Top Halloween-Themed Events In Philadelphia
Fall brings in cooler weather, school, less sunlight and sometimes, the sad reminder of the approach of winter. But the best part of the doom and gloom is Halloween. Philly has numerous events all month long throughout the city. You can find spooktacular shows, tours, family-friendly events and pub crawls to enhance every aspect of your Halloween spirit.
Boo at the Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 243-5254
www.philadelphiazoo.org
Date: Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26, 2014
The Philadelphia Zoo gets into the spirit of Halloween with Boo at the Zoo. Take the family for a masquerade party and trick-or-treating adventure. There are also numerous activities including storytelling, a scarecrow scavenger hunt, crafts and music. Kids can tour the "extinction graveyard" and learn about animals that have become extinct and how some species we know today will be extinct one day. The Philadelphia Zoo is located just 15 minutes from Center City and is open from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission costs about $18-$20 (children 2 and under are free).
The Count's Halloween Spooktacular
Sesame Place
100 Sesame Road
Langhorne, PA 19047
(866) 464-3566
www.sesameplace.com
Date: Now through Oct. 26, 2014
For family fun in the fall, take your little goblins to Sesame Place. Every fall, the theme park gets a Halloween makeover for the Count's Halloween Spooktacular with spooky lights and pumpkins -- but nothing too scary, of course. Guests can trick or trick throughout the park, dance the night away and play on the rides. While water rides are closed, the new Cookie Monster's Monster Land is open. Kids and adults alike can enjoy hayrides, a Halloween maze, pumpkin painting and Halloween-themed Sesame Street shows. Pass members can enjoy 30-percent-off merchandise and food.
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Halloween Tours & Events at Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19132
(215) 228-8200
www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org
Date: Oct., 2014
Take a nighttime tour of the city's oldest graveyard complete with spooky stories in honor of Halloween. In fact, Laurel Hill Cemetery is full of history and events during the whole month of October. Early in the month, you can visit for an outdoor movie under the stars ($10), "Cinema at the Cemetery," or take the family for "Groovin in the Graveyard," a concert with family activities for the kids for $5 a person. Live theater takes the stage in mid-October for "Over my Dead Body," a murder mystery whodunit. A candlelit show will delight and maybe even terrify you as you search the cemetery for clues on Thursday and Friday, October 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. Cost is $35 but includes wine, beer and other refreshments. "The Soul Crawl" is a tour of the cemetery at Laurel Hill on October 17 and 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.; cost is $20 and includes the historic tour and apple cider and cookies.
Spirit of Philadelphia Boos & Brews Halloween Dinner Cruise
401 S. Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(866) 394-8439
www.spiritcruises.com
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
Bob along in the waters of the Delaware on the Spirit of Philadelphia for a late night cruise with a Halloween theme. The Boos & Brews cruise provides entertainment complete with DJ, dancing and costume contest. This cruise will have a beef and beer buffet, which will feature salads, pasta, beef ribs and a build-your-own cheesesteak station. Also included is an open bar for beer, wine, juice and soda. The cruise is for guests 21 and over (must have valid ID) and costs $66.90 a person. It sets sail from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; boarding is at 7 p.m.
Terror Behind the Walls
Eastern State Penitentiary
22nd and Fairmount Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 236-3300
www.easternstate.org
Date: Now through Nov. 2, 2014
Even though this is presented as a tour of the prison, there are approximately 200 actors to make sure you get your scare on. The former jail, which still may be home to the souls of former inmates, gets a Halloween makeover with six main attractions complete with animatronics, lights and props to take the already scary place to a new level. The price of admission will vary whether you go during the week or on the weekend and the closer it gets to Halloween.
Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.
