By Dakota Baker, RealWV

WEST VIRGINIA — October brings plenty of spooky opportunities to explore West Virginia, from lantern-lit walks through historic downtowns to overnight paranormal investigations, costume balls, and a Halloween-themed train ride through the mountains. Whether you’re interested in local legends, historic sites, unusual costumes, or family-friendly Halloween fun, these events offer something for every kind of autumn adventurer.

Haunted Tours and Historic Investigations

Shadows of Logan: A Ghosts and Legends Walking Tour

Step into the darker side of Logan during Shadows of Logan: A Ghosts and Legends Walking Tour. The 45-minute, lantern-lit walking tour takes visitors through historic Logan while sharing local ghost stories and legends.

The tour runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2026, with departures between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Tours begin at The 1910, 420 Main St. in Logan. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online or at the door.

Ghost Hunt at Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

For those looking for a more immersive paranormal experience, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston will host a six-hour nighttime ghost hunt inside the historic asylum’s main building.

The asylum is located at 50 S. River Ave. in Weston. Tickets are $100 plus tax per person, and reservations are required. Participants must be 12 or older.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum offers a variety of different tours at different prices. To view available tours or purchase tickets, visit https://trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/ghost-tours/ 

Halloween Parties and Special Events

The Asylum Ball

Halloween celebrations take on a historic setting at The Asylum Ball, a late-night, 21-and-over event held in the courtyard of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.

The event takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. The evening features live bands, a DJ, karaoke, food vendors, and a costume contest offering cash prizes. Costume registration ends at 10 p.m., with winners announced at 11 p.m.

Advance tickets are available at a lower price, while tickets purchased at the door cost more. BYOB is permitted with restrictions, and flashlight tours require separate tickets. Tickets can be purchased at https://trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/the-asylum-ball/ 

The Appalachian Oddities Costume Ball

For a Halloween celebration with a decidedly unusual twist, the Appalachian Oddities Costume Ball invites guests to dress up in everything from folkloric creations to cryptid-inspired costumes.

The 21-and-over event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Clarion Inn Harpers Ferry-Charles Town, 4328 William L. Wilson Freeway in Harpers Ferry.

The costume ball is part of the larger Appalachian Oddities Faire, which runs Oct.16–18. Tickets for the ball can be purchased here. 

Unique Trains and Family Halloween Fun

Cass Halloween Train

Families looking for a different way to celebrate Halloween can climb aboard the Cass Halloween Train on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. 

The evening excursion departs Cass Scenic Railroad at 5 p.m. and travels to Whittaker Station, where passengers can warm up around a campfire with hot chocolate. The experience also includes a walk past a haunted cemetery and an abandoned logging camp.

Costumes are encouraged, and children can enjoy Halloween candy before the evening continues with post-ride activities at the Cass Community Center.

The train departs from Cass Scenic Railroad, 12369 Cass Road in Cass. Ticket prices vary, and online reservations are required. To purchase tickets, click here, they don’t last long!

Miller’s Haunted Farm

A fright for the whole family. Step into the dark midway and indulge in a variety of delicious food, and enjoy haunting melodies as you gather around the nightly bonfires and await your journey. 

Can you escape the cryptids and beasts that have taken over the town? Even if you survive, there is no guarantee you will outlast what lurks in the darkness of Miller Institute and The Demented Forest. 

Miller’s Haunted Farm begins haunting on the weekend of Sept. 26 at 260 Cabin View Lane, Lewisburg, W.Va. 24901. The haunt takes place every weekend in October, with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. Kids under 5 may enter at no charge. Ticket pricing varies, and tickets can be purchased at  https://www.millersnightmare.com/tickets 

Make Your Halloween a West Virginia Adventure

From ghost stories whispered along historic streets to overnight investigations inside a legendary former asylum, West Virginia offers plenty of ways to embrace the spooky season and experience some of the state’s history, folklore, and fall atmosphere after dark.