When most people think of Halloween in Massachusetts, one place immediately comes to mind: Salem. But Massachusetts’ spooky side stretches far beyond the Witch City.
From the house at the center of one of America’s most infamous unsolved murders to mysterious swamps, haunted Victorian mansions, centuries-old homes, and coastal communities filled with ghost stories, Massachusetts has no shortage of places with a spooky reputation.
Even better? Many of them are accessible or at least within striking distance by the MBTA Commuter Rail, making it possible to plan a spooky-season adventure from Boston without spending your day battling October traffic.
Whether you’re fascinated by paranormal stories, true crime, Massachusetts history, or simply want to explore somewhere unusual this fall, here are six spooky places in Massachusetts to put on your bucket list this October.
Spend the night at the Lizzie Borden House… If You Dare
On August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife, Abby, were found deceased inside their Fall River home under mysterious circumstances. Andrew’s daughter Lizzie was arrested and tried in connection with their deaths but ultimately acquitted, leaving behind a mystery that continues to fascinate visitors today. And you can actually step inside the house where it all happened.
“Lizzie Borden took an axe…” More than 130 years later, the deaths of Andrew and Abby Borden remain at the center of one of the most infamous true-crime stories in American history. The Lizzie Borden House operates today as both a museum and an inn, with historical house tours, ghost tours, nighttime ghost hunts, and overnight stays available. The property is open daily, with experiences offered into the evening.
Over the years, visitors and paranormal investigators have reported unexplained noises, strange sensations, apparitions, and other alleged activity throughout the house.
For an even spookier Fall River itinerary, visit Oak Grove Cemetery, where Lizzie Borden is buried alongside other members of the Borden family.
Getting There by Commuter Rail
Getting to Fall River without a car became significantly easier with the launch of the much-anticipated Fall River/ New Bedford line, also known as the “ South Coast Rail,” in 2025.
Take the Fall River/New Bedford Line from South Station to Fall River Depot. The new service provides a one-seat Commuter Rail connection from Boston into Fall River.
The Lizzie Borden House isn’t immediately next to the station, so you’ll need to complete the final portion of your trip by local transit, rideshare, taxi, or a longer walk. Fall River’s downtown transit center is only a few minutes’ walk from the house.
The Infamous Bridgewater Triangle & Hockomock Swamp
Forget the Bermuda Triangle. Massachusetts has a mysterious triangle of its own.
The Bridgewater Triangle is an area of roughly 200 square miles in southeastern Massachusetts that has become famous for decades of alleged paranormal activity.
The term was popularized by New England cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, and the stories associated with the Triangle range from unexplained lights and UFO sightings to ghostly figures, mysterious creatures, and other bizarre encounters.
At the center of many of these stories is Hockomock Swamp. And for those looking to extend their spooky adventure, the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River is located approximately 30 minutes south of the swamp, making it easy to experience two of southeastern Massachusetts’ most mysterious destinations in one trip.
The swamp itself is enormous. At approximately 16,950 acres, it is the largest vegetated freshwater wetland system in Massachusetts and stretches through several southeastern Massachusetts communities.
Over the years, local legends have included mysterious lights, ghostly figures, strange sounds, enormous winged creatures, and Bigfoot-like sightings. Are the stories true? You’ll have to decide that for yourself.
Getting There by Commuter Rail
Take the Fall River/ New Bedford Line from South Station to Bridgewater Station.
Here’s the catch: the Bridgewater Triangle isn’t a single attraction with an entrance or visitor center. It’s a huge geographic area encompassing several communities and natural areas.
That makes Bridgewater Station a useful starting point for exploring the region, but you’ll need to plan additional transportation depending on exactly where you want to go.
If Hockomock Swamp is your destination, research a legal public access point ahead of time and plan on using a rideshare or other transportation from the station.
Know before you go: Hockomock Swamp is a protected wetland and wildlife habitat, not a haunted attraction. Stick to legal public access areas, respect posted rules, and don’t attempt to venture into the swamp after dark.
Photo Courtesy of: Umass Dartmouth
Tour The S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion
If your idea of the perfect Halloween outing involves exploring a massive Victorian mansion with a reputation for paranormal activity, this one belongs on your list.
Built in the 19th century, the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion is an imposing historic home in Gardner that has developed a reputation as one of New England’s most notoriously haunted locations. With 21 rooms, six staircases, a tower, and nearly 150 years of history, the mansion certainly looks the part.
But it’s what visitors claim has happened inside that has made the house particularly famous. Stories associated with the mansion include unexplained footsteps, doors opening or slamming on their own, voices, sudden temperature changes, shadowy figures, moving furniture, and other unexplained phenomena. Today, you don’t have to be a paranormal investigator to step inside.
The mansion offers guided historical tours, giving visitors a chance to explore the home’s architecture and history. Those looking for something considerably spookier can book paranormal investigations and even overnight experiences inside the mansion.
During a guided tour, you’ll spend about an hour exploring the mansion with a guide before getting additional time to wander, take photos, and ask questions.
And if you’re convinced you’d have no problem spending the night inside a haunted Victorian mansion, you can put that confidence to the test—the property also offers overnight stays where guests can explore all three floors, from the basement to the tower.
Getting There by Commuter Rail
This one requires more planning than destinations like Salem or Gloucester.
Take the Fitchburg Line from North Station to Wachusett. From there, you’ll need to arrange additional transportation via a rideshare to the mansion.
Because the mansion is not located directly along the Commuter Rail, plan your last-mile transportation in advance, particularly if you’re attending an evening tour, paranormal investigation, or overnight experience.
Photo courtesy of uncomfortably dark
Visit the Iconic Salem’s Witch Trials Sites
Of course, no Massachusetts Halloween list would be complete without Salem. But there’s more to Salem than haunted houses, costume parties, and October attractions. The city’s Halloween identity is rooted in the tragic events of 1692, when accusations of witchcraft spread through Salem and surrounding communities.
Today, you can visit several locations connected to that history.
Start with The Witch House, the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin and one of the few surviving structures in Salem with a direct connection to the 1692 witch trials. From there, walk to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and Old Burying Point before continuing through downtown.
One of the most overlooked stops is Proctor’s Ledge Memorial, which commemorates the victims near the location now recognized as the execution site associated with the trials.
These aren’t haunted attractions. They’re historic sites connected to real people and tragic events, making them especially important places to visit respectfully.
Getting There by Commuter Rail
This is easily one of the most Commuter Rail-friendly destinations on the list. Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station directly to Salem Station. The station sits right at the edge of downtown Salem, making many of the city’s major attractions accessible on foot.
The Witch House, for example, is only about a 7-minute walk from Salem Station. And during October, taking the train has another major advantage: added departure time, and you don’t have to deal with Salem traffic or parking.
Explore The Spooner House
Plymouth might be best known for Pilgrims, Plymouth Rock, and the Mayflower II but more than 400 years of history have also given America’s Hometown its fair share of ghost stories. One of the most famous surrounds the Spooner House.
Located in historic downtown Plymouth, the mid-18th-century house was occupied by generations of the Spooner family and today stands as one of the town’s oldest historic properties. But according to local ghost stories, some former residents may never have left.
The house has become associated with stories of unexplained sounds, strange experiences, and alleged apparitions. One of its best-known legends involves the spirit of a young girl named Abigail, who has reportedly been seen around the house and appearing in its windows.
Stories surrounding the property have helped make Spooner House a regular stop on Plymouth ghost tours. And the Spooner House is only the beginning. Plymouth’s historic downtown is packed with centuries-old buildings, burial grounds, narrow streets, and locations associated with local ghost stories. Several walking ghost tours operate in town and include stops around Spooner House and other reportedly haunted locations.
For an especially atmospheric stop, head up to Burial Hill, a historic cemetery overlooking downtown Plymouth where some of the town’s earliest European settlers are buried.
Getting There by Commuter Rail
Take the Kingston Line from South Station to Kingston Station.
From Kingston, you’ll need to complete the final portion of the trip into downtown Plymouth using a rideshare, taxi, or other local transportation.
Once downtown, Plymouth becomes much easier to explore on foot. Spooner House, Burial Hill, Plymouth Rock, the waterfront, restaurants, shops, and many of the locations featured on local ghost tours are concentrated within the historic downtown area.
That makes Plymouth a great destination for turning your spooky excursion into a full fall day trip.
Want to see more of Plymouth? Book a day trip with Keolis massAdventures to Plimoth Patuxet Museums; just sit back, relax and let us handle the rest!
Photo Courtesy of: Plymouth Antiquarian
Take a Walk Down Gloucester’s Haunted Waterfront
There’s something about an old New England seaport that feels tailor-made for ghost stories.
Gloucester has nearly four centuries of maritime history, and generations of fishermen have sailed from its harbor into the unpredictable North Atlantic.
Many never returned.
Shipwrecks, storms, lost vessels, historic homes, old waterfront buildings, and centuries of maritime history have all contributed to Cape Ann’s collection of ghost stories and folklore.
During spooky season, explore historic downtown Gloucester and its waterfront while learning about some of the city’s lesser-known legends, unexplained happenings, and stories from the sea.
Unlike some traditional Halloween destinations, Gloucester gives you the chance to combine spooky history with a full fall day trip—grab seafood, explore downtown, walk along the waterfront, and then dive into the city’s darker stories.
Getting There by Commuter Rail
Take the Rockport Line from North Station to Gloucester Station.
From the station, you can walk into downtown Gloucester within 5 minutes and continue toward the waterfront, making this one of the easier destinations on the list to explore without a car.
You could even turn it into a full Halloween-season day trip: arrive in the afternoon, explore downtown and the harbor, grab dinner, and finish your visit with some Gloucester ghost stories.
Explore Massachusetts’ Spooky Side by Commuter Rail
Salem may be Massachusetts’ Halloween capital, but some of the Commonwealth’s most fascinating spooky stories are hiding far beyond the Witch City.
The best part? You don’t necessarily need a car to start exploring. The Commuter Rail can get you surprisingly close to some of Massachusetts’ most interesting spooky-season destinations, with walking, local transit, or a short last-mile ride completing the journey.
So grab your favorite sweater, bring a friend who’s braver than you are, and discover a different side of Massachusetts this Halloween. Just remember: the last train home is one thing you definitely don’t want to miss!
