You’re standing in a cramped, floral-wallpapered guest room in Fall River, Massachusetts. The air feels a little heavy, maybe just because the house dates back to 1845, or maybe because you’re looking at the exact patch of floor where Abby Borden was found face-down with 19 hatchet wounds in her skull. Most people would run. But at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast, people pay hundreds of dollars to sleep right there.
Honestly, it’s a bit weird when you think about it.
We’ve all heard the rhyme. "Lizzie Borden took an axe..." except it wasn’t an axe, and it wasn’t 40 whacks. It was a hatchet, and the numbers were closer to 19 for the stepmother and 10 or 11 for the father, Andrew. But accuracy doesn't always make for a good playground chant. Today, this house isn't just a grim historical marker; it’s a fully functioning, high-demand inn where you can eat the same breakfast the Bordens ate on that stifling August morning in 1892. Minus the mutton broth—thankfully, the modern owners have a limit on historical accuracy.
What it’s Actually Like to Stay at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast
The house isn’t some sprawling, isolated mansion from a horror movie. It’s actually quite small. It’s sitting right on Second Street, squeezed between a courthouse and various businesses. You’d walk right past it if it weren't for the sign. Inside, the new owner, Lance Zaal—who bought the place in 2021 for about $2 million—has leaned hard into the "dark tourism" vibe while trying to keep the Victorian bones intact.
If you book a room, you aren't just getting a bed. You’re getting a 24-hour immersion into a 130-year-old cold case.
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The Room Selection (Choose Carefully)
- The John V. Morse Guest Room: This is the big one. The "Murder Room." This is where Abby Borden died. It’s the most requested room in the house. There’s something undeniably macabre about brushing your teeth a few feet away from where a woman was slaughtered, but hey, that’s why you’re here, right?
- The Andrew Borden Suite: Located on the second floor. It’s actually quite spacious for a Victorian home.
- The Lizzie and Emma Rooms: These are smaller, interconnected rooms. Staying here gives you a sense of just how claustrophobic the family’s life was. There were no hallways connecting these bedrooms; you had to walk through one room to get to the next. Imagine the tension in that house.
- The Attic (Maid’s Quarters): This is where Bridget "Maggie" Sullivan lived. Many paranormal investigators claim this is actually the most "active" part of the house. Recent visitors have reported hearing the sound of marbles rolling across the floorboards or seeing indentations on the beds as if someone just sat down.
Staying here isn't like staying at a Marriott. You’ve got shared bathrooms. The floorboards creak like they’re screaming. And yes, you are allowed to wander—mostly. You can’t go into other people's bedrooms, but the sitting room where Andrew Borden was killed on the sofa? That’s fair game.
The Ghost Hunt vs. The History
The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast operates as a museum by day and a ghost-hunting ground by night. Around 8:00 PM, the day-trippers are kicked out, and the overnight guests get down to business. The staff often provides "ghost hunting kits" which include EMF detectors and spirit boxes.
Now, look. Whether you believe in ghosts or not is up to you. But even skeptics admit the atmosphere changes at night. Some guests report "shadow people" in the basement, while others claim to feel a cold breeze in the dining room where the family's skulls were once displayed on the table during the preliminary hearing. (Yes, that actually happened—the doctor decapitated the bodies and boiled the heads to show the jury the bone damage).
The basement has recently been renovated into "steampunk-style" rooms, which has caused a bit of a stir among purists. Some recent reviews from 2025 and early 2026 suggest these new basement suites feel a bit "grungy" or "unfinished" compared to the meticulously restored Victorian rooms upstairs. If you want the authentic experience, stick to the second floor.
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Fact-Checking the Folklore
It’s easy to get swept up in the legends, but the real history is often weirder.
- The Mutton: The family was actually sick the morning of the murders. They had been eating old mutton for days in the middle of a New England heatwave.
- The Dress: Lizzie was caught burning a blue dress in the kitchen stove a few days after the murders. She claimed it was "stained with paint." The jury, mostly older men who couldn't imagine a "refined" lady committing such a crime, bought it.
- The Lock-and-Key: The house was a fortress. Andrew Borden was notoriously cheap and paranoid, keeping most doors inside the house locked at all times. This is why the "intruder" theory has always been so hard to swallow.
Planning Your Visit: Costs and Logistics
If you’re planning to make the pilgrimage to Fall River in 2026, you need to book months in advance, especially for October.
Pricing and Check-in
Prices usually start around $250 per night for the smaller rooms and can climb well over $350-$400 for the Morse room or the full suites during peak season. Check-in is typically between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. They don’t want you arriving late; the house has a schedule to keep with the evening ghost tours.
The "Borden" Breakfast
The morning meal is part of the draw. They serve a spread similar to what was on the table on August 4, 1892: johnnycakes, eggs, and fruit. Thankfully, they’ve swapped the rancid mutton for bacon. It’s served in the dining room, often with other guests. It’s the one time the house feels "normal"—until someone asks if you felt the bed shake at 3 AM.
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Is it Worth the Hype?
If you’re a true crime fan, the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast is essentially the Super Bowl. There is no other place in America where you can live inside a crime scene this famous. However, if you’re looking for a luxury getaway with high-end linens and a spa, you will be disappointed. You’re paying for the history, the creeps, and the bragging rights.
Fall River itself is a gritty, interesting city. While you’re there, you should definitely check out Maplecroft, the mansion Lizzie bought with her inheritance after she was acquitted. It’s just a few blocks away on "The Hill," the wealthy neighborhood she spent her whole life dreaming of. It’s also owned by the same group now, though it’s often used for private events rather than standard B&B stays.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
- Book the "Extended" Tour: If you aren't staying overnight, at least do the tour that includes the basement. That’s where the "hatchet without a handle" was found in a pile of ash.
- Visit the Oak Grove Cemetery: Lizzie is buried there, along with her father, stepmother, and sister Emma. It’s about a 10-minute drive from the house. People often leave pennies on Lizzie’s headstone (face up for "good luck," though that seems ironic).
- Check the Infrastructure: As of early 2026, the Fall River Historical Society (which holds the real artifacts, like the actual hatchets) has been undergoing renovations. Check their schedule before you go so you don't miss the chance to see the original trial evidence.
- Bring an Extra Layer: Even in summer, the house has a way of feeling chilly. Plus, the AC units in these old Victorian windows can be loud, so bring earplugs if you actually want to sleep—and if you aren't too afraid of what you might miss while you're out.
The mystery of what happened at 92 Second Street will likely never be solved. The files are sealed in a Boston law firm, protected by a nondisclosure agreement Lizzie signed that lasts "in perpetuity." Until those papers see the light of day, the only way to get closer to the truth is to sit in that parlor, keep the lights low, and wait for a creak on the stairs.