Spooky Specials in the Mid-Atlantic

(October 2022) – Travel throughout Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia to find the most ghoulish and gruesome attractions that All Hallows’ Eve has to offer. Get your spook on with spine-tingling ghost tours and thrills at haunted sites, or attend a spooky event! For those looking for a less eerie Halloween, check out family-friendly corn mazes and pumpkin patches, or plan a road trip to check out the best local candy stores and chocolate shops. There’s enough tricks and treats for everyone across the Mid-Atlantic.

For more information on any of the following, contact the destination marketing organization listed below. For general information on the Mid-Atlantic, visit MATPRA.org.

 

DELAWARE

Greater Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley
Be part of an actual paranormal investigation at Fort Delaware. Well known for its hauntings, this former Union fortress on Pea Patch Island once housed as many as 12,000 Confederate prisoners at one time. Head over to Historic New Castle for a tour of its cobbled streets and a glimpse into its darker side. Who knows? You may encounter the “Woman in Blue.” Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jennifer Boes, VisitWilmingtonDE.com, [email protected]

 

MARYLAND

Allegany
Taking a show on the road and putting the “fun” into funeral, a theatre group in Allegany County, The Mountain Side of Maryland, escorts participants of the “Not So Spooky Ghost Tours” on a guided walking tour through Cumberland’s favorite haunts. These family-friendly tours are offered on Thursdays in October. Allegany County, The Mountain Side of Maryland, Mindy Bianca, MDMountainSide.com, [email protected]

 

Baltimore
The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival celebrates Baltimore’s icon of macabre every October with performances, art, vendors and food. Highlights of Poe Fest include the Black Cat Ball, a cognac and roses graveside masquerade, Poe impersonators and a tour of Poe’s Baltimore. Visit Baltimore, Tracey Johnson, Baltimore.org, [email protected] 

Calvert
Join us for a family-friendly Halloween festival at Annmarie Sculpture Garden, a beautiful 30 acre park.  More than 50 local businesses and organizations will be here handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and more! Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Hilary Dailey, ChooseCalvert.com, [email protected] 

Harford
Do you believe in ghosts? Find out if you do when you journey back in time to experience the tales of Bel Air’s spooky history during their Haunts and History Walking Tours. Need less of a scare? Pumpkinfest at Falling Branch has scarecrow making, corn mazes, and hayrides every October weekend. Visit Harford, Matthew Scales, VisitHarford.com, [email protected] 

Maryland (State of)
Hocus pocus, haunts and howls abound this October in Maryland. Run amok across the state with ghost tours through historic towns, giant corn mazes and frightful attractions for all ages. Maryland Office of Tourism, Claire Aubel, VisitMaryland.org, [email protected]

Prince George’s
Once upon a time, in an eerily dark setting flanked by goblins and ghouls, gremlins and ghosts, the thrills and chills of Halloween came to life! Enjoy a sweet, and spooky great time at Six Flags of America Fright Fest, Laurel’s House of Horror, National Harbor’s Halloween, and our farms packed with festive, family fun! Experience Prince George’s, Kaletha Henry, ExperiencePrinceGeorges.com, [email protected] 

Talbot
Each fall, throngs of kids and young-at-heart ring in fall at Councell Farms in Easton. In the Field of Fun, kids enjoy the combine harvester slide, scarecrow slingshot, straw maze graveyard, and jumping pillow. Adults select fall decorations from numerous varieties of pumpkins and gourds, Indian corn, and mums. Talbot County Office of Economic Development and Tourism, Krista Boothby, TourTalbot.org, [email protected] 

Wicomico
Celebrate Halloween with fun, family-friendly activities in Wicomico County. New this year is a Fall Fest & Trunk-Or-Treat at Pemberton Park, and the Salisbury Zoo will also host its annual events. Pick a pumpkin at one of many farm markets, and enjoy festivities at Wright’s Market and Adkins Farm Market. Maryland’s Wicomico County, Vanessa Junkin, WicomicoTourism.org, [email protected]

 

PENNSYLVANIA         

Allegheny National Forest Region
October is fall foliage season! The Kinzua Sky Walk and the scenic byways within the Allegheny National Forest offer stunning vistas in northwestern Pennsylvania. Visit the dungeon of the McKean County Jail for a spooky introduction to their resident ghost. Download seven scenic driving tours and color-coded map from on our website. Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, Linda Devlin, VisitANF.com, [email protected] 

Bradford
Head to Towanda when The Keystone Theatre presents “Hale’s Haunted Weekend”  October 21-23 – a ghost walk and live performance event!  Enjoy spooky fun on guided one-hour tours to discover the ghosts, legends, and lore of some of Towanda’s most famous (and infamous!) residents. Then experience the comedy play: “Blithe Spirit” live onstage at the historic theater. Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency, Morgan Christopher, VisitBradfordCounty.com, [email protected] 

Columbia-Montour
Every October, when crisp fall winds begin to blow and Halloween approaches, Knoebels Amusement Resort transforms into a spooktacular place for ghosts and ghouls of all ages! Get in the spirit of the season during the park’s Hallo-Fun weekends; experience tasty seasonal treats, thrilling games, spooky rides, and fall fun. Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, Linda Sones, ITourColumbiaMontour.com, [email protected] 

Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania
Discover one of the Endless Mountains favorite Halloween thrills when you take part in a Ghost Walk at the historic Old Mill Village in Susquehanna County! Take a spine-tingling nighttime candlelight tour of the Village, while being thrilled by tales of ghosts and hauntings from our area and around PA. Your shivers will not be from the chilly weather! Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Morgan Christopher, EndlessMountains.org, [email protected] 

Erie
Get spooked in Erie Pa! Eerie Horror Film Fest, ZooBoo, Haunted History Tours of Union Station, Candlelight Historical Ghost Walks, Sparrow Pond Haunted Hayride/Walk of Darkness, Axe Murder Hollow Escape Game and more! Visit Erie, Christine Temple, VisitErie.com, [email protected]

Juniata River Valley
Get ready for a full day of fall fun! Wind your way through the complex paths of At the Barnyard Corn Maze before relaxing on a scenic hayride around the farm in their wheelchair-accessible, covered wagon. Be sure to visit the pumpkin patch to pick your own perfect pumpkin and the play yard for even more fun times! Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, Buffie Boyer, JRVVisitors.com, [email protected]

Laurel Highlands
Ever had a nightmare about having to “place the lotion in the basket?” You can do just that at Buffalo Bill’s House, the property featured in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Owned by a horror-movie lover, it’s open for tours, features a replica of the basement pit and offers overnight stays. GO Laurel Highlands, Eric Knopsnyder, GoLaurelHighlands.com, [email protected]

 

Lawrence
Haunted Hill View Manor offers paranormal investigations and tours of a former nursing home /poor farm built in 1926. In the month of October the back yard is transformed into Scare Manor which consists of a Haunted House and grass maze field behind the main building.Visit Lawrence County, Janet Falotico, VisitLawrenceCounty.com, [email protected]

Lehigh Valley
Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton come with their share of ghost stories. Stay in a haunted or spot the former hostess haunting the lobby of Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Avoid the random swinging doors at The Museum of Indian Culture or hear the footsteps of “J. Fred Osterstock” at the State Theatre. Discover Lehigh Valley, Alicia Quinn, DiscoverLehighValley.com, [email protected] 

Potter-Tioga
Take a truly terrifying stroll through a section of the Austin Dam Memorial Park if you dare!!!! There will be ghosts and ghouls lurking around each turn, in every shadow, to show you their scariest scares!!!! Head to Potter County October 21st and 22nd to be part of this fun event. A Halloween themed movie will be projected on the Dam as well! Visit Potter-Tioga, Morgan Christopher, VisitPotterTioga.com, [email protected] 

Raystown Region
Visit the Raystown Region this fall for a hauntingly good time! Experience Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks’ Ghost and Goblins Tour, ride the Phantom Trolley at the Rockhill Trolley Museum, and visit Fort Roberdeau for their haunted Halloween Adventures. Find these and more on our website. Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Matt Price, Raystown.org, [email protected]

 

VIRGINIA

Hampton
Have a frightfully fun October in Hampton! Get ready for the return of Hampton Horror Tours from October 25-30. These ghastly tours include eerie tales of Old Hampton and the Coastal Virginia area. Visitors can also enjoy the spooky Fort Monroe Ghost Walk, Where History Meets Mystery from October 21-23. Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau, Mahogany Waldon, VisitHampton.com, [email protected]  

Shenandoah
As if giant parade floats weren’t scary enough in the dark, be prepared for ghouls and goblins at every turn! It’s a real scream! American Celebration on Parade at Shenandoah Caverns turns into a 40,000 square foot haunted attraction on American Fright Night during weekends in October. Check out our website for dates and times. Visit Shenandoah County, Brenda Black, VisitShenandoahCounty.com, [email protected] 

Stafford
Get costume ready in Stafford, VA. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and come ready to run! Change into your lederhosen or fall attire and attend multiple Oktoberfests, fall festivals, and events. Experience the crisp fall weather and celebrate cooler temperatures in Stafford with local events happening every weekend. Tour Stafford Virginia, Courtney Swenson, TourStaffordVA.com, [email protected]

Staunton
Black Raven Paranormal’s Ghosts of Staunton Tours explore the most haunted spots by candlelight. Not only will you learn the best places for sightings in this “hub for paranormal activity,” you’ll get a healthy dose of history as well. Discover the ghostly tales about eerie spirits lurking in Staunton, VA. Staunton, VA, Jessica Williams, VisitStaunton.com, [email protected]

 

Virginia’s Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge Nightmares, a new haunted attraction in Roanoke where a 60,000 sq. ft. warehouse is transformed into a city with its own characters and story. Created by Anthony Giordano, a Hollywood designer who worked on multiple Academy Award nominated projects and specializes in makeup, special effects, and costuming. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Kathryn Lucas, VisitVBR.com, [email protected] 

Waynesboro
If you’re looking for a fright, check out Madame Redrum’s Nine Gates of Doom for a haunted house experience you won’t soon forget. For a more family-friendly fall adventure, visit Troyer’s Fruit and Produce Farm for a pumpkin patch and corn maze, or the 6-acre Skeeter’s Cornmaze at Creative Works Farm, along with other fall-themed things to do. Visit Waynesboro, Jennifer Kiser, VisitWaynesboro.com, [email protected] 

Williamsburg
From terrifying haunted houses to frightful ghost tours, round up your crew, and check out some of Williamsburg’s most thrilling and chilling events of the season. Varying degrees of bravery are required at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream, and with all of the area’s history, guided ghost tours allow you to explore the haunted streets of the region under a cloak of darkness. Visit Williamsburg VA, VisitWilliamsburg.com, [email protected]

Take a look at even more images from across the Mid-Atlantic. Please be sure to provide photo credit to the appropriate DMO.

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About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance

The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The group serves travel journalists by creating a regional resource that ignores geographical boundaries to better promote common threads, offering story ideas about the Mid-Atlantic region as a whole. For more information, visit MATPRA.org.