No place does Halloween quite like New England, and Massachusetts especially puts on quite a show during the month of October, including the festivities in Salem and the haunted hotels of Boston. Beyond that, there are so many amazing haunted houses and tours to experience, and this post is rounding up all the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, including spooky tours, corn mazes and haunted places you can visit. Each experience is sure to deliver all the chills and goosebumps you’re hoping for this Halloween season!
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Best Haunted Houses In Massachusetts
Here is my list of all the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, and I’ve created separate sections for those looking for haunted houses in Salem to make it easier to plan you itinerary. If it’s haunted hayrides, corn mazes and tours you’re after, be sure to keep reading to learn about some of the best and scariest places to visit in Massachusetts!
1. Factory Of Terror – Fall River, MA
Located just a few minutes on foot from the Lizzie Borden house (which is featured later in this list, stay tuned!), is the Factory Of Terror Haunted House. Regarded as one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, it’s also one of the largest in all of New England, providing the ultimate scary experience.
This haunted house experience starts while you wait in line, as you’ll be greeted by ghosts and ghouls before even entering the house. Once inside, it takes about 20-30 minutes to get through, depending on how quickly you walk (and how easily you scare).
Location Tip: This can easily be combined with a tour of the Lizzie Borden house, and another nearby haunted house experience, The Haunted House on Raymond Street.
Note: There is a waiver that all visitors must sign prior to entry into Factory of Terror. Visit their website to complete this after purchasing your tickets to ensure smooth entry upon arrival.
2. Fear Town – Seekonk, MA
About 1 hour from Boston is Fear Town, another one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, and also one of the longest in all of New England. It’s also a destination in and of itself because on the grounds, you’ll find a midway with games, food and additional entertainment.
Fear Town is an outdoor haunted park with 3 haunted houses to walk through. In total, it takes about 45 minutes to complete, making this one a must-see.
Tip: This haunted house does not have any age restrictions, however, it’s so scary that they don’t typically recommend it for children under 12 years of age.
3. Barrett’s Haunted Mansion – Abington, MA
At Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, you get admission to two attractions for the price of one, making this one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts. Visitors with tickets to Barrett’s will be able to walk through both the haunted mansion, as well as Condemned, a newer haunted experience at the same place. The haunted mansion takes about 15 minutes or so to walk through, but many say it feels much longer!
Barrett’s also has some really cool packages to consider when you book your admission, including Bite & Fright, which includes dinner at the nearby Ale House (taxes and gratuities included!), as well as a Lights-On tour, which takes you behind the scenes of the haunted house.
Tip: Tickets for Barrett’s Haunted Mansion must be purchased ahead of time online.
4. DementedFX – Holyoke, MA
Regarded as one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, and the entire country, DementedFX pretty much guarantees a few screams at minimum. During your visit to DementedFX, you’ll be able to walk through both the BioMed Corps Haunted House, and the Meat Tank Horror Experience, both featuring Hollywood-caliber sets and props, as well as interactive video.
Visitors also have the option to purchase VIP tickets, which grants you access to a lounge and two fully-stocked bars so you can take the edge off after your haunted tours, and celebrate spooky season well into the night.
5. 13th World Fright Park – Palmer, MA
13th World Fright Park sends visitors through their haunted house one at a time, so if that doesn’t make it one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, I’m not sure what does! 13th World has two attractions to experience during your visit, and the one aptly called Alone is the tour that sends visitors in one by one.
The other tour at 13th World is Chamber of Lost Souls, which includes a special fog effect for extra spooks and scares. The first weekend in November, this attraction also does a Blackout night, where each tour is completely pitch black.
6. First Parish Church in Bedford
For a spooktacular night of thrilling performances, the First Parish Church in Bedford is not to be missed. Spanning three floors of the historic church, this fantastic haunted house has a limited run for one weekend only in October each year.
This Haunted House promises the inside scoop on how Sweeney Todd makes his infamous meat pies, rides of the Hellavator, as well as multiple themed rooms, each with a different story to tell. The theme changes every year, so even if you’ve been before, you’ll find something different on your next visit.
Looking for a non-scary night? First Parish has you covered! Be sure to check out their kid-friendly Trick-or-Treat event, where actors will hand out candy with all the lights on, so no one has to wonder what’s going bump in the night. Check out their website here for more information.
2023 Dates: Friday and Saturday, October 13th & 14th.
Best Haunted Houses In Salem, MA
7. Gallows Hill Museum & Theater
One of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts is the Gallows Hill Museum & Theater, which puts on scary and thrilling performances year-round using the very real history of the Salem Witch Trials. However, during the month of October during Haunted Happenings in Salem, they also have additional attractions, including a very scary haunted house. It’s so scary, in fact, that it may not be suitable for children.
Gallows Hill gets extra points for being one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts because it also has an option for an actual ghost hunt with a paranormal specialist. Visitors can visit the haunted house, and then book a 90-minute after-hours ghost hunting tour, where you’ll learn all about detecting paranormal activity, and hunt down ghosts with your group.
Psst! I have some helpful guides including planning the perfect Salem, MA day trip, and the best time to visit Salem if you need more information 😉
Best Haunted Houses Near Boston
Boston doesn’t have any haunted houses right in the city, but the closest options would be any of the haunted houses listed in the Salem section, as they’re all only 30-40 minutes from Boston, as well as Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, which is about 30 minutes away. Fear Town and Factory of Terror are about an hour from Boston.
If it’s spooky ghost tours you’re after, Boston has plenty of those, and be sure to keep reading for a list of the best ghost tours to take in Boston!
Best Haunted Hayrides In Massachusetts
If you prefer your haunted experiences in the form of a hayride, I’ve got you covered! After visiting some of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, plan a visit to best haunted hayrides!
8. Witch’s Woods – Westford, MA
Not only does Witch’s Woods provide one of the best and scariest haunted hayrides, it also has one of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts. Admission to Witch’s Woods allows visitors to hop aboard this terrifying hayride through the woods, but you can also visit 4 other haunted attractions and haunted houses, as well as experience the Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree, which displays hundreds of carved and illuminated pumpkins.
Tip: Even if you don’t purchase admission to any of the haunted attractions, visitors can still experience the Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree at no charge. The Jamboree is also a kid-friendly activity.
9. Hanson’s Haunted Hayride – Framingham, MA
For a more tame haunted hayride experience, Hanson’s Haunted Hayrides is a great option. Not quite as scary as the others mentioned on this list, but just spooky enough that it’s a thrilling experience for almost all ages (unless any young children scare easily).
Hanson’s is also a family-friendly farm with daytime hayrides through the fields, U-pick apples and pumpkins and farm stands. You could easily swing by at the end of the day to do the festive daytime activities, and then stay after sunset for the haunted hayride for a full afternoon of fun.
Best Haunted Corn Mazes In Massachusetts
10. Hysteria At Connors Farm
Hysteria at Connors Farm as been recognized as one of the top Scream Parks in the entire country, so this is definitely one of the best haunted attractions in Massachusetts to visit during spooky season! This haunted corn maze, called Haunted Farm, takes visitors through a haunted forest, around an actual swamp and through a real burial ground from the 1600s. The entire attraction will take about 30 minutes to walk through.
Tip: For a family-friendly option at the same location, visitors can choose to walk through the Flashlight Maze. This is not a haunted attraction, and recommended for children of all ages. Just keep in mind that the maze is 7 acres, so very young children should be accompanied by an adult. This maze gained international recognition when 911 responded to a call from inside the maze because a family got lost! So it’s definitely not without a few tricks up its sleeve.
Best Haunted Tours In Massachusetts
While Boston may not have haunted house attractions, it makes up for it with plenty of spooky ghost tours around the city! The best part is, there’s so much deeply-rooted history in Boston that a lot of these ghost stories stem from very real events, making them that much more eerie and thrilling. Below is a list of the best haunted tours in Boston.
11. Death & Dying Ghost Tour in Boston
The Death & Dying Ghost Tour is a walking adults-only tour that dives into Boston’s very haunted history. You’ll head to the Granary Burying Ground, where famous Bostonians like Paul Revere lay at rest, and listen to stories of ghost sightings dating back to the Colonial time period.
Click here to book this Death & Dying Tour in Boston.
12. Ghosts & Gravestones Night Trolley Tour
Even though you’ll be boarding a trolley for this tour, you won’t be safe from the spirits that still haunt this historic city! This Boston Ghosts & Gravestones Night Trolley Tour is led by a costumed grave digger from the 17th century, and during the tour, he’ll share tales of the most haunted landmarks around the city, and well as take you to Copp’s Hill Burying Ground.
Click here to book this Ghosts & Gravestones Night Trolley Tour in Boston.
13. Walking Ghosts Tour
You don’t have to visit the best haunted houses in Massachusetts to get the chills! This haunted walking ghost tour of Boston takes place at night, and is led by a local guide that shares stories of some of the most haunted landmarks around the city, including the Boston Opera House and Granary Burying Ground, and also stories of the ghost sightings that have taken place in each location.
Click here to book this Walking Ghosts Tour in Boston.
Best Haunted Hotels & Places In Massachusetts
If you’re looking for an option outside of visiting the best haunted houses in Massachusetts, here is a list of places you can visit, and even stay the night in, that are famous for paranormal activity, ghost sightings and providing lots of goosebumps.
14. The Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, MA
The Lizzie Borden murder case of 1892 is still debated to this day, and you can tour the house where the murders took place – and even stay overnight!
If you’re not familiar with this infamous murder case, here’s a recap for you:
In 1892, Lizzie Borden was accused, arrested and later acquitted for murdering her father and step-mother with an axe in broad daylight in their home. She stayed in Little River until her death (although, she moved out of the house after the trial), and there’s been speculation ever since of her guilt, her innocence and her motives.
In present day, there are different tours offered at the Lizzie Borden house, including standard tours of the house, as well as ghost hunts at night. Visitors can even book an overnight stay, and sleep in the room where Lizzie’s stepmother was found for the ultimate haunted experience.
Click here to book your tour of the Lizzie Borden House.
15. Hawthorne Hotel – Salem, MA
One of the best haunted hotels in Salem you can actually stay in is the Hawthorne Hotel, and this hotel is often regarded as one of the most haunted buildings in the entire country. There have been many reports from past guests claiming bumps in the night and ghost sightings.
And one of the most creepy stories? Some guests and visitors have claimed the sudden and strong smell of apples. While apples don’t seem at all scary, the Hawthorne Hotel grounds were originally built on an apple orchard that was owned by Bridget Bishop. Bridget Bishop was the very first to be executed in the Salem Witch Trials. Coincidence? Book a stay here to find out for yourself!
Click here to book your stay at the haunted Hawthorne Hotel in Salem!
16. Omni Parker House Hotel – Boston, MA
One of the most haunted hotels in Boston is the Omni Parker House Hotel, which has also been regarded as one of the most haunted hotels in the entire country. Originally owned by Harvey Parker, its said that his ghost has been spotted, still trying to offer impeccable service to his guests. The good news is that Mr. Parker is a friendly ghost. The bad news is, he’s still a ghost. Book a stay at the Omni Parker to see if you can spot him with your own eyes!
Click here to book your stay at the haunted Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston!
17. The Alden House – Duxbury, MA
The Alden House & Historic Site was originally owned by John Alden and his wife Priscilla Mullins, who both arrived in Massachusetts on the Mayflower. For one weekend in October, the Alden House is opened up for haunted tours (although, regular tours of the house are given year-round).
Since John Alden and many future generations of his family occupied the home for years, it’s said that many of them have stuck around and continue to live in the house. John Alden himself has been spotted, as well as a descendant, Aunt Polly.
18. The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home – Lenox, MA
The Mount was once the home of famed literary and ghost story author Edith Wharton, and now, in an interesting (although perhaps not surprising) turn of events, many say the house is now one of the most haunted houses in Massachusetts.
Many people who have visited the house over the years have claimed to hear strange noises, and have even spotted ghost-like figures floating around the hallways. The TV show Ghost Hunters even investigated the house for 3 days to conclude lots of paranormal activity.
Tours of The Mount house are given several months out of the year, and there are two options. The first is an adults-only, nighttime tour that goes into detail about all the spooky stories and haunted happenings around the property. The other tour option is a little less scary, and more appropriate for children, but still shares stories of the ghostly visitors at the house.
19. S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion – Gardner, MA
The S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion has a bit of a sordid past, which makes the ghost sightings at this eerie house even more scary. There have been stories of real-life murder in this house, where a young boy is said to have drowned in the basement, a prostitute murdered in “red room,” and a man burned alive in one of the bedrooms. Since then, many have claimed ghost sightings of S.K. Pierce, the original owner, as well as the prostitute who was murdered, and various others who have occupied the house.
Guests have reported other things like moving furniture, footsteps in the hallways when no one else is there, unexplained loud noises and awful smells. TV shows such as Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventure have both also confirmed paranormal activity.
During the month of October, haunted tours are given inside the house by guides with expert knowledge on the house’s history, as well as its paranormal activity.
Tip: Tours can only be booked in advance online. Walk-ins are not permitted as of 2022.
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- Best New England Ghost Tours
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- Fun Ways To Enjoy Boston In The Fall
- Haunted Hotels & Places In New Hampshire You Can Visit
- Best Things To Do In New England For Your Bucket List
- Best Things To Do In New England In The Fall
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That’s A Wrap On The Best Haunted Houses In Massachusetts
Now that you know all of the best haunted houses in Massachusetts to visit, as well as the most eerie haunted sites all over the state, you’re ready for your most spooky season yet! Whether you’re excited for the Witch’s Wood haunted hayride, or curious to spend a night in the Lizzie Borden house, you’re definitely guarantee to let out at least a few gasps.
