It’s Scare Season! Where to Go for the Best Fall Frights
The nights are longer and there’s a chill in the air… it’s almost Halloween!! And that means scare season for local haunt actors Stacey Federoff and Dave Archer. They’re sharing their love of the holiday, which area haunts are worth a day trip from Pittsburgh, and how you and your friends can safely (and creepily?!) experience the frights and delights of their favorite “haunted” attractions.
This is episode is the second in a three-part series on the best fall getaways in our region.
For hard-core horror lovers:
- Chippewa Lake — east of Akron, Ohio (former slaughterhouse)
- Field of Screams — outside of Lancaster, PA, near Hershey
- Crawford School of Terror — Connellsville, PA
Less scary, still fun:
- Rich’s Fright Farm — Smithfield PA in Fayette County
- Factory of Terror — Canton, Ohio (excellent themed haunts like Friday 13th/Valentine’s Day/St. Patrick’s Day, and there are bars inside the haunt)
Quikiest:
- Hopewell Windmill — Beaver County, PA (mini golf and ice cream)
- Freddy’s Haunt — Beaver County, PA (Stacey’s favorite for 90s feel)
Kid-friendly:
- Haunted Hills Hayride — North Versailles, PA
- Castle Blood — Monessen, PA (theatrical vignettes in a former funeral home)
- Hobgoblin Hikes — Westmoreland County Parks
- Hallowboo at Idlewild — Ligonier, PA
- Kennywood Fall Fest — West Mifflin, PA
- ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium — Highland Park
- Boo Barn at Triple B Farms — Monongahela, PA
Best destination haunts:
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum — Weston, WV
- The Dungeon in West Virginia Penitentiary — Moundsville, WV
- Eastern State Penitentiary — Philadelphia, PA
- Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios — Orlando, Fla., or Hollywood, CA (as Dave says, the grand-daddy of all haunts)
- Knott’s (Scary) Berry Farm — Buena Park, CA
Want some more Pittsburgh news?
- Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
- We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!
- Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Lion McBaby Face, Catena’s Defeat & Inclusionary Zoning Returns
A new iteration of Pittsburgh’s contentious inclusionary zoning policy is headed back to the City Planning Commission. City Cast’s Megan...
Who Wins Summer in the USA? Pittsburgh Makes Its Case
City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris,...
Sara Innamorato on Paid Leave, Term Limits, and a Fancy New Hotel
Allegheny County could become the first in the U.S. to require 18 weeks of paid parental leave for all employees. County Executive Sara I...
What's On Your Primary Ballot?
It's primary election day! Local voters are being asked to weigh in on one ballot measure: If Pittsburgh loses its print newspapers, shou...
Pittsburgh's Dangerous Drop in Vaccination Rates
Measles is on the rise across the U.S., and experts say outbreaks aren't hypothetical anymore. At least 40,000 PA students are missing re...
'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Would Pittsburgh be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more...
Tattoo Regulations, Steelers in Paris & Debating the Essence of Sheetz
Allegheny County Council is taking steps to oust Pat Catena as the group's president, after his campaign sent out a mailer claiming his o...
Can Pittsburgh Fix Its Budget Problems?
City Controller Rachael Heisler has been sounding the alarm on Pittsburgh's budget for actual years, and her latest report shows the city...
Mid-Century Sleepover, Tiki Cruise & More Pittsburgh Milestone Birthday Ideas
Got a big birthday coming up? Sure, you could make a fancy dinner reservation, but there are so many more exciting ways to celebrate. The...
What To Eat (and Avoid) at PNC Park
Let's be honest, the Pirates aren't always the main draw at PNC Park. Many of us go for the views, the pierogi race, and inventive ballpa...