For some, Halloween is all about experiencing the scare of a lifetime, but we know our littlest travelers want the fun of fall without the fright. From spooky-themed amusement parks to pumpkin picking, kids (and kids-at-heart) can take in the season with some not-so scary thrills.
1. Hallo-Fun Weekends at Knoebels Amusement Resort
Elysburg
Every October when the crisp fall winds begin to blow and Halloween approaches, Knoebels Amusement Resort transforms into a spooktacular place for ghosts and ghouls of all ages, Fridays through Sundays. Visitors can experience tasty treats, thrilling games, freaktastic attractions, and, of course, a selection of Knoebels hallo-riffic rides. There are gentle haunts including spook-tastic fun for ghouls of all ages on the Pioneer Train, scary attractions, and treats to suit everyone’s taste at this free admission amusement park in PA!
2. The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place
Langhorne
Celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place on select dates Sep. 13-Nov. 2 included with admission. Come in costume and enjoy special Halloween-themed shows; soar, swing, fly, and cruise on Count von Count-themed rides; and see everyone’s favorite furry friends dressed up in costume. The Sesame Street Halloween Parade features fantastic floats all decked out for the season with music and dancing that will have everyone joining in the fun.
3. Hersheypark Halloween™ | Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hershey
Explore all the chocolatey goodness of the Sweetest Place on Earth™ this Halloween! Take the Trick-or-Treat Trail through Hersheypark Halloween™, every weekend until Nov. 2, and Hershey's Chocolate World before ending the night riding some of the park’s iconic rollercoasters. The fun doesn’t stop there! Experience their brand-new ride exclusive to Hersheypark Halloween™ - Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk - where you'll journey through glowing gummies, bass-pumping beats, and over-the-top fruit-flavored mayhem.
4. Colebrookdale Railroad
Boyertown
Ride the Colebrookdale Railroad and soak in the vibrant colors of fall Reading area has to offer. For the best view, take the two-hour, round-trip journey on one of the Autumn Splendor Fall Foliage experiences, happening on select dates this season. This historic train ride for kids has plenty of family-friendly excursions the whole family will enjoy!
5. Boo at the Zoo
Philadelphia
Celebrate Halloween during three fun-filled weekends (Oct. 11-26) of costumes, festive fall treats, and ghoulish fun at the Philadelphia Zoo’s annual Halloween extravaganza, Boo at the Zoo. Come dressed in your favorite costume, trick-or-treat around the Zoo, and enjoy seasonal décor, photo opportunities, festive fall offerings, fun children’s activities, and the zoo’s amazing animals!
6. ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Pittsburgh
For the last two full weekends in October, enter not-so-scary haunt spots, create creepy crafts, be wowed with magic, and trick-or-treat your way through the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium during their kid-friendly ZooBoo. Show off your spooktacular costumes in the Halloween parade, dance, and costume contest, and be sure to watch the animals celebrate with their own Halloween-themed treats.
7. ZOOBOO at the Erie Zoo
Erie
It's about to get spoooky at the Eerie Zoo! Back by popular demand, ZooBOO at the Erie Zoo, one of the largest kid-friendly Halloween events in Erie area, returns on select dates this October! Get ready to put on your costume and explore the Zoo "Halloween style" with loads of fun events, food, and an overall grand Halloween adventure around the zoo. New this year, they are offering a Sensory Friendly Night on Oct. 16 to ensure everyone can enjoy this annual experience. There will also be a silence disco where visitors can borrow wireless headphones and dance the night away amongst the animals!
8. Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland
Lancaster
A spook-tacular kingdom awaits with more than 30 spook-tastic rides, family-friendly ghouls, ghosts, and spooks, and tasty treats galore at Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland. Follow the Trick or Treasure Trail as you soak in the colors of fall with all your royal friends at this safe, interactive trick-or-treating experience, then enjoy a ghoul-filled train ride through the park. From Not-So-Spooky Storytime to Mayhem's Hay Maze, a web of Happy Hauntings wonder awaits this October!
9. Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival
Lehighton
There's so much to see and do at the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival, open daily Sep. 27-Oct. 26. This ticketed event will let you pick pumpkins, play games and enjoy daily hayrides, great food, and all sorts of pumpkin-y fun. Be sure to visit some super cute animals at the free petting farm!
10. Family-Friendly Fall Festivals
Various Locations
From family-friendly FallFest at Shady Brook Farms in Bucks County to Evans City Pumpkinfest near Pittsburgh, the possibilities of kid-approved fall festivals in Pennsylvania are endless. Every getaway this season should have one of these fall festivals at the top of their bucket list!
11. Idlewild and SoakZone's Hallowboo
Ligonier
A fan-favorite fall fest at one of Pennsylvania’s top kids’ parks, Hallowboo at Idlewild serves up sweet treats, storybook characters, and spooky-fun surprises all season long. Meet Daniel Tiger, Cinderella, and Duke the Dragon, then hit Story Book Forest for trick-or-treating and fall-themed rides. Open weekends through Oct. 26 — bring your little boos!