Pittsburgh has been making history—and ghosts—for centuries. From the construction of Fort Pitt in the 18th century to the city’s industrial heyday, the region has no shortage of legends, tragedies, and unexplained happenings. This October, you can delve into regional paranormal lore by listening to ghost stories on a river cruise, exploring supposedly haunted historic sites after dark, or taking in true tales of the macabre from a longtime local historian. Here’s where to get your ghost fix this Halloween, whether you’re after spine-tingling spookiness or kid-friendly scares. And if you’re craving more scares after these events, check out these historically haunted locations in Pittsburgh on your own.
Where to Find Pittsburgh’s Ghosts This Halloween at Tours, Walks, and Other Events
Haunted Three Rivers Cruise
September 25–October 30, Station Square
This evening cruise aboard the Gateway Clipper combines a sightseeing trip along the Three Rivers with ghost stories, spooky crew members, and tarot readings. Tour guide Ron Carter will share stories he’s collected over the years about some of Pittsburgh’s most-haunted places and its colonial history. Stops and landmarks include the Grand Concourse restaurant, the Monongahela Incline, and the old Allegheny County Prison. Guests will also hear about the mysteries of Killbuck Island, which used to be in the Ohio River but eventually became the North Shore. The cruise is family-friendly, and along with casual eats—hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and cotton candy—there’s a full-service bar and dancing. Guests are encouraged to dress warmly.
Haunted Hill View Manor
October 2–October 31 | New Castle
This former nursing facility and home for the aged, located between New Castle and Shenango Township, is now a paranormal hotspot where visitors can explore the historic building and investigate reports of supernatural activity. Built in 1926 and covering more than 80,000 square feet, it’s also been a homeless shelter and assisted-living facility over the years. Its historical ghost-hunting tours delve into the building’s history and reported paranormal activity, including stories about 15 different spirits. The manor has also been featured on television shows including Ghost Hunters and Project Fear. Tours and paranormal investigations range from one-and-a-half to eight hours, with some led by a guide and others giving guests time to explore and investigate the building on their own.
Steve Gonsalves Live
October 8 | Oaks Theater, Oakmont
Paranormal investigator Steve Gonsalves, author of A Life With Ghosts, will tell stories from his investigations and experiences with the supernatural, including his most memorable cases. Gonsalves has spent decades investigating specters, beginning in the early aughts, and his career has included television series such as Ghost Nation and Ghost Hunters, which ran for 11 seasons. The evening wraps up with a live question-and-answer segment.
Old Economy After Dark: Paranormal
October 10 | Old Economy Village, Ambridge
During this one-night-only event, visitors can discover whether spirits are lurking at Old Economy Village, the historic site and museum in Ambridge. Its 17 restored buildings and gardens preserve the remnants of a 19th-century community founded by the Harmony Society, a religious group that sought to create a self-sufficient society. After the sun sets, investigators from Beaver County Paranormal will describe their ghost hunting methodology and demo their ghost-hunting equipment. If you have your own handheld ghost-hunting equipment, you’re encouraged to bring it. Note that this is not a haunted attraction, so don’t expect any costumed characters or jump scares.
Campfire Ghost Stories
October 22–25 | Allison Park, Plum, Natrona Heights, Pittsburgh
Now in its fourth year, this family-friendly evening will feature local storytellers Josh Verbanets and Gab Bonesso sharing ghost stories and songs around a campfire in four Allegheny County parks. The stories are spooky and funny, mixing fictional tales, childhood stories, and Halloween-themed songs. The pair also adapt familiar scary stories and give them a Pittsburgh twist. “It could be something like the guy who invented the pierogi lived over that tree, and had his original pierogi stolen,” says Verbanets. The storytelling lasts about an hour and also features a costume contest.
Bill May’s Ghosts of Butler and Beyond
October 23 | Penn Theater, Butler
This marks the 12th year local historian and storyteller Bill May will be sharing his macabre tales. Taking the stage at the Penn and using video and audio effects, he’ll be presenting true stories of ghosts, murders, and unexplained happenings from around Western Pennsylvania. Originally from Butler, May has gathered local lore from four generations of his family. During the evening, he’ll divulge details about a murder trial that took place inside the Butler County Courthouse—and what happened when the verdict was read—as well as tales of a ghost in the courthouse vault and an apparition in Savannah Church Cemetery. Four of his stories center around grisly murders in Butler County. His favorite tales include a ghost story from Gettysburg, a story about the William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, and one about Kaufman Tavern in Zelienople.
Pittsburgh Ghosts: Sinister Shadows of Steel City
Daily | Downtown
This nightly walking tour visits some of Pittsburgh’s supposedly haunted sites, combining ghost stories with the city’s industrial history. The one-hour tour, which begins at 8 p.m. and starts at Mellon Square at Smithfield Street and Oliver Avenue, explores landmarks including the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Old Allegheny Jail Museum, and Clayton Mansion. Guests can rent an EMF—an electromagnetic field detector—to see if they can capture evidence of ghosts.
Black & Ghost Tour
Daily | Downtown
During this two-hour walking tour, guests will hear ghost stories and learn the history of prominent downtown structures and landmarks. One of the most notable is the Old Allegheny County Jail. The tours meet at 1049 Penn Avenue at 6 p.m. from September through March. Not a traditional ghost tour, it’s more of a history tour with spooky twists.
Dark History PGH Haunted Tours
September 25–October 24 | Downtown
These walking tours explore Pittsburgh neighborhoods through true stories of strange phenomena, tragic events, and reported paranormal activity. Each neighborhood tour covers about a mile of darkened streets and alleyways, with eight to 10 spooky stops along the way. The tours begin at a local establishment before heading to a haunted venue. According to founder Mel Johnson, the stories are drawn from newspaper headlines and researched at libraries and through historical societies to ensure accurate retellings. Johnson, a Pittsburgh native, became interested in paranormal activity after experiencing strange occurrences in a building she once owned in Carnegie.
Looking for more spooky fun? Check out our guide to Halloween with events around Pittsburgh and recipes to make at home.
About the Author
Shaylah Brown is a writer and artist exploring the intersections of art, culture, and joy. Her work examines how people create meaning through celebration, creativity, and community. She earned her BA in philosophy from St. John’s University and her MA in journalism from Georgetown University. She is also at work on her debut women’s fiction novel. Connect with her on social media @shay__louise.
Featured Photo From US Ghost Adventures
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