The Philadelphia Zoo's expanded Boo at the Zoo October schedule gives visitors an unprecedented opportunity to take in the changing seasons. With a canopy of 1,500 trees transforming into brilliant shades of burgundy, yellow, and orange—including the glowing ginkgo trees at Outback Outpost and the distinct orange katsura trees—the zoo has become a premier leaf-peeping destination. For the first time, guests can ride the new 10-story Pherris Wheel for breathtaking, sky-high aerial views of the autumn foliage and the Philadelphia skyline.
For a truly unique and spooky experience, you can book tickets for the early-morning "Wake Up With Wildlife Premium Tours" running on select Sundays. These exclusive tours offer a deep dive into the haunted history at the Philadelphia Zoo, including an incredibly rare stop inside The Solitude—a historic mansion built in 1784 that is widely rumored to be the most haunted building on the zoo's campus.
After your ghostly morning tour, you can explore a frightfully delicious culinary menu that goes way beyond standard concession fare. Grab a drink at the Apple Cider Bar in Impala Plaza (featuring Vampire Blood Frozen Frazils), indulge in Scorpion Fries dusted in Flaming Hot Cheetos from the Backyard Kitchen, or grab a Monster Meatball Sub at Tiger Terrace.
To plan your perfect autumn day out, check the schedule to see When is Boo at the Zoo is happening this weekend. Combining a chilling zoo tour with an evening out makes for the perfect October itinerary. You can transition from the zoo's historic frights straight into neighborhood festivities by checking the Philadelphia trick-or-treat times, and cap the night off by grabbing a seasonal cocktail at the best Halloween bars in Philadelphia.