Real Haunted Murder Houses You Can Visit This Halloween

Every October, haunted attractions appear across America, promising fake chainsaws, staged jump scares, and imaginary ghosts. Yet a handful of locations don’t need actors or special effects. Their terrifying histories are real.

Some of the nation’s most infamous murder houses now welcome thousands of visitors each Halloween for ghost tours, paranormal investigations, overnight stays, and special seasonal events. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these properties have become major destinations for people fascinated by true crime, history, and the unexplained.

1. Lizzie Borden House

 

230 Second Street, Fall River, Massachusetts 02721

No list is more famous than the Lizzie Borden House.

On August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife Abby were brutally killed with a hatchet inside the home. Lizzie Borden, Andrew’s daughter, was arrested and tried for the murders but ultimately acquitted. The case remains officially unsolved and is one of America’s most enduring true crime mysteries.

Today, the house operates as a museum and bed-and-breakfast offering:

• Historical tours

• Ghost tours

• Overnight stays

• Paranormal investigations

• Murder mystery events

• Special Halloween programming

Every October, visitors from around the world line up to spend the night where the murders occurred. Tour guides discuss both the historical facts and reported paranormal experiences, though claims of hauntings remain unverified.

2. Villisca Axe Murder House

 

508 East 2nd Street, Villisca, Iowa 50864

In the early morning hours of June 10, 1912, someone entered the Moore family home and murdered eight sleeping victims with an axe.

The victims included:

• Josiah Moore

• Sarah Moore

• Their four children

• Two young overnight guests

More than a century later, the murders remain unsolved.

Today, the restored home offers:

• Daytime historical tours

• Overnight stays

• Paranormal investigations

• Halloween ghost hunts

• Special October events

The Villisca Axe Murder House is widely regarded as one of America’s most famous allegedly haunted homes, attracting both true crime enthusiasts and paranormal investigators each Halloween.

3. Lemp Mansion

 

3322 Demenil Pl, St. Louis, MO 63118

Although not the site of a murder, Lemp Mansion has one of America’s darkest residential histories.

The home was the scene of multiple suicides involving members of the wealthy Lemp brewing family after the decline of their beer empire following Prohibition.

Today the mansion operates as:

• A restaurant

• Inn

• Ghost tour destination

• Murder mystery venue

• Halloween attraction

It has become one of Missouri’s best-known haunted destinations, with visitors reporting unexplained sounds, apparitions, and other paranormal experiences. These reports remain anecdotal and are not scientifically verified.

Why These Homes Fascinate People

Unlike traditional haunted houses built solely for entertainment, these locations preserve real history.

Visitors come for many reasons:

• To learn about infamous crimes

• To experience historic homes

• To participate in ghost tours

• To investigate paranormal claims

• To spend the night in places where violent events occurred

Whether guests believe the houses are haunted or simply appreciate their historical significance, these properties continue attracting thousands of visitors every Halloween season.

A Reminder About Haunted Claims

Many of these attractions market themselves as haunted and feature paranormal investigations. However, reports of ghost sightings, unexplained noises, and supernatural activity are based on personal experiences and folklore rather than scientific evidence. Visitors should distinguish between documented historical events and unverified paranormal claims.

Before You Buy

Some homes become famous because of the tragedies that occurred inside them. Others quietly carry histories that never make the real estate listing.

A DiedInHouse.com Property History Report can help uncover information about previous deaths, fires, and other historical events that may not be required to be disclosed before you buy or rent.