Ghostly Getaways: Spooky Trips in Philly

Philadelphia, PA - Philly is one of the most haunted cities in the country. Packed with colonial-era legends, haunted prisons, and cursed forts, the City of Brotherly Love is the perfect spot for Pennsylvania residents looking for a hauntingly good time. Here are the most haunted places in Philly worth visiting.

Eastern State Penitentiary

The Eastern State Penitentiary – Public domain 

The Eastern State Penitentiary isn’t just a crumbling relic of the past – it’s a monument to human suffering, echoing with the tormented cries of the long-dead. 

Once hailed as a revolutionary prison providing an innovative way of rehabilitating prisoners, it quickly devolved into a chamber of horrors. Inmates were locked in pitch-black solitude for weeks on end, some driven mad by the silence alone. When going from cell to cell, they had to wear a sack over their heads; any attempt to communicate with a fellow prisoner was met by swift and brutal punishment. 

Silence was a form of penance, in line with Quaker beliefs, thought to help cleanse the soul of its sins. Not only were prisoners not allowed to talk, but no noise was allowed in the prison at all. Guards wore socks over their shoes so they could glide silently through the halls, without making a peep. 

Today, it ranks as the 2nd most haunted place in the world. At the time, though, it housed hundreds of prisoners going through extreme physical torture and mental anguish. Charles Dickens visited the prisoner and wrote about the prolonged mental distress that the prisoners faced, writing that it was one of the worst forms of torture that could ever be imposed on any human. 

As if living in prolonged social isolation – each prisoner was held in solitary confinement for almost 24 hours a day – wasn’t enough to break their spirits, the physical torture applied at this prison transcends belief. 

Guards would submerge prisoners in water and hang them on the wall to dry in the freezing cold until icicles formed on their bodies. Perhaps the most dreadful punishment of them all was the feared iron gag. With their hands tied behind their head and chained to their tongue, a prisoner enduring this punishment would have no option but to remain immobile lest any sudden movement of their hands pull out their tongue. 

Today, the prison is haunted by the ghosts of former inmates. The oppressive energy is palpable upon entering the penitentiary’s walls. 

Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures series did a ghost hunting investigation there. Visitors report feeling cold spots and even a hand grasping them, as well as hearing strange sounds, such as disembodied footsteps and tapping on the walls. 

Washington Square Park

Washington Square – Public domain

Another one of Philly’s most haunted places is Washington Square. Here, you will find the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier (not to be confused with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington). 

The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier honors the Revolutionary War soldiers who were interred in mass graves in Washington Square. 

During the Revolutionary War, soldier after soldier was dumped in mass graves in the square. Many had died from camp diseases such as smallpox, and others from battle injuries. It’s not only soldiers who are buried here, though; yellow fever victims and prisoners who died in nearby Walnut Street prison after being imprisoned by the British were also laid to rest here. 

The history of using the square as a mass dumping site for the dead goes back to even before the Revolutionary War, though, when dead slaves were unceremoniously dumped in what was, at the time, Potter’s Field. 

There’s a certain tension in the air when you walk through Washington Square, despite its cheerful and leafy appearance. Locals working in the area might enjoy an outdoor lunch on a warm, sunny day, but at night, the ghosts of the skeletons beneath the ground come back to life. 

A local legend claims that the park is haunted by a lady called Leah, who used to patrol the square back in the day, on the lookout for body snatchers coming after the dead bodies dumped there. 

Body snatching was quite a lucrative business at the time, and they were paid handsomely for retrieving bodies on which medical research could be done. Some visitors say they can’t shake off the feeling of being followed when walking about the park at night. 

Apparitions of long-dead soldiers roaming the grounds in the wee hours of the morning are also common. Are you brave enough to walk here after 3 AM? 

Fort Mifflin

Frederikto, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fort Mifflin is the oldest fort in the US still in use by the US military. It is also known as one of the most haunted places in Philly. Ghosts of those who suffered unspeakable tragedies in days gone by haunt unsuspecting visitors to this haunted fort. 

Numerous soldiers lost their lives as the British bombarded the fort during the Revolutionary War. Around 400 Americans held out against around 2,000 British soldiers, and 250 of the American soldiers lost their lives. However, their resistance gave General Washington time to reposition the army and withdraw to Valley Forge, denying the British free use of the Delaware River. 

The most famous ghost calling Fort Mifflin home is that of the headless man. It is believed to be the ghost of William Howe, a Union soldier who was executed here during the Civil War on charges of desertion. 

William Howe, by all accounts, was a cheerful, friendly, and loyal soldier. At some point, though, dysentery got to him, as it did to thousands of other soldiers of those times. Dysentery was causing soldiers to drop like flies, and William sought out treatment from doctors in DC, leaving his post to do so. 

Some months later, several officers were sent to retrieve William. Abraham Lincoln, in light of the high rate of desertion in the Union Army, had set a deadline for soldiers to return, and William had missed the deadline. 

The exact course of events that transpired next is a bit unclear. What is known is that William fired at the officers coming to arrest him, killing one of them. William claimed he was shot at first; the officers claimed that William started it. 

Either way, Howe was sentenced to death. The Union Army decided to make an example out of him, and despite his pleas, President Lincoln did not pardon him. He was the only soldier executed at Fort Mifflin during the war. With a bag over his head and a noose around his neck, he met his death and passed into the next world – or perhaps not

Today, William Howe continues to haunt Fort Mifflin as “The Faceless Man” (due to the way his face was obscured by a bag during his execution). A soldier with no face is often seen strolling around the fort, frightening even the strongest-minded individuals. 

Another ghost of Fort Mifflin is “The Screaming Lady,” who most believe to be the spirit of one Elizabeth Pratt, the wife of an officer who lived in the fort. Their young daughter fell in love with one of the younger soldiers stationed at the fort. Their parents disapproved of the relationship and disowned her. 

Unfortunately, their daughter soon succumbed to yellow fever and died. Filled with grief over the fact that she did not reconcile with her daughter before her death, Elizabeth hung herself while wailing with regret. Her wails can be heard to this day. 

The Faceless Man and The Screaming Lady are just two of the many ghosts haunting this fort, such as a blacksmith who never left his post and a sick man still trying to find a cure. 

Philly is full of other haunted place, which are best explored by joining a Philly ghost tour. You’ll be surprised and shocked at the untold history of this city! 

Philadelphia To Unveil America's Largest Pride Flag

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Prepare for one of America's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations! Philly Pride 365 has officially announced the return of the annual Philadelphia Pride March and Festival on Sunday, June 1, 2025. This vibrant event, a cornerstone of Philly Pride Month, is expected to draw massive crowds, following last year's record turnout of an estimated 100,000 people.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Get ready, Philadelphia! The Wawa Welcome America festival is back and bigger than ever for its 2025 iteration, promising an expanded 16 days of free, family-friendly fun from June 19th to July 4th. This year's patriotic extravaganza will culminate in a star-studded July 4th Concert and Fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, headlined by two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon LL COOL J and Philadelphia's own GRAMMY® Award-winning R&B sensation, Jazmine Sullivan.

Did You Know? Mother's Day Was Founded in Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA - Mother's Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia more than 100 years ago, but what is the real story? This holiday honors the daily sacrifices mothers make for their children. It's celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year, and its founding was made possible by a woman living in the city. Anna Jarvis, who founded the Mothers' Day Work Clubs, is considered the woman who gave birth to Mother's Day.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The 13th annual Garces Foundation Benefit, held on May 8th, 2025, at Live! Casino & Hotel successfully brought together hundreds of supporters for a festive "Latin Night Market" themed evening, all focused on a critical mission: aiding Philadelphia's underserved immigrant population. Hosted by Chef Jose Garces and Dr. Beatriz Garces, the event raised significant funds to support the Foundation's essential healthcare, educational, and dental programs.

Your Guide to Wawa Welcome America 2025!

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Get ready for 16 days of free, family-friendly excitement! The Wawa Welcome America festival, Philadelphia's massive July 4th celebration, returns from June 19th to July 4th, 2025, packed with events perfect for kids of all ages and their families. From dedicated children's music festivals and lively block parties to free museum days and spectacular fireworks, there's no shortage of ways to make lasting memories.