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August 14, 2020

Halloween Hauntings and Fall Fun in Philadelphia

Autumn’s Alive With Ghost Tours, Pumpkin Picking & The Always-Haunting Eastern State Penitentiary

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Linvilla Orchards. Photo by R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
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Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square. Photo by J. Fusco for Franklin Square
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Eastern State Penitentiary. Photo by J. Smith for Visit Philadelphia®
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Peddler's Village Scarecrows in the Village. Photo courtesy of Peddlers Village
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PHILADELPHIA, August 14, 2020 While rumors persist year-round of real ghosts and goblins inhabiting some of Philadelphia’s most historic sites, it’s during Halloween season when other-worldly creatures emerge from all corners of the region to make it a happily haunted time of year. Families with little ones get gentle thrills during pumpkin- and scarecrow-heavy happenings at Peddler’s Village, Linvilla Orchards and Shady Brook Farms. And for serious thrill-seekers, a nighttime tour of Eastern State Penitentiary or a ghost tour through the historic streets of Old City or New Hope provide just the right level of spooky.

To make the most of fall in Philly, visitors are encouraged to spend a night or two. The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package is available at dozens of hotels and includes overnight hotel parking. Visitors can book the package at visitphilly.com/overnight.

Here are some spots that offer Halloween tricksters some delightfully frightful treats:

  • Eastern State Penitentiary: This grim 191-year-old former state prison was once home to famous inmates Al Capone and Willie Sutton. While Eastern State won’t host its popular Terror Behind the Walls tours this year, it will offer Night Tours on select evenings from September through November. Visitors can explore the cellblocks and yard and check out the award-winning Prisons Today exhibit.
  • Peddler’s Village: For 41 straight years now, Bucks County’s charming shopping and dining destination hosts its popular Scarecrows in the Village display, featuring dozens of elaborately decorated hay-stuffed creations handmade by Philly-area residents. The public can vote on their favorite scarecrows throughout most of the display’s run, September 9-October 24.
  • Linvilla Orchards: Things go bump in the day and night at some local farms, where ghoulish family-friendly activities abound. This Media favorite hosts Pumpkinland, featuring pick-your-own pumpkins and apples, a jack-o-lantern exhibit, hayrides, train rides and cornfield mazes. September 12-November 8.
  • Franklin Square: The park’s popular Philly Mini Golf is transformed into spooky fun for the season with fog, lights, music and surprises. Plus, the Franklin Square Fountain runs shows every 30 minutes. In between the shows, the fountain is colored to complement fall. October 1-31.
  • Betsy Ross House: Spooky Twilight Tours are on tap for visitors to the pint-sized home of the nation’s famous flag maker this October. They’ll hear true tales about small pox and yellow fever in the courtyard before heading inside to continue their gruesome tour. Fridays, October 2-30.
  • Morris Arboretum: For the 13th year, this horticultural display garden in Chestnut Hill arboretum hosts its popular Scarecrow Walk, featuring dozens of fairy tale-themed creations on display from October 3 through November 1. New this year: the Lighted Lantern Halloween Walk, a special nighttime walk through the arboretum featuring lighted lanterns and scarecrows. Costumes encouraged, and advanced tickets required. October 29-31. And on October 30-31, it’s another first: Ghostly Gathering at Morris ArBOOretum, a costumed event that includes scary stories, games and trick-or-treating. Advanced tickets required
  • Zoo Fun: Boo at the Zoo returns to the Elmwood Park Zoo (October 10-November 1) and the Philadelphia Zoo (October 16-November 1) on weekends this fall. Dressed-up kids can trick-or-treat throughout the grounds, enjoy seasonal décor, hit up activity stations and, of course, admire the animals.
  • Cemeteries: Perhaps the city’s most haunted spot, St. Peter’s Church cemetery has been home to ghosts for more than a century. Some spectators have seen a horse-drawn carriage charging through the center of the Society Hill graveyard and through the church. Others say restless Native American chiefs roam the grounds. Also worth a visit: Laurel Hill Cemetery, perched high above the Schuylkill River and hosting two haunted tours this Halloween season. On October 17, True Tales from the Tombs features tales from the cemetery’s most memorable permanent residents as told by The Not Ready for After-Life Players. And on October 24, it’s the Soul Crawl, Haunted Halloween Tour, a flashlight tour that focuses on the cemetery’s rich history and some of its liveliest spirits.
  • Franklin Institute: The iconic science museum hosts its first-ever Franklin Fright Weekend, complete with trick-or-treating through the exhibits, spooky science experiments, liquid scare shows, creepy guests from The Insectarium and more. Costumes encouraged. October 31-November 1.
  • Ghost Tours: For 90 minutes of haunting tales of ghosts and graveyards, haunted mansions and potters’ fields, visitors turn to Ghost Tours of Philadelphia, combining history with gruesome stories of the not-so-dearly departed. Tours leave from Signers Garden at 5th and Chestnut Streets. In Bucks County, brave folks can grab a flashlight and take to the streets for Ghost Tours of New Hope, a lantern-led walk featuring chilling tales of the area’s former residents who may have never left.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets. 6th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676