Spooky Things To Do in New England
Get into the fall spirit with our guide to spooky things to do in New England. Explore haunted houses, eerie attractions, and more!
Introduction
New England is brimming with history, which means it’s also overflowing with spooky spots and ghostly legends! Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly fright or something a bit more chilling for the adults, here’s a mix of haunted locations and ghost tours across New England that are sure to thrill and chill in equal measure.
If you need more information before settling on your destination, check out the spooky rating scales after the list.
Good luck! Mwa-ha-ha-ha!
Salem Witch Trials Memorial and Ghost Tours - Salem, Massachusetts
Family-Friendly Rating: 🎃🎃🎃🎃 Spooky Scale: 👻👻
Why Go? Salem is practically the Halloween capital of the world! Dive into the dark history of the infamous Salem Witch Trials with a guided tour through the town’s historic sites. Most tours are family-friendly, mixing history with light spookiness. Kids will love the theatrical reenactments and hearing about the legendary witches.
Fun Fact: According to Texas A&M history professor Rachel McShane Ph.D., Salem “witches” weren’t burned at the stake…that was more of a European thing. They were hanged. *Clears throat*. Not sure how ‘fun’ that fact was, but….ANYWAY!
Make the Trip!
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial
- 24 Liberty St. Salem, Massachusetts 01970
The Mark Twain House - Hartford, Connecticut
Family-Friendly Rating: 🎃🎃🎃 Spooky Scale: 👻👻
Why Go? Visit the former home of famous author Mark Twain, where some say his ghost still roams the halls. The house is a stunning example of Victorian architecture, and the guided ghost tour offers just the right amount of eerie without being too intense. Perfect for families who want to dip their toes into the paranormal without diving into the deep end.
Fun Fact: Mark Twain, whose birth name was Samual Langhorne Clemens, was born 2 months premature and not expected to live. He was a sickly child until he was about 7 years old.
Make the Trip!
- The Mark Twain House & Museum
- 351 Farmington Ave. Hartford, Connecticut 06105
Ghosts and Gravestones Tour - Boston, Massachusetts
Family-Friendly Rating: 🎃🎃🎃 Spooky Scale: 👻👻👻
Why Go: The Ghosts and Gravestones Tour is a must if you’re up for a good scare. This trolley tour takes you through the darker side of Boston’s history, visiting some of the city’s most haunted locations. Your guide, dressed in period attire, will regale you with tales of murders, mayhem, and mystery that’ll make your hair stand on end. Oh my!
Fun Fact: The Ghosts and Gravestones Tour visits Boston’s oldest burial ground, the Granary Burying Ground, where famous figures like Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are buried—alongside some less famous (but just as spooky!) residents!
Make the Trip!
- Ghosts and Gravestones Tour
- 200 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110
Newport Ghost Tours - Newport, Rhode Island
Family-Friendly Rating: 🎃🎃🎃🎃 Spooky Scale: 👻👻
Why Go? Stroll through the historic streets of Newport on this guided ghost tour that’s perfect for families. You’ll hear tales of haunted mansions, ghost ships, and mysterious apparitions, all while enjoying the charming seaside atmosphere. The tour is more on the educational side, with just enough spookiness to keep the kids entertained.
Fun Fact: The White Horse Tavern, built in Newport in 1673, is the oldest, functioning and still-used tavern, in the United States.
Make the Trip!
- Newport Ghost Tours
- 25 America’s Cup Ave.
- Newport, Rhode Island 02840
The Mount – Edith Wharton’s Home - Lenox, Massachusetts
Family-Friendly Rating: 🎃🎃🎃 Spooky Scale: 👻👻👻
Why Go? Visit the grand estate of author Edith Wharton, who was known for her ghost stories. The Mount offers evening ghost tours that explore the darker side of the mansion’s history. With its beautiful gardens and stunning architecture, it’s a wonderful place to visit by day, and a little spooky by night. The tours are designed to be more atmospheric than terrifying, making it suitable for older kids and adults, alike.
Fun Fact: Edith had her own book of poems printed at the age of 16!
Make the Trip!
- The Mount | Edith Wharton’s Home
- 2 Plunkett Street Lenox, Massachusetts 01240
Conclusion
From the famously haunted streets of Salem to the eerie elegance of The Mount, New England has no shortage of ghostly adventures. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly frights or something a bit more hair-raising, these locations offer a little something for everyone. So grab your flashlight, keep your eyes peeled, and get ready for a haunted New England adventure!
Still considering which location would be best for your crew? Use our ratings guide to help!
Family-Friendly Rating 🎃
- 🎃: Suitable for older kids and up. Some content may be a bit intense for younger children.
- 🎃🎃: Fun for school-aged kids and up. May include light spookiness, but nothing too scary.
- 🎃🎃🎃: Perfect for families with kids of all ages. Light-hearted and spooky fun with a focus on history or storytelling.
- 🎃🎃🎃🎃: Ideal for families looking for a fun and slightly spooky experience. A good mix of entertainment and mild frights.
Spooky Scale 👻
- 👻: Barely spooky. Just a touch of the supernatural, more focused on history and legend than scares.
- 👻👻: Mildly spooky. Includes eerie stories and possibly some ghostly sightings, but nothing too frightening.
- 👻👻👻: Moderately spooky. Could give you a chill or two, with more intense stories or a creepier atmosphere.
- 👻👻👻👻: Quite spooky. Not for the faint of heart, with a focus on intense ghost stories, dark history, or eerie experiences.
Your trusted partner for fall cleanup.
Discover how this remarkable product can make yard maintenance a breeze.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Looking for the most up-to-date fall foliage information, itineraries, and ideas? Sign up for our Newsletter here.