Photo: Casa Loma lit up for the Legends of Horror event

Casa Loma, constructed between 1911 and 1914, is a historic mansion that looks like a small castle in the middle of Toronto. Originally built as a residence for Sir Henry Pellatt, these days it operates as a museum, a venue for events like weddings, and a film set for movies and TV shows. However, every October, Casa Loma transforms into a massive Halloween attraction called Legends of Horror, inviting guests to pass through 2 km of werewolf-infested gardens, haunted tunnels, and more… if they dare! This year, I finally decided to fork over $60 for a ticket to check it out and see what all the hype is about.

Approaching Casa Loma last night, I saw a truly frightening sight - a looong line that stretched far down the street and around the corner. Even with a ticket, I had to wait in line for about an hour, watching fog roll down over the stone walls while eerie screams echoed from within the gardens on the other side. Eventually, I made it through the gate and into the gardens, passing through a creepy circus, a haunted graveyard, a dark wooded area full of werewolves, and a swampy pond that was home to an enormous skeletal demon! Along the way, costumed actors jumped out from the shadows to chase and scare visitors.

At the halfway point, I was able to take a rest and relax in the (relative) safety of a large tent with a bar, a huge smoke-breathing dragon, screens showing animated ghosts and demons, and a DJ playing dance music. Costumed visitors ate and drank, mingled, and danced while I sat down to enjoy a goat cheese poutine and a themed cocktail (a “Necromancer Negroni”) before continuing on to the second half of the event, which takes place within and below the castle.

Passing though a tomb full of mummies and a toxic waste storage area full of radioactive zombies, I made my way into the tunnels beneath Casa Loma, which were very dark, narrow, and filled with fog (from fog machines, of course!). This part can be the most challenging for visitors as it is very hard to see and easy to stumble, run into things, or even lose your way. But, pressing on, I eventually discovered the Phantom of the Opera (playing the piano and singing!) in the depths of the tunnels before making my way back up into the old stables, where muttering prisoners paced behind bars while a mad scientist worked to construct a Frankenstein-like creature in his laboratory!

Eventually, I escaped the haunted castle and made my way out into the night, where I was shocked to discover how far I had traveled underground from the entrance (and also how late it was)! As I hopped on the subway to go home, I wondered if perhaps it was also part of the attraction, as there was a wild-looking man in an orange prison jumpsuit screaming at the air on the train. But no, that’s just a normal late night ride home in Toronto. Fun times!