Concessions and entertainment during our mid-October visit included Stateside Vodka, locally-sourced Hot Dogs and Pretzels and even Manayunk’s resident psychic, who was offering palm readings. We were also told that - as All Hallow’s Eve gets closer and the lines get longer - businesses in Manayunk get more involved with the midway experience, and more food, drink and entertainment tents appear. For the best experience and a truly well-rounded evening at the mill, we can speak to the value of the top ticket tier - VIP Fast Pass ($40/person) with the Second Runthrough add-on ($20/person). It’s a splurge, to be sure, but it allows you to jump right into the action at a moment of your choosing, enjoy a few laughs and snacks on the midway, and then dive right back in again for a full night of fear. So detailed is the experience, odds are good that you’ll notice a few things on a second runthrough that you didn’t notice on the first.
Key Things to Remember Before Heading to the Mill:
The earlier in the season you visit, the shorter the lines will be - but also, the fewer vendors you’ll see on the midway
Security has the right to search any bag - and only small fanny packs, medical approved bags, clutch purse, diaper bag, or clear or solid tote bags are allowed in the haunt
Lincoln Mill remains open rain or shine, but you may get wet in the outdoor queue if it rains
Parking in Manayunk is famously elusive; the earlier you arrive, the better your odds
Do not touch the actors, they will not touch you
Refreshments are available onsite, but Manayunk also has a thriving food & beverage district within walking distance of the haunt
Lincoln Mill isn’t the biggest haunt you’ll visit this season, but it may be one of the most thoughtfully engineered. The team uses real architecture, disciplined show control and actor-forward scenes to create a story-driven experience with a distinct identity. Having spent some time with this team backstage and seeing what goes into putting on the show, we can say with no hesitation that there is nothing the Lincoln Mill crew can’t do…so bring friends, surrender to the lore and let Victor Kane’s ghosts and wraiths do the rest. Still on the fence? You can check out our experience vlog below to get a glimpse inside the costuming, the makeup, the pre-open hype session and (of course) the scare maze to get a better handle on what you can expect to encounter in the darkened halls of this incredibly immersive haunt. Thanks to Jared Bilsak and the rest of the Lincoln Mill team for granting us limited behind-the-scenes access and permission to film with marked lights for coverage.
Lincoln Mill Haunted House (4100 Main St.) will open next for their ‘A Twisted Christmas’ event in December 2025, to be followed by the ‘Viktor's Valentine’ event in February 2026. Visitors can also look for news of food trucks, local breweries and more to be announced in coming months. For information and tickets, visit lincolnmillhaunt.com.
