Family Friendly Frights: What to do For Halloween in Downtown Pittsburgh
By Clayton Smith
It is the most wonderful time of the “fear.” The leaves are changing, the weather is cooling, and the Halloween season is rising from the dead. Pittsburgh offers plenty of kid-friendly options for frights or fun!
The official Pittsburgh trick-or-treating times are 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Halloween day. But, if one day isn’t enough to celebrate the season, many kid-focused options exist for the end of October.
Three Crossings’ campus at the Strip District on Friday and Saturday will host some of the largest pumpkins on this side of the Mississippi at the Monster Pumpkin Festival.
The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days, and admission is free. This Halloween staple has been providing wholesome, spooky fun for six years and highlights the Atlantic Giant variety of pumpkins that can weigh up to two tons.
On Saturday, run with other ghosts and ghouls in the Costume Caper 5k and dress up for a chance to win wicked prizes and trophies. No matter how you look or how fast you run, you walk away with a massive medal and snazzy shirt for participating.
Conjure your kids to watch one of the Atlantic Giants drop over 100 feet, fantastic wood carvings, a 2000 lb jack-o-lantern, carriage rides, festive fall food, crafts and more. The complete schedule of each event will soon be revealed online.
If the paranormal is your prerogative, there are a variety of ghost tours for all ages happening in and around Downtown.
For a nautical-themed tour, head to the Gateway Clipper any Friday, Saturday or Sunday. With two cruises each night, choose the appropriate time for your spooky squad.
This narrated experience will include the ghost stories of the Three Rivers, costumes and Halloween fun. Tickets can be purchased online now, costing $32 for adults and $20 for kids.
The Haunted Pittsburgh walking tour is another excellent option to fulfill your fear fix. This 75 to 90 minute walking tour starts at 7 p.m. and meets at Downtown’s City-County Building. This outdoor tour operates rain or shine and will take you to as many haunted sites as time allows.
Haunted Pittsburgh educates and fascinates by providing paranormal histories of the city and those who have called it home. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids under 12-years-old and can be purchased online.
For those open to traveling outside the Golden Triangle, the Carnegie Science Center is reopening its Miniature Railroad and Village with a seasonal flair, while Kennywood, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Idlewood all host kid-friendly daytime Halloween activities.
For an extensive list of kid-focused Halloween activities, check out Kidsburgh’s.
