Massachusetts, steeped in early American history and the eerie echoes of its Puritan past, is home to some of the most chilling haunted locations in the United States. From colonial-era cemeteries to haunted asylums, this state is a haven for ghost hunters, thrill-seekers, and those brave enough to confront the unexplained.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, these 13 terrifying locations might just make you question reality.
1. Lizzie Borden House – Fall River
Perhaps the most infamous haunted site in Massachusetts, the Lizzie Borden House was the scene of one of America’s most notorious unsolved murders. In 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally killed with a hatchet, and daughter Lizzie was tried but acquitted. Today, the house operates as a bed and breakfast, where guests report hearing footsteps, whispers, and even seeing apparitions in period dress.
2. Salem’s Witch House – Salem
Salem is synonymous with witchcraft and supernatural lore. The Witch House, once home to Judge Jonathan Corwin who presided over the 1692 witch trials, still stands as a relic of that dark era. Visitors have reported cold spots, shadowy figures, and sudden feelings of dread while walking through the house. It’s as if the echoes of those tortured souls still linger.
3. Danvers State Hospital – Danvers
This now-demolished asylum was the inspiration behind Arkham Asylum in Batman lore. The Danvers State Hospital was infamous for overcrowding, lobotomies, and patient mistreatment. Though much of it has been turned into apartments, ghost sightings, eerie sounds, and electrical anomalies continue to plague the area, especially in the remaining tunnels.
4. Hockomock Swamp – Bridgewater Triangle
Dubbed “The Devil’s Swamp,” Hockomock lies within the Bridgewater Triangle, a hotspot for paranormal activity. Native American spirits, glowing orbs, strange creatures, and even UFOs have been reported here. Many believe the area is cursed due to historical desecration of sacred native land.
5. The Hoosac Tunnel – Western Massachusetts
Known as “The Bloody Pit,” this 4.75-mile railroad tunnel cost nearly 200 lives during its construction in the 1800s. Workers still report hearing phantom voices, screams, and even seeing lantern lights flickering deep inside the tunnel when no one is around. The deaths—and perhaps their souls—still linger here.
6. Longfellow’s Wayside Inn – Sudbury
Dating back to 1716, this colonial inn has played host to writers, travelers, and supposedly, ghosts. Patrons have experienced doors opening and closing by themselves, ghostly piano music, and apparitions of a young girl in period clothing. The inn’s charm is matched only by its spectral inhabitants.
7. Freetown-Fall River State Forest – Southeastern Massachusetts
Part of the Bridgewater Triangle, this forest is a center of bizarre and terrifying phenomena, including alleged Satanic rituals, animal mutilations, and ghost sightings. Visitors report being followed by shadowy figures and hearing disembodied screams echoing through the trees.
8. Fort Warren – Georges Island, Boston Harbor
Located on a remote island, Fort Warren served as a Civil War prison. Its most famous ghost, “The Lady in Black,” is said to haunt the grounds after being executed here. The eerie, stone corridors of the fort ring with phantom footsteps and ghostly moans.
9. Omni Parker House Hotel – Boston
One of Boston’s oldest hotels, the Omni Parker House has hosted literary legends—and possibly spirits. Charles Dickens is rumored to have stayed here, and some say his spirit never left. Guests report elevators moving on their own, lights flickering, and ghostly sightings, particularly on the 10th floor.
10. Taunton State Hospital – Taunton
Built in 1854, this psychiatric facility is infamous for its sinister energy. Rumors persist of cult-like activities among staff and unexplained patient deaths. Paranormal investigators report unexplained cold spots, disturbing apparitions, and the feeling of being watched constantly within the abandoned sections.
11. Hammond Castle – Gloucester
Built in the 1920s by inventor John Hays Hammond Jr., this medieval-style castle is not only home to antiquities but also hauntings. Visitors and staff claim to see full-bodied apparitions, hear chanting, and experience extreme temperature drops—especially in the Great Hall.
12. Boston Common – Boston
As America’s oldest public park, Boston Common has seen everything from colonial executions to Revolutionary War activity. It’s no surprise that ghostly soldiers, sobbing women, and shadowy figures have been spotted at night, especially near the Central Burying Ground.
13. The USS Salem – Quincy
Dubbed “The Sea Witch,” this decommissioned Navy ship is now a museum—and one of the most haunted naval vessels in the world. Paranormal activity includes objects moving on their own, sudden temperature drops, and whispers in the dark. Crew members who died aboard are said to still walk the decks.
Final Thoughts
Massachusetts may be rich in history, but it’s equally saturated with tales of the paranormal. Whether it’s ghostly cries from Civil War prisons or the lingering spirits of witch trial victims, the Bay State has no shortage of eerie encounters. So the next time you’re feeling adventurous, explore one of these haunted spots—just be prepared to question what’s real… and what lies beyond the veil