The house at 230 Second Street in Fall River, Massachusetts, is one of the most infamous addresses in American history. On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found hacked to death inside their home, and their daughter Lizzie Borden was arrested for the crime. She was acquitted in 1893, and the murders remain officially unsolved. More than 130 years later, the house still stands, and it has become one of the most popular true crime tourist spots in the United States. Netflix’s “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” premiered on September 17, 2026, bringing a fresh wave of attention to the property.
What Was the Borden House Like in 1892
Andrew Borden bought the property at what was then 92 Second Street in 1872. The house was built for two households in 1845, and he remodeled it into a single family home. The house had an unusual layout: apart from an upstairs landing, it had no hallways. Moving from one room to another meant walking through a room, and many doors were kept locked.
The live-in maid, Bridget Sullivan, slept on the third floor. On the morning of the murders, Abby Borden, 64, was killed in the upstairs guest room. Andrew Borden, 70, was killed in the sitting room below. Both rooms are still part of the house today.
What Happened to the House After Lizzie Borden Was Acquitted
Lizzie and her sister Emma stayed at the Second Street home through the trial. After Lizzie’s acquittal in June 1893, the sisters moved to a larger house in Fall River’s Hill neighborhood called Maplecroft. The sisters kept the murder house until they sold it in 1918.
Over the following decades, the house served many purposes. It operated as a rooming house, a printing business, a toy and stationery business, and a family home. On August 4, 1996, exactly 104 years after the murders, it opened as a bed and breakfast and museum.
Tours and Overnight Stays at the Lizzie Borden House
The Lizzie Borden House operates as both a museum and an inn. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight, offering a variety of tours and experiences.
- House Tours run daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and last 90 minutes. These are the only tours that take visitors through all rooms in the house.
- Ghost Tours take place in the evening and include an outdoor walking tour around Fall River.
- Ghost Hunts allow guests to use paranormal investigation equipment on the first floor and in the basement.
- Victorian Tea Parties are hosted by costumed actors portraying Lizzie and Emma.
- Oak Grove Cemetery Tours visit the graves of Lizzie, Emma, Andrew, and Abby.
Staying Overnight in the Murder House
The house offers two suites and four rooms for overnight guests. Rooms include the Lizzie and Emma Suite, where the sisters once slept, and the John V. Morse Suite, where Abby Borden’s body was found.
Rates start at around $200 per night for a single guest, though prices can reach $363 around Halloween. Breakfast is available for an additional $20 per person and includes a mix of what the Borden family ate on the morning of the murders. Children 7 years and older are allowed for overnight stays.
Groups can rent the entire house, which sleeps up to 20 people. Exclusive use of the building adds $1,500, or $2,000 in October.
Who Owns the Lizzie Borden House Now
The property was purchased by Lance Zaal, founder of US Ghost Adventures, in 2021 for approximately $1.9 million. Zaal has defended the Netflix series against criticism of historical inaccuracy.
“Our job at the Lizzie Borden House is to educate visitors about” the history, Zaal said in a statement.
The Netflix Monster Series and the House Connection
“Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story” debuted on Netflix on September 17, 2026. The eight-episode season stars Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden, Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden, Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden, and Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan. The series is the fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s true-crime anthology, following seasons about Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers, and Ed Gein.
The series depicts Lizzie Borden killing her parents “in a gory ax murder that shocks the nation,” according to Netflix’s official description. The house has seen a surge in interest since the show’s release.
Is the Lizzie Borden House Haunted
The property has long been called one of the most haunted houses in America. Guests and staff have reported apparitions, shadows, objects moving on their own, and faces appearing in photographs. Paranormal investigator Tim Weisberg has described intense experiences at the house, including being “thrown up and down the stairs”.
The house was named one of the 10 Best Haunted Hotels in the country by USA Today in 2024, beating out the hotel that inspired “The Shining”.
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How to Visit the Lizzie Borden House
The house is located at 230 Second St., Fall River, MA 02721. It is about a two-hour drive south of Boston. Tickets for the 90-minute house tour cost $30. Booking in advance is recommended, as August and October are the hardest months to get a reservation.
Also Read: John Morse: The Uncle at the Center of the Lizzie Borden Murders Explained
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