Haunted Hotels in Massachusetts You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Massachusetts with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in Massachusetts with haunted hotels
19 Haunted Hotels Found in Massachusetts
The Coach House
284 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970, United States
The Coach House stands on historic ground. During a spiritualism session held at the property, communication was established with a spirit identifying as 'Elizabeth' or 'Lizzie,' believed to be Elizabeth Emmerton (1791-1797), daughter of a seafarer Jeremiah Emmerton connected to the property's past. This child spirit communicated eagerly through various means including an Ouija board and by influencing electrical lights, specifically a chandelier. She is perceived as a friendly, whimsical presence.
Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast
230 Second Street, Fall River, MA, United States
The house is notorious as the location of the 1892 unsolved double murder of Lizzie Borden's father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abby Borden, who were found bludgeoned to death. Lizzie was tried and acquitted, but mystery and speculation persist. Guests and staff report paranormal activity, especially in Abby Borden's murder room and other areas. Experiences include disembodied voices, apparitions, objects moving, and unexplained sounds. The location actively promotes its haunted reputation, offering ghost tours and overnight stays inviting paranormal investigation.
The Salem Inn
7 Summer Street, Salem, MA 01970, United States
The Salem Inn, comprised of three historic houses, is known for significant paranormal activity. Room 17 is considered the most haunted, reputedly by a female spirit, possibly 'Elizabeth' or 'Katherine,' who particularly disturbs male guests with noises unless offered whiskey. Staff and guests also report encounters with two other spirits: a ghostly cat seen darting through rooms and the spectral presence of a child, evidenced by disembodied giggling and soft footsteps. Guests have noted items moving, belongings disappearing, and feeling the ghostly cat jump onto beds.
Publick House Historic Inn
277 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA 01566, United States
Established in 1771, the Publick House Historic Inn is subject to local lore and organized paranormal investigations. Reports center around unusual activity, particularly associated with 'Room 40' and the historic Ballroom. While specific named ghosts are elusive in readily available records, the inn leans into its haunted reputation by hosting 'Dining With The Dead' events, suggesting ongoing encounters or strong local belief in paranormal presence. Guests have reported anomalous activities, contributing to its reputation as a site of historical interest and potential spectral encounters.
The Merchant
148 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA
The Merchant occupies the site once belonging to Sheriff George 'The Strangler' Corwin of Salem Witch Trial notoriety. Built in 1784 as the Joshua Ward House, legends claim it's haunted by spirits tied to its grim past, most notably Giles Corey (who cursed Corwin) and potentially Corwin himself, alongside an unidentified woman. Visitors report cold spots, items mysteriously falling, and inexplicable phenomena like melting candles. A famous piece of evidence is a 1981 photo capturing a mysterious female figure during a party, adding fuel to its reputation as one of Salem's most haunted locations.
The Daniels House Inn
1 Daniels St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Dating back to 1667, before the infamous Witch Trials, The Daniels House Inn is believed to host multiple spirits. Guests and staff have reported encounters with a ghostly gray tabby cat, sightings of a man in Puritan attire thought to be the original owner, Captain Stephen Daniels, and an unidentified female apparition. Additionally, some experience mischievous paranormal activity, such as personal items being moved. Despite these occurrences, it is generally considered less intensely haunted compared to some other Salem locations, offering more historic immersion.
The Stepping Stone Inn
19 Washington Square N, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Built in 1846 by Naval and Customs Officer Abraham True, The Stepping Stone Inn primarily offers historic charm rather than prominent ghost stories. While located in famously haunted Salem and having an 'eerie feel' according to some, it lacks specific well-documented paranormal incidents common to other local establishments. Some guests speculate about potential minor spiritual presence, but it's generally noted for being less haunted compared to its neighbors, providing a more serene experience adjacent to historic sites like the Salem Witch Museum.
Captain Freeman Inn
15 Breakwater Rd., Brewster, MA 02631, USA
The spirit of a woman named Roberta, believed to date back to the early 1900s, is said to haunt the Captain Freeman Inn. Guests and staff have reported sightings of her apparition within various guest rooms and throughout the hallways of this historic sea captain's home.
Deerfield Inn
81 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA 01342, USA
Dating back to 1884, the Deerfield Inn is reputedly home to several spirits. 'Cora,' the bossy wife of a former innkeeper, is said to make her presence known, sometimes nudging guests towards bed. Her husband, 'John,' might also roam. A more mischievous spirit named 'Herschel' is reported, particularly active around Room 48/148, appearing as a bright light and playfully rearranging belongings, turning on taps, and interacting especially around children. Staff have experienced objects moving inexplicably and other physical disturbances.
Hawthorne Hotel
18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA 01970, USA
The Hawthorne Hotel, built on land once belonging to Bridget Bishop (the first person executed in the 1692 Salem Witch Trials), carries tales tied to its location. Guests sometimes report the unexplained smell of apples, supposedly linked to Bishop's former orchard. More intense paranormal claims surround specific rooms: Room 325 experiences include phantom baby cries, lights and faucets operating independently, and unexplained touching. Room 612 and the sixth floor are associated with sightings of a woman in white. General paranormal occurrences reported throughout the hotel include moving objects and furniture, disembodied voices, cold spots, and the sensation of being watched or touched. Its haunted reputation attracted SyFy's 'Ghost Hunters' and even a séance attempt to contact Houdini.
Longfellow's Wayside Inn
72 Wayside Inn Road, Sudbury, MA 01776, United States
The inn is famously associated with the spirit of Jerusha Howe, sister of a former innkeeper, who died in 1842 allegedly of a broken heart. Guests and staff report encountering her spirit, particularly in rooms 9 and 10, through phenomena such as the scent of citrus perfume, apparitions, and feelings of presence. A unique tradition is the 'Secret Drawer Society,' where guests leave written accounts of ghostly experiences. Other reported phenomena include disembodied child's laughter/footsteps and items moving mysteriously, suggesting more than one spectral resident.
Orleans Waterfront Inn
3 Old County Rd, Orleans, MA 02653, United States
The Orleans Waterfront Inn is reputedly home to several spirits. The most prominent is 'Hannah,' said to have been a prostitute murdered on the premises during the Roaring Twenties when the building operated as a brothel. She is considered a benign presence, known for lighting candles, opening doors, and reportedly seen dancing nude in the fifth-floor belvedere window. Two other identified spirits include an 'Old lady spinster' who owned the Inn around the turn of the century, and 'Fred,' a bartender from the 1950s alleged to have taken his own life in the cupola. SyFy's Ghosthunters even investigated, reportedly communicating with Hannah.
New Boston Inn
101 North Main Street, Sandisfield, MA 01255
In the 1800's, a wealthy young woman from New York named Harriet was vacationing at the inn. She fell in love with a local farm boy. Her parents forbade the union. The following year, during her arranged wedding ceremony to another in the inn's ballroom, the farm boy appeared, intending to stop it. Upon learning the ceremony was complete and she was married, he shot her. She died, and supposedly her blood left a stain on the floor for over 100 years. Two days later, the young man was hung from a tree on the property. Since then, there have been reports of singing in the ballroom, footsteps coming down the hallway, and music boxes playing on their own.
Omni Parker House
60 School Street, Boston, MA, USA
The Omni Parker House, Boston's longest continuously operating hotel, is famed for multiple spectral residents. Founder Harvey Parker is frequently reported on the 10th floor, sometimes appearing as a concerned apparition checking on guests, particularly noted around rooms 1078 and 1012. Mysterious orbs, disembodied voices, and phantom rocking chair sounds also pervade this floor. The 3rd floor exhibits paranormal activity too, with elevators frequently stopping there unbidden, possibly linked to former resident Charles Dickens or actress Charlotte Cushman, who died on that floor. Room 303 gained notoriety for unexplained smells of whiskey and cigars and ghostly laughter, leading to its conversion into a storage closet; it's rumored, though unconfirmed by Stephen King, to be an inspiration for '1408'. Adding to its dark history, John Wilkes Booth stayed nearby and practiced shooting before assassinating Lincoln.
Concord's Colonial Inn
48 Monument Square, Concord, MA 01742, USA
The inn's haunted reputation is deeply tied to its role in the American Revolutionary War. Part of the building, owned by Dr. Timothy Minot, was used as a makeshift hospital for wounded patriot soldiers after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The most famously haunted room, Room 24, served as Dr. Minot's operating room, where many soldiers died. Guests and staff report a wide range of paranormal activity, including flickering lights, disembodied voices, and doors closing on their own. Apparitions of Revolutionary War era soldiers, a phantom nurse named Rosemary, and a young girl in a bonnet near the front desk have been sighted. The first widely documented experience was in 1966 when a newlywed guest in Room 24 saw a 'grayish, shadowy' figure at the foot of her bed.
The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston
215 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114, United States
Before becoming a luxury hotel, The Liberty Hotel used to be a prison housing some of Boston's most notorious criminals. Although many years have passed since it was a prison, both guests and members of staff have occasionally reported seeing fleeting figures looking outside of the windows, apparitions of guards and prisoners appearing mostly in the kitchen area, or even hearing the sound of heavy boots stomping and cell doors slamming shut.
Bucksteep Manor
885 Washington Mountain Rd, Washington, MA 01223
This manor is famous for being haunted by the apparition of a monk who wanders the grounds. People have reported hearing voices, feeling someone touch them, and finding objects moved during the night. The location has been explored by TV's Ghost Hunters.
The Beechwood Inn
2839 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630, USA
The Beechwood Inn is said to share a spirit with the nearby historic Barnstable House, particularly after a fire at the latter. A female entity, sometimes seen floating in white, reportedly took refuge at the Beechwood. Guests, especially in the Rose and Lilac rooms, have reported mischievous activities such as being locked out, moved objects, feeling unseen hands, hearing childish giggling, and seeing fleeting apparitions of an older woman. Despite some skepticism, various owners and guests maintain experiences with this 'mischievous lady'.
Village Green Inn
40 Main St, Falmouth, MA 02540
The building dates back to 1804 and is believed to be haunted by its original owners, the Dimmick family. Their teenage daughter Sarah died in the room in 1823 and she has been seen in some of the rooms wearing an old-fashioned white nightgown. She has been known to hover over guests as they sleep, looking at them strangely, as if she is wondering why they are in her bed. Other female and male apparitions have also been seen, including that of a former owner, Dr. Tripp.
Haunted History of Massachusetts
The haunted history of Massachusetts is as old as America itself. As one of the original thirteen colonies, its soil is steeped in centuries of turmoil, tragedy, and spectral lore. The state's grim Puritan beginnings, marked by harsh winters and a deep-seated fear of the unknown, created a fertile ground for ghost stories to take root. This dark cultural anxiety infamously culminated in the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, an event so profound that its spectral energy continues to define the region, with the restless spirits of the accused and their accusers said to wander Salem's historic streets to this day.
But the hauntings of the Bay State extend far beyond Salem. The battlefields of Lexington and Concord echo with the phantom cries of Revolutionary War soldiers still fighting for freedom. Along the rocky coastline, the wailing ghosts of sailors, pirates, and lonely lighthouse keepers are said to appear in the fog. From the industrial cities with their haunted mills to the quiet colonial towns with their centuries-old cemeteries, Massachusetts is a paranormal tapestry woven from threads of history, folklore, and the countless souls who left their indelible spiritual mark upon the land.
Other Haunted Attractions in Massachusetts
- Lizzie Borden House (Fall River): The site of the infamous and unsolved 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Now a museum and bed & breakfast, The Lizzie Borden House is a hotbed of paranormal activity. Guests and investigators report hearing phantom footsteps, disembodied whispers, and the ghostly apparition of Abby Borden on the upstairs landing.
- The Bridgewater Triangle: This 200-square-mile area in southeastern Massachusetts is the state's own version of the Bermuda Triangle. The region, which includes the eerie Hockomock Swamp, is notorious for a mind-boggling array of paranormal phenomena, including Bigfoot sightings, UFOs, ghostly apparitions, and mysterious creatures. It's a legendary zone for those seeking a truly unexplained mystery.
- USS Salem (Quincy): This massive Cold War-era heavy cruiser, now a floating museum, is considered one of the most haunted ships in America. Having never fired a shot in combat, its ghosts are not of war but of the human drama that unfolded aboard. Staff and visitors to the USS Salem frequently report encountering full-bodied apparitions of former crewmen, hearing their names called by phantom voices, and feeling an unnerving, constant presence in the ship's empty corridors.
- Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (Concord): Not to be confused with its New York counterpart, Concord's Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is a place of serene, gothic beauty and spectral residents. Visitors walking along "Author's Ridge"—where Hawthorne, Emerson, and Thoreau are buried—report feeling cold spots and an overwhelming sense of being watched from the shadows of the ancient trees.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Massachusetts
- Plan a Haunted Road Trip: Massachusetts is compact enough to explore multiple haunted hotspots in one trip. You can easily create an itinerary that takes you from the witches of Salem to the battlefields of Concord and the infamous Borden house in Fall River.
- Embrace the Seasons: Each season offers a unique spectral vibe. Autumn is classic, with crisp air and Halloween festivities, but a winter visit can be uniquely spooky, with snow-covered cemeteries and ghostly tales told by a crackling fire.
- Dive into Local History: The best hauntings are tied to history. Before your stay, read up on the local legends of the town you're visiting. Knowing the stories of the spirits you might encounter makes the experience much richer and more terrifying.
- Look Beyond the Big Cities: While Salem and Boston get most of the attention, almost every small colonial town in Massachusetts has its own haunted inn, cemetery, or ghost story. Don't be afraid to explore off the beaten path.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Massachusetts
Are haunted hotels in Massachusetts safe to stay in? Of course! These are real hotels that must adhere to all modern safety and hospitality standards. The supernatural residents are part of the historic charm, but the living guests' safety and comfort are the top priority.
What is the most haunted city in Massachusetts? Salem rightfully claims the title of "Witch City" and is world-famous for its paranormal reputation. However, Boston, with its revolutionary ghosts, and Fall River, home to the Lizzie Borden mystery, offer powerful and unique haunted experiences of their own.
Are the ghost stories in Massachusetts only about the Salem Witches? Not at all! The Bay State is teeming with a diverse cast of ghosts, including Revolutionary War soldiers, spectral sea captains, haunted lighthouse keepers, and spirits from its industrial-era mills. You can find a ghost story to fit any interest here.
What time of year is best for a haunted trip to Massachusetts? Fall is the quintessential season for ghost hunting in Massachusetts, thanks to the crisp weather, beautiful foliage, and Halloween celebrations. For a less crowded and arguably spookier experience, consider the "off-season" when the coastal fog is thick and the historic towns are quiet.