A Pennsylvania Theme Park Has Been Named the Best Halloween Event in America
Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, has officially taken the top spot as the best Halloween theme park event in the United States. USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards named the park’s Hallo-Fun weekends number one, and it’s easy to see why.
Each October weekend, Knoebels transforms into a Halloween wonderland. The rides get a haunted twist, the food stands serve caramel apples and cider, and families roam the park in costume. The event combines old-fashioned amusement park charm with creative Halloween fun, drawing visitors from across the country. There are kid-friendly zones by day, scarier attractions after dark, and plenty of the park’s classic charm still intact.
The Haunted Antique Cars and the Pioneer Train run with new Halloween themes, and nearly every path and ride glows with lights and decorations. The park keeps things family-friendly and spooky enough to feel festive. Food stands serve seasonal treats like pumpkin funnel cakes, caramel apples, and cake pops shaped like ghosts and black cats. Kids can stop to paint pumpkins, decorate cookies, or color their own treat bags between rides.
Pennsylvania Takes Over The Halloween Scene
Four of the top ten Halloween theme park events in the United States are located in the Keystone State, which indicates that Pennsylvania takes the spooky season seriously. Along with Knoebels, Hersheypark, Dorney Park, and Kennywood all made USA Today’s list.
Hersheypark’s Halloween and Dark Nights placed sixth, up two spots from last year. The park balances family events like Treatville’s trick-or-treat trail with roller coasters that run after dark. Dorney Park followed at seventh with Halloween Haunt, known for its mazes, scare zones, and live shows. The park also runs a daytime version called Tricks and Treats for younger visitors.
Kennywood in West Mifflin closed out the state’s streak at ninth with Phantom Fall Fest, which includes six haunted houses, four scare zones, and family rides during the day. Guests can grab funnel cakes, hot cider, or a local craft beer before heading back into the fog.
Knoebels Is A Stand Out
Knoebels’ biggest appeal is that it offers a genuine Halloween experience without the heavy price tag. As America’s largest free-admission amusement park, visitors only pay for rides and activities they choose. Ride passes range from $30 to $58 for adults and taller kids, while smaller kids pay between $24 and $40. Individual ride tickets cost $2.50 to $5.
Craft sessions are reasonably priced, too, around $2 to $7 each or $15 for a three-activity bundle. The event also features live entertainment, including music performances, a “Ghosts & Gourds” light show, and a scavenger hunt. For families looking to make a full day of it, the park offers a character breakfast for $14 for kids and $26 for adults.
Visitors are encouraged to dress up, provided their costumes remain family-friendly, and only children under 12 are permitted to wear masks. Lines can be long on peak weekends, but the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere keeps families returning year after year. Many visitors describe Hallo-Fun as the perfect mix of nostalgia and fall festivity. One reviewer even called it “the highlight of our Halloween season.”
With four of the country’s top ten Halloween attractions found in the same state, Pennsylvania has earned its reputation as the ultimate Halloween destination. Folks who love autumn vibes and a little bit of spooky magic, Elysburg is the place to be this October.