Annual Halloween Activities in Erie Pennsylvania
While Erie is known for its maritime history during the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813, its shipping and manufacturing status since 1801, and scenic Presque Isle State Park; Pennsylvania’s third- (or fourth-, depending on whom you ask) largest city is also loaded with fun things to do year-round and the Halloween season is no exception.
Erie gets into the “spirit” a few months early. From June through September the Erie County Historical Society conducts their Erie’s Ghosts and Legends Tour every Friday night. Focused around Erie’s unique history, this guided walking tour takes you through downtown Erie’s mysterious locations where you can hear the legend of “Mad” Anthony Wayne, stand at the site of Erie’s first and last execution, and walk the path of the city’s deadliest natural disaster. Your guide will explain the bizarre details around the city’s earliest executions, murder in cold blood and vanishing corpses. It is a reasonably priced night of fright for only $8 for adults and $4 for children.
Valley of the Ghouls Haunted House is Erie’s best and scariest haunted house held each year at the Belle Valley Fire Department. The haunted house is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in October from 7:30pm-11:00pm and boasts inside waiting with seating, snack bar and bathrooms. Monday, October 30th, the haunted house will be open again and also have a special musical guest. The price is $5.00.
Adults in and near Erie, PA can feel the fright this Halloween season at the Girard Cemetery Ghost Tour on October 13th and 14th. Tours depart from the Hazel Kibler Museum on Main Street at 7:30pm, 9:00pm, 10:30pm and midnight. This year’s tour features new stories and some new spooky surprises; adults are urged to attend. This tour is not for young children, and the museum is holding a special supervised “Pirates of the Caribbean Party” for kids 10 and under during the 7:30pm and 9:00pm tours. The cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids.
October 13th, 20th, and 27th the Erie County Historical Society continues their journey through the unknown with their Horse-Drawn Mystery Tour. Tours depart the Watson-Curtze Mansion on West Sixth Street and head downtown stopping at sites of bizarre happenstance and spiritual unrest. Donuts, cider and pumpkins are provided. Seating is limited; please call 814-454-1813, extension 0 to make a reservation.
Children under 12 years of age in and around the Erie area can participate in the “Eeeeerie” Zoo’s ZooBoo which runs from October 13th – 30th. Between 6:00 to 9:00 every night children and their families can trick-or-treat their way through the zoo and also visit seasonal attractions like the Corn Maze, Talking Pumpkin, Monkey Maze funhouse and Dizzy Dragon ride. Kids can also paint a pumpkin to take home, and get their faces painted. Don’t forget to see if you can answer the ZooBoo Troll’s questions to gain entrance to the Children’s Zoo via the bridge. The zoo also has moonlit rides on the “Scariland Express” and of course, all of our animal friends are there too. The price for adults is $4.50, for children 2-11 $3.00 and children under 2 are free. Zoo members have the option of purchasing tickets in advance for $3.50 for adults and $2.00 for children. This will get you in through the express (no waiting) entrance on ZooBoo night.
The Erie Children’s Museum’s Halloween Extravaganza on October 21st from 11:00am – 3:00pm is great fun for little ones. In addition to current museum exhibits, children will also be able to create their own Halloween crafts to take home. This is free with the regular $4.50 admission and completely free for Children’s Museum members.
The Erie Planetarium is also getting in on the fun with their Erie Legends program on October 27th, 28th and 30th. Shows at 7:00pm and 8:00pm promise an adventure through Erie’s unknown. The price is $4.00 per person and reservations are required. Call 814-454-1813, extension 0.
If you are in the Erie area be sure not to miss any of the fun and have a great Halloween!
