By: Jeremy Blackwell

There’s something uniquely thrilling about celebrating Friday the 13th. While some choose movie marathons of masked villains and slasher classics, others prefer haunted hayrides or tarot card readings. But for those who dare to walk a bit closer to the veil between this world and the next, nothing compares to spending the most superstitious day of the year at the infamous Lizzie Borden House—or as it’s chillingly known by thrill-seekers: The Lizzie Borden Mansion.

Located in Fall River, Massachusetts, this legendary home isn’t just a landmark of American true crime—it’s a living, breathing museum where history, mystery, and the paranormal intertwine. Celebrating Friday the 13th here is more than just an event. It’s an experience. And yes, it comes with a metaphorical (and decorative) axe to grind.

Arriving at the Scene: Atmosphere of Unease
From the moment you arrive at the house on Second Street, it’s impossible not to feel the heaviness in the air. Not just the weight of history, but something else—something less tangible, more chilling. The house has retained much of its original architecture: wood-paneled walls, creaky floors, and Victorian-era furniture that feels almost too still.

The front parlor—where the body of Andrew Borden was found slumped on the couch—remains eerily untouched. The infamous floral sofa sits in its rightful spot, right beneath a chilling portrait of Lizzie herself. During a Friday the 13th celebration, the space is dimly lit by flickering faux candles, the scent of aged wood and faint rose potpourri filling the air. Shadowy corners beg to be explored, while skull-themed decor and gothic embellishments give the event a spiritedly macabre tone.

The Tour: Truth, Legend, and the Unexplained
The guided tour offered on Friday the 13th is no ordinary walkthrough. Expert storytellers, dressed in Victorian garb, lead guests through each room with a mix of historical fact and haunted lore. The energy is electric with nervous laughter, gasps, and shudders as guests are told the details of the murders—and the events that followed.

In the dining room, guests gather around the table where the Borden family once sat. The tour guide may pass around vintage photographs or even autopsy sketches, grounding the tour in its tragic reality. Yet it’s not just the grim facts that hold your attention. It’s the chilling cold spots in certain rooms, the soft creaks when no one’s moving, and the faint scent of apples (Miss Lizzie was known for her love of them) that float through the air unexpectedly.

Some claim to have seen shadow figures in the upstairs hallway, or felt unseen hands brushing against them in the maid’s room. Whether you’re a believer or skeptic, the mansion plays tricks on your senses. And on Friday the 13th, those tricks feel all the more personal.

Skull Decor and Superstitions
What makes a Friday the 13th visit so special is the added flair. The curators of the mansion fully embrace the occasion, adorning the already eerie house with skull decor, cobweb garlands, and antique curiosities that look borrowed from an old mortician’s study.

In the upstairs guest room—where Abby Borden was found brutally murdered—an ornate skull centerpiece sits atop the vanity, surrounded by flickering candlelight and Victorian mourning jewelry. The atmosphere is both elegant and macabre, a tribute to the chilling beauty of death in the 1800s.

Even the backyard garden, normally a quiet retreat, is transformed with soft red lighting and faux tombstones with Victorian epitaphs, setting a scene that’s both theatrical and authentic. On Friday the 13th, this isn’t just a haunted house—it’s an immersive gothic stage.

Miss Lizzie’s Coffee: A Brew of the Curious Kind
After the adrenaline of the tour—or perhaps to prepare yourself before entering the house—you’d do well to stop by Miss Lizzie’s Coffee, the mansion’s very own cozy coffee corner with a dark twist.

Decorated with vintage teapots, black lace curtains, and Victorian oddities, Miss Lizzie’s Coffee offers themed beverages such as the “Murder Mocha,” “Alibi Americano,” and “Bloody Vanilla Chai.” Each cup is served with a wink to the past, featuring skull-shaped sugar cubes or cinnamon art in the shape of an axe. The drinks are surprisingly comforting—a sharp contrast to the lingering dread that follows the tour.

The staff, ever in character, offer not only your caffeine fix but a side of chilling lore. Ask them about the “coffee ghost” that’s known to nudge cups off shelves after midnight, and they’ll give you a knowing smile.

The Overnight Option: Sleep if You Dare
For the truly fearless, the Lizzie Borden House offers overnight stays in several of the rooms—some of which are believed to be hotbeds of supernatural activity. On Friday the 13th, these rooms are in high demand, and for good reason. There’s something about lying in the same bed where a historical figure once slept, or perhaps wandered past, that sends chills down your spine.

Guests are given complimentary EMF detectors, spirit boards (upon request), and a journal to record any strange occurrences. It’s not uncommon for visitors to wake up to soft footsteps, the sound of doors creaking open, or the faint whisper of a name—usually “Lizzie.”

Whether it’s your imagination or something more, staying overnight on the most superstitious night of the year at one of America’s most haunted houses is not an experience you’ll soon forget.

Making the Most of Your Visit
If you’re planning a Friday the 13th trip to the Lizzie Borden Mansion, here are a few tips:

• Book early. This event is incredibly popular and slots fill up quickly.
• Dress the part. Gothic and Victorian attire is encouraged for the themed tours and makes for great photos.
• Bring a journal. Whether you experience something supernatural or simply want to record your thoughts, it’s a night worth remembering.
• Buy a souvenir. The gift shop is full of cheeky mementos—from axe bottle openers to “Not Guilty” t-shirts and replica crime scene photos.
• Keep an open mind. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, the house has a way of stirring something deep in everyone.

Conclusion: A Night That Cuts Deep
Spending Friday the 13th at the Lizzie Borden Mansion is not your average spooky-season thrill. It’s a chilling dive into a dark chapter of American history, wrapped in velvet, candlelight, and the echo of unsolved mystery. Between the stunningly preserved decor, immersive storytelling, eerie ambiance, and the strange occurrences that continue to baffle even the most rational guests, the experience feels like stepping into a ghost story you’re not quite sure you’ll exit the same.

It’s stylish, sinister, and unforgettable—a place where history and hauntings collide under the watchful gaze of Lizzie herself. So the next time the 13th falls on a Friday, skip the popcorn and movie night. Grab your bravest friends, don your best gothic garb, and head to Fall River.

Because at the Lizzie Borden Mansion, every creaking floorboard and candlelit corner offers a reminder: some stories never die—they just wait for the right night to be told again.

For bookings and more about the Lizzie Borden Mansion, visit:
🔗 https://lizzie-borden.com