After you’ve checked into your hotel, high-tail it over to City Hall. You'll take a tour of the tower, upon which a statue of William Penn looks proudly over Philadelphia.

You'll learn about the proposed urban design that would have ripped it down in the 1950s, as well as "The Curse of William Penn,” a supposed hex that kept the city’s professional sports teams from winning a single championship for more than 25 years (until the Philadelphia Soul captured the Arena Football League championship in 2008!).

From City Hall, walk over to the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood for lunch at Devil’s Alley. You won’t find Mephistopheles at this cozy, two-level pub — just an assortment of gourmet burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. And the good news? You don’t have to sell your soul to get here.

After lunch, walk to The Rosenbach Museum, which is housed in two adjoining row homes on one of Center City’s most elegant, tiniest streets. The Museum hosts Bram Stoker’s handwritten notes and sketches for Dracula in its collection — as well as its annual Dracula Festival.

And during Fall 2008, the Rosenbach is showcasing Maurice Sendak’s original drawings of his wild, nighttime creatures that were made famous in Where the Wild Things Are.

Just as the sun is setting, wet your whistle with cocktails at Twenty Manning. The trendy restaurant’s intimate dining room always flickers with candlelight, and the television behind the bar plays a rotation of black and white noir films from the golden age of the silver screen.

And if the fall weather isn’t too crisp, try to score sidewalk seating — in a city known for its alfresco dining, Twenty Manning is at the top of the list.

Just a few blocks south you’ll find Pumpkin, a small gem of a BYOB restaurant. Owned and operated by a husband and wife team, the menu rotates weekly depending on what’s delicious and in season. Everything is tasty and exquisitely fresh, but the fish constantly gets rave reviews. Call ahead for reservations and BYO suggestions.

After dinner, cab it over to 5th and Chestnut to catch up with the Haunted Trolley Tour, part of the creepy-but-fun Ghost Tours of Philadelphia. This 90-minute ride will take you by more than 20 haunted Philadelphia locations while your guide spins spooky tales about Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin.

The bar at the Society Hill Hotel was originally constructed in 1832 as an oyster bar and watering hole for longshoremen on leave. It’s been lovingly restored and is now an elegant place to drink one last glass of wine. But not all things can be modernized — the ghosts of those longshoremen still like to make their presence known by making the windows howl when the wind blows.

It’s a cute and quaint spot — perfect for a hushed conversation after a long day of vacation.

It’s time to get rowdy again. National Mechanics is one of the city’s best new spots, and in this town, you’ll have a hard time finding a more beloved and good times-filled bar than National Mechanics.

The décor — consisting mostly of Christmas light-illuminated, mechanical animals — is more freaky than scary. Following suit, the beer list and nostalgic menu of corn dogs and tacos are both freakishly perfect for a late-night snack.

Start the day off right with a filling breakfast at Reading Terminal Market. Grab a stool at the counter of the Dutch Eating Place, or slide into a booth at the Down Home Diner. When you’re finished eating, make sure to stroll the massive food hall and check out the bounty of the season. Pick up a few fresh, locally grown apples (and maybe some candy corn) for a snack this afternoon.

Head over to the Independence Visitor Center to pick up free, timed tickets for access to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. You never know when you might encounter the ghost of Ben Franklin while wandering the hallowed halls of Constitution Hall.

If you prefer something a bit more ghoulish, pile in the car and check out Laurel Hill Cemetery. Founded in 1836 as a rural burial spot that would also be inviting to the living, Laurel Hill is the final resting spot for 39 Civil War-era generals, countless Philadelphia luminaries and six people killed when the Titanic sank. They are open seven days a week and there is no entry fee to stroll the extensive grounds — and be sure to check out their schedule of special Halloween Tours.
 

Once the stomach starts growling, head to the City Tavern (reconstructed from the original for the 1976 Bicentennial). They offer a historic dining experience, complete with Colonial haute cuisine, costumed wait staff and Colonial-era drinks and desserts. If the weather is kind, you can sit outside in the garden where George Washington and John Adams used to dine.

Looking very much as it did 250 years ago, St. Peter’s Church is a landmark in the elegant 18th-century neighborhood of Society Hill, where people from all walks of life rubbed elbows. It was founded by former members of Old City’s Christ Church and was finished in 1761. The churchyard is said to be one of the most haunted places in the city — and those are some old ghosts.

Philadelphia has always played home to talented craftspeople and artisans. And these days, Midtown Village is where you want to go to score Philly’s best locally designed clothing, furniture and even dessert.

Don’t miss Halloween, Henri David’s jewelry shop, or the Sailor Jerry flagship store. And while you’re in the neighborhood, pick up a couple treats at Capogiro, where the gelato is made fresh — really fresh — everyday.

While he’s often claimed by Baltimore (where his gravestone currently resides), Edgar Allan Poe actually did a large portion of his writing here in Philadelphia — it was here that he wrote such classic horror stories as The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart.

He lived in this house (the only one of his five Philadelphia homes that still stands) from 1843 to 1844, and it serves as the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site. And if you stick around Philly for Halloween, you can catch Elvira, Mistress of the Dark performing a reading of The Raven at this most creepy site.
 

A week or two before your trip, make reservations for one of Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls Dinner Packages. What’s “Terror Behind the Walls,” you ask? Just you wait and see.

For dinner, a Halloween-themed meal — think "mummified salmon with Bloody Mary sauce" — at such neighborhood restaurants as Rembrandt's and Jack's Firehouse, and your Terror Behind the Walls passes will arrive with dessert. You can pick from one of six restaurants within walking distance of the prison, depending on your desired price point and cuisine.
 

Tonight, you’re going to get a real scare. Eastern State Penitentiary, known as America’s most historic prison, turns into a colossal haunted house every Halloween season. Donning the name “Terror Behind the Walls,” the experience will have your heart racing the whole time. Trust us.

Fair warning: "Terror" is ridiculously popular. Make sure you reserve tickets before your trip!
 

You made it out of the haunted prison intact, but your heart rate hasn’t quite settled down yet. We recommend the Rose Tattoo Café for a soothing brandy or calming cup of tea before going back to your hotel room. It's cute as a button, and there will be no ghouls to bother you.

Sunday brunch is when Philadelphia hits its culinary peak. And since it’s harvest season, grab a table at Farmicia for freshly made food sourced from local farms.

We suggest the organic farmhouse eggs, the tofu scramble or the turkey and avocado club. And since it’s hell-raising season, try the “Barn Burner” — Farmicia’s signature Bloody Mary.

Ready for a little agro-tainment? Hop in the car and drive out to Linvilla Orchards for apple picking, a massive pumpkin patch, a petting zoo and a vast farmers' market chock-full of harvest foods.

After strolling along the grounds and picking out a pumpkin for your front stoop, head back to Linvilla's state fair-like food stalls for a casual lunch before you travel home.

Transportation

If you're traveling from New York, New England, DC, Baltimore, Harrisburg, etc., Amtrak is easy — and you can get 50% off a companion fare when you use our special discount code V454. Book online at Amtrak or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Driving

If you drive here, stash your car off-street until you leave. Though you might enjoy an occasional cab, trolley or carriage ride, there’s nothing you can’t reach on foot. Parking regulations are enforced in the historic area, and you may find yourself getting towed with un-municipal efficiency.

Hotel Packages

You're in luck. We've got several Halloween Hotel Packages that get you great accommodations in Center City, plus access to either Eastern State Penitentiary or Elvira's Halloween Bash at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue.

Accommodations

The Hyatt Regency is one of the historic area’s newest hotels, a tower right on the Delaware River. You can sit at the outdoor bar and listen to the creak-creak of moored boats.

For a young and fun stay, book a room at the aloft Philadelphia Airport, which combines modern design, interactive resources and lots of cool extras to make your Philly stay fresh and affordable.

The Independent, meanwhile, is a new boutique hotel right in Center City. Each guest room features its own unique design, while the building — an example of Georgian-Revival architecture — is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Philly Overnight® Hotel Package is a popular getaway — and a terrific deal. It’s available throughout the year and gives you free parking (worth $50 or more) and special offers and discounts - in addition to deluxe accommodations in Center City Philadelphia. Check out the package, then pick your favorite hotel.

More food and drink, please!

Of course, what we've recommended is just a sample of the amazing range of food and drink in Philadelphia. Take a closer look at the city's Dining and Nightlife offerings and pick your favorites.