Dare to Explore? 13 Haunted Places in Massachusetts That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine
Massachusetts, with its deep colonial history and legendary folklore, is home to some of the most haunted locations in the country. From eerie abandoned asylums to haunted mansions and restless spirits lurking in graveyards, these chilling destinations will leave even the bravest visitors questioning reality. Here are 13 of the most haunted places in Massachusetts that you must experience—if you dare.
1. The Lizzie Borden House – Fall River
Perhaps the most infamous haunted house in Massachusetts, the Lizzie Borden House is where the gruesome 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden took place. Many visitors and overnight guests report ghostly whispers, shadowy figures, and the sensation of being watched. Some even claim to have heard the sound of a hatchet striking wood in the dead of night.
2. Salem’s Witch House – Salem
Salem is synonymous with the infamous 1692 witch trials, and the Witch House—once home to Judge Jonathan Corwin—is said to be one of the most haunted places in the city. Visitors report unexplained cold spots, eerie whispers, and ghostly apparitions of those accused and executed during the trials.
3. Danvers State Hospital – Danvers
This now-abandoned psychiatric hospital was the inspiration for the horror film Session 9. Built in 1878, it housed thousands of patients, many of whom were subjected to inhumane treatments like lobotomies. Even though most of the buildings have been demolished, ghost hunters report eerie sounds, shadowy figures, and unsettling feelings of dread around the remaining structures.
4. The Hoosac Tunnel – North Adams
Dubbed the “Bloody Pit,” this 4.75-mile-long railway tunnel was the site of nearly 200 deaths during its construction in the 1800s. Ghostly apparitions, disembodied voices, and sudden drops in temperature make it a terrifying location for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters alike.
5. The USS Salem – Quincy
This retired naval warship is now a museum, but it is also one of the most haunted ships in America. Once used as a floating hospital, many sailors died aboard, and their spirits are said to linger. Visitors have reported hearing phantom footsteps, eerie voices, and even ghostly apparitions of sailors in full uniform.
6. The Bridgewater Triangle – Southeastern Massachusetts
This area, spanning 200 square miles, is a hotbed for paranormal activity, UFO sightings, and cryptid encounters. Reports of ghostly figures, orbs, and strange creatures lurking in the woods make it one of the most mysterious and terrifying places in the state.
7. The House of the Seven Gables – Salem
This historic home, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, is believed to be haunted by the spirits of its former residents. Mysterious shadows, unexplainable noises, and eerie sensations have been reported by both staff and visitors.
8. The Houghton Mansion – North Adams
The Houghton family suffered a tragic fate when their chauffeur crashed their car, killing Mary Houghton. Shortly after, her father, Albert, took his own life in the mansion. Visitors report hearing footsteps, seeing ghostly apparitions, and experiencing sudden cold spots.
9. Spider Gates Cemetery – Leicester
This old burial ground is shrouded in mystery and urban legends. Some claim it is a gateway to the underworld, while others report hearing disembodied voices and seeing shadowy figures among the gravestones.
10. The Freetown-Fall River State Forest – Freetown
Part of the Bridgewater Triangle, this forest has a sinister reputation for ghostly encounters, Satanic rituals, and unexplained disappearances. Some claim to have seen glowing eyes in the darkness, while others report feelings of intense dread.
11. Concord’s Colonial Inn – Concord
Once used as a makeshift hospital during the Revolutionary War, this inn is home to several restless spirits. Guests have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing disembodied whispers, and waking up to the feeling of someone watching them.
12. The Taunton State Hospital – Taunton
This abandoned psychiatric hospital has a dark past, with rumors of cruel experiments and even Satanic rituals performed by staff members. Paranormal investigators report hearing chilling screams, seeing ghostly apparitions, and feeling an overwhelming sense of unease inside the crumbling remains.
13. The Joshua Ward House – Salem
Built on the former land of Sheriff George Corwin, the man responsible for the executions during the Salem Witch Trials, this house is said to be haunted by those he wronged. Visitors claim to see the ghost of a woman with dark hair—believed to be one of the executed witches—as well as Corwin’s own spirit lingering in the shadows.
Conclusion
From historic homes and abandoned hospitals to eerie forests and mysterious tunnels, Massachusetts is teeming with paranormal activity. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted locations are sure to send chills down your spine. Are you brave enough to explore them?