Everyone knows that October means preparing to have the spooks scared out of you. Red corn syrup, squeaky doors and Michael Myers-look-alikes aside, October is perfect for scaredy cats, too. Only minutes from Philadelphia are some of the best pumpkin patches, corn mazes and, yes, "haunted" hayrides. Even those who can’t handle the sight of a bride with a hammer in her neck will enjoy this October’s patch of events.
For A Classic Scare 
Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls
Most of us have attended this tour inside of a haunted prison (we’re talking really, haunted–History Channel haunted). It’s a Halloween tradition around here to learn Eastern State’s past with historian staff members and real videos, to run through old prison cells full of dead inmates ghosts and to stand outside in the prison yard waiting for your turn to be spooked. If you’ve visited the Eastern State Penitentiary before, don’t let that stop you from stepping foot into this creepy jail in 2008; they’ve expanded the Intake portion of the tour (where you are taken to the processing center and treated like a convict–fun!). 7pm, $20 – $35
Fright Factory
In its eight years, the Fright Factory, one of the nation’s eight scariest haunts, is preparing to mess with your mind. Take a trip through Horror High where students-turned-zombies will follow you around just like your principal did. Walk (or run) through the insane asylum, where patients have taken over and tortured the hospital’s staff to death; angry ghosts now roam the halls torturing the living. Try to avoid the Dead Sea pirates who are out to find the best new ship crew to take aboard. $25 – $35
Marlborough Valley
Don’t let this farm fool you with all its hayrides, pumpkin patches, pumpkin picking, petting zoo, barbecue and cotton candy. The moment the sun hits the ground, Marlborough Valley transforms into a Jeepers Creepers nightmare. With its haunted hayride, and haunted woods, make sure the pumpkin you’re picking doesn’t belong to a headless horseman. Feeling even more daring? Explore the corn maze with only a flashlight to guide you. We hope you make it out. $7 – $8
For Skittish Kiddies
Philadelphia Ghost Tour
Having a lonely candle in any setting is scary enough to get us shivering, but if you’re daring enough then tour spooky historic Philadelphia in this 90-minute Ghost Tour, which starts at Signers Garden at 5th and Chestnut streets and continues with real ghost stories. Walk through Philadelphia’s haunted houses and burial sites with a dimly lit candle tour of one of America’s most haunted cities. The same streets where murders and ghostly happenings occurred will give you one of the spookiest educational experiences you’ve ever had. 7:30pm, $8 – $15
Reading Terminal Harvest Festival
Who needs to go to the ‘burbs to hit the hayrides and pumpkin patches? If you can’t bring yourself to the farm, then bring the farm to you. The Reading Terminal will be closing off traffic in the city to bring Philadelphians some rural farm goods on Oct. 18, 10am - 4pm. You and your family can enjoy hayrides, tractor rides, hot apple cider and a chance to pick out that perfect pumpkin to place on your doorstep. Free
For Terrifying Tours
Traveling the city streets at night may be nothing new to you, but traveling them at night in search of the Spirits of 76′, now that’s festive. Visit more than 20 sites including City Tavern, Edgar Allen Poe Historical Site, St. Peter’s Church & Cemetery and Library Hall and learn about spooky stories, scary film sets and freaky facts. This haunted tour will show you a side of the city you’ll wish you never knew about. 7:30pm, $12 – $18
For Creepy Culture
You already know the endings to your favorite Halloween films, but now you can support local horror independent filmmakers with their take on insane characters, frightening plot lines and bloody actors. Get freaked out in a weeklong event, completely dedicated to scary movies. Catch these up-and-coming directors and possibly witness the first Philly-based public screening of the next M. Night Shyamalan or Alfred Hitchcock during the Terror Film Festival. Oct. 21 – 25, $17 – $37
AroundPhilly Staff
