Visiting the Lizzie Borden House has been on my bucket list for years. October—aka spooky season—is my favorite time of year, and I love diving into haunted history whenever I can (and honestly, probably beyond that). This fall, I finally made it happen! My friends and I were staying in Newport and decided to take a morning trip to the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts, just a 30-minute drive away.
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The Backstory
If you’re not familiar with the history, Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father and stepmother on August 4, 1892, with an axe. No evidence was found to prove her guilty, so she was set free. I won’t spoil every detail—you should do the tour to hear the full story—but here’s the quick overview.
Planning Your Visit to the Lizzie Borden House
Before diving into our experience, it’s worth noting there are several tours and overnight stays (you can even book the entire house) available, which can all be booked on lizzie-borden.com. The house is owned by US Ghost Adventures, which operates haunted tours and stays across the country. Even better—the CEO, Lance Zaal, is a veteran, so visiting supports a veteran-owned small business and the historic sites, like this one, that they preserve.
We originally planned to stay overnight, but my friend—who was eight months pregnant—felt it might be unlucky. After experiencing the house firsthand, I can’t say I blame her!
Our Lizzie Borden House Tour Experience
We booked the 10 a.m. Saturday, Lizzie Borden House Tour, and even in broad daylight, it was spooky! We checked in at the gift shop behind the house, which had fun merchandise and photo props. There’s also a coffee shop right next door that looked like a popular stop for visitors.
Our tour guide, Larry, was fantastic. He greeted us outside the front door—holding an axe, of course—and welcomed us in to begin our tour.
The First Floor
The house immediately sets the mood. You walk into an entryway with a grand staircase and chandelier, then spot a replica of Andrew Borden lying in the living room where he was murdered. The room is filled with real crime scene photos and family portraits. One eerie detail: in the photos, Andrew is shown wearing shoes, which was a 19th-century tradition to “dress” the body respectfully after death—he likely wasn’t wearing them when he was killed.
Each room has its own unsettling touches—like the creepy dolls that seem to stare right at you (possibly an exaggeration, but it definitely felt that way!).
In the dining room, we saw what Larry described as the autopsy table, where the autopsies of Andrew and Abby were reportedly performed. The adjoining parlor offered insight into the family’s complicated relationship, revealing that tensions existed long before the murders.
The Second Floor
Upstairs, we visited the guest room where Abby was found dead—a space you can actually stay in overnight. There’s even a replica of her body on the floor (you can choose to have it removed if you stay there). We also saw the main bedroom shared by Andrew and Abby. Larry explained that Abby is often portrayed as greedy in films, but in reality, she was said to be kind and nurturing.
A fascinating superstition: visitors often leave coins or pennies in this room as “rent” for Andrew’s spirit. Those who skip this tradition have reportedly experienced bad luck—some even mail pennies back later to “make it right.” We left five dollars just to be safe!
The Attic
Next, we saw the bedrooms of Lizzie and her sister, Emma, who were nine years apart but shared a close bond. The attic was home to Bridget the maid, who lived in brutal conditions—sweltering heat in summer and freezing temperatures in winter. She often wanted to leave but stayed until the tragedy occurred.
Also in the attic is a children’s room, said to have the most paranormal activity. Guests have reported toys moving, laughter, and the sound of running footsteps. However, when chatting with the women cleaning the rooms, they told us they actually believe the Andrew Jennings Room—named after the family lawyer—is the most haunted, with the most frequent unexplained occurrences.
The Kitchen and Basement
Back downstairs, we gathered in the kitchen where a mysterious running sound came from the sink and wouldn’t stop. Naturally, we were freaked out.
Then came the basement—where things got serious. About half our group opted out, but we decided to go for it. Downstairs, we saw the séance room, which is said to have the highest paranormal activity. Visitors have claimed to make contact through Ouija boards here. The air felt heavy and cold, adding to the eerie vibe.
Nearby, we saw old plumbing fixtures Andrew refused to modernize and even heard stories about the harsh realities of living there—like rumors of how the daughters had to use buckets during their menstrual cycles because Andrew wouldn’t upgrade the bathrooms. We also heard about a black cat said to have lived there for 20 years and still “visits” from time to time.
Why You Should Visit the Lizzie Borden House
If you’re into haunted history or true crime, the Lizzie Borden House is an unforgettable experience. Even though I’ve shared a lot, there’s so much more you’ll discover on the tour—details that make you question whether Lizzie really did it. Over 130 years later, people are still debating what happened inside that house.
Where to Stay
If you’re planning your own visit and not staying at the Lizzie Borden house, here are a few nearby hotel options:
Fall River Hotels
- Hampton Inn Fall River/Westport: Clean, comfortable, and just 10 minutes from the Lizzie Borden House.
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fall River Westport: Roomy, clean, and also 10 minutes from the Lizzie Borden house.
Newport Hotels
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Newport Middletown: This is where we stayed! It’s about a 30-minute drive to Fall River—perfect if you want to pair your haunted adventure with a coastal getaway where there is a lot of great restaurants and things to do.
Of course, if you’re feeling brave, you can always book an overnight stay directly at the Lizzie Borden House!
For more haunted experiences across the U.S., check out US Ghost Adventures—they offer overnight stays and guided tours in historic (and haunted!) locations nationwide.
Would you stay overnight at the Lizzie Borden House? 👻
Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear what other haunted places you’ve experienced as well.
