Happy fall y’all! If you are a fan of spooky season, well then do I have a treat for you! Now that the weather is finally cooling down and the leaves are beginning to change color, I have decided that it would be fitting to share all of my favorite things to do in the fall in Pittsburgh.
- Soergel Orchards
Soergel Orchards is in the North Hills of Pittsburgh in Wexford, PA. If you are from around this area of Pittsburgh, there is a good chance you have been to Soergels at some point in your life. My favorite time to visit Soergels is in the fall because of their Fall Harvest Festival. The festival at Soergels is a great family friendly event and takes place every weekend in September and October. You can take a hayride up to the pumpkin patch for artsy Instagram photos, drink seasonal ciders at Arsenal Cider House, devour delicious fall flavored foods and even visit the petting zoo! Soergel’s Fall Festival is a blast for any age group because there is so much to do!
2. Phantom Fright Nights
As the summer winds down, Kennywood starts preparing for their Phantom Fright Nights. In October, Kennywood shuts down some of their rides and recreates them into haunted attractions. If scary stuff isn’t necessarily your thing, do yourself a favor and don’t go here. If you just so happen to be the scaredy-cat of the group, you can still enjoy most of the rides and delicious food Kennywood is typically known for. Yes, you can get Potato Patch fries at Phantom Fright Night! Just be aware of your surroundings because they have scary actors popping up everywhere! Get your tickets now: https://www.kennywood.com/pfn
3. Simmons Farm
Simmons Farm is another great place for pumpkin picking and pictures! Located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh in McMurray, Simmons offers seasonal pick your own apples and pumpkins. Fall activities begin in mid-September and wrap up in the first week of November. They have plenty of activities for any age group.
4. The Scarehouse
If you are a Scarehouse fan, you may have heard that the haunted attraction is moving from its original location in Etna to the Strip District! Unfortunately due to the new construction, the Scarehouse is scheduled to return in 2020. Don’t worry though! A new Halloween attraction, The Scarehouse Scream District is slated to premiere in October 2019. The Scarehouse Scream District includes 2 new attractions for extreme thrill-seekers only: The Basement and the escape room “Stalked by the Killer.”
The Basement features a series of intense R-rated horrors that challenge the limits of fear. You must be 18+ to enter and sign a waiver. The new escape room “Stalked by a Killer,” gives you the opportunity to become the star of a horror film and escape your killer. I don’t know about you, but I will be sitting those out this year.
5. Halloween Bar Crawl
Have an awesome costume idea and want to show it off? Well Southside’s Nightmare on Carson Street Bar Crawl may be the best place to do just that! The bar crawl is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th and starts at 4 P.M. Get exclusive specials, free cover, and spooky giveaways at the South Side’s best bars. Enter the costume contest with prizes for best individual, duo, and group! Participating bars include Carson City Saloon, Wingharts, Jimmy D’s, The Flats and many more! Get your tickets today before the price goes up
6. Zoo Boo
If you weren’t able to hit the zoo this summer, don’t worry it’s still open for their Annual Zoo Boo event. Zoo Boo takes place the last two weekends in October, so you have plenty of time to make plans. This event is family friendly and great for kids! You can enjoy activities like the Halloween parade, character meet and greets, costume contest and treats throughout the park.
7. Halloween Happenings at Phipps Conservatory
Halloween Happenings is also a great alternative if you aren’t a fan of scary stuff. On October 25th you can enjoy Phipps Conservatory’s spook-tacular gardens and decor. All festive activities are free with regular admission. Phipp’s is the perfect place to get that festive Fall insta pic you’ve been dying to take.
8. Hundred Acres Manor
Pittsburgh’s Top Halloween Tradition, Hundred Acres Manor, brings you a whole new vision of horror and fun all within one haunted house in Bethel Park! This Halloween tradition features a 6 themed haunted house with add-on attractions like escape rooms, burial simulators, beer gardens AND MORE! The best part? Profits from Hundred Acres Manor helps assist local charities! Buy your tickets now: https://www.hundredacresmanor.com/tickets
9. Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tours
Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters! Pittsburgh’s Haunted Ghost Tours give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with some historical spirits. During the tour, a guide will take you to some of Pittsburgh’s most famous landmarks and share ghostly stories based on true events. You can schedule a walking tour any time from May through October, so schedule yours now before it is too late! Schedule your tour here: http://www.hauntedpittsburghtours.com/
10. Halloween Themed Pop-up Bar
If you are a die-hard Halloween fan like myself, you need to check out “Nightmare on Forbes,” a new Halloween themed pop-up bar on Forbes Avenue. The bar is all decked out for Halloween with spooky decorations and signature themed cocktails. Like Hundred Acres Manor, “Nightmare on Forbes” is pairing with local charity Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. This Halloween-themed bar will be open through Nov. 2nd.
There are plenty of things to do in Pittsburgh during the fall, and hopefully this list gives you some ideas for weekend plans. If you have any other fall favorite attractions feel free to share!
GirlzinPGH 