Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
It’s a good time to visit the city—the Phillies have won the World Series, the leaves are falling in Fairmount Park, and Halloween haunts abound. Today starting at noon the Phillies World Series Parade begins at 20th and Market, passing City Hall, Broad Street, the Sports Complex, and ending at Citizens Bank Park for festivities.
At five this evening, those interested in an artsier sort of Halloween event might like the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s “Halloween Night at the Museum,” including spooky art tours, tarot card readings, costume contest, and ghost stories in the galleries. Similarly, the Kimmel Center is transformed tonight with costumes, food, drinks, and music featuring the ABBA tribute band, Bjorn, and live organ music with silent films.
If you’re more of a thrill-seeker, there are a number of venues you can check out this weekend. The play “Monster,” a scary adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” is running through Sunday at the Walnut Street Theater. It’s not too late to visit Eastern State Penitentiary (closing the “terror” on Sunday). Alternately, you can head to the river and explore the “Gazela,” a haunted ghost ship on Penn’s Landing. Finally, there are always Philadelphia Ghost Tours, like those starting at Signers Garden (5th and Chestnut) and leading you by candlelight through the city or the slightly more expensive ghost tours of Old City beginning at Independence National Historical Park.
So what’ll it be: Trick or Treat?