PHILADELPHIA, August 28, 2000 – Spending Halloween in Philadelphia is a real treat. Dress as your favorite spook, grab a "ghoul-friend" and paint pumpkins with the Count at Sesame Place or get an insider’s view of the Eastern State Penitentiary. It might be tricky to choose just one of these scary Halloween activities.

• Eastern State Penitentiary: Watch for the "not-so-friendly" ghosts of Al Capone and Willie Sutton during Halloween tours of the dark, crumbling cellblocks of this former prison. Theatrical lighting, sound and special effects, lasers, high-tech and three-dimensional elements add to the horror of this tour. Tours starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 12 through Tuesday, October 31. Tickets go on sale on Sunday, September 10. Several area restaurants offer tour/dinner packages. 2124 Fairmount Avenue. (215) 236-3300. Tickets available at www.easternstate.org

• Philadelphia Ghost Tour: Take a candlelight walking tour of America’s most historic…and most haunted city! The tour through Old City begins at 5^th and Chestnut streets at 7:30 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Purchase tickets at least 15 minutes prior to tour time at Willie and Duffy’s restaurant on 6^th and Chestnut streets. (215) 413-1997. www.ghosttour.com/phila.html

• The Philadelphia Orchestra: Come in costume to the annual Halloween concert on Tuesday, October 31 at 7 p.m. (Program to be announced in September.) The Academy of Music, 260 S. Broad Street. (215) 893-1900. www.philaorch.org

• Fort Mifflin on the Delaware: Find out if Fort Mifflin is haunted at "Family Fright Fest." Hear true stories of some unexplained historical happenings, from October 20-22 and from October 27^th to 31^st at 7 p.m. Fort Mifflin Road. (215) 685-4192.

• Henri David Halloween Ball: Join the fun at the annual Halloween costume bash in the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel on October 31, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. At midnight, compete for prizes in nine different costume categories. 17^th and Race streets.(215) 732-7711.
• Brandywine River Museum: Dance the night away at the "Allhallows Eve Costume Ball" on October 28, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The ball, in the museum’s "haunted" courtyard, features live music, a costume competition, and complementary food and beverage with admission. US Route 1 and Route 100, Chadds Ford, PA. (610) 388-8315.

• Hedgerow Theatre: See Agatha Christie’s thriller "The Unexpected Guest" from October 12 to November 25. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the show begins at 8 p.m., and on Sundays, it begins at 2 p.m. Halloween party on Saturday, October 28 will include food, costume contest and door prizes. 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA. (610) 565-4211. www.hedgerowtheatre.org

• Philadelphia Zoo: Trick or treat at "Boo at the Zoo" on Saturday, October 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Explore the haunted treehouse and watch mascots on parade. The 42-acres are transformed into a festive trick-or-treat trail. Children in costume can join the parade and receive $2 off admission. Also, the Philadelphia Zoo hosts "Creepy Crawlers," featuring a variety of large bugs from across the world in the Amphibian and Reptile House. See these creatures from September 2 until October 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. 3400 West Girard Avenue. (215) 243-1100. www.philadelphiazoo.org

• Elmwood Park Zoo: Win candy and toys at educational stations set up throughout the zoo at "Boo at the Zoo" on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Costume contest, special animal shows. 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown. (610) 277-3825. www.elmwoodparkzoo.com

• Pennypacker Mills: Take an old-fashioned horse drawn hayride at "All Hallows Eve Festival for Children" on Saturday, October 21 from 1-4 p.m. Activities include crafts, apple bobbing and games. Children must be accompanied by an adult and are encouraged to wear a costume. 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA. (610) 287-9349.

• Please Touch Museum: Participate in special crafts and games during Halloween Family Week, Saturday, October 21 through Halloween, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children in costume receive $1 off admission. 210 N. 21^st Street. (215) 963-0667. www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

• Rittenhouse Row Trick-or-Treating: Trick-or-treat from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 28 at more than 75 stores and restaurants from the Avenue of the Arts to 21^st Streets and from Spruce to Market Street. Followed by a party at the Westin Hotel Philadelphia, 17^th & Chestnut Streets in Liberty Place. (215) 735-4899.

• Sesame Place: Trick or treat with Count at the 4^th annual Count’s Halloween Spooktacular. Children can wear costumes, paint pumpkins, trick or treat throughout the park and catch a Halloween version of the beloved Rock Around the Block parade. The park is open only on weekends from Saturday, September 30 through Sunday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (215) 752-7070. www.sesameplace.com
• Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau: Meet "Mad Anthony" Wayne and other ghosts on a special "Historic Haunts" driving tour. This free self-guided tour is available by calling (610) 834-1550 or on the website www.valleyforge.org

Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia visit www.gophila.com or call (888) GO-PHILA.

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