The Ohio River’s favorite death dredge is back to scare the crap out of people for the 2021 Halloween season.
After taking last year off due to COVID, the USS Nightmare is reopening its cursed doors to the public from Sept. 17-Nov. 6.
“The USS Nightmare, greater Cincinnati’s annual Halloween favorite, has returned for the 2021 haunting season. And Captain Mitchell and his crew are ready to rage on the river,” says a release.
All your favorite freaky characters are back, including the aforementioned evil Captain Mitchell, as well as his daughter, Anna, and her demented clowns; the “lady in red;” and the ruthless galley cook. The USS Nightmare says this year’s experience “delves deeper” into the history of the haunted boat and explores its sadistic lore, including mysterious accidents and deaths that occurred on board, and possible crew exposure to radioactive chemicals.
“While venturing through the 277.5-foot vessel, visitors will experience a dark, intense 30-minute tour covering the boat’s two decks and showing glimpses of the rough river life,” reads the release. “Imagine the sights, the sounds and the smells on a boat that housed 66 inhabitants for weeks on end. Journey into the inner sanctum of the massive steamboat and see how Captain Mitchell tyrannically ruled his crew in a desperate attempt to protect his darling daughter, Anna.”
Rooms and experiences include Captain Mitchell’s museum, a cargo hold, a “clown trap,” the infirmary, the boiler room and a gross kitchen, all complemented by terrifying trained actors, scary special effects and “movie-quality makeup.”
There are multiple ways to experience the USS Nightmare, including a lights-on events for kids and people who hate haunted houses, as well as the Captain’s Extreme tour — an “adult-rated show featuring adult language and content, more horror, group separation and more special content.” Regular ticketholders can also up the action with an RIP Experience, “a more interactive and extended tour of the ship designed for death with access to additional areas and the potential for complete separation from the civilized world.”
Hours this weekend are 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Sept. 17 and 18; check the schedule online for upcoming days and hours. General admission tickets start at $18; fast pass starts at $28; front-of-the-line tickets start at $48; the RIP Experience starts at $32.
The lights-on matinee tour ($8) takes place 4-6 p.m. Oct. 24. The Captain’s Extreme tour (starts at $27) takes place 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Nov. 5 and 6.
The USS Nightmare is located at 101 Riverboat Row, Newport. More info: ussnightmare.com.
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This article appears in Sep 15-28, 2021.
