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Hayrides, Haunted Happenings and Treats Galore: Why You'll Fall in Love with Pittsburgh this October!

Hayrides, Haunted Happenings and Treats Galore: Why You'll Fall in Love with Pittsburgh this October!

Along with the return of those football and hockey seasons that we’ve been yearning for, the season of pumpkin-everything and spooky some things is upon us. What better way to celebrate fall than by taking in some of our city’s fabulous fall festivities? This fall (and anytime of the year) Pittsburgh is the place to be! From fall festivals to haunted happenings and trick-or-treat days galore, there truly is something for everyone in the Pittsburgh region.

Here are just a few of our favorite fall activities around Pittsburgh:

If you own a home in downtown Pittsburgh or one of the surrounding suburbs, you’re bound to be close to a family-owned orchard or farm, which are also known as the perfect places to enjoy fall festivities! Around Pittsburgh, there are countless fall festivals going on from now through the fall season. Check out some of the local festivals and find even more around the city:

1. Soergel Orchards: Just north of Pittsburgh in Wexford, Soergel Orchards hosts a down-home fall festival each weekend that includes hay rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin picking and fresh apple cider.

2. Trax Farm: In the heart of Pittsburgh’s south hills, Trax Farm has been welcoming families in the fall for 45 years! Their annual festival includes pumpkin picking, pony rides and live music.

3. Schramm’s Farm: For caramel apples, cornstalks and gourds galore, visit Schramm’s Farm just east of downtown Pittsburgh. Their annual fall festival truly has something for everyone!

4. Janoski’s Farms: West of Pittsburgh in Clinton, Janoski’s Farms offers Pumpkinland for kids of all ages. A haunted barn, straw jump and farm market are just a few of the events for visitors to enjoy.

5. Seven Springs: In Pittsburgh’s Laurel Highlands, Seven Springs Mountain Resort offers Autumnfest, an event full of music, arts, crafts and artisans. For resort-style fun this fall, head to Seven Springs.

From farm fresh to frightening, Pittsburgh is a hot spot for haunted Halloween happenings: 

1. Terror Town: Downtown Pittsburgh’s Strip District offers haunted underground fun in the indoor Terror Town. It’s 30,000 square-feet of spine-tingling excitement!

2. The Scarehouse: This nationally-acclaimed haunted house is just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. Haunters work year-round to make this seasonal show a frightening favorite!

3. Kennywood Park’s Phantom Fright Nights: It doesn’t get any more Pittsburgh than Kennywood Park. In time for the Halloween season, the already-thrilling theme park turns up the scare factor with haunted fall fun. 

4. Haunted Pittsburgh Tours: Forget Pittsburgh’s north and south sides while exploring the city’s dark side on a haunted walking tour. With tales of ghosts and demons along the way, they’re packed with history and eerie fall fun!

5. Hundred Acres Manor: Deemed one of America’s scariest Halloween attractions by the Travel Channel, Hundred Acres Manor has mastered the science of the scare! If spook-tacular fun is for you, dare to enter Hundred Acres Manor this fall.

If farm festivals and haunted houses are not your cup of pumpkin spice latte, there are a multitude of other things to do in and around Pittsburgh this fall:

1. Fort Ligonier Days: This annual celebration of history lasts this weekend only and commemorates the French and Indian War with a living history encampment, battle reenactment and parade.

2. Zoo Boo at the Pittsburgh Zoo: Things are sure to get wild this fall at the Pittsburgh Zoo! Zoo Boo is a costume-friendly event where children can collect candy, compete in a costume contest and visit animal exhibits, all for the cost of general admission.

3. Spooky Science Sleepover: Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center promises frightening family fun with a Halloween laser show and live science demonstration that will seriously make your hair stand on end. This night of scary science takes place on October 24th.

4. Monster Party Riverboat Cruise: On October 25th, the Gateway Clipper Fleet is setting sail with little witches, warlocks and other creepy creatures. The on-board costume party will cruise around Pittsburgh’s three rivers while passengers enjoy prizes and treats.

5. Fiddlesticks’ Fall Festival: The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra gets festive with their Fiddlesticks concert series on October 18th. The kid-friendly selections include majestic music from Harry Potter and Disney’s Fantasia, along with other fall favorites.  

How can you possibly take advantage of all that Pittsburgh has to offer this fall? Start early!  Because, while all of these fall events may be full of frightening fun… they won’t last long and the only frightening thing we’ll be dealing with is cold winter weather!