Spooky Fun in Massachusetts – Part 2: Year-Round

In Friday’s post, I highlighted some events taking place in Massachusetts in October for the Halloween season. But you can have spooky fun all year round in that sate. Here are a few being promoted by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT).

Ghosts and Gravestones Tour, Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Tour, Boston
Walk amongst the dead in burial grounds nearly 400 years old, hear stories of those whose mortal remains lie beneath your feet and listen to tales of the sordid practices that went along with them. Highlights include the site of the biggest grave-robbing scandal in New England’s history and Boston’s largest unmarked burying ground, as well as tortures, punishments and executions.
Haunted Boston Haunted Boston
Listen to enchanting and chilling tales of Boston’s most famous ghosts, as well as the area’s extensive and rich history. Your guide will tell you extraordinary and tragic tales from the founding of Colonial Boston right up to present day. This family-friendly tour includes secrets lying beneath Boston Common, the Boston Athenaeum and a well-known hotel that is Boston’s most haunted.
Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum
Erected in 1845, the home was originally a two-family and was later made into a single family by Andrew J. Borden. The Bed & Breakfast is named after his youngest daughter, Lizzie. Although she was tried and acquitted of her accused crimes, the community of Fall River ostracized her. Since the murders on August 4, 1892 the house has been a private residence. Now, for the first time the public is allowed not only to view the murder scene, but is also given an opportunity to spend a night (if you dare) in the actual house where the murders took place. The home has been restored to its original Victorian splendor, with careful attention to making it as close to the Borden home of August, 1892 as is possible.
Spooner House Ghost Tour, Plymouth Spooner House Ghost Tour, Plymouth
Be your own detective during this exclusive paranormal investigation of the historic Spooner House on North Street. Guides steeped in Spooner family lore will help you seek out strange anomalies and invisible energies in the nooks and crannies of the centuries-old house. Bring your own wireless hand-held equipment and be a DIY ghost hunter! Card readers and psychics will also be on hand. The fee is $30 per person and prepaid reservations are required. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.
Haunted Harbor Cruise, Salem Haunted Harbor Cruise, Salem
Come learn about the haunted happenings of Salem Sound on this 1.5-hour cruise along the shores of Salem, Marblehead, Beverly, Manchester and mysterious Misery Islands. This is a fun filled informative cruise loaded with spooky stories of ruthless local pirates, haunted lighthouses, mansions, abandoned mental wards, tails of local ghosts, ocean demons and living monsters who reek havoc on local ships to this day!
Summon the Dead Séance, The Witches Cottage Summon the Dead Séance
Experience a sinister paranormal séance in the darkened theatre of The Witches Cottage. Complete with ghostly appearances and startling moments, this theatrical séance is sure to make a believer out of anyone. Seating is limited seating; allow 45 minutes. This performance is not for the faint of heart.
Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tours, Salem Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tours, Salem
Salem’s original ghost tour, Haunted Footsteps’ guides will recount Salem’s haunted history and share their own encounters with supernatural Salem. Bring your camera to capture the ghostly orbs you may encounter on this tour!
Omen Psychic Parlor Omen Psychic Parlor
Discover your destiny with a psychic reading at Omen. Participate in a séance or witchcraft workshop. Omen offers Tarot, palmistry, mediumship and clairvoyance to guide you.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Concord’s largest cemetery, Sleepy Hollow has an estimated 10,000 gravesites, many of local, national, and international interest. It was one of the first cemeteries in the United States to be designed to have a sylvan character and has also been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Here is where you will find the burial sites of Henry Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott and Bronson Alcott.
Spider Gates Cemetery Spider Gates Cemetery
Located in Leicester MA, this cemetery has a spooky reputation. Folklore includes: a strip of lawn where grass doesn’t grow; a central raised area 20 feet by 20 feet, called “the altar,” which Satanists have permission to use; a second cemetery that can only be found once; and a haunted house.
The Bloody Pit: Hoosac Tunnel The Bloody Pit: Hoosac Tunnel
This railroad line goes nearly five miles through a mountain. Legend has it that 200 men were killed during construction. The crew nicknamed the tunnel project “The Bloody Pit.” In 1865, two miners were killed in an explosion at the site. A third worker, Kelly Ringo, the man who had accidentally detonated the blast, walked away unhurt. One year later, Ringo’s body was found in the hole; he had been strangled to death. No living person was apprehended for the crime, if there was one. It was believed the ghosts of the two miners exacting revenge. There are many tales of spooky happenings in the Hoosac, and the ghosts of the many men who died there may still haunt the tunnel.
Haunted Cape Cod Haunted Cape Cod
Be spooked as you walk these one of a kind tours, featuring lessons on electric voice phenomenon (recording voices of the dead), detect paranormal activity and visit active haunted places where strange occurrences are likely to take place. Offers Barnstable Village’s Haunted and History Walking Tours, Ghost Tours and “Love You To Death” tours.

These are just highlights, so for more information visit www.massvacation.com.

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About the author

As The Genre Traveler, Carma Spence loves to view the world through Genre-Coloured glasses. In other words, she sees the world through a lens of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, where trash cans can be Daleks in disguise and neighborhood forests can harbor faeries and sprites. Magic realism is real! Or at least you can choose to see the world that way to add to the fun and awe of life.

2 comments on “Spooky Fun in Massachusetts – Part 2: Year-Round”

  1. Carma Spence

    Hi Chris,
    This site is on indefinite hold. I hope to one day get back to it, but right now I just can’t. Feel free to mention the info in a comment.
    – Carma

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