Hit the road for some spooky fun this Halloween.
Several destinations just a short drive from Northeast Pennsylvania are boosting spirits (no pun intended) in this unusual year with ghoulish activities and events.
Remember to check with venues before you go for any changes, especially regarding their coronavirus policies, and visit AccessNEPA.com to find more Halloween events happening across the region.
CHRIS VROMAN / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Guests and Hershey’s characters show off their Halloween costumes during Hersheypark in the Dark.
Hersheypark in the Dark
In just under two hours, you can get to the amusement park that’s once again offering its after-dark fun. Guests can hope on roller-coasters and other rides, some of which will offer “lights-out” experiences. The park also offers special treats with fall flavors, such as the Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake Sundae, and the chance to meet Hershey characters. While there, check out ZooAmerica or visit Hershey’s Chocolatetown, which features the park’s biggest roller-coaster, Candymonium, along with a carrousel, Kisses Fountain and spots to grab food and drink. Kids cq12 and younger also can grab goodies on the Trick or Treat Trail.
Know before you go: The park has increased cleaning and sanitation and is enforcing social distancing. Guests older than cq2 must wear face coverings and will undergo a touchless temperature screening before they enter Hershey sites. The park also has a guest reservation system in place to help it manage visitor capacity.
Where: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 2 to 9 p.m.
Admission: One-day passes: regular (ages 9 to 61), $49.95 online/$54.15 at gate; junior and senior, (ages 3 to 8 and 62 and older), $39.95 online/$43.15 at gate; two-day passes: regular (ages 9 to 61), $32.65; junior and senior (ages 3 to 8 and 62 and older), $26.65. Ages 2 and younger enter for free. Group rates and special packages also are available.
Details: 717-534-3900 or hersheypark.com
ACCESS NEPA FILE
Knoebel’s Amusement Park
Knoebels Hallo-fun Weekends
The amusement park embraces the Halloween spirit with treats, scary attractions, games, rides and “gentle haunts.” Guests also can stop by the Phoenix Junction Courtyard for grab-and-go crafts and activities such as cookie decorating and pumpkin painting.
Know before you go: The park has set up more than 150 hand-sanitizing stations, signs about health and safety measures, and sneeze guards along with social distancing reminders. Face coverings are required, and park staff are undertaking rigorous sanitizing and cleaning procedures.
Where: 391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, 2 to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 1, noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free; ride passes and activities are available for a fee.
Details: 800-487-4386 or knoebels.com
ACCESS NEPA FILE
Sesame Place
Sesame Place
Sesame Place has a couple options for Halloween fun this year. The new Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Drive-Thru concludes today and gives families a chance to drive through a family-friendly spot that features trick-or-treating, millions of lights and and “Sesame Street” characters decked out in Halloween costumes on floats. The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular, meanwhile, offers trick-or-treating, Halloween shows, rides, a Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, a chance to take pictures with characters and more. Guests are encouraged to come in costume. And on Halloween, the park will hold a costume contest for children and families.
Know before you go: Advance online reservations are required. Guests older than cq2 and employees must wear face coverings except when eating and drinking and in specific “relaxation areas”; anyone unable to wear a face covering cannot enter the park. Halloween Drive-Thru guests must wear face coverings at admission, merchandise and culinary transaction points.
Where: 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne
When: Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Drive-Thru, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6 to 9 p.m.; Halloween Spooktacular, Friday, Oct. 30, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Friday night, $30.99 and up/single day, $39.99 and up; reservations required
Details: 215-702-3566 or sesameplace.com/philadelphia
Caitlin Heaney West is the content editor for Access NEPA and oversees the Early Access blog in addition to working as a copy editor and staff writer for The Times-Tribune. An award-winning journalist, she is a summa cum laude graduate of Shippensburg University and also earned a master’s degree from Marywood University. Caitlin joined the Times-Shamrock family in 2009 and lives in Scranton. Contact: cwest@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5107; or @cheaneywest
