I have never had any real interest in spook houses. As a kid, the prospect absolutely terrified me. 

The thought of hands reaching out to grab me, people chasing me around dark corridors, and being completely disoriented left me all but quaking.

I felt a lot of that come rushing back as my friends and I pulled into the “Gates Of Hell.” 

It didn’t sink in on the way there. I felt fine, excited even, but as we neared, I felt the familiar wave of terror suddenly rush up my spine and fill my chest. 

I felt a dark part of my childhood resurfacing. 

Steering wheel in hand, I felt the overwhelming urge to just turn around and go home. 

However, I’m glad that I didn’t. Despite my anxiety, Gates Of Hell turned out to be a pretty incredible experience. 

My friends were able to calm me down (despite some jeering) and managed to push me in line for the attraction. 

After a tense wait at the entrance, we were finally escorted inside. 

I was initially thrown off. The first room doesn’t have any indicator of an exit (which I would soon learn would become an ongoing theme). 

The first leg of Gates Of Hell seemed to be comprised of spook house tropes and staples: strobe lights, cobwebs, shredded drapes, etc. 

A few of the costumes I had managed to catch a glimpse of didn’t seem to be too impressive. 

However, this all quickly changed.

After traversing a few dark hallways (clinging like a paragon of masculinity to my friend’s shirt), my friends and I daisy-chained our way through a slew of narrow hallways to pass anxiously through several standard rooms.  

The scares were moderate, but they left us wanting more. Gates Of Hell was glad to oblige.

As we drew deeper into the maze, we found ourselves cowering like rats in the corner of a morbid butcher’s playground. Things quickly escalated. 

The scenery became more intricate; we had to think on our feet to make it from room to room. 

We had to crawl through tunnels and find our way through hidden passages. It was hard keeping everyone together.

By far, the best part of the attraction is the final room: a spectacular recreation of a cabin in the woods, complete with the woods. 

The display is absolutely astounding. I found myself entrapped by the design. I wasn’t scared so much as I was fascinated. That last leg is a real spectacle.

Initially, $10 seemed a tad steep for the first part of the house. I wasn’t terribly impressed. 

However, as I’ve stated before, they really make up for it as you go along. 

The rooms they’ve set up are impressive in their design, so much so that you can really lose yourself in the experience. 

Overall, Gates Of Hell was fun. I had a blast with my friends and was finally able to conquer my fear of spookhouses. 

The only problem with the attraction is that the narrow design isn’t always friendly. 

One of my bigger friends had some trouble getting through the halls, and ended up racking himself on a poorly-placed chair. 

It’s kind of hard to adequately run from a chainsaw wielding psychopath with your jimmies rustled. 

If you’re up to make the trip out into the boonies, I would definitely take the time to visit the Gates Of Hell. 

Don’t mind the initial part of the display; they’re only gearing you up for a stellar finish that will leave you running for your life through a great finale.