Mostly positive (25 ratings)
Mark as done to rate
The Winchester Mystery House is a Victorian mansion crafted by Sarah Winchester over a span of 36 years from 1886 to 1922. This architectural marvel stands today as a testament to intrigue and mystery with its one-of-a-kind design features and history. The Mansion Tour, guides you through 110 of the 160 rooms of the mansion while while learning about the history and lore surrounding the home and its creator. You will get the chance to explore some of the most known rooms in the mansion, like Sarah’s Bedroom, the Grand Ballroom, the Twin Dining Rooms, South Conservatory and Venetian Dining Room and marvel at some of the architectural wonders like the Stairs to Nowhere and Door to Nowhere.
2 haunts
My sister and I did the regular tour and enjoyed it so much that we decided to do the extended option as well. It was very interesting to see the mashup of spiritualism and historic preservation.
Spooky
Yes
30+ min
1 haunt
If you have a chance or if you are going through San Jose, make a point to stop at the Winchester Mystery House! It is very neat! The sprawling “home” is located in a normal looking city, next to apartments, but it is like nothing you have ever seen. If you have watched “Stephen King’s Rose Red” you might know it was loosely based off of this home, and the heiress Sarah Winchester. The home is huge. There aren’t any spoilers about that, there are thousands of beautiful windows, intricate detailing, state of the art in its day, and not a penny pinched on detail and decor choices. The wallpaper! It was GORGEOUS. The woodwork! The stairs! The flooring! Everywhere I looked, my artists heart was soaring. The place was decorated with era accurate furniture and of course I was drooling. AND it is said to be haunted. We caught a picture that looks kinda spooky, my husband is more convinced than I am. We were out back at the Carpenter’s or black smith area and they have a light there that was on, and we were about to go find our two girls who were 12&13 at the time, they had wandered further on to look at something else- and we were joking that “if theres a ghost, shut off this light.” And the light went off. I’m not kidding at all. And we were kinda like oh that’s a fluke that’s a fluke if there’s really a ghost turn the light back on, and it turned on- and we ran off to find the kids because they are all into it and had their ghost meter things and brought them back and of course it didn’t do it again but it was pretty cool, I haven’t had something like that happen before. We did a whole “ghost Christmas” type thing for the kids in 23. They also had different tours that included spookier parts of the home, so we ended up taking two tours in one day and we left for lunch in the middle. It was worth it and still very interesting and the kids were a bit annoyed but I enjoyed both. The spookier one was more entertaining for my lil ghost hunters (because catering towards that type of thing) and the regular tour was informational and I very much enjoyed it. But I enjoyed both, very much. And I loved looking at all the detail! Every inch of that place was incredible.
Spooky
The informative general tour is fine for anyone willing to walk around a lot, and listen to a tour guide. It wouldn’t be bad for a baby, or anyone, if you’re okay carrying them, or listening to them complaining that they’re bored or their feet hurt.
Spooky
The informative general tour is fine for anyone willing to walk around a lot, and listen to a tour guide. It wouldn’t be bad for a baby, or anyone, if you’re okay carrying them, or listening to them complaining that they’re bored or their feet hurt.
Historic and interesting, if you like that stuff, this one’s for you
Historic and interesting, if you like that stuff, this one’s for you
n/a
Not exactly VIP, I’m not sure about that- but We bought more tickets to a second tour that gained access to more parts of the home with spookier areas We went at Christmas time
n/a
Not exactly VIP, I’m not sure about that- but We bought more tickets to a second tour that gained access to more parts of the home with spookier areas We went at Christmas time
Yes
It’s a historical tour that is said to be haunted, with tours catering to haunted/ ghost hunters
Yes
It’s a historical tour that is said to be haunted, with tours catering to haunted/ ghost hunters
Yes
There will never be another house like this, it is incredible
Yes
There will never be another house like this, it is incredible
1
Yes could bring an infant, if you want to carry them. A stroller probably wouldn’t make it through.
1
Yes could bring an infant, if you want to carry them. A stroller probably wouldn’t make it through.
Somewhat
Lots of walking, some ducking? Some narrow spaces, tight corners
Somewhat
Lots of walking, some ducking? Some narrow spaces, tight corners
I believe due to its historical nature, the Winchester house is not wheelchair accessible, but due to the handicap of the heiress Sarah Winchester, there are multiple sets of miniature stairs that have switchbacks, if you have problems with stairs this might help along the way, though, I don’t know if ALL the stairs have this adaptation
I believe due to its historical nature, the Winchester house is not wheelchair accessible, but due to the handicap of the heiress Sarah Winchester, there are multiple sets of miniature stairs that have switchbacks, if you have problems with stairs this might help along the way, though, I don’t know if ALL the stairs have this adaptation
The hosts were of course, bright and sunny. There is an extensive gift shop, I got a T shirt
The hosts were of course, bright and sunny. There is an extensive gift shop, I got a T shirt
Some wait
We got our tickets and showed up early
Some wait
We got our tickets and showed up early
30+ min
The tour was satisfyingly long and then they let you walk around the grounds and take pictures. Also pictures are encouraged throughout the tour.
30+ min
The tour was satisfyingly long and then they let you walk around the grounds and take pictures. Also pictures are encouraged throughout the tour.
None
No contact
None
No contact
Nothing in the general informative tour
Nothing in the general informative tour
Good
I specifically asked about the bathrooms because I had wondered if they were part of the main house converted into bathrooms or if they added them on when the “home” became a tourist Destination, and they said they added them on in the 70’s and yes, they look like they are from the 70’s.
Good
I specifically asked about the bathrooms because I had wondered if they were part of the main house converted into bathrooms or if they added them on when the “home” became a tourist Destination, and they said they added them on in the 70’s and yes, they look like they are from the 70’s.
Parking was fine, no complaints
Parking was fine, no complaints
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