Guide to Annual Halloween Activities in South Western Pennsylvania

There is nothing more beautiful then fall in south western Pennsylvania, and the deep autumn colors only heightens Halloween and the traditional spooky activities surrounding it. The deep woodsy smell of wet forests is just about everywhere, and it’s not hard to spot various hues of fallen leaves that only add to the allure of Halloween, complete with ghouls lurking in the darkest realms waiting for their chance to make you scream. Haunted houses, haunted woods, hay rides, haunted amusement parks and ghost tours are plentiful as the people of this area really get into the festivities of the scariest holiday of the year. One of the most popular activities that draw people in from all over the area is Phantom Fright Nights at Kennywood Park, along with several other well planned activities designed around the Halloween theme.

Fright Night -The Phantom’s Revenge

Every fall the spirit of Halloween is brought to life as Kennywood Park gets a total face lift. Complete with monsters, ghouls, costumed actors lying in wait to creep up on you, and the traditional rides, as well as the whole park is given a horror-filled theme. This year, for only one night the park will feature the Phantom’s Free Food Frenzy on September 23rd. Tickets are $19.50, and the park stays open on Friday & Saturday nights from September 29th through October 28th. Kennywood is located at 4800 Kennywood Blvd in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. For more information go to: http://www.kennywood.com/

Hallowboo at Idlewild Park

A true Halloween adventure filled with an endless spooky itinerary of holiday activities for all ages. The park features a haunted forest that guests travel through on a slow riding train. Idlewild Park was voted at #four for the best family parks in the world. Idlewild’s most popular attractions have been completely redesigned and redecorated in a fun Halloween and fall theme with pumpkins, corn stalks and scarecrows. Ricky Raccoon and other characters and team members will don costumes and be on hand to guide families through the activities. Hallowboo opens in October from the 7th through the 29th, and tickets are $15.95. The hours of operation are from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hallowboo is located in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. http://www.idlewild.com/boo.cfm

Oil Creek & Titusville Haunted Railroad

This is like no other train ride that you have experienced. Guests will be entertained on a 27-mile ride of terror through woods that have every type of creature from a Halloween nightmare that you would expect. The train itself is a 1892 vintage freight that turns into a haunted house. Their annual scary special will be held on October 28th, and tickets are $12.00. The train is located on South Perry Street in Titusville, Pennsylvania. http://octrr.clarion.edu/index.htm

Haunted Hills Estate

Located in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the estate is situated on a hill surrounded by a haunted wood’s theme, complete with a cemetery and a challenge trail that will decide your fate. The trail is quite a distance and filled with surprises at every turn. You must be in good shape to walk the long trail, and if not they will drag you to a dark location where you may never be seen again. Rates are $13.00 per person, and this unique adventure is worth every penny. The estate also features a haunted hay ride and plenty of delicious food. http://www.adventureacres.com/hhe_default.html

Owl-O-Ween Fall Festival

The Owl-O-Ween fall festival is showing its impressive collection of feathered friends colorful enough to match the local foliage. The festival features macaws, raptors, owls, crows, and vultures and it is held every Saturday in October, with fun activities like a costume contest and a Halloween party just for kids and special treats for the birds, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the National Aviary in the West Commons in Pittsburgh. Children 12 & under who wear a bird costume gets in free! For more information go to: http://www.aviary.org/evnt/featured.php

Hobgoblin Hike

Halloween diehards can enjoy a Ã?½ mile outdoor guided hike through the haunted woods of the park on October 28th. Visitors can expect to be led through mazes and cemeteries, and past more than 100 ghouls, goblins and monsters, and best of all it’s free! The hike is located at Mount Pleasant Township, and is accessible via the Greensburg/Mt. Pleasant Road from Greensburg, Pennsylvania via routes 981 and 982 from Latrobe, Pennsylvania or Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=621820&PM=1

Hundred Acres Manor

Pittsburgh’s best and largest haunted house and activity center for celebrating Halloween in style. The mansion features themes from the Fearscapes Factory to the Black Hill Sanitarium. Massacre Mansion was once was a picturesque mansion, home to one of the most famous families, but it is now over run with specters and spirits just dying to meet you. The Manor also comes complete with a 7,500 square foot labyrinth plagued with chainsaw wielding maniacs! Your survival depends on out witting the maze. The Manor opens from September 22nd through October 29th, and tickets are $10.00 through the week, and $12.00 on the weekends. The Hundred Acres Manor is located at Hundred Acres Drive in South Park, Pennsylvania. http://www.hundredacresmanor.org/home.html

Allen’s Haunted Hayrides

This one is considered to be one of the best 30 minute hayrides and all around Halloween attractions in south western Pennsylvania. Complete with monsters hidden on a dark trail that leads you deep into a corn field, you never know what is going to jump out onto the back of your hayride or what is going to come out lurking from deep within the corn fields. Large lines can be seen at Allen’s every Halloween as he never lets guests down with his carnival rides or great food. Allen’s is also host to several huge camp sites with bon fires for roasting marshmallows or for telling ghost stories all night long. The barn at Allen’s Farm has been proclaimed as haunted by mediums from the paranormal activity that was picked up on a visit by the Angel Ladies in 2001. The hayride is located on Route 51 in Smock, Pennsylvania. The cost of tickets is $10.00 per person, and the hayrides run from the first Saturday in October to the last. For more on this annual activity go to: http://www.allenshayrides.com/