New England was practically made for ghost stories. Centuries-old inns, isolated lighthouses, abandoned prisons and weathered mansions fill a landscape where history never feels very far away. Add coastal fog, creaking floorboards and a long winter night, and even committed skeptics may find themselves looking over their shoulders.

The locations on this list were selected for their documented history, enduring legends, reported paranormal activity and the experience they offer curious visitors. The hauntings remain folklore rather than proven fact—but every place has a story worth telling. Some offer daytime history tours. Others invite visitors inside after dark. A few will even let you spend the night. We’re counting down to the New England location where a horrifying, unsolved crime makes it almost impossible to separate the ghost stories from the house itself.

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10. Green Mountain Inn — Stowe, Vermont

The Green Mountain Inn has welcomed travelers to Stowe since 1833. According to local legend, at least one former resident never checked out. The inn’s best-known spirit is Boots Berry, a former horseman and tap dancer. The story says that Boots was born at the inn, left Stowe after falling on difficult times and eventually returned. During a snowstorm, he reportedly climbed onto the inn’s roof to rescue a child who had become stranded there. Boots saved the child but slipped from the roof and fell to his death. Guests have since claimed to hear the rhythmic tapping of boots overhead, particularly during winter storms. Room 302, where Boots was reportedly born, has become one of the inn’s most requested rooms. The Green Mountain Inn openly embraces the legend of its tap-dancing ghost as part of its long and colorful history.

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9. Fort Knox — Prospect, Maine

Maine’s Fort Knox never faced an enemy attack, but its granite passageways have still developed a chilling reputation. The massive coastal fortification was established in 1844 to protect the Penobscot River Valley from a possible British naval attack. Although troops were stationed there at different times, its cannons were never fired in battle. That quiet military history has not prevented stories of unexplained activity from spreading. Visitors and paranormal investigators have reported hearing voices, footsteps and strange noises echoing through the fort. Others describe seeing shadowy figures moving through its dark passageways. The setting certainly helps the imagination. Fort Knox contains narrow staircases, cavernous rooms, underground areas and long granite corridors where even an ordinary sound can seem to come from everywhere at once. After-hours ghost tours give visitors an opportunity to explore those passages with paranormal investigators. Participants are advised to bring flashlights—which tells you almost everything you need to know.

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8. Hawthorne Hotel — Salem, Massachusetts

A haunted countdown through New England would hardly feel complete without a stop in Salem. The Hawthorne Hotel opened in 1925 and has welcomed generations of travelers to the heart of the historic city. Its guests have included celebrities, politicians and members of the cast of the classic television series Bewitched. The hotel has also accumulated an impressive collection of ghost stories. Visitors have reported unexplained noises, furniture that seems to move on its own and the mysterious scent of apples drifting through rooms and hallways. Other accounts describe a woman in white wandering the sixth floor. Rooms 325 and 612 are frequently mentioned in stories of paranormal activity. In 1990, the hotel hosted a séance intended to contact legendary escape artist Harry Houdini. Houdini apparently declined to make an appearance—but some visitors believe Salem’s other spirits are less shy. Whether or not you encounter anything supernatural, the Hawthorne puts visitors within walking distance of Salem’s museums, historic sites, restaurants and nighttime ghost tours.

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7. New London Ledge Light — Groton, Connecticut

Standing alone near the mouth of the Thames River, New London Ledge Light already looks like the setting for a ghost story. The distinctive lighthouse was completed in 1909 to help guide ships through the busy waters near New London and Groton. Its unusual redbrick exterior resembles a stately home built in the middle of the water. The lighthouse’s legendary resident is a former keeper known as Ernie. According to the most popular version of the story, Ernie was heartbroken after learning that his romantic partner had left him. He died at the lighthouse and never departed spiritually. Later Coast Guard crews reported doors opening by themselves, unexplained knocking and equipment mysteriously turning on and off. Some stories even claim that Ernie occasionally activated the foghorn on calm, clear nights. There is one problem with the tale: historians have never definitively identified Ernie. His identity, life and death remain uncertain, and some researchers believe the story may combine several different people and legends. Whatever its origins, the ghost of Ernie has become inseparable from New London Ledge Light.

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6. Emily’s Bridge — Stowe, Vermont

By daylight, the Gold Brook Covered Bridge looks like a picture-perfect piece of Vermont. After dark, it becomes Emily’s Bridge. The legend tells of a young woman named Emily who planned to meet her lover at the bridge. When he failed to appear, the heartbroken woman died there—although different versions disagree about precisely how it happened. Visitors have since reported hearing screams, seeing a pale apparition and finding unexplained scratches on their vehicles after crossing the bridge. There is a significant complication: historians have found no reliable evidence that Emily ever existed. Researchers believe the ghost story may have emerged during the late 1960s or early 1970s, more than a century after the bridge was built. That makes Emily’s Bridge as much an example of how folklore is created and spread as it is an alleged haunting. The bridge itself is real, historic and undeniably atmospheric. Built around 1844, it remains one of Stowe’s best-known covered bridges. Anyone visiting should remember that it is a public roadway in a residential area. Do not block traffic, trespass on neighboring property or disturb local residents—especially at night.

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5. Omni Mount Washington Resort — Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

The grand Mount Washington Hotel opened in 1902 beneath the towering Presidential Range. Its most famous permanent guest may be Carolyn Stickney, the wife of the hotel’s original owner, Joseph Stickney. Known as Princess Carolyn, she spent her summers entertaining wealthy visitors at the resort. Her favorite room was reportedly Room 314, which still contains an elaborate four-poster bed associated with her. Guests and employees have reported seeing a woman sitting on the edge of that bed. Other stories describe a Victorian figure appearing on the hotel’s grand staircase, unexplained lights and objects that appear to move without assistance. Room 314 remains available to overnight guests. The resort does not guarantee a supernatural encounter with the reservation, but anyone sleeping in Carolyn’s former room may want to think twice before investigating an unexplained noise in the darkness. Even without a ghostly visitor, the enormous white hotel, red roof and dramatic mountain backdrop make this one of New England’s most unforgettable places to stay.

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4. Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine — East Granby, Connecticut

Old New-Gate does not need a ghost story to feel disturbing. The site began as a copper mine before Connecticut converted its underground caverns into a prison in 1773. Prisoners were confined deep beneath the earth in darkness, dampness and miserable conditions. During the Revolutionary War, the prison held Loyalists and other prisoners. It later became Connecticut’s first state prison. Riots, fires and repeated escapes followed. The conditions were so notorious that prisoners reportedly called the underground complex “Hell.” Today, visitors can explore the prison yard, historic ruins and portions of the former copper mine. Reported paranormal activity includes disembodied voices, unexplained footsteps and apparitions moving among the old stone walls. Whether those experiences are supernatural or simply the result of standing underground where people once suffered, Old New-Gate is genuinely unsettling. The site now operates as a state history museum and National Historic Landmark. Its real history deserves as much attention as its ghost stories.

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3. S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion — Gardner, Massachusetts

Built for furniture manufacturer Sylvester Knowlton Pierce during the 1870s, this imposing Second Empire mansion contains 21 rooms, towering ceilings and enough shadowy hallways to challenge even an experienced ghost hunter. The house has attracted stories of numerous spirits. Reported activity includes sudden temperature changes, slamming doors, disembodied voices and shadowy figures moving through the building. Some visitors claim to have felt something touch or push them when no one was nearby. Unlike the mischievous spirits associated with many historic New England inns, the activity reported at S.K. Pierce is sometimes described as hostile. The mansion has appeared on paranormal television programs and has become a destination for investigators from across the country. Guided tours give curious visitors a comparatively safe introduction. Those wanting a more intense experience can reserve the mansion for an overnight stay. Yes, people voluntarily spend the entire night inside.

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2. The Conjuring House — Burrillville, Rhode Island

This secluded Rhode Island farmhouse became internationally famous after inspiring The Conjuring. The Perron family moved into the old farmhouse in 1971 and later described years of disturbing activity. Their accounts included apparitions, unexplained noises, moving objects and frightening encounters that eventually attracted paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Hollywood dramatically reshaped the story. Several of the movie’s most memorable details should not be mistaken for documented history, and the claims surrounding the property have faced skepticism. Nevertheless, the Perron family’s experiences turned the farmhouse into one of America’s most recognizable alleged hauntings. The property is not currently open for public tours while restoration work is underway. Its official website says guided visits are planned after that work is completed. The Conjuring House is private property. Visitors should never enter the grounds, approach the house or disturb its neighbors without permission. It may be New England’s most famous alleged haunting, but one final location has an even darker advantage: the terrifying event at the center of its story unquestionably happened.

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1. Lizzie Borden House — Fall River, Massachusetts

On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered inside their Fall River home. Andrew’s daughter Lizzie was arrested and tried for the crimes before being acquitted. No one else was ever convicted, and the murders remain officially unsolved. The house’s ghost stories came later. Visitors and employees have reported hearing footsteps, voices and unexplained sounds. Some claim to have seen apparitions or felt an unseen presence in the rooms where the victims were discovered. What places the Lizzie Borden House at the top of our countdown is its inescapable combination of mystery, documented tragedy and access. Visitors can tour the original rooms, participate in nighttime ghost hunts and even stay inside the house. The property offers several experiences centered on both the history of the Borden murders and its alleged paranormal activity. Unlike many haunted attractions, this is not a recreation inspired by a frightening story. It is the actual house where one of New England’s most infamous unsolved crimes occurred. Believer or skeptic, turning out the light inside that house requires a certain amount of courage.

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Ready to Plan Your Haunted New England Road Trip?

You do not need to visit all ten places in one terrifying weekend. Choose a destination, reserve a room and discover whether one of New England’s legendary spirits decides to make an appearance.

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Which Haunted New England Place Would You Visit?

From a lonely Connecticut lighthouse to a Rhode Island farmhouse made famous by Hollywood, New England’s haunted places preserve more than ghost stories. They keep generations of history, tragedy and folklore alive. Some legends are connected to documented events. Others grew through decades of retelling. A few may say more about our imaginations than anything lurking in the darkness. But when the hallway creaks in the middle of the night, none of that makes it any easier to investigate. Which location belongs at the top of your list—and what haunted New England place did we miss? Tell us in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most haunted place in New England?

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts, is frequently described as one of the most haunted locations in New England. Its reputation combines reported paranormal activity with the documented and still-unsolved murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in 1892.

Can you stay overnight in a haunted New England hotel?

Yes. The Lizzie Borden House, Green Mountain Inn, Hawthorne Hotel, Omni Mount Washington Resort and S.K. Pierce Mansion all offer overnight accommodations or rentals. Availability and access vary, so reservations should be made directly with each property or through a trusted booking service.

Are there haunted places in every New England state?

Every New England state has ghost stories, haunted buildings and supernatural folklore. This countdown includes at least one destination in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

What are the best ghost tours in New England?

Salem offers one of New England’s largest concentrations of bookable ghost tours. Boston, Portsmouth, Providence and other historic cities also offer nighttime walking tours. Individual locations such as Fort Knox and the Lizzie Borden House provide specialized paranormal experiences.

Are these New England locations really haunted?

There is no scientific proof that these locations are haunted. Their reputations come from historical events, local folklore, visitor accounts and reported paranormal experiences. We recommend enjoying the stories while distinguishing documented history from legend.

What is the best time to take a haunted New England road trip?

September and October provide cool weather, fall foliage and the largest selection of ghost tours and Halloween events. However, popular destinations such as Salem become extremely crowded during October. Visiting during late spring or early fall can provide a quieter experience.