Welcome to Evans City, Pennsylvania, a quaint and unassuming town with a unique claim to fame—it’s the iconic “Zombie Town” known to legions of horror fans worldwide. Immortalized in George A. Romero’s classic film “Night of the Living Dead,” Evans City has become a pilgrimage site for cinephiles and zombie enthusiasts alike.
In this travel guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the streets that once hosted the undead, explore the town’s cinematic history, and uncover the eerie charm that makes Evans City a destination like no other. Whether you’re a fan of the undead or simply seeking a distinctive travel experience, join us as we delve into the fascinating world of Evans City, Pennsylvania.
Where Is Evans City PA?
Evans City, Pennsylvania, is a picturesque borough located in the western part of the state, nestled within Butler County. Known for its small-town charm and scenic countryside, it lies approximately 30 miles north of downtown Pittsburgh. While its tranquil atmosphere and charming streets may seem ordinary at first glance, Evans City holds a unique place in cinematic history as the setting for George A. Romero’s iconic film “Night of the Living Dead.”
This cinematic connection has earned it the nickname “Zombie Town” and attracts film enthusiasts and horror fans from around the world. While visiting Evans City, you’ll discover a delightful blend of rural beauty and cinematic legacy in the heart of Pennsylvania.
Looking for more weekend getaway ideas? Check out our bucket list of weekend getaways in Northeast USA.
Zombie Town Origins
Recently, I tweeted out this photo, taken at Wolf Hills Brewery in Abingdon VA, of a zombie chasing a tractor. Someone had added an “s” to Eat Local, so the result was both a sarcastic commentary on that over-ripe concept and a witty nod to dead flesh-eating humans. It was retweeted more than any other picture I’ve ever posted.
Before 1968, when George A. Romero made a low-budget horror film set in a rural cemetery about 30 miles from Pittsburg PA, zombie flicks were all about evil scientists and mind control. Night of the Living Dead changed all that.
Every subsequent movie that Romero made (Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, etc) and every movie and TV show about flesh-eating zombies, including Walking Dead and World War Z, can be traced back to that one independent black-and-white film set, for the most part, in Evans City Cemetery.
Yes, there is a Living Dead Museum. It is where it should be: in Evans City PA, less than a mile from the cemetery. Evans City is not much of a city. Outside of Pittsburgh, in Butler County, PA (Pennsylvania’s Quirkiest Region) its population is less than 2,000.
But every year Romero fans inundate the town for The Night of the Living Dead Festival. They go out to the cemetery.
They meet and greet favorite characters from the film series (photo shows Jim Krut – “Helicopter Zombie” from Dawn of the Dead, who gets the upper half of his head chopped off by a chopper blade).
And they watch said favorites add his or her handprints to the “Maul of Fame.”
But you don’t have to wait for the annual festival (held in early October). The Living Dead Museum is open year round, as is the Evans City Cemetery. For Zombie aficionados, it makes for one hell of a Halloween Getaway.
Love your newsletter – you share my love for the unique and quirky! A few weeks ago we rode the RR in Boyertown and visited Goggleworks in Reading.
I’m an event planner in Howard County, MD; I live in Columbia, just a few minutes from Ellicott City. I know you’ve been down this way in the past, but if you’re here again, please join me for lunch. In addition to mostly nonprofit events, I also run bus trips to Broadway (just for fun) several times a year. Maybe there’s something we can do collaboratively.
With warmest regards,
Laurie Diener, 410.591.2603