The Ultimate Fall Adventure Awaits With These 3 Haunted Places in Massachusetts

The lazy days of summer will soon be behind us, but new adventures await with the start of the busy fall. There is so much to love about autumn in New England, but the part that I am most looking forward to is the spooky Halloween season. Yes, I said season, because to me, Halloween is not just a frightening holiday that takes place on October 31st, but rather, a festive celebration that spans the entire month (and beyond). If you want a creepy way to enjoy the season, check out some of my favorite haunted spots in Massachusetts.

1. Salem

You can experience a bit of Halloween every day in my hometown of Salem, Massachusetts, but the Witch City comes alive with scary vibes during the autumn months. If you want to beat the crowds, I suggest visiting in early-to-mid September or early November. Salem is my favorite haunted place in Massachusetts because there is so much to experience here.

From haunted houses to witch history museums to strange costumed street buskers, you don’t have to wander far to find a bit of Halloween spirit in town. For a bit of authentic haunted Salem history, I suggest taking a walking ghost tour of the city. There are several to choose from, but the expertly-led Spellbound Tours are my favorite. 

Salem is also home to several haunted hotels, including The Hawthorne Hotel and The Salem Inn. If you visit during October, I suggest making reservations well in advance, as they tend to fill up extremely quickly during our spooky season.

2. Lizzie Borden House - Fall River

One of my most unique overnights in Massachusetts was my visit to the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Fall River. You are probably familiar with the story of the local young lady who killed her father and stepmother with an ax, but did you know that you can visit and even spend the night in this haunted inn? The bed and breakfast is set up to look as it did in 1892, and there are several rooms where you can spend a terrifying evening. A few years ago, my husband and I spent the night in the “murder room” (where Abby Borden met her death), and I have to admit that I slept with the covers over my head that evening. The inn also hosts cemetery tours, paranormal hunts, and ghost tours. If you are fascinated with life beyond the grave, this Fall River attraction is a must-do.

3. Hoosac Tunnel -Western Massachusetts

A lesser-known but equally creepy local spot is the Hoosac Tunnel in the western part of the state. The longest tunnel in Massachusetts runs through the Hoosac Mountain Range and connects the towns of Florida to North Adams. This region is particularly scenic in the autumn; however, if you look beyond the spectacular views of the colorful mountain ranges, you may feel a bit of unexplained activity originating from those who lost their lives here many years ago.

The tunnel's construction began in 1851 and took over 24 grueling years to complete. During this time, over 200 miners lost their lives, earning the tunnel the nickname “the Bloody Pit.” Since then, reports of weird sounds, ghostly figures, and other strange occurrences have been reported in the area. The Hoosac is now an active non-passenger train tunnel, so you can't go inside. However, you can view the tunnel’s exterior and visit the monument dedicated to those who died during the project’s construction. Please exercise caution and do not enter the tunnel or trespass on the railroad property.

Are you ready for the Halloween season? What haunted attraction in Massachusetts do you find to be the most horrifying of all?

If you're planning to visit any of the spooky regions listed above, you can use the Only In Your State AI-powered itinerary planner to map out an amazing Massachusetts fall getaway.