By: Yolanda Rivas
2 min read October 2019 — Philadelphia is a city of firsts, from its rich history to its famous Philly cheesesteaks, the city excels in numerous areas. There’s no doubt that Philadelphians also know how to throw a spooky Halloween event. Here are our favorite scary attractions you can’t miss this Halloween.
Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary
What once was the most famous and expensive prison in the world, is now the perfect setting for a haunted attraction. Featured in many TV shows and horror movies, Eastern State Penitentiary’s six haunted attractions will take your breath away. Starting in the 1940s, officers and prisoners reported mysterious visions and eerie experiences within the 30-foot high castle-like walls, which has driven many people to believe the place is haunted. Terror Behind the Walls is consistently ranked among the nation’s top haunted attractions and will be open through Nov. 10.
PennHurst Asylum
After being abandoned for 25 years, former PennHurst Asylum reopened its doors a few years ago as one of the state’s scariest haunted destinations. Visitors can experience four terrifying attractions: the main Asylum, the Morgue, Containment and Mayflower After Dark. Events and tours include a photography tour, a daytime history tour and overnight paranormal investigations. You won’t sleep, literally, during the overnight paranormal investigations, which give access to all four floors of the haunted Mayflower Hall and the underground tunnels of Philadelphia, Devon, and Rockwell from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. PennHurst attractions will open through Nov. 4.
Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride
Arasapha Farms’ three main attractions, the Bates Motel, the Haunted Hayride and the Haunted Trail, have been consistently recognized with top national awards. It has been called the “best haunted house in America” by CNN Travel and one of America’s scariest haunts by the Travel Channel. Bates Motel brings a close and personal level of horror, with high-tech special effects, digital soundtrack, lighting and astonishing realism. The Haunted Hayride is a 25-minute ride through the dark forest of Arasapha Farm with scenes featuring a 100-foot-long, 40-foot-tall drive-thru insane asylum, a New England church, a 200-foot-long cave and a Headless Horseman. Finally, the revenge of the Scarecrows Haunted Corn Trail will give you the chills with a terrifying walk through a tall corn field, filled with walk-through buildings, sets and animatronic monsters. Arasapha Farm attractions will be open through Oct. 31.
Fright Factory
This adult-themed haunted house is located inside a 120-year-old factory. It has been featured on the Travel Channel as one of the scariest haunted attractions in America and called “scariest haunted attraction in Philadelphia’’ by FOX29. The factory offers three themed attractions: Fright Factory Unholy, Industrial Nightmare and South Side Sanatorium. Through this year’s partnership with Scream Cams, visitors now have the option to be recorded through the scariest parts of the haunted house. Fright Factory will be open through Oct. 31.
Ghost Tours of Philadelphia
Of course, you wouldn’t want to miss a touch of history while in Philly. Ghost Tours of Philadelphia’s 90-minute walking tour has been named one of the top 15 “must see” attractions in the United States. The tour is based on the book Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA and walks visitors along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence National Park, Old City, and Society Hill. Although Halloween is the perfect time to enjoy a ghostly experience, this tour is offered year round.
To learn more, visit:
Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary: https://www.easternstate.org/halloween/node/3
PennHurst Asylum: https://pennhurstasylum.com/
Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride: https://thebatesmotel.com/
Fright Factory: http://frightfactoryphilly.com/
Ghost Tours of Philadelphia: https://www.ghosttour.com/philadelphia.html
