Frights, Screams, and Fear – A Guide to Haunted Houses and Attractions in and around Pittsburgh
by Janet Jonus
As the days get shorter and darkness falls on Western Pennsylvania, the ghosts and goblins take over to terrorize unsuspecting victims. If you love a good scare, here is the FamilyFunPittsburgh Guide to all of the Haunted Attractions we could find in our region. (If you want to add to our list, email us at [email protected] )
Face your fear and find your scare.
City
The ScareHouse is turning the Strip District into the Scream District. The traditional ScareHouse will not open this year. It has been replaced by two new scares – the Stalked by a Killer Escape Room and The Basement.
The Stalked by a Killer Escape Room is a unique scare experience. A deranged killer has trapped your group in a locked room. Can you successfully solve the puzzles and escape with your lives? Stalked by a Killer is an escape room, not a traditional haunted house. (FamilyFunPittsburgh loves escape rooms. You have to work together to solve the clues to unlock the door and escape. You have 60 minutes to do it.) Stalked by a Killer is for kids 13 and up. Anyone under the age of 16 must have a supervising, participating adult who must buy a ticket. Each group will consist of a maximum of eight people. Smaller groups will be combined. There are creepy effects and scares but NO scare actors are in the room with you. You must make reservations. Admission is $26.25 per person. Stalked by a Killer is open Thursday from 500-930PM, Friday from 100-1000PM, Saturday from 1200-1030PM, and Sunday 1200-600PM. Stalked by a Killer opens October 3rd and runs through November 3rd. 2420 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh https://www.scarehouse.com/stalkedbyakiller/
To enter The Basement you must be at least 18 years of age. It is not appropriate for FamilyFunPittsburgh’s families. The Basement has “intense and R-rated horrors that challenge the limits of fear”, according to their website. The Basement includes very scary scenes including profanity and “violent scenarios”. The Basement is NOT a FamilyFun attraction.
Trail of Terror The Beyond at Carnegie Park returns for its 10th year! The Trail starts in Carnegie Park and winds through spooky, creepy, and downright scary scenes. Scare actors do not touch guests and most stay within their scenes but there are some startle scares and jump scares. The Trail of Terror is open October 11 & 12, 18 & 19, and 25 & 26. The Trail opens at 700PM and closes at 1100PM. Admission for adults is $10. Admission for kids is $5. There is a pumpkin patch, hot food, and food trucks on-site.Carnegie Park, Forsyth Road, Carnegie PA 15106 https://www.facebook.com/PghTrailOfTerror/
North
Hell’s Hollow Haunt A restless spirit stalks you through the Haunted Barn and the Haunted Haywagon of Horror. The Haunted Barn has three levels of horror, with classic scenes and jump scares. The Haunted Haywagon takes you through the deep, dark forest where the spirits of the dead scare you. You aren’t even safe in the wagon! Hours are dusk until 1030PM. The Haunt is open Fridays and Saturdays strating September 20 through November 2. Admission to both Haunts is $20 for Adults and kids 13+ and $13 for kids 12 and under. The Haunted Haywagon only is $12 for adults and kids 13+ and $10 for kids 12 and under. CASH ONLY! The Haunt may be cancelled due to bad weather. Check the Facebook page or call first if you are worried about the weather. 340 Bestwick Rd, Mercer PA https://hellshollowhaunt.com/
Cheeseman Fright Farm Nobody will hear you scream! Navigate your way through the Haunted Hayride, Corn Maze, and Haunted Attractions. Expect special effects, strobe lights, fog, and lots of scares. The Fright Farm has intense visuals and special effects. Childer under 12 MUST be accompanied by a paying adult chaperone. The Fright Farm is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 700-1000PM starting on September 20th and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 700-1000PM starting October 4th through October 27th. Admission is $20 per person. A Skip the Line Fright Pass is $50 per person. 147 Kennedy Road, Portersville PA http://cheesemanfrightfarm.com/
The Haunt – I’ll Get You My Pretty is unique in the scare list. It is a 15 acre Haunted Corn Maze with scare actors spread throughout. Navigate the dark maze to make it out alive! There is also a Haunted House and a hayride to and from the maze plus bonfires and a concession stand. There is no age limit but The Haunt does have two No Scare Sundays on October 13th & 20th from 100-400PM for kids five and over. Admission to the No Scare Sundays is $7 for kids over 5 and $5 for kids 5 and under. The Haunt is open Fridays and Saturdays from September 27 through October 26th from 700-1000PM. Admission is $20. 231 Beacon Street, Renfrew PA https://www.gotothebeacon.com/haunt
Eerie Acres Farm in Butler PA is an oudoor – indoor haunted trail and haunted house with scary scenes and startle scares that ends in a maze you have to navigate. Small groups are sent through with space in between to allow for a full scare experience. Special effects, wet and uneven surfaces, loud noises, intense darkness, and other adverse conditions are part of the scares. You have to be able to walk on your own to navigate the Farm. In addition to the Haunted Scare, there is a midway with a bonfire, food trucks, hot food, Eerie Acres Farm is open to all ages but not recommended for younger children. Eerie Acres is open from 700-1100PM on Fridays and Saturdays starting on September 28 through October 26th. On October 12th and October 26th there are Feast & Fright Nights with a beer vendor, food trucks, a DJ Dance Party, and face painting for kids and adults (for an additional fee). General Admission is $15. Fast Pass (front-of-the-line) Admission is $25. 386 Eagle Mill Rd. Butler PA https://www.eerieacresfarm.com/
Zombies of the Corn is on the frontline of the Zombie Apocalypse. Board a “Zombie Fighting Vehicle” with “Zombie Killing Weapons” loaded with “glow in the dark acid ammo balls” then head out and shoot zombies! Every guest gets about 170 ammo balls to take down the Zombies in the Infestation Zone. Once you are done stopping the Zombie invasion, head to the Zombie Compound and learn what scientists know about the Zombies and how they plan to stop them. Family-friendly activities include family movies playing on a giant screen, Campfire Ghost Stories, and the ZMaze. Food concessions including S’more kits you can make around the campfire, plus fried and funnel cakes, are available. Zombies of the Corn is open on Fridays and Saturday from PM starting on September 27th and running through November 2nd. Tickets are $34.99 plus taxes and fees for adults and $29.99 plus fees and taxes for children sitting on an adults lap during the Zombie Shoot. Tickets are time-specific for the Zombie shoot with times available 700, 800, and 900PM. All activities are included in ticket prices with some add-ons. Tickets do sell out. 282 Rochester Road Freedom PA https://zombiesofthecorn.com/
Ghost Lake at Conneaut Lake Park Can you make it through the 13 levels of fear? The Levels are: The Zoo, Oblivion, Death Row, Forget Me Not Antiques, Déjà vu, Phobia, Scaryland Forest, Terror Down Under, The Ice, The Dark Circus & Sideshow, The Bayou, and two rides: Devil’s Den and The Blue Streak Ghoster Coaster plus Krampus’ Room – An Escape Room (for an additional fee, reservations required) It takes two hours to make it through the 13 levels of Fear (and more time for the Escape Room. Food and games are also open. There are over 160 scare actors and creatures who will scare you. Not recommended for younger kids. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 20 through October 27. Hours on Fridays and Saturdays are 700PM through midnight. Hours on Sunday are 700-1100PM. Admission is $25 for Adults on Friday and Saturday and $20 on Sunday. Children 11 and under are $15 on Friday and Saturday and $10 on Sunday. 12382 Center Ave, Conneaut Lake PA http://www.ghostlake.net/Default.aspx
South
Demon House is the legendary scare house in Monongahela. As you enter the grounds an ominous mansion towers over you. This mansion was built on a graveyard where the skeletons of at least 70 victims were found. Is the house possessed by these unquiet dead or is it something worse? Demon House has the main scare attraction plus bonfires and shelters spread throughout the grounds. Watch horror movies on the outdoor giant screen or grab a snack at one of the concession stands. General Admission is $20. RIP Admission including RIP Skip the Line access is $30. VIP Admission including VIP Skip the Line access plus a Demon House T-Shirt is $40. Demon House opened on September 6th and runs through November 3rd. It is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 417 Coyle Curtain Rd Monongahela PA http://www.demonhouse.com/index.html
Hundred Acres Manor is Terror Town with six haunts, two Escape Rooms, Buried, Alive, The Maze and more. The Lift is New this year (n details were available as of this writing). Face your worst nightmares as you become The Host for the plague. What is real and what is just your imagination? Fight off aliens from the void in The Breach. The Bayou Priestess doesn’t just want your body, she wants your soul in Vodoh. “Darkness and horror await you within” The Cabin. Be ready for classic horror, gore, and scares in Hallow’s Eve. Admission to all six scares is $23 per person. VIP admission with skip the line access is $35. Super VIP access with skip the line access plus a souvenir hoodie is $50. Add to your scare with The Maze – a blackout maze filled with dead-ends and the dead for and additional $5. Or for the truly brave, experience the sensation of being Buried Alive in a simulator for $5. (Don’t worry, you are safe the whole time, you just won’t feel that way!) Haunted Acres Manor also has two Escape Rooms. Choose between Contagion and The Alchemist. Eight people enter the Contagion lab, two are captured. The rest have to work together to rescue their friends and escape in 45 minutes. Eight people have 45 minutes to solve the clues and escape from The Alchemist. Each Room is $22 per person, reservations are required. Hundred Acres Manor is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in September starting September 6th. The Manor is open Wednesdays through Sundays in October plus October 28-29 and November 1-3. Hours are 700-1000PM Sundays through Thursdays (when open) and 700-1130PM Fridays and Saturdays. Parking near Hundred Acres Manor is limited. Park at the Skating Rink at 30 Corrigan Drive and enjoy a free Hayride to the Manor. 1 Hundred Acres Drive South Park https://www.hundredacresmanor.com/
Haunted Hills Estate Scream Park features three scare attractions. The Deadwoods Challenge Trail is a frightening walk through the woods. The House is a gory thriller with death around every corner. The Imperium is a mini-escape experience that many do not survive! The scares include special effects, startle scares, violence, and gore. Haunted Hills Estate is open Fridays and Saturdays in September starting September 13th and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays October 4th through November 2nd. (There is a Day of the Dead Festival on November 2nd.) Hours on Fridays and Saturdays are 630-1100PM and Sunday 630-1000PM. Admission is $25 for the Double Trouble pass that includes your choice of any two attractions plus the Midway. The Estate Pass for $30 gets you all three attractions plus the Midway. The Spirit Pass for $40 lets you get minimal wait times at all three attractions. For $50 you can get the RIP Pass that lets you skip the lines at all three attractions plus $10 in Midway game credits and a souvenir lanyard. On November 8 & 9 Haunted Hills Estate has a fully immersive Horror Event. 236 Rolling Hills Estate, Uniontown PA http://hauntedhillsestate.com/
Fright Farm has six attractions that you move through. Starting at the not-scary Fest-Evil Midway guests can play games, buy food, and take special photo-op pictures. Once you board the Hayride of No Return, the terror begins. After the Hayride, see if you can survive The Slaughter Grounds, Frightmare Mansion, The Clinic, and The Abyss. Some of the scares are intense and not suitable for children under 12. Fright Farm is open Fridays and Saturdays in September starting September 13th and Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October plus October 28-31. Hours are 600-945PM on Thursdays and Sundays and 600-1130PM on Fridays and Saturdays (Fridays and Saturdays are very crowded). Admission on Thursdays, Sundays, and October 27th-30th is $25 and $30 on Fridays and Saturdays. Skip the lines with the Express Pass for $50 on Thursdays, Sundays, and October 27th-30th and $60 on Fridays and Saturdays. 2043 Springhill Furnace Road, Smithfield PA https://frightfarm.com/
Allen’s Haunted Hayride and Tavern of Terror features a not-to-scary Hayride through a haunted farm and a walk-through Haunted House with classic horror movie-inspired scares. Climb on a hay filled wagon as it runs through a mile of haunted forests and farmland, then head inside the Tavern of Terror for classic scares. You can also reserve a bonfire for your family or group. (Bonfires are by reservation only.) All tickets are bought on-site and CASH ONLY NO ATM on-site so make sure you have the cash with you. Hayride Tickets are $15 per person. Tavern of Terror tickets are $15 per person. Combination tickets can be bought together for $25 per person. Thursday combination tickets are $20 per person. Bonfires are $30 per bonfire for a two hour window. All bonfires must be reserved in advance. Allen’s Hayride and Tavern of Terror is open September 27 & 28, October 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 17 & 19, and 24-26 plus Halloween October 31st. Hours are Thursday nights dusk through 900PM, Fridays dusk through 1000PM, and Saturdays dusk through 1030PM. 2430 Pittsburgh Rd (Rt 51 South), Smock PA http://www.allenshayrides.com/
Crawford School of Terror Enter the school haunted by a little girl with killer instincts, her victim, Miss McGill, and her teacher who hung himself in his classroom. The Crawford School of Terror has three floors of truly scary horror, including total darkness, graphic scenes, and blood and gore. There are three floors with separate Fright Experiences. The Basement has “Kidnapped – A Blindfold Experience”, the First Floor has “Playground of Fears – A 3D Haunt Experience”, and the Second Floor has “Classic Crawford”. Admission to all three haunts is $20 per person. Purchase online with a small processing fee or at the School, CASH ONLY, no ATM. Add on the House of Slaughter – mini Escape Room that lasts 10 minutes for $5. New this year is Escape Crawford – a full experience 60 minute Escape Room. The admission to the Escape Room is $25 per person and reservations are required. Open Fridays and Saturdays 700-1100PM. Crawford School of Terror opens on September 27th through November 2nd. The Scare House is also open on Sunday October 20th and the 27th and Halloween night October 31st. 125 N. 7th Street, Connellsville PA https://www.crawfordschoolofterror.com/
Castle Blood is a 100 year old Funeral parlor that now houses a theatrical haunted house. Unlike Scare Houses that depend on graphic scenes and jump scares, Castle Blood features a storyline and a game challenge. There are plenty of startle scares but no graphic violence. Castle Blood also has two days of non-scare daytime trick or treating on the last two Sundays in October. Castle Blood is not super-scary but younger kids may still have a hard time. Castle Blood is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting on October 4th. The last night for Castle Blood’s Halloween Haunt is October 31st. Hours on Friday and Saturday are 700-1100PM. Hours on Sundays are 700-900PM. The two No Scare Sunday Matinees on October are 200-400PM on October 2-thand 27th. Admission at the Box Office is $20. Buy time specific tickets online and avoid the line for $25 each. Sunday matinees are $8 per person. 100 Schoonmaker Ave Monessen PA https://castleblood.com/
Haunted Trail XX Walk into the Darkness highlights some of the favorite scenes from twenty years of previous Peters Township Haunted Trails. Walk into the Darkness and into scenes with Zombies, clowns, creepy dolls, and more. The second scene features a Human Butcher Shop with blood, guts, and a bleeding heart*. This family-friendly trail is not too scary but it includes some jump scares. The Trail is hilly and very dark with a hayride at the end to take you back to your car. The Haunted Trail is open October 4th and 5th from 700-1030PM with a special, day time not scary trail for kids 8 and under on October 5th from 600-630PM. Admission is $5 per person. 700 Meredith Drive Venetia PA https://www.peterstownship.com/?SEC=79A352D7-FA8A-422E-A4AE-5648A327E191
*Look for FamilyFunPittsburgh here but don’t hang around too long or you might be the next victim!
East
Haunted Hollow has three levels of scares and horror plus a Haunted Cornfield and the Swamplands. Crazy killer Willie the Caretaker is stalking your through the Boarding House while the denizens of The Asylum are out to get you. If you survive both of these haunts, you have to make your way through the Dead End Cornfield and The Swamplands then take a ride on the HolloWood Haunted Hayride. There are jump scares and gory scenes. You may be touched by the scare actors. Not recommended for children under seven. You and five friends are trapped in a Haunted Shack with 15 minutes to escape in the Haunted Hollow Escape Room. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 630-1030PM starting September 27 and ending October 26. Tickets can be bought online for $20 General Admission with a $10 Fast Pass add-on. Haunted Hollow Escape is $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, CASH ONLY with a General Admission of $23 and a $10 Fast Pass Add-On. Haunted Hollow Escape can only be purchased online. There are other ticket options available for an additional fee. 126 Woodland Rd, Rockwood PA https://hauntedhollow.net/
Phantom Fright Nights The Phantom and his Friends take over Kennywood Park for the popular Phantom Fright Nights. New to terrify you this year is the Steel Curtain with its 9 inversions, an Escape Room, and a new Haunt – The Shady Grove Hospital. PFN has a total of six themed Haunted Houses, three Scare Zones, three Haunted Rides including the new feature at the 4D Theater – IT: The 4D Experience, plus sixteen rides, food stands, and more. Admission is $ . There are numerous Skip the Line passes and a Pre-Scare Dinner in select days. Phantom Fright Nights is for kids 13 and over and adults. It is very scary with numerous jump scares throughout the Park and graphic scenes in the Haunted Houses. Head out to Phantom Fright Nights on Fridays and Saturdays from September 27 – October 26 from 6 PM – 12 AM, plus Sundays from October 6th through October 27th from 6 – 11 p.m. Outdoor scares open after dusk. Admission is $32.99 plus taxes and fees online and $36.99 at the Gate. Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin PA https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/frightfulfun-at-phantom-fright-nights/
Lonesome Valley Farms Valley of Terror Terror lurks around every corner in the Slotter Farmhouse and Barn. Mutant creatures and the undead have you in their grasp. If you survive, head out to the Haunted Hayride where the darkness is overwhelming and things go bump in the night. If you can’t handle the scares, there is a Corn Maze to get lost in. Tickets to the Slotter House, the Hayride, and the Corn Maze are $25 per person. The Corn Maze only is $10 per person. CASH ONLY. The Valley of Terror is open Fridays and Saturdays September 27 through October 4 and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays October 11 through October 27. Hours are dusk through 1000PM Fridays and Saturdays and dusk through 900PM Sundays. 180 Fairgrounds Rd, Greensburg PA http://www.lonesomevalleyfarms.com/
Scary Harry’s Haunted Trails features six distinct haunts on multiple levels. Be prepared to be scared! Admission tickets are $15 per person. The Haunted Trail is open from 700-1130PM on Fridays and Saturdays October 4 through October 26 plus Sundays on October 20 & 27. Scary Harry’s Haunted Trails is recommended for ages 13+. There are jump scares, graphic scenes, some mild language, and invasion of your personal space. The Haunt includes a long walk through woods. 1703 Peirce Rd, Homer City PA https://www.scaryharrys.com/
Haunted Hills Hayride This not-too-scary haunted attraction is described as a family friendly scare house. There are startle scares. Take a Hayride through the darkness to the Valley of Darkness Haunted Trail where scare actors are waiting to give you the creeps. The Haunted Hills Hayride is $15 on Fridays and Saturdays and $13 on Weekdays and Sundays. The Valley of Darkness Walking Trail is $15 on Fridays and Saturdays and $13 Weekdays and Sundays. Combo tickets for both attractions is $20 on Fridays and Saturdays and $18 on Weekdays and Sundays. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 700-1100PM and Sundays and Weekdays 700-1000PM. Haunted Hills opens September 20 and closes November 2. Open Friday and Saturday only in September. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday October 4,5, & 6 and 11,12,& 13. Open Wednesday through Sunday October 16 -20, 23-27, and October 30, 31, November 1, & 2. 500 Mosside Blvd, North Versailles, PA http://www.hauntedhillshayride.com/prices
West
Freddy’s Haunts Enter the deadly cave if you dare! Legend says many have entered the mysterious cave on Fred McCune’s property but none have ever come out. Freddy’s Haunts includes scary scenes and a lot of jump scares plus a dark maze at the end. The Haunt is scary and not recommended for kids under 9 or 10. There are bonfires every night and a DJ party on select nights. Freddy’s is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 13th through October 27th. There is a special Blackout Freddy’s on Halloween (no lights, complete darkness, and very scary). Hours are 730-1030PM. Admission is $15. Freddy’s is collecting canned goods for the local Food Bank. Bring a canned food item and get a coupon for a free hot dog at the Freddy’s snack bar. 192 McCune Rd, Aliquippa PA http://freddyshaunts.net/
Scare at the Fair is an indoor haunted attraction with multiple scenes including clowns, hillbillies, and “claustrophobia”. The all-volunteer event is not overly scary but it recommended for children nine and over. There is also a mini-Escape room for an additional $5 fee per person. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 18. Scare at the Fair is open from 700-1100PM with the last ticket sold at 1000PM. The Scare is open October 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, and 25 & 26. West Alexander Park, West Alexander PA http://www.wascarefair.com/index.html
