Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble; as Halloween approaches, you’re bound to get a different kind of thrill at Pennsylvania’s amusement parks as they transform into spine-tingling attractions for everyone to enjoy — if they dare! From family-friendly trick-or-treating to after-dark rollercoasters, PA’s parks offer something for everyone to enjoy this hair-raising holiday. Check out our roundup of the spookiest events below.
HallowBOO! At Idlewild & SoakZone
Recognized as the Best Children's Park by Amusement Today, Idlewild Park invites you to enjoy a kid-friendly Halloween with trick-or-treating through Story Book Forest, live entertainment, costumed characters, themed rides and a hay bale maze.
When: October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
Where: Ligonier
Cost: TBD
Hersheypark In The Dark
Experience sweets, treats, and front row seats at Hersheypark In The Dark! Trick-or-treat your way through Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World before ending the night riding any or all of the park’s 13 rollercoasters. If creepy crawlers are more your thing, then bring your flashlight for a tour of Creatures Of The Night at ZooAmerica! Watch the wolves howl at the moon, see the bears devour pumpkins, and hang out with the bats at their favorite hour! Explore ZooAmerica to get a rare glimpse into the nighttime habits of your favorite animals.Don't miss the three sweetest weekends of fall!
When: Weekends October 18 - November 3
Where: Hershey
Cost: $19.17 - $41.95 (Children under 2 are free)
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom
Dorney Park transforms into Halloween Haunt in the fall! For a spooky good time, head to the park for haunted mazes, scare zones, rides, and monsters prowling the park. Don’t forget to come dressed in your costume! (Halloween Haunt is not recommended for children ages 13 or younger.)
When: Select nights Sept. 14 - Nov. 2
Where: Allentown
Cost: $42 - $130
Ghost Lake at Conneaut Lake Park
Check with your cardiologist before attempting the 13 Levels of Fear at Ghost Lake at Conneaut Lake Park — one the longest and scariest Halloween attractions in the world! With more than 160 live creatures, you’ll be sure to be spooked as you go through different levels like Devil's Den, Death Row, Phobia, Scaryland Forest, and Dark Circus.
When: Sept 20th - Oct 27th
Where: Conneaut Lake
Cost: $10-$25
Sesame Place Halloween Spooktacular
Celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Come in costume and enjoy three special Halloween-themed shows; soar, swing, fly, and cruise on four Count von Count-themed mechanical rides; and see everyone’s favorite furry friends dressed up in costume. Everyone will love, the Neighborhood Street Party Halloween Parade, which features 10 fantastic floats all decked out for the season with music and dancing.
When: Sept. 21 - Nov. 3
Where: Langhorne
Cost: $49.99 - $69.99 (Children 1 and under are free)
Hallo-fun Weekends at Knoebels
Every year when the crisp fall winds begin to blow and Halloween approaches, Knoebels transforms into a spooktacular place for ghosts and ghouls of all ages. Visitors can experience tasty treats, thrilling games, freaktastic attractions, and, of course, a selection of Knoebels hallow-riffic rides. There are gentle haunts, scary attractions, and treats to suit everyone’s taste. There are special treat stops for children ages 12 and under who come in costume!
When: Oct. 11-27
Where: Elysburg
Cost: $15 - $36
Happy Hauntings at Kennywood
With the sweet smell of fall in the air, Kennywood transforms into a festival of fun! Pumpkins replace flowers, and cornstalks sprout up throughout the park. Young riders can enjoy Kiddieland and favorites such as the Merry-Go-Round, Auto Race, and Jack Rabbit. Plus Thomas TownTM, hay-rides, and pumpkin decorating are available to enjoy the spooky season!
When: TBD
Where: West Mifflin
Cost: $15.99 for general admission, $15.00 for groups of 10 or more.
Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland
With more than 30 themed rides and family-friendly attractions, Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland is a fun, fall family event featuring themed rides, special entertainment, tasty treats, and the Trick-or-Treat Trail.
When: Oct. 19 - Nov. 3
Where: Lancaster
Cost: $25.99 (Children 2 and under are free)
To learn more about haunted places in PA, check out visitPA.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state.