The Winchester Mystery House reopens with a socially distant, self-guided, flashlight tour for Halloween

ByChris Bollini Localish logo
Thursday, October 22, 2020
This Bay Area spot is one of the most haunted places in the world
"The hair stood up on the back of my neck a little bit." The Winchester Mystery House offers a socially distant, self-guided, flashlight tour where guests can venture through the haunted mansion with a flashlight and a friend--or completely alone.

SAN JOSE -- The Winchester Mystery House's size, unique architectural features, and haunted history have always made it a very popular attraction.

"What fascinates me about this history of this house is that so much is unknown. I mean...It's called Winchester Mystery House for a reason," General Manager Walter Magnuson shares. "Why was it built with so many architectural oddities like doors that lead to the outside or staircases that lead to the ceiling?"

After closing its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Winchester Mystery House has reopened with a socially distant, self-guided, flashlight tour that will allow visitors to explore the mansion in a thrilling, new way.

"So you are exploring Sarah Winchester's incredible mansion with a little flashlight and maybe a friend or two...alone," Magnuson explains.

"When I first started, I was a little nervous," visitor Patty Burlison reveals. "The hair stood up on the back of my neck a little bit."

As guests explore the dark halls, they will hear spooky stories about the home's haunted past.

"We have collected a lot of the more popular stories associated with paranormal or unexplained happenings here at Winchester Mystery House," Magnuson says.

"I just got the shivers like something was watching me when I was in there," guest Ethan adds."The anxiety you get when you're in there...it's like a rush. It makes it fun," Burlison says.

For more information about the tour, visit here.