You can actually book an overnight stay inside the house where one of America’s most famous unsolved crimes took place in 1892. Yes, guests sleep there on purpose.
I find that equal parts brave and baffling.
That’s just one stop on this list. Another is the only house still standing in its city with direct ties to the 1692 witch trials.
A third is a granite fort with a ghost story that has floated around for generations.
Massachusetts preserves its eerie history in places you can still explore, from old family homes to weathered fortifications. Each landmark offers a different way to encounter the stories behind its walls.
I love that the history here feels close enough to tap you on the shoulder.
So bring your curiosity and a friend who appreciates a good ghost story. Which of these six places would you be brave enough to explore?
1. Lizzie Borden House (A Bed and Breakfast & Museum)
Most bed and breakfasts brag about fluffy pillows, but this one brags about a crime scene. Back in August 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found slain inside this Fall River home.
Andrew’s daughter, Lizzie, was arrested and put on trial. A jury acquitted her in 1893, and nobody else was ever convicted.
That missing ending is a big reason people still show up here. The case turned into a schoolyard rhyme, a pile of books, and plenty of movies.
Today, the property operates as a historic bed-and-breakfast and visitor attraction. You can reserve an overnight stay or purchase tickets for a guided tour, with options ranging from daytime history visits to evening ghost tours and investigations.
So, would you actually sleep here? Some visitors treat it as a bucket-list dare, while others are perfectly happy leaving before the sun goes down.
Daytime house tours are generally offered between 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM, while separate ghost tours and investigations run later in the evening. Check the schedule and book the experience you want before visiting.
A smart move is to read up on the case before you arrive. Knowing the names, the timeline, and the trial makes each room hit a little harder.
Fall River sits about an hour south of Boston, so it works well as a day trip. You can pair it with other stops around the city if you want to stretch out the visit.
Just remember this was a real family’s home. The mystery is fascinating, but a little respect goes a long way when you’re standing where it all happened.
Address: 230 Second St, Fall River, MA 02721
2. The Witch House at Salem
Salem is packed with witch-themed shops, but only one house in town has direct ties to the 1692 trials. That honor belongs to this dark, steep-roofed home on Essex Street.
It once belonged to Judge Jonathan Corwin. He served on the court that heard the witch trial cases and sent accused neighbors to the gallows.
Think about that for a second. These rooms belonged to a man directly involved in one of the darkest chapters of colonial Massachusetts history.
The house dates to the seventeenth century, and it shows in the best way. Low ceilings, old beams, and shadowy corners make it feel like the 1600s never fully left.
Visits are generally self-guided, with staff available inside to answer questions. The exhibits cover daily life in the seventeenth century alongside the fear and accusations surrounding the witch trials.
That mix matters more than you’d expect. Learning how people cooked, worked, and worshipped helps explain how fear spread so quickly.
Kids tend to do well here, and the visit doesn’t take forever. It’s a solid pick if you want real history instead of costumes and fake cobwebs.
Plan ahead on a couple of practical points. The site has no restroom, and parking comes through paid lots or paid street spots.
Timing helps too. Weekend afternoons get the busiest, while Thursday mornings tend to be the quietest.
The Witch House generally opens daily from 10 AM to 5 PM during its main season, with more limited hours in winter. Check the schedule before visiting, especially in October when reservations may be required.
Address: 310 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
3. S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion
Chairs built this mansion, and maybe something else keeps it busy at night. Sylvester K. Pierce made his fortune in furniture in Gardner, a town once famous as the Chair City of the World.
He built this grand Victorian home in the 1870s. Today, it stands as one of the most talked-about haunted houses in Massachusetts.
Here’s what makes it fun. You can come for the architecture, the local history, or the paranormal side, and the tours cover all three.
The mansion offers a 90-minute tour experience that begins with a guided look at its history and architecture, followed by time to explore the rooms and take photographs. Standard tours cost $50 per person.
Paranormal stories are part of the mansion’s reputation, and visitors can explore its haunted history through the experiences the venue currently offers. Check the booking calendar for any special investigations or themed events.
Are the strange happenings real? That’s for you to decide, but the setting does a great job of making your imagination work overtime.
The restoration itself deserves a moment of attention. Ornate details and grand rooms make it easy to picture life in a wealthy Victorian household.
Tours run by reservation, so book before you make the drive. Showing up on a whim is a good way to end up staring at the front door instead of the inside.
Families should check the age requirements and suitability of the specific experience before booking. The mansion’s historical architecture and elaborate Victorian interiors are attractions in their own right.
Gardner sits in north-central Massachusetts, a bit off the usual tourist path. That makes this mansion a fun excuse to explore a town with a proud manufacturing past.
Bring a curious friend and an open mind. A skeptic in the group makes the stories even more entertaining.
Address: 4 W Broadway, Gardner, MA 01440
4. Medfield State Hospital
Medfield State Hospital served as one of the filming locations for the 2010 thriller Shutter Island. Its historic brick buildings provided a suitably imposing backdrop for scenes in the film.
Medfield State Hospital opened in 1896 as a psychiatric hospital. It operated for over a century before closing its doors in 2003.
The former hospital campus is known for its historic brick buildings and expansive grounds. However, redevelopment and construction work have affected public access, so visitors need to confirm the latest restrictions before making the trip.
The contrast is what gets you. In daylight, it feels calm and peaceful, almost like a college campus taking a long nap.
The grounds have long attracted walkers and photographers, but portions of the property have been affected by construction restrictions. Don’t enter closed areas or assume the trails are available without checking current access rules.
Still, the history hangs in the air. Many patients lived hard lives here, and the silent buildings make that easy to remember.
So treat it with care. Stay on the paths, admire the buildings from outside, and leave the boarded doors alone.
The campus has long been popular with photographers because of its historic brick buildings and wide grounds. Autumn foliage adds color to the landscape, although visitors should confirm current access restrictions before planning a photography outing.
If public access is available again, daylight is the best time to appreciate the historic architecture and surrounding landscape while following posted safety restrictions.
There’s no reason to plan a paid attraction ticket here, but that doesn’t guarantee public entry during redevelopment. Check the Town of Medfield’s latest campus notices before planning a visit.
Address: 45 Hospital Rd, Medfield, MA 02052
5. The Rebecca Nurse Homestead
Rebecca Nurse was 71 years old when she was accused of witchcraft in 1692. She was a respected grandmother, and dozens of neighbors signed a petition defending her.
It didn’t save her. She was hanged that July, and her story remains one of the saddest chapters of the Salem Witch Trials.
This homestead in Danvers was her family’s farm. Back then, the area was part of Salem Village, the place where the accusations first began.
The mood here is quiet and thoughtful. It feels less like a spooky attraction and more like a place to stop and reflect.
Visitors can explore the house on a self-guided walk-through during operating hours or join a scheduled guided tour. In October, guided tours are offered at specific times throughout the day.
The family burial ground is also on the property, and Rebecca Nurse is believed to rest there in an unmarked grave. A memorial honors her, although the precise circumstances of her burial remain uncertain.
Don’t skip the replica of the Salem Village meetinghouse, built in 1984 for the historical drama Three Sovereigns for Sarah, which aired in 1985. It helps visitors imagine the setting of some of the early witch-trial examinations.
From September through November 11, 2026, the homestead is open Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM, with last admission at 1:30 PM. Spring and summer have different schedules, so check the calendar before visiting.
Admission costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for children ages 6 to 16, while younger children enter free. Parking is free, and visitors will also find restrooms and a gift shop on site.
Families with kids are welcome here. It’s a gentle way to teach young history fans that the trials hurt real people.
During your visit, leave a little extra time to walk the grounds and reflect on the history. The property closes at 2 PM on operating days, and visitors aren’t permitted to enter or wander after hours.
Address: 149 Pine St, Danvers, MA 01923
6. Fort Warren
Reaching Fort Warren on Georges Island usually means taking a seasonal ferry across Boston Harbor. The journey adds to the atmosphere, although regular public ferry service has already ended for the 2026 season.
Construction began in 1833 to defend the harbor. During the Civil War, the fort also held Confederate prisoners behind its thick granite walls.
That prison chapter gave birth to the island’s most famous legend. People call her the Lady in Black.
According to the Lady in Black legend, a woman secretly came to the fort hoping to rescue her imprisoned husband. The story ends tragically, although historians have found no evidence that the supposed events actually occurred.
True or not, the setting does its job. Long granite corridors, gloomy tunnels, and echoing rooms make it easy to feel watched.
Bring a flashlight for dimly lit areas that are open to visitors, and follow all posted restrictions. Some historic passages and stairways can be narrow, uneven, or difficult to navigate safely.
The fort also works as a museum. Exhibits include antique weapons and information about the fort’s role in protecting Boston.
When you need a break from shadows, head up top. The views across Boston Harbor are wide and impressive.
Families can explore designated sections of the fort together, with historic passageways, impressive granite walls, and wide harbor views to discover. Children should stay with adults, especially around stairways and uneven surfaces.
During the operating season, reserving ferry tickets ahead of time is a smart move. The public ferry schedule varies by date, and visitors must plan around the last departure from Georges Island.
It’s a fitting final stop for any Massachusetts history fan. Just don’t be shocked if you glance back at an empty tunnel more than once.
Address: Georges Island, Boston, MA
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