Winchester Mystery House
add photosAn heir of the Winchester Rifle fortune is convinced that evil spirits are after her and the only way to escape them is keep building her house and changing room configurations. Stair cases that lead to no where. This spooky mansion and it's history leaves you with a very unsettled feeling.
Flashlight tours on Friday the 13 and in October.
8 Reviews for Winchester Mystery House
84
12
'11, '12
0 families found this helpful
"Crazy house!"
Camille and I saw a special on this house a long time ago and have always wanted to visit! We finally got the chance on our trip out west, and we were not disappointed. The tour was fairly long with steps all over the place, but both of my girls (8 and 12) really enjoyed the craziness of the house. It is a must-see if you are in the San Jose area!
Send a Message 
Send a Compliment
It's helpful
0 families found this helpful
"Unique and a true Mystery"
I enjoy visiting unique and different places and this is exactly what you get when you visit the Winchester Mystery House. Sarah Winchester outlived her husband and child. Some say that due to the death of her daughter Sarah went crazy and visited a Physic. This Physic told Sarah that she needed to keep building to keep the ghosts of people who fell victim to her Husbands firearms away. So she did and trainload after trainload the house expanded with doors that lead to nowhere and stairs that go out windows. She spent her fortune paying builders to build for her. Then the 1906 earthquake hit and one main portion of the home collapsed.
Millions and millions of dollars in stainless adorn the home with many of the same furnishings that were left upon Sarah’s death.
On the grounds are gardens and the Winchester gun museum all worth the visit.
Along with the normal tour they offer a Special Event Tour that is a 65-minute flash light tour of the back of the mansion.
0 families found this helpful
"Too Historic"
I had lived in San Jose for the majority of my life. It wasn't until I moved away that I actually decided to go back and tour this place.
I was sadly disappointed. The architecture of the house was beautiful. And yes, the odd creations of the occupants were interesting...though, the tour was boring and definitely not something for young children.
I was hoping for something slightly scarier, or at least more mysterious.
0 families found this helpful
"Amazing Place, Amazing History"
We visited the Winchester Mystery House several years ago and it definietly exceeded my expectations. We had a wonderful tour guide that explained the family history, business and unique architecture and quirks of this amazing house. Just when you thought there couldn't be anything weirder, you turn a corner and find yourself completely lost.
1 family found this helpful
"Spooky Fun"
This place has to be seen to be believed. It is the legendary building that the widow of Mr. Winchester of Winchester rifles built onto extensively in an attempt to keep away angry spirits. Filled with trap doors, trick stairways and secret passageways the place sparks the imagination and has a genuine eerieness to it. The best time to see it is on a Friday the 13th or on Halloween where you can take a flashlight tour that is more frightening and interesting than any other haunted house. It is scary for young kids and there is a lot of walking involved in the tours but it is totally worth the trip for the rest.
0 families found this helpful
"Prepare to be amazed!"
I like that you can take the tour or just wander the grounds. I worried the tour would be too much for my daughter who was only 6 at the time, but she STILL talks about "the crazy house"-- years later. There is definitely no room for strollers, so keep that in mind, but it's well worth the tour. Staircases that go nowhere, doors that open into the air, beautiful collections of treasures, ghosts.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
In a Victorian mansion with 160 rooms, doors open into blank walls, stairways lead nowhere, and ghosts and spirits are afoot in a strange and spooky atmosphere. Also here is a large collection of antique Tiffany glass windows. The house tour is guided, but you can wander the vast, glorious gardens on your own. Come at Halloween for entertainment and flashlight tours.
6 families found this helpful
"Interesting for Older Kids"
I really enjoyed touring the home. We want to go back and do one of the other tours offered. I'm not sure the younger kids would really enjoy it much. I think kids over 12 might find the stories about the house interesting. For adults, it's worth the visit. The tours are a little on the pricey side.
What's Nearby? Hotels » Activities »
Find Hotels near Winchester Mystery House »
Find Activities near Winchester Mystery House »
Find Restaurants near Winchester Mystery House »
Get the inside scoop from parents who have been there!
