Spooky Season in Chester County, PA

This October, adventure out — with the kiddos if they’re up to it — to visit attractions and join tours that may leave even the bravest quaking. Choose spine-tingling experiences to fill the season, and check out haunted happenings in County Lines country.

Ghostly Stories

If you enjoy ghost stories, check our website to learn the scary history behind the Brandywine Battlefield, ghost of General “Mad Anthony” Wayne, West Chester’s Lincoln Room and the Downingtown Twin Tunnels. If you dare.

Terrifying Events

Want to experience hair-raising fun firsthand? Here’s a sample of eerie events during this spooky season.

Bates Motel Haunted House. For an adrenaline rush, head to legendary Bates Motel Haunted House, Hayride and Trail, rated #1 Haunted Attraction in America by CNN Travel, USA Today and others. Attractions are packed with terror to scare the season festivities in you. Plus four escape rooms, including Revenge of the Serial Killer. New this year — axe throwing! Timed tickets. BatesMotelEscapeRooms.com. 1835 N. Middletown Rd., Glen Mills. TheBatesMotel.com.

Chilling West Chester: Dark History Walking Tour. From the horrors of the Chester County Prison to the cold-blooded killers tried at the courthouse, West Chester’s streets and alleys have witnessed 200 years of spine-chilling history. Chester County History Center guides share these stories — not ghost stories but true tales — on 90-minute walking tours. $18. Wed.–Sat. in October. 225 N. High St., West Chester. MyCCHC.org.

Paoli Battlefield Paranormal Tour. What’s spookier than a historic battlefield? Perhaps a nighttime tour of “hot spots” of paranormal activity. Join a private tour of the grounds, led by Interstate Paranormal Research. Witness the eerie site where 53 soldiers were buried after a devastating midnight bayonet and sword attack by the British. Oct. 5, $45. Monument & Wayne Aves., Malvern. PBPFInc.org/Tour.

Pennhurst Haunted Asylum. Closed for over three decades, Pennhurst Asylum offers a range of experiences, from tame daytime tours of the grounds to haunted tours of the asylum quarters, morgue and tunnels. Ultra-horror fans can try the overnight ghost hunt or Blackout Tour in complete darkness (Nov. 2). Fri.–Sun. in Oct. $40 and up. 250 Commonwealth Dr., Spring City. PennhurstAsylum.com.

Sleuthound’s Historic Haunted Strolls. Join spooky tours of West Chester, Kennett Square and Media, including Terror & Dread in Turks Head, Haunted Moonlight Strolls, Race to the Grave Scavenger Hunts (family or pub crawl versions) or Murder on the Red Brick Express. Wine and aura readings. Macabre stories from 300 years of history. $15 –$37.50. Dates and details at Sleuthound.com.

West Chester Haunted History Tour. Some say every house in West Chester is haunted. Find out for yourself on the Haunted History of Chester County lantern-lit walking tour. Follow the guide on a 90-minute, one-mile journey through haunted streets while hearing ghostly stories. Check website for tour dates. $10–$20. Corner of High & Market Sts., West Chester. ChescoTours.com.

Haunted Locations

These former taverns are just a few in our area said to host ghostly presences.

Bloom Southern Kitchen (formerly Eagle Tavern). Many reported incidents of unexplained sounds and actions in the building, particularly in the basement. 123 Pottstown Pk., Chester Springs.

Iron Hill in West Chester. Paranormal in Pennsylvania’s podcast cites employee reports of chains dragging, floors creaking, voices murmuring in the building, a former Revolutionary War hospital for soldiers from the Battle of Brandywine. Sightings of a ghost looking out the second floor. Don’t go there alone at night! 3 W. Gay St., West Chester.

Letty’s Tavern. As a tea room and tavern, Letty’s Tavern hosted visitors who mentioned encounters with the ghost of a 12-year-old girl, dubbed “Letitia,” after William Penn’s daughter. Hence the name. 201 E. State St., Kennett Square.

The Pear at Dilworthtown Inn (formerly Blue Pear Bistro). Eerie reports include voices in the wine cellar, doors opening and closing, plus chairs facing each other as if someone was engaged in conversation. 275 Brintons Bridge Rd., West Chester.

Stottsville Inn. The historic hotel-turned-restaurant is said to have guests who never wanted to leave. Evidence includes wind and voices heard, open windows and doors mysteriously closed. 3512 Strasburg Rd., Coatesville.

VK Brewing Co. & Eatery (formerly The Ship Inn). Some claim The Ship Inn housed a mysterious ghost believed to be from the 1700s but whose identity and story are unknown. 693 Lincoln Hwy. E., Exton.