With Halloween quickly approaching, you can probably sense the excitement building among the student body here at Pitt. Halloween weekend is notorious on college campuses for eccentric costumes, absurd stories, and wild parties. It’s not uncommon for people to plan their costumes out months in advance, and I’ve already overheard several people in some of my classes prioritizing which shindigs they needed to hit up first. Unfortunately, those who aren’t into the party scene can often feel left out of the thrill of creating Halloweekend plans. But the truth is, there is so much to do on the weekend of October 31st, even if going out doesn’t appeal to you. Here are a few suggestions:
Host a Movie Marathon
If you’re a fan of horror movies, then make some popcorn, grab some blankets, and call up some friends for an all-night Halloween movie marathon. Classics like Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street are always good go-to thrillers, and the Final Destination series provides hours of gruesome and creative deaths. Scary movies not your thing? There are plenty of less frightening Halloween hits like Casper the Friendly Ghost and Hocus Pocus for those who want to get into the Halloween spirit but want to avoid the heart attacks and nightmares.
Phantom Fright Night at Kennywood
Every Friday and Saturday night in October Kennywood puts on their super spooky Phantom Fright Nights. Rides have been remodeled for the occasion and ghouls of all kinds wander through the amusement park waiting to terrify visitors. Beware of brain-eating zombies and bloodthirsty vampires while waiting in line!
Take a Ghost Tour
Ever wonder what parts of Pittsburgh are actually haunted? The Pittsburgh Ghost Tour takes you through some of the most supernatural spots in the city and tells some of the most haunting tales that Pittsburgh has to offer. If you’re feeling extra brave, sign up for a tour on Halloween weekend! The spirits are sure to be extra active and the stories particularly chilling.
Haunted Houses
There are several locations in the Pittsburgh area that are home to some of the best and scariest walkthrough haunted houses. The Scarehouse and Hundred Acres Manor are some of the more popular ones that offer one horrifying experience after another. If you’re into the idea of getting the bejesus scared out of you, definitely check out one of these attractions, but don’t blame me for any nightmares you suffer from afterwards (assuming you survive). This is your warning: these attraction are not for the faint of heart!
Dress Up Anyway
Who needs a party to rock a fun costume? Get a group of friends together, dress up, and go for a walk, grab a bite to eat, even score some candy (who says you’re too old for trick-or-treating?). It’s Halloween! When else can you get away with showing up in public dressed as a superhero?