Need a reason to head to Manayunk this spooky season? We’ve got plenty.
With Halloween right around the corner, Philadelphians have ample opportunity to head out and have some seasonal fun, including in one of the city’s most energetic neighborhoods, starting with the return of the Lincoln Mill Haunted House.
This particular attraction opened in the previous home of the popular bar/restaurant Mad River after Hurricane Ida shuttered the establishment, and the haunted house played into the theme. Since then, the venue has continued it’s own “living story” with different themed iterations, including a Valentine’s Day haunted house. But for the 2023 Halloween season, the Lincoln Mill Haunted House features 50+ live scare actors, production-quality sets, props, animatronics, and special effects to continue its plot.
As a release states, for season two, over 60% of the attraction has been changed and upgraded since year one. A few of the new additions include a new elevator scene, a new laboratory area, and an all-new cave scene, while outside, the Midway Area will hold new 20’ wide movie projection that will introduce guests to the story and several new characters to entertain them before entering the attraction. In this preshow area, guests will also be able to enjoy food and beverages from local breweries and vendors, including New Ridge Brewing Co., Chaddsford Winery and Hardy Funnel Cakes.
There’s also a way to experience the Haunted House in a more family-friendly and scare-free way during the day with the Behind the Scenes Lights On Tour and a scavenger hunt on select Saturdays and Sundays in October from noon to 4 p.m.
Tickets start at $25 and Lincoln Mill is open on weekends now through Nov. 4, with Haunted House hours on Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 11 p.m., and select Sundays from 6 to 10 p.m.
Manayunk is also home to the NeverAMOR Pop Up, aka Taqueria Amor’s Wednesday Addams-inspired activation, which features themed drinks and decor on the menu, spanning the Once Upon a Midnight Dreary, Festering Woes, Pirhanas in the Pool, Handy Apple, Night Shade, Once Upon a Midnight Dreary and fare like birria tacos and chicken tamales. And Philadelphians can check it all out now through Halloween, Oct. 31.
While in the neighborhood, visitors can also check out the Manayunk Trick or Trolley. Every Friday and Saturday in October, Manayunk Development Corporation will hold the free event, with day and evening hours, a release states. The trolley is decked out with lights, spooky decorations, music, movies, and more, and the main stops on the haunted express include Lincoln Mill Haunted House and Taqueria Amor — plus many stops in between.
This particular activation is for all ages, and anyone participating can park in one of the free lots and take the trolley to your favorite haunt (or two). A full list of stops can be found online.
Manayunk is also home to plenty of fall food to try for those looking to savor the season in a tasty way. At Valerio Manayunk for one, there’s a new slew of options, and to make it even sweeter, anyone who shares their Lincoln Mill Haunted House ticket will receive 10% off anything on their new “Fall in Love with Philly” menu.
The offerings for the new menu span The Lincoln Mill Haunt (aka a coconut and spiced brown sugar latte), The Philly Publicist (made with espresso, white chocolate, peanut butter, steamed milk and fall sprinkles) the Campfire (made with white and dark chocolate with sweet cold foam topped with a swirl of toasted marshmallow syrup) and the Beach Bum (made with caramel, sweet cold foam and a sprinkle of sea salt.)
And lastly, but certainly not least, Philadelphians can also head to Manayunk on Saturday, Oct. 28, for the annual Main Street Trick-or-Treating event and the Pretzel Park Farmers Market’s Costume Parade, with the latter kicking off at 10:30 a.m.
While there, the parade will march down to Main Street just in time for trick-or-treating at select small businesses from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids, adults, and dogs are welcome to join, and after the parade, Pretzel Park will host children’s activities at the Farmers Market running until 2 p.m.
For more details on what’s happening for the spooky season in Manayunk, visit manayunk.com
