With deep-rooted history, cobblestone streets, and centuries-old landmarks, Philadelphia is a hotspot for spooky tales and paranormal encounters. As Halloween approaches, thrill-seekers and history buffs alike are on the hunt for the city’s most haunted spots, from eerie cemeteries to legendary ghost tours that bring Philly’s chilling past to life. If you’re looking for a fright-filled night out, Philly PR Girls has you covered with a roundup of the best haunted locations and ghost tours to explore this Halloween season.
Eastern State Penitentiary’s Halloween Nights
2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(Photo credit: Visit Philadelphia)
Each fall, Eastern State Penitentiary transforms after dark for Halloween Nights, one of Philly’s most iconic attractions and the nation’s largest haunted house. The historic prison, once home to criminals like Willie Sutton and Al Capone, spans 11 acres with haunted houses, walking tours, immersive light displays, ghost stories by the fire, spooky bars, and Triple Bottom Brewing’s Fair Chance Beer Garden. New for 2025 are Dark Tides, set in a chilling abandoned fishing village, and Apocalypse Pass, an adrenaline-fueled experience filled with jump scares. With a new hybrid layout designed for guests to freely explore without a guide, the Penitentiary is promising shorter wait times.
Lincoln Mill Haunted House
Lincoln Mill Haunted House, 4100 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA
(Photo Credit: Lincoln Mill Haunted House Official Website)
Lincoln Mill Haunted House holds a chilling tale: after flooding from Hurricane Ida in 2021, a secret basement chamber revealed bodies, uncovering the mill’s dark past. Step inside the 160-year-old abandoned Manayunk mill and experience the spirits of workers tormented a century ago by the disturbed owner Viktor Kane. Visitors can expect scare actors, elaborate sets, animatronics, and special effects, with all-new props, characters, and scenes for 2025.
Grim Philly Tours
599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
(Photo Credit: Showpass)
Led by historians and professors, the adults-only Grim Philly Tours offer two deeply researched excursions throughout Old City. The R-rated “Dark Philly Adult Night Tour” wanders Old City landmarks while sharing risqué tales of ghosts, vampires, blackmail, espionage, and murder dating back to the Founding Fathers. Meanwhile, the “True Crime Philadelphia: Cemetery & History Tour” blends real-life crime stories with history, exploring serial killings and infamous criminals at sites like Elfreth’s Alley and Benjamin Franklin’s Grave.
Philly Ghosts
Address varies based on tour
(Photo Credit: US Ghost Adventures)
Philly Ghosts offers three unique haunted walks, each with its own eerie vibe. The Phantoms of Philadelphia tour begins at Washington Square and explores the dark history of Old City through haunted buildings, cobblestone streets, and ghostly landmarks, lasting 60–90 minutes depending on the route. For those who like their scares with a splash, the Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl mixes chilling tales with spirited stops at Independence Beer Garden, City Tavern, and Independence Hall. Finally, thrill-seekers can join the Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour, a two-hour late-night experience starting at 10 p.m. that dives deeper into the city’s most spine-tingling stories and encounters.
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia
434-498 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
(Photo Credit: Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Explore the hidden streets and secret gardens of Independence National Historical Park, Old City, and Society Hill by candlelight on the Ghost Tour of Philadelphia. From William Penn’s era to the Founding Fathers, hear chilling stories and see where the bodies were literally buried. Costumed guides bring tales of villains, tragedies, and plagues to life as you wander haunted burial grounds, back alleys, and historic sites, inspired by the book Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA. Tours depart from Signers Garden at 5th and Chestnut Streets.
Terror Beyond the Walls Trolley Tour
21 South 5th Street in front of the Bourse Building
(Photo Credit: Top 10 Adventures)
Enjoy a trolley tour with City Sightseeing Philadelphia for their Terror Beyond the Walls excursion. This 90-minute Halloween tour takes you through Philadelphia’s most terrifying spots aboard a trolley decked out in spooky décor. Along the way, make two surprise stops to explore on foot while hearing stories of ghostly encounters. Visit the historic home of Edgar Allan Poe and wander the burial grounds for an unforgettable Halloween adventure!
Philadelphia has no shortage of haunted spots and spooky tours to explore this Halloween season! From historic cemeteries and abandoned mills to ghost tours and candlelit city walks, there are experiences for everyone who is looking for a fright or historical knowledge of the city. This season, take the time to explore the city’s haunted past and discover the stories that have lingered in history books for centuries.
