SPENDING THE NIGHT at the Lizzie Borden House
If you're a true crime fan, a lover of haunted history, or just looking for a spooky weekend getaway, you need to add the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts to your list. Just a few hours' drive from New York City, this eerie bed and breakfast gives you the chance to sleep in the actual home where the Borden murders took place and maybe even meet a ghost or two while you're there.
The Story Behind the Lizzie Borden House
In 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered with a hatchet in their own home. Suspicion quickly turned to Andrew's daughter, Lizzie Borden, who was ultimately tried but acquitted in 1893. To this day, the case remains one of America's most famous unsolved mysteries, and the legend of Lizzie has become part of true crime folklore.
Today, the Borden home has been turned into a fully functioning bed and breakfast where you can not only tour the infamous murder scene but actually spend the night in it.
What to Expect When You Visit
Take a guided house tour: Make sure to book a tour of the house where you’ll get to walk through each room while they retell the timeline of what happened on the day of the murders, complete with historical facts, crime scene photos, and chilling theories. I’d definitely recommend doing the Extended Tour so you can check out the creepy basement, too.
Explore during a late-night ghost hunt: Highly recommend booking the nighttime ghost hunt inside the home where you will use ghost hunting gear to interact beyond the grave. Bring your camera, because plenty of guests claim to have captured something they can’t explain.
Sleep in the rooms of the Borden family: You can book a stay in Lizzie’s own bedroom like we did or in the rooms where the murders took place, if you dare. The rooms are preserved with Victorian-era details to match what the house looked like in 1892.
Visit the Borden family graves: Before leaving Fall River, stop by Oak Grove Cemetery to visit the grave sites of Lizzie, Andrew, and Abby Borden. It's a quiet, well-kept space and adds to the full-circle feeling of the experience. Once you arrive at the cemetery, looks for the white arrows on the road and they will point you exactly to the gravesite.
Visit the house Lizzie lived in after the murders: Lizzie moved into her dream home after her acquittal, and it’s not very far from the house. Visit the house she named “Maplecroft” at 306 French Street, Fall River, MA 02720.
How to Get There
Fall River, Massachusetts is about a 3.5- to 4-hour drive from New York City, making it a solid weekend trip if you're looking to escape into some haunted New England history. If you're already in Boston or Providence, the drive is even shorter.
Is It Worth It?
If you’re into unsolved mysteries, historical crime, or haunted house stays, this is one of the most unique overnight experiences in the U.S. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the storytelling and history alone make it a fascinating visit. And if you do believe in ghosts, well, you might not sleep much.
Final Tips
Book your room early as it fills up quickly in the fall
Bring comfortable walking shoes for the tour and cemetery
Be respectful during your stay, especially during the ghost hunt
Ready to plan your trip? Fill out my trip inquiry form and we can start planning today!
