11 Philly-Area Haunted Houses, Ghost Tours and Halloween Bars
Spooky season is here!
Get spooked at the Nightmare Before Tinsel pop-up bar and other haunted houses and attractions around Philly. / Photograph courtesy of Nightmare Before Tinsel
Halloween is right around the corner, and that means “spooky season” is here. Those who love a good scare and enjoy jump-worthy surprises will find plenty of options in Philly and the surrounding area for getting a Halloween fix. If dressing up as your favorite character and enjoying a night out with friends is more your speed, there are some Halloween-themed bars and bar crawls that are sure to get you in the spirit as well. Check out our list below of some spooktacular adventures you won’t want to miss.
The Bates Motel and Haunted Attractions
1835 North Middletown Road, Glen Mills
With four different experiences on-site, the Bates Motel and Haunted Attractions is perfect for thrill-seekers. Anointed by CNN Travel as one of the best haunted houses in America, it’s filled with hair-raising surprises around every turn. The venue includes the Psycho Path, a chilling 25-minute walk through the forest, and the Revenge of the Scarecrows Haunted Corn Trail. Both are filled with realistic effects that aren’t for the faint of heart.
Fort Mifflin Candlelight Ghost Tours
6400 Hog Island Road, South Philly
This National Historic Landmark is one place in the region where, according to the website, you can spot some “REAL ghosts.” On any of the candlelight walking tours leading up to Halloween, you’ll explore the grounds after hours while keeping an eye out for paranormal activity. For groups of 15 to 30 people, a private tour option gives you access to the Soldier’s Barracks, where you can enjoy your BYO refreshments and sit amongst the spirits.
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Fright Factory
2200 South Swanson Street, Pennsport
Fright Factory, mounted in a more-than-120-year-old factory basement, has been named one of the scariest haunted attractions in the United States by the Travel Channel. The 25,000-square-foot basement is split into three different themed routes, so there’s no shortage of thrills and screams. It’s open every weekend from September 24th through Halloween, and you can book your tickets online to ensure you don’t miss out on the scares … if you dare!
Ghost Tours of Philadelphia
5th and Chestnut streets, Old City
This nightly candlelight walking tour takes you through Independence Park, Old City and Society Hill. Your tour guide, suitably dressed for the part, will share ghost stories and even let you in on where the bodies are buried. Reservations are required for all tours, so call ahead to save your spot for this ghostly adventure.
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Avenue, Fairmount
Terror Behind the Walls may be no more, but Eastern State Penitentiary has replaced it with 15 different attractions. Two haunted houses, immersive walk-through experiences, interactive performances, and four themed bars and lounges serving up fall-favorite food and beverages will check all your Halloween boxes.
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Jason’s Woods
179 Stehman Road, Lancaster
Jason’s Woods takes its five terror-filled attractions to the next level with the help of special effects. From the Horrifying Hayride (which sounds, um, bumpy) to the Zombie Apocalypse (don’t get bit!) to Lost in Jason’s Woods (a walking experience that plays off your fears of getting lost alone in the woods), there’s plenty to give you a good scare.
Nightmare Before Tinsel
116 South 12th Street, Midtown Village
This Halloween pop-up bar will have you celebrating spooky season seven days a week right up until October 31st. Enjoy food and drinks while immersing yourself in the frightening Halloween-themed decor — perfect for those Insta-worthy photos.
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Acres
881 Highland Road, Newtown
Two different haunting attractions make this a great place to celebrate the Halloween season. “The Hollow” takes you through abandoned gardens, twisting crypts, and an uncanny cemetery. “The Field” will have you wandering in a deserted and bewitched village said to have been occupied by outlaws and outcasts in the 1800s, so keep your eyes peeled for ghosts and spirits. After you’ve had your fair share of scares, gather around the bonfire to mellow out with some live music and refreshments. Tickets are timed, so you’ll want to buy them online before you go.
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The Valley of Fear
301 West Bristol Road, Feasterville
Three different attractions provide blood-crunching entertainment all evening long at the Valley of Fear. Among 10 new scenes this year, the Haunted Hayride makes for an eerie experience as you embark on a journey deep into the woods. Willie’s Shipwreck Cove is back with One Eye’d Willie, who’s giving us Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. Reopening this season, the Miles Manor Haunted House will have you confronting monsters and other startling creatures throughout the entire house.
Bar Crawls
Grab your costume and head out to one of these Halloween-themed bar crawls. The best part? There are multiple dates, meaning you’ve got the chance to dress up as multiple characters! There’s the “Official Halloween Bar Crawl” around Center City on October 23rd, 30th and 31st; it includes a costume contest and live entertainment. Sign up here. Then there’s the “Trick or Drink Halloween Bar Crawl” around Center City on October 29th, 30th and 31st; a wristband gets you into participating bars with no cover and provides access to drink specials. Sign up here.
