Spine-Chilling Places to Visit in New England this Fall
As autumn’s crisp air settles over New England, the region’s rich history and eerie folklore come alive, beckoning thrill-seekers and history buffs alike. The Northeast’s fall foliage may be a feast for the eyes, but for those craving a spine-tingling adventure, the area offers much more than just colorful leaves.
From witch trial landmarks to haunted asylums, New England harbors a treasure trove of spooky destinations perfect for your October bucket list. This guide will take you on a journey through some of the most chillingly captivating places in the northeastern United States.
Whether you’re a paranormal enthusiast, a history lover, or a family looking for Halloween-themed fun, these locations offer a perfect blend of the macabre and the historic. As the jack-o’-lanterns flicker and the shadows grow long, prepare to explore eight spine-chilling destinations that showcase the darker side of New England’s storied past.
Pack your courage and join us as we delve into tales of witches, ghosts, and unexplained phenomena. Each location on our list promises goosebumps and ghostly tales and offers a unique glimpse into the region’s rich cultural tapestry.
1. Salem, Massachusetts
Salem’s dark history stems from the infamous witch trials of 1692-1693. During this period, mass hysteria led to the accusation of over 200 people of practicing witchcraft, resulting in 20 executions.
The trials began when young girls in the town started experiencing inexplicable fits and blamed local women for bewitching them. This sparked a wave of accusations, arrests, and hasty trials that left an indelible mark on American history.
Today, Salem embraces its spooky past, especially during October. The Haunted Happenings festival offers family-friendly events like costume parades, ghost tours, and historical reenactments. Visitors can explore the Salem Witch Museum, which provides an immersive experience of the trials through life-size stage sets and narration.
The Witch House, home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, offers a glimpse into 17th-century life and the witch trials. For a more lighthearted experience, families can enjoy magic shows, haunted harbor cruises, and themed movie screenings throughout the month.
2. Danvers State Hospital, Massachusetts
Danvers State Hospital, opened in 1878, was initially designed as a place of healing for the mentally ill. However, it soon became overcrowded and underfunded, leading to deteriorating conditions and controversial treatments.
The Gothic-style building, with its imposing facade and sprawling grounds, has long been a source of local ghost stories and urban legends. Some claim it inspired H.P. Lovecraft’s Arkham Sanatorium.
While the original building was largely demolished in 2007, the site still attracts curiosity seekers. During October, local historical societies often organize talks and walking tours of the grounds, discussing the hospital’s history and its impact on mental health care.
Nearby, the Rebecca Nurse Homestead (a victim of the Salem Witch Trials) offers candlelit tours and storytelling events. Families can also visit the nearby Endicott Park for fall festivals featuring pumpkin carving, hayrides, and spooky (but not too scary) storytelling sessions.
3. The Mount, Lenox, Massachusetts
The Mount, the elegant estate of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton, was built in 1902. Wharton, known for her ghost stories and novels, claimed to have encountered spirits in the house. After her death, residents and staff reported unexplained phenomena, from whispers and footsteps to full-bodied apparitions.
During October, The Mount offers a range of spooky but family-friendly events. Ghost tours focus on the history and reported hauntings, with daytime options suitable for younger visitors. The estate hosts a “Backstairs Tour” that explores the lives of the servants who worked there, often the source of many ghost stories.
For Halloween, there’s typically a costume party with period-appropriate games and treats. The beautiful grounds also feature a “Haunted Woods” walk with spooky decorations and gentle scares appropriate for families.
4. Burkittsville, Maryland (Blair Witch Project location)
Burkittsville gained unexpected fame as the setting for the 1999 horror film “The Blair Witch Project.” While the movie’s story was fictional, it drew on local legends and the area’s rich history. The town dates back to the 18th century and was the site of several Civil War battles.
In October, Burkittsville and the surrounding area celebrate their folkloric fame with several family-friendly events. The town often hosts a fall festival featuring local crafts, food, and historical reenactments.
Nearby South Mountain State Battlefield offers guided hikes that combine Civil War history with local ghost stories.
For a less spooky option, families can visit the numerous pick-your-own apple orchards and pumpkin patches in the area, many of which offer corn mazes and hayrides with a mild Halloween theme.
5. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was one of the world’s most famous and expensive prisons. Its wagon-wheel design and emphasis on solitary confinement were revolutionary but controversial. The prison housed notorious criminals like Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton before closing in 1971.
During October, Eastern State Penitentiary transforms for Halloween Nights, one of the nation’s most prominent haunted attractions. Running five haunted house immersive experiences, there’s something here for all levels of thrill-factor, as well as historic tours, themed bars and live entertainment.
Daytime tours are available year-round, focusing on the prison’s architecture, famous inmates, and reform efforts. For Halloween, there are often special events like pumpkin carving contests, costume parades, and educational programs about the history of Halloween and how it was celebrated (or not) in prisons.
6. The Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts
On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found brutally murdered in their Fall River home. Andrew’s daughter, Lizzie, was the prime suspect but was acquitted after a sensational trial. The case remains unsolved, sparking endless speculation and cementing Lizzie Borden’s place in American folklore.
The Borden House now operates as a bed and breakfast, allowing guests to stay in the very rooms where the murders took place. In October, the house offers special ghost tours and séances for those brave enough to participate.
For families, daytime tours focus more on the historical aspects of the case and life in 19th-century New England. The nearby Fall River Historical Society hosts Borden-related exhibits and fall-themed events suitable for all ages, including pumpkin decorating contests and historical reenactments of life in the 1890s.
7. Sleepy Hollow, New York
Immortalized by Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” this quaint village embraces its literary heritage. For two centuries, the story of the Headless Horseman pursuing schoolmaster Ichabod Crane has captured imaginations, blending historical elements with folk tales of the Hudson Valley.
October in Sleepy Hollow is a month-long celebration of Halloween. The village hosts “The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze,” featuring thousands of hand-carved pumpkins arranged in spectacular displays. Philipsburg Manor transforms into a family-friendly haunted house with games, magic shows, and a not-too-scary walk through the grounds.
Families can take daytime tours at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to see the final resting places of Washington Irving, Andrew Carnegie, and others. The Old Dutch Church hosts readings of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and on weekends, visitors might encounter the Headless Horseman himself riding through town.
More Fall Driving Inspiration
If spooky adventures aren’t really your thing, then we have plenty more scenic driving inspiration to see you through the immensely picturesque changing of the seasons. Why not try out next:
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