Haunted weekend in Philadelphia: The spookiest spots to explore

In the last issue of The WeekEnder, we spooked you out in Saratoga Springs. This time around we’re heading to Philadelphia—the oldest and most haunted city in America.

Joe Wojie is a local history professor who is fascinated by the macabre. He turned that passion into a business: Grim Philly Ghost and History Tours, which has amassed a cult following for its explorations that combine spirits, serial killers, pirates, vampires, and other tales about Philadelphia’s dark past. What he loves about this city: “Philadelphia has a rich Revolutionary and Colonial history, and it’s got a creepy nature when you go into some of the areas that have been built on top of ancient burial grounds.”

Another history-obsessed Philadelphian is Cara Schneider Bongiorno, who runs Philly History Pop Ups (which does free local tours) and is on the board of the Eastern State Penitentiary (one of the city’s scariest places). “I love Philadelphia during spooky season because many places here get really playful,” she says. “Plus, it is a city that has seen war, disease, crime, and injustice—all the things that make for good ghost sightings and origin stories.”

With this ghoulish WeekEnder guide in hand, we’ll make sure that no gravestone is left unturned.

As the City of Brotherly Love transforms into the City of Spook, here’s our shortlist of scary places to stay.

This French Renaissance-style property has hosted every U.S. president, not to mention myriad ghosts. Fun fact: Some of The Bellevue Hotel’s original light fixtures were installed by none other than Thomas Edison. (It’s said to be the first fully electrified building in the country.)

This 1870 Victorian mansion has preserved its old-world charm and is so welcoming that 17 friendly spirits don’t want to leave. “It’s run by an energetic young couple and has great breakfasts, including treats from Reading Terminal Market,” says Cara Schneider Bongiorno.

It may not be haunted, but the Monaco—located just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell—embraces the season in all its glory with whimsical decorations and a Freak Show Halloween Party on October 29.

“This fort is widely regarded as one of the most haunted sites in the country,” says Cara. This year it is hosting a creepy one-night slumber party for brave souls. Good luck getting to sleep that night.

It’s going to be a spooktacular trip, guaranteed, at Philly’s most Halloween-appropriate restaurants and bars.

Sabrina’s Cafe - A breakfast spot with five locations in town—as well as a thing for Stranger Things. It’s hosting brunch specials inspired by the Netflix show, with dishes like Oreo “Hellfire Club” pancakes and “Hurts So Good” bread pudding French toast.

Sassafrasbar - This old speakeasy is a hidden gem known for its pub grub and craft cocktails. “It’s haunted by Mickey Duffy, the head of the Irish Mafia during prohibition,” says Joe Wojie. “It looks like a place right out of Dublin. There aren’t a lot of tourists, but everyone who lives around here appreciates it.”

Reading Terminal Market - Delicious local bites since 1892 at Philly’s top indoor farmer’s market. “Lots of culture, lots of history, affordable, and close to a hundred vendors,” says Joe.

The Cauldron Philly - This magic-themed restaurant and bar was imported from London, and it offers experiential events like a cocktail class where you don a cloak and use a Harry Potter-style wand to brew elixirs. There’s a full menu of wizard tapas and zombie-themed pub grub to go along with the grog.

McGillian’s Old Ale House - “Philly’s oldest Irish pub gets all decked out for Halloween, with servers in costume offering up harvest cocktails, hot spiced apple cider, and spiced rum and maple whiskey sours,” says Cara Schneider Bongiorno. The ghost of “Ma” McGillin, who owned the restaurant with her husband William, had high standards—and she still keeps an eye on things.

Han Dynasty - “​​My favorite Chinese place is not even in Chinatown,” says Joe. “I’ve been told that when the stock market crashed during the Great Depression, somebody killed themselves here. People sometimes see the figure of a man walking around.”

Talula’s Garden - This romantic farm-to-table restaurant might not be haunted, but it’s a fantastic dining option for anyone visiting nearby Washington Square, one of the spookiest spots in the city. Don’t miss the beautifully curated cheese boards.

Moshulu - This old four-mast sailing ship is now a riverfront restaurant where lanterns are mysteriously relit at night and whispers can be heard. The theory is that they’re the spirits of 28 people who died at sea while aboard the ship.

Wilder - Look for a wildly creative menu at this three-story restaurant in Rittenhouse’s old Philadelphia Academy of Social Dance building, thanks to an executive chef with a serious resume (Morimoto, El Bulli), plus a crudo station. This year, Wilder is going all out on Halloween with a live murder mystery dinner.

Nightmare Before Tinsel - This pop-up Halloween bar has been described as an “apocalyptic zombie-scape.” We dare you to try the Blood Bag cocktail, made with Union Forge vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice.

Uptown Beer Garden - This year, Center City’s largest beer garden has been transformed into the Upside Down from Stranger Things, complete with ghoulish props and cocktails inspired by the show.

Philadelphia has no shortage of spine-tingly explorations that will introduce you to the city’s darker side. These are three of the best.

Grim Philly Twilight Tours - These R-rated nighttime tours led by bonafide historians tell tales of ghost hunting, serial killers, gangsters, brothel, and riots. Leave the kids at home. “We try to delve into stuff people may not have heard of. It’s unique, it’s different, it’s interesting and a little sensational—but it’s always true,” says founder Joe Wojie.

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia - On this family-friendly ghost tour, you’ll follow a costumed guide and hear the real accounts about Philly’s paranormal side.

Ghost City Tours of Philadelphia - Travel the cobblestone streets by candlelight and learn about the ghosts at Independence Hall and other iconic spot.

Fear is the name of the game at these over-the-top haunted houses.

Eastern State Penitentiary - This abandoned 10-acre penitentiary is the country’s oldest and most infamous prison. It once housed none other than the OG of gangsters, Al Capone. The prison goes all out for Halloween—and this year, it is next level with five haunted houses, a speakeasy set up in Capone’s old jail cell, and an audio tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi.

Fright Factory - “One of this city’s so many old manufacturing buildings hosts a truly terrifying haunted house,” says Cara Schneider Bongiorno.

Thanks to its paranormal past, Philly is home to some very eerie locations.

Philadelphia Zoo - America’s oldest zoo houses 1,300 animals and a few spirits. There’s been paranormal activity in the Treehouse Building, and a woman in a long dress has been spotted at Solitude House. There’s also plenty of seasonal fun at the annual Halloween extravaganza, Boo at the Zoo, with costumes, festive treats, and more.

Washington Square - Poets and tourists alike have been inspired (and terrified) by the ghostly apparitions in this beautiful square, which served as a burial yard in the 1700s. One of the most famous is a Quaker woman named Leah, who used to protect the burial ground from grave robbers.

Laurel Hill Cemetery - Paranormal investigators flock to this chillingly beautiful National Historic Landmark, which is the burial ground for Civil War-era generals, Philadelphia’s elite, and even some passengers who were on the doomed Titanic. Don’t miss the Halloween-themed Candlelight concerts and the tours with Laurel Hill’s on-staff historians.

First Bank of the United States - Were you a fan of the musical, Hamilton? You’ll love this bank in Independence National Historic Park, since it’s reportedly haunted by the ghost of none other than Alexander Hamilton.

Fort Mifflin - “This fort is widely regarded as one of the most haunted sites in the country and was home to a Revolutionary War battlefield, Civil War prison, and gunpowder storage during World War II,” says Cara Schneider Bongiorno. “Don’t miss the candlelight tours throughout October.”

Powel House - This is a wonderful Revolutionary-era house in Old City that offers tours,” says Cara. “The previous curator, who lived here with her husband, didn’t believe in ghosts but told me she had many inexplicable experiences. For instance, her husband was stepping on a ladder to change a lightbulb and felt someone touch his leg.”

Even Philly’s sophisticated cultural scene has a spooky edge.

Academy of Music - There have been reports of invisible theater-goers during shows at this historic music house. Sit in the upper balcony for your best shot at paranormal activity.

Mütter Museum - This gruesome museum at the College of Physicians houses a staggering collection of curiosities, including body parts encased in jars, diseased organs, death casts, and more. Mutter has declared 2022 the year of Dracula and is hosting a coffin-themed exhibit.

Betsy Ross House - Betsy Ross famously sewed the first flag in this house—and she clearly doesn’t want to leave, since it’s been said that she still roams its halls.

Library Hall - This may be a reconstruction of the 1790 building that was built for the Library Company of Philadelphia, but it features a statue of Benjamin Franklin that supposedly comes to life.

Saw: The Musical - This killer musical is a hilarious parody of horror movies.