Visit Philly's Halloween Attractions Without Worry On SEPTA

PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA is offering Halloween lovers safe ways to visit Philly's most popular Halloween attractions this season.

Whether you want to avoid traffic, finding and paying for parking, or enjoy some adult beverages without finding a designated driver, SEPTA has you covered to hit up all the hot Halloween spots this year.

With some exciting new spots to accompany the old faithful haunts, SEPTA is highlighting the easiest, most direct routes — which are sans headless horseman.

The Nightmare Before Tinsel Halloween Pop-up Bar — 116 S.12th St.

Come for the costumed bartenders, a room of 1,001 eyes, a coffin with a skeleton, zombie wall, a spider web alley, and stay for the themed drinks.

Get it while it lasts; Nightmare turns back into a Christmas store pop-up after Halloween night.

Get here on Bus routes 9, 12, 21, 38, 42, and 45, or a short walk from Walnut-Locust Station on the Broad Street Line, 13th Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line and Trolleys 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36, or Regional Rail to Jefferson Station.

Haunt — Pearl Tavern, 1123 Walnut St.

Find this on the second floor of the Pearl Tavern (1123 Walnut Street). Check out Halloween themed cocktails and spooky horror-movie-themed decor.

There's also a full slate of special-events programming, including movie nights and collabs with beer and spirit brands.

Get here on Bus routes 9, 12, 21, 42, and 45, or a short walk from Walnut-Locust Station on the Broad Street Line, 13th Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line and Trolleys 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36, or Regional Rail to Jefferson Station.

Maybe your ride will be haunted too.

2nd Sanctuary — 21st and Christian Street

This spot is a bit more cerebral, and much more than just a bar. This once Victorian-era church (21st and Christian Street) is hosting 1970s-themed attractions during the season.

"The Phantom Portal VR Telecom Tour in the Spectral Garden Chapel” is an experience combining virtual reality, live action, and immersive theater.

A second, “Dancing Dead Live,” is a performance telling what is described as the story of an old man dancing with death, watching his friends die, waltzing with a skeleton, and then digging them up.

A third, “Zoltan’s Zarkade Escape Room in the Lost Lodge,” is an escape room based on the mystery of “Kid Scout Troop 244,” who disappeared one by one in the fall of 1975.

Each of these experiences requires separate tickets. A maze and a costumed zombie-disco party (complete with cash bar) are free with a ticket. Bus routes 17 and 64 both get you close.

Dark Passage — 1004 Buttonwood St.

Dark Passage was masterminded by Penn alum Sarah Elger, who designed theme park attractions for Disney and for Universal Creative (including Skull Island: Reign of Kong and Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando), and conceived this barroom experience as part of her Penn master’s of architecture thesis.

Find Dark Passage for a limited time this Halloween season at 1004 Buttonwood Street.

It's a themed indoor maze with a twist: guests start their tour the Strange Spirits Lounge and may take their cocktails with them on their journey through “an infernal take on the afterlife."

Organizers say Dark Passage may take 30 minutes to two hours.

To get there, hop the Broad Street Line to Spring Garden or Routes 23, 43, and 45 drop you minutes from this haunt.

Terror Behind the Walls — Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave.

Of course, if this seems a bit too scary, or if you're just looking for some more traditional Halloween fear, you can always head to Eastern State Penitentiary for their Terror Behind the Walls.

And you know what's not scary?

Saving $3 on tickets with your SEPTA Key or Pass. Get here on SEPTA Bus routes 7, 32, 33, 43, and 48.

Jack’s Pumpkin Glow — Fairmount Park

At this ever, there will be meticulously carved, illuminated pumpkins will light up your night.

Pumpkin-carving demonstrations and seasonal food and drinks accompany the huge display to truly turn the space into a fall wonderland.

Get there on SEPTA Bus routes 38 and 40 and the Route 15 Trolley.

To get excited for Halloween night the week before, head to Xfinity Live! for Wicked and Nightmare on Broad Street Halloween Bash.

The Wicked bash is Friday, Oct. 25, and the Nightmare on Broad Street party is Saturday, Oct. 26.

Get to both on the Broad Street Line. Hop it south to NRG Station — the last stop.

And SEPTA giving out free tickets to both events. Want the free tickets? Comment here with Taking SEPTA to Spooky Szn. Five lucky entries will be selected at random to win two tickets.