Virtual Travel

A Smithsonian magazine special report

Take a Free Virtual Tour of the Winchester Mystery House

The California landmark is closed, but you can explore its bizarre architectural features from afar

Brigit Katz

Correspondent

Winchester Mystery House

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, is one of the nation’s most curious landmarks. Built by a millionaire widow over the course of 36 years, the sprawling mansion features more than 200 rooms , 10,000 windows, trap doors, spy holes and a host of other architectural oddities.

A popular tourist attraction, the house, along with many other cultural institutions in the United States, has closed to help curb the spread of coronavirus. But as Michele Debczak reports for Mental Floss , you can now explore the Winchester House from afar via a detailed video tour posted on the mansion’s website.

The narrated video tour spans more than 40 minutes, providing insight into the property and the mysterious woman who built it: Sarah Winchester , wealthy and reclusive heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, which manufactured an innovative rifle that became a fixture of Westward expansion.

Sarah Lockwood Pardee married into the Winchester family in 1862. Four years later, she gave birth to a daughter, Annie, who died about a month later. Her husband, William Wirt Winchester, died in 1881, leaving his widow with a vast fortune: 50 percent ownership in the Repeating Arms Company and a $20 million inheritance.

Staircase

Winchester decided to leave her home in New Haven, Connecticut, and head to California, where two of her sisters lived. In San Jose, she purchased an eight-room farmhouse that she began to renovate in 1886. The construction project continued until Winchester’s death in 1922, producing an enormous, labyrinthine mansion filled with logic-defying features: staircases that end at the ceiling, indoor balconies, skylights built into floors, doors that open onto walls. The designs, wrote Pamela Haag for Zócalo Public Square in 2016, were Winchester’s; she sketched them onto napkins or pieces of brown paper, then handed them over to a team of carpenters. Sometimes, she would have features built and plastered over the next day.

Exactly why Winchester embarked on this dizzying cycle of building, undoing and rebuilding is impossible to say. Popular lore has it that she was a keen follower of the Spiritualist movement , which was rooted in the idea that dead souls can interact with the living, and consulted a medium who told her she had been cursed by victims of Winchester rifles . The medium reportedly instructed her to constantly build a house for these ghosts. If construction ever stopped, she would die.

But as Katie Dowd of SFGate points out, there is “scant proof” for this theory. Winchester could have been engaging in an eccentric brand of philanthropy, as she built her home during an economic depression, and the continuous construction project provided jobs for locals. When she died, in fact, the heiress left most of her money to charity.

“She had a social conscience and she did try to give back,” historian Janan Boehme told Robin Abcarian of the Los Angeles Times in 2017. “This house, in itself, was her biggest social work of all.”

The true nature of Winchester’s motivations is likely to remain a mystery. But as the video tour points out, the house she built was not only bizarre—it was innovative. Take, for example, the north conservatory. Winchester loved to garden, so the conservatory featured an indoor watering system and wooden floorboards that could be lifted up to water plants resting below.

Though visitors can watch the video tour for free, the Winchester Mystery House is asking visitors to consider purchasing a voucher for use at a later date.

“Like many other [Bay Area] businesses, closing our doors until April 7th will severely impact the employees who maintain the estate,” the website explains . “Come when you are ready, but please come!”

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Brigit Katz | | READ MORE

Brigit Katz is a freelance writer based in Toronto. Her work has appeared in a number of publications, including NYmag.com, Flavorwire and Tina Brown Media's Women in the World.

Now Open

Introducing Immersive 360° Tour Experience

  • April 22, 2020 August 31, 2020 By Jacob Gospodnetich
  • Winchester News

SAN JOSE, CA (April 22, 2020)—For the first time ever, the Winchester Mystery House is offering guests unprecedented access to the world’s most bizarre mansion with an all-new tour —The Winchester Mystery House Immersive 360 Tour. This virtual experience allows guests to independently roam each level of the mansion, from the basement to the rarely seen fourth floor, while exploring many rooms previously inaccessible on standard Estate tours. The Immersive 360 Tour is available now for $8.99 HERE . Guests who purchase this tour during the Estate’s closure will receive one complimentary pass for a future tour when it reopens.

“Sarah Winchester was ahead of her time in many ways. She was a woman of independence, drive, and courage, and the mansion she built is world-renowned for its many design curiosities and innovations,” said Walter Magnuson, Winchester Mystery House General Manager. “Today, we are striving to follow in her footsteps by offering an innovative way for guests to explore the mansion unlike ever before. We are asking the community to help us maintain this important historical landmark until we can once again welcome guests in person.” The 24,000-square-foot home’s iconic design features—such as the stairs to the ceiling, secret passageways, and doors to nowhere—were all captured by Los Angeles-based Matterport 3D Tours over the course of just one weekend using their Matterport 360 cameras. The new tour also offers fans and the Winchester Mystery House staff the first-ever digital floor plan of the historic mansion. Sarah Winchester’s 38-year renovation project became the most infamous historic home in the country, but upon her death, no blueprints or floor plans were ever found. Now, after 97 years of guiding guests safely through its confusing halls without a map, the Estate’s caretakers are thrilled to present this digital floor plan to the public.

Guests interested in supporting the Winchester Mystery House during this unprecedented closure can visit winchestermysteryhouse.com/support-the-estate/ to purchase the Immersive 360 Tour, “good any day vouchers,” and exclusive Winchester Mystery House merchandise. The previously offered video tour is also still available to rent for $5.99 or to purchase for $13.99 online at winchestermysteryhouse.com/video-tour/.

san jose winchester house tour

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Winchester Mystery House

Cupid's fountain at Winchester Mystery House

The Winchester Mystery House is the beautiful but bizarre mansion built by Sarah Pardee Winchester, heiress of the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune. Construction began in 1884, and didn’t stop for 38 years until her death in 1922. Tormented by the guilt of victims lost to the Winchester Rifle, Mrs. Winchester built the dizzying Victorian-style structure with many odd and mysterious features. Doors that open to walls, stairways that lead to the ceiling, and many more oddities in the massive 160-room mansion. Was she simply interested in architecture, or haunted by spirits?

Open to the public since 1923, the Winchester Mystery House offers daily guided tours of the estate where guests will have the opportunity to explore the mystery and unlock the secrets to the world-famous home. Also on the estate, Axe Throwing, Annual Public Events, and the seasonal Halloween experience, Unhinged.

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Winchester Mystery House: Mansion Tour

Winchester Mystery House: Mansion Tour

Getting there.

Winchester Mystery House.

525 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, 95128-2537

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Winchester Mystery House Logo

IT’S A WONDER

The Winchester Mystery House® is an architectural wonder and historic landmark in San Jose, CA that was once the personal residence of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester and heiress to a large portion of the Winchester® Repeating Arms fortune.

Tragedy befell Sarah – her infant daughter died of a childhood illness and a few years later her husband was taken from her by tuberculosis.

(Pictured: The oldest known photograph of the house)

Photo Credit: History San Jose

Carpenters

THE MOVE OUT WEST

Shortly after her husband’s death, Sarah left their home in New Haven, CT and moved out west to San Jose, CA. There, she bought an eight-room farmhouse and began what could only be described as the world’s longest home renovation, stopping only when Sarah passed on September 5, 1922.

(Pictured: Sarah’s workers, Photo Credit: Winchester Mystery House®)

THESE ARE THE FACTS

From 1886 to 1922 construction seemingly never ceased as the original eight-room farmhouse grew into the world’s most unusual and sprawling mansion, featuring:

  • 24,000 square feet
  • 10,000 windows
  • 2,000 doors
  • 52 skylights
  • 47 stairways and fireplaces
  • 17 chimneys
  • 13 bathrooms

Built at a price tag of the $5 million dollars in 1923 or $71 million today

Sarahs Side

IT’S A MYSTERY

But what remained is indeed a mystery. Even before her passing, rumors of a “mystery house” being built by an eccentric and wealthy woman swirled. Was she instructed to build this home by a psychic? Was she haunted by the ghosts of those felled by the “Gun that Won the West”? Did construction truly never stop? What motivated a well-educated socialite to cut herself off from the rest of the world and focus almost solely on building the world’s most beautiful, yet bizarre mansion?

(Pictured: Pre-1906 view of the 7th Story Tower from the south water tower; Photo Credit: Winchester Mystery House®)

AHEAD OF HER TIME

Sarah Winchester was a woman of independence, drive, and courage who lives on in legend. And the mansion she built is world renowned as much for the many design curiosities and innovations (many ahead of their time) as it is for the reported paranormal activity that resides within these walls.

These mysteries and more are what has drawn over 12 million guests to visit the Winchester Mystery House® since the doors opened June 30, 1923. Will you be able to unlock the mystery?

(Pictured: One of the rare photos of Sarah Winchester in front of her home)

Sarahs Carriage

A TOP DESTINATION

Nearly 100 years after the house opened for tours, millions of guests have visited Sarah Winchester’s beautiful home. We’ve been mentioned in many “Top Destination” lists around the world.

– A Top Destination, USA Today

– A “Most Mysterious Place on Earth”, MSN

– Top 10 Haunted Place, The Travel

– A Top Haunted Destination, Travel Channel

– A Top 10 Haunted Place, Time Magazine

– A Top 10 Best Haunted Destination, USA Today

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Winchester Mystery House

Tour the Winchester Mystery House.   Here are tour details. Grand Estate Tour The Winchester Grand Estate Tour is a 2 ½ hour experience that takes guests on a 65-minute guided tour of the Mansion interior and a 55-minute tour of the Behind-the-Scenes. Also included in the Grand Estate Tour are the Historic Firearms Museum, which houses the largest collections of Winchester Rifles on the West Coast, and the Antique Products Museum. The Antique Products Museum displays a wide variety of everyday products manufactured by the Winchester Firearms Company in the early 1900’s. Tour Length: 2 Hours, 30 Minutes Mansion Tour Tour through 110 of the 160 rooms and look for the bizarre phenomena that gave the mansion its name; a window built into the floor, staircases leading to nowhere, a chimney that rises four floors, doors that open onto blank walls, and upside down posts! No one has been able to explain the mysteries that exist within the Winchester Mansion, or why Sarah Winchester kept the carpenters' hammers pounding 24 hours a day for 38 years. It is believed that after the untimely deaths of her baby daughter and husband, son of the Winchester Rifle manufacturer, Mrs. Winchester was convinced by a medium that continuous building would appease the evil spirits of those killed by the famous "Gun that Won the West" and help her attain eternal life. Certainly her $20,000,000 inheritance was sufficient to support her obsession until her death at 82! We also have great Group Tours! Click here for more information Tour Length: 1 Hour, 5 Minutes Behind The Scenes Tour The guided Behind-the-Scenes Tour adds another dimension to the mystery which surrounds Sarah Winchester’s estate while simultaneously offering both a glimpse at an earlier lifestyle and showing the elegance of a lost but gracious era. The Behind-the-Scenes tour shows what made the estate self sustaining, and in reality, a town of its own. Prior to “Silicon Valley,” the San Jose area was known as the “Valley of the Hearts Delight” because of all the fruit orchards and farms. The Winchester estate had over 160 acres of farm and orchard land where prunes, apricots, and walnuts were grown, dried, and then sold at markets under Mrs. Winchester’s own label. This unique tour takes guests into areas which had been unexplored for over 75 years. Tour stops include the Stables, Fruit Drying Shed, Plumber's workshop, Garage, Greenhouse, the unfinished Ballroom, and Basement. The highlight of the Behind-the-Scenes Tour is a journey down into the basement of this 160-room mansion. The basement houses the coal burning furnace where visitors will see the original furnace and directions from the Herendeen Company of Geneva, New York. Tour Length: 55 Minutes Garden Tour A visit to the Winchester Mystery House™ is not complete until you have strolled through the beautiful Victorian gardens that surround it. Great care has been taken to restore the grounds to that time when Sarah Winchester had a full-time staff of eight gardeners, and imported trees, shrubs, and flowers from all parts of the world. Nearly 14,000 miniature boxwood hedges, large flowering Carolina cherry laurels, plants, and flowers have been replanted to provide beautiful color year-round. Numerous handcrafted European lead statues and elaborate fountains have been restored. You will see the original mythological statues including Mother Nature, Cupid, a cherub, hippocampus, American Indian, deer, egret, frogs and swans. Mrs. Winchester's fascination with the supernatural is evident in the gardens, where you can count 13 California Fan Palms lining the front driveway! The self-guided Garden Tour includes a guide map and narrative tapes at the 10 major points of interest. Guests also see the green house, garage, car wash, pump and tank houses. Wheelchair guests are invited to tour the Gardens and Historic Firearms Museum as our guests and at no charge (unfortunately the Mansion Tour is NOT accessible to wheel chairs or infant strollers.) For Safety Purposes: Children age 5 and under are not permitted on the Behind-the-Scenes Tour. Wheelchair guests are invited to tour the Firearms Museum and gardens as our guests. Unfortunately both guided tours are NOT accessible to wheel chairs or strollers.

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I recommend both tours - Winchester Mystery House

  • United States    
  • California (CA)    
  • San Jose    
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  • Winchester Mystery House

We were unsure about this, knowing it's such a tourist thing, but we were really happy we went! Our... read more

san jose winchester house tour

This is a very interesting place. The architecture is amazing and Mrs Winchester was definitely... read more

san jose winchester house tour

I recommend both tours

I had not been here in decades, but was traveling in the area with my son and wanted to see if it was a fun as I remembered it to be. WE LOVED IT. We took both tours and thought they were great. Very informative and interesting. They don't overlap much at all, so don't worry that by buying both tours you'd be seeing/hearing a lot of the same. Also, make sure if you are going to do both tours, you buy the bundle, not each tour individually. You save A LOT of money that way. Just buy the one, then there is an add-on feature to buy the second at a significant discount. Mansion Tour is the one I took as a kid. Very quirky and interesting. The Spirits tour is only 5 years old and was a great addition. You get to go in places of the estate that have been closed off for many years. The grounds are nice. Either bring a snack to eat in the gardens or purchase from the gift shop...you might want to stay a while. You COULD do the one tour and be out of there in a little over an hour if you were in a hurry. My son and I were shocked to realize we had spent 4 hours in total! If you are in the area, it's an unusual attraction and worth a stop.

It is just an old big house not well designed . Over priced tickets for nothing Not worth your time .

Andrew gave a wonderful tour with so many interesting facts about the house. Be sure to walk through the beautiful gardens outside. You won’t be disappointed with the tour. Trying to buy tickets is another story, however. The website says advance tickets are required but trying to buy them online can make you go crazy. You pick a time, register and pay with a credit card. And then … time after time, I got a message saying the time I picked was no longer available. I tried calling the posted number which no one answers and left a message which no one returned. Since this was to be my last day in San Jose, I drove to the property and found many people buying tickets at the door. In doing that, you have to wait for the next available time which was about an hour in my case. Also, if you’re a senior, tell them up front so you will get the senior price. They won’t ask you.

Our tour was amazing! JT (or TJ?) was spectacular! He was very informative and had a great sense of humor! Would highly recommend!

This has been on my husband’s bucket list for years. It is a crazy tour just because of the house itself. Our guide was great. Make sure are able to go up and down stairs because there are a lot of them. The only thing that was disappointing is that the furniture is not original.

We are visiting from Oklahoma, the Winchester Mystery House was a top on our list of places to see. They offer two different tours, I definitely recommend booking in advance and doing both! One is more informative about the history of the house, the other is related to the paranormal events that have occurred there. Both tours will show you different sides of the home and one will take you into the basement. 👻 They are both about an hour each. Our tour guide was amazing, very informative.

san jose winchester house tour

This Bliss Life

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting San Jose, California

L ocated in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose, California, offers visitors a captivating blend of technology, culture, and natural beauty. With its diverse attractions and vibrant atmosphere, planning your visit to San Jose can be an exciting adventure. In this ultimate guide to San Jose, we’ll take you through the essentials of where to stay, what to eat, how to get there, and what to do, ensuring you make the most of your time in this dynamic city.

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

This post contains affiliate links.  I earn a small commission for items purchased.

How to Get to San Jose

San Jose is conveniently accessible by air, road, and rail. The city has the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) , which is located just a few miles from downtown. Several major airlines like Southwest and Alaska offer direct flights to San Jose from various domestic and international destinations.

If you prefer a scenic road trip, San Jose is easily accessible from major highways, including Interstate 280 and U.S. Route 101. San Jose is 48.4 miles from San Francisco and on a non-commute hour, takes about 54 minutes to get there.

You can also reach San Jose by Amtrak train or by Greyhound bus .

Getting Around San Jose

Public transportation.

San Jose has a pretty good public transportation system called VTA. The light rail and bus system connects downtown San Jose with the rest of the city and surrounding areas. The light rail routes are clean, safe and efficient. You can buy day passes or clipper cards to pay your fare. This is the most affordable way to explore San Jose without a car.

Rideshare/taxi

Services like Uber and Lyft operate in San Jose, providing easy on-demand transportation. This is handy if you don’t have a car or don’t want to drive yourself around. Taxi cabs are also available for hire if you hail them on the street or call a company to dispatch one. More expensive than public transit but very convenient.

Rental cars

If you want maximum flexibility in getting around, renting a car for a day or two is an option when visiting San Jose. There are rental branches for major companies like Enterprise, Hertz and Avis located right at the airport and around the city. Driving yourself allows you to see more surrounding areas at your own pace.

Bay Wheels is San Jose’s bike share system with stations located downtown and in some neighborhoods. You can pick up a bike at any station and return it to any other. Great for short trips and sightseeing. They also have electric bikes available for extra pedal power assist!

Scooter share

Electric scooter shares like Bird and Lime are popular in downtown San Jose for quick trips. Just locate one nearby, rent it through the app and zoom around. Fun way to get around if you don’t mind looking a little goofy!

Downtown San Jose is very walkable, especially in areas like San Pedro Square, SoFA district, and around the Convention Center. The weather is nice year-round so walking allows you to easily pop into shops and restaurants without relying on transportation. Just wear comfy shoes!

Where to Stay in San Jose

San Jose has a range of accommodation options to suit every visitor’s needs and preferences. Downtown San Jose is a popular choice, offering a central location and convenient access to attractions, restaurants, and entertainment.

You’ll find a variety of hotels to choose from, including upscale options like The Fairmont San Jose or the Dolce Hayes Mansion or more budget-friendly choices like the Hotel De Anza .

If you prefer a more relaxed ambiance, consider staying in the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Santana Row or Willow Glen, where boutique hotels like the Sterling Inn await.

What to Eat in San Jose

San Jose’s culinary scene is a delightful fusion of flavors from around the world. Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Bill’s Café , known for its mouthwatering omelets and fluffy pancakes or Mimosas San Jose for a rowdy brunch.

For lunch or dinner head to San Pedro Square Market , an urban marketplace featuring a variety of food vendors offering everything from artisanal pizzas to flavorful tacos.

Don’t miss the opportunity to savor authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the bustling Little Saigon neighborhood or indulge in the Santana Row offerings, where you’ll find Sauced BBQ or Fogo de Chao , a Brazilian churrascaria.

If Italian is more your speed, Pizza Antica and Maggianos are two solid choices at Santana Row.

If the Caribbean is more your style, Back-A-Yard is a popular choice where you can get plates of oxtail or jerk chicken.

And for dessert , treat yourself to the iconic treats at CREAM , a local favorite known for its delectable ice cream sandwiches. Another favorite is Sweet Retreat , where you can get huge scoops of ice cream for an affordable price.

What to Do in San Jose

San Jose offers an abundance of affordable attractions and activities to suit every interest. Begin your visit by stopping at a museum like Tech Interactive , an interactive science and technology museum where you can engage with hands-on exhibits and learn about the latest innovations.

San Jose Museums

Immerse yourself in art and culture at the San Jose Museum of Art , home to a diverse collection of contemporary works. If you have kids in tow be sure to stop by the Children’s Discovery Museum (CDM) or Happy Hollow Park and Zoo , two places that have fun exhibits for children to explore.

Tech Interactive San Jose California

Shopping in San Jose

Take a leisurely stroll through the charming Santana Row, an upscale shopping district featuring boutiques, restaurants, and several open spaces made for lounging.

Outdoor Activities

For nature enthusiasts, spend time at Alum Rock Park , a serene oasis with picturesque trails and picnic areas. If you prefer something more active the Silver Creek Sports Complex has sports classes and activities or stroll along the Guadalupe Trail in Downtown San Jose.

We have a complete roundup if you are looking for ideas for a romantic date night in San Jose !

Sports Venues

And if you’re a sports fan, catch a hockey game at the SAP Center , home to the San Jose Sharks .

The minor league San Jose Giants play at the family-friendly Excite Ballpark located downtown, with tickets ranging from $8-25. The regular season runs April through early September and features evening games during the week plus some weekend day games, lasting around 2-3 hours.

Fans can enjoy typical baseball fare like hot dogs, churros, BBQ and peanuts, with fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights.

For the best views, sit along the first or third base lines, while the outfield bleachers offer a lively atmosphere.

Free parking is available in lots near the stadium, arrive early to get a spot. Between innings, enjoy in-game contests, the mascot antics, and other kid-focused entertainment.

Winchester Mystery House

Visit the iconic Winchester Mystery House , a sprawling mansion renowned for its weird history and architectural oddities.

The Winchester Mystery House offers daily guided tours of the bizarre 160+ room Victorian mansion that was once the home of Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune.

Tours allow visitors to explore the maze-like mansion with its stairs leading to ceilings, doors opening to walls, and other oddities.

General admission ticket prices start at $37 for a Mansion Tour, $27 for a reduced-scale Explore More Tour, and $15 for a self-guided Roaming Pass.

More in-depth specialty tours like the Hidden Passages Tour or Twilight Tour range from $50-$75. Discounts are available for seniors, students, children, and the military.

Parking at the Winchester Mystery House is $15 per vehicle and allows easy self-parking in their lot. Overflow parking can also utilize the nearby Santana Row parking garages. Tour tickets include parking.

J. Lohr Winery

Wine lovers will have a great time at the J. Lohr Tasting Room in South San Jose! J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is one of the most prominent wineries actually based in San Jose. Founded by Jerry Lohr back in 1972, J. Lohr operates tasting rooms and vineyards in both the Arroyo Seco and Paso Robles areas.

The San Jose tasting room is located right off Blossom Hill Road in the southeast part of the city. It offers wine flights and pours of J. Lohr’s extensive collection including chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sauvignon blanc.

The venue has an upscale yet welcoming vibe with a full bar and charcuterie menu.

You can stop by daily for a tasting or attend one of their special food and wine pairing events hosted throughout the year.

In addition to the San Jose tasting room, J. Lohr has a large production facility and visitor center in Paso Robles where guests can tour the vineyards and winery operations. As one of the most well-known wineries actually headquartered in San Jose, J. Lohr is a great option for learning about local wines.

Day Trips from San Jose

Venture beyond the city limits and explore nearby attractions. Drive to Santa Cruz and enjoy the stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, and the nostalgic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk .

Livermore Wine Trail

For wine lovers, take a day trip to the nearby Livermore wine region, where you can sample exceptional wines and enjoy vineyard tours.

With its diverse attractions, vibrant culture, and convenient access, a visit to San Jose is should be enjoyable for people of all ages.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Visiting San Jose, California appeared first on This Bliss Life .

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose, California, offers visitors a captivating blend of technology, culture, and natural beauty. With its diverse attractions and vibrant atmosphere, planning your visit to San Jose can be an exciting adventure. In this ultimate guide to San Jose, we’ll take you through the essentials of where to...

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  1. San Jose: Winchester Mystery House Tour

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  2. Geister-Villa: Das über 130 Jahre alte Winchester-Haus in San José

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  3. San jose winchester house tour

    san jose winchester house tour

  4. San Jose: Winchester Mystery House Tour

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  5. The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose Is Offering Free Virtual Tours

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  6. The Legend of Sarah Winchester

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COMMENTS

  1. Tours

    The daily Mansion Tour at the Winchester Mystery House guides you through 110 of the 160 rooms in the home. During this tour you will learn about the amazing woman at the heart of this home and see all the unique architectural designs and features it holds. Come delve into the mystery and find out why this home is so captivating!

  2. Welcome to the Winchester Mystery House®

    FLASHLIGHT TOURS Fridays and Saturdays ONLY, from April 26 to May 4 learn more sOLD OUT - Paranormal Investigation: with TAPS West Coast MARCH 29 & 30, 2024 AT 7PM AND 10PM learn more 100 YEARS AND COUNTING The Timeline rECENTLY ENGAGED? BOOK YOUR SPECIAL DAY WITH US! Learn More Hours Open daily: 10:00a to 4:00p weekdays / 10:00a to 5:00p weekends

  3. Take a Free Virtual Tour of the Winchester Mystery House

    The narrated video tour spans more than 40 minutes, providing insight into the property and the mysterious woman who built it: Sarah Winchester, wealthy and reclusive heiress to the...

  4. Walk With Spirits Tour

    LATEST TOUR OFFERING: WALK WITH SPIRITS AT THE WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE Experience the Winchester Mystery House's all new daily tour - Walk with Spirits - and explore the paranormal as explained through the Spiritualism movement.

  5. Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California

    San Jose: Winchester Mystery House Tour Come explore the fascinating Victorian mansion built by Winchester rifle heiress, Sarah L. Winchester. Marvel at this vast, strange and unusual place. Take a 65-minute guided tour of this architectural marvel, built for 38 years from 1884.

  6. Our Doors Are Open

    SAN JOSE, CA (September 9, 2020)—The Winchester Mystery House announced today that on Saturday, September 12th, visitors will once again be able to explore the 160-room mansion on a new Self-Guided Mansion Tour. The touchless, self-guided experience allows guests to independently navigate the world's most bizarre home and expansive estate.

  7. Announcing 360° Tour

    SAN JOSE, CA (April 22, 2020)—For the first time ever, the Winchester Mystery House is offering guests unprecedented access to the world's most bizarre mansion with an all-new tour —The Winchester Mystery House Immersive 360 Tour.

  8. Winchester Mystery House

    Open to the public since 1923, the Winchester Mystery House offers daily guided tours of the estate where guests will have the opportunity to explore the mystery and unlock the secrets to the world-famous home. Also on the estate, Axe Throwing, Annual Public Events, and the seasonal Halloween experience, Unhinged.

  9. Winchester Mystery House

    Winchester Mystery House Winchester Mystery House 3,176 reviews #11 of 267 things to do in San Jose Historic SitesMysterious Sites Open now 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Write a review About The Winchester Mystery House is the beautiful but bizarre mansion built by Sarah Winchester, heiress of the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune.

  10. Winchester Mystery House: Mansion Tour

    525 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, 95128-2537. Get notified. Tickets 🎫 Mansion Tour for 1 Adult (13+) 🎫 Mansion Tour for 1 Child (6-12) Children ages 5 and under enter free of charge Highlights 🏠 Take an hour-long guided tour to access 110 out of the 160 rooms inside San Jose's Winchester Mystery House 🚶‍♀️ Hear the ...

  11. Winchester Mystery House

    Coordinates: 37°19′6.10″N 121°57′2.74″W The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearms magnate William Wirt Winchester. The house became a tourist attraction nine months after Winchester's death in 1922.

  12. Winchester Mystery House

    The Winchester Mystery House® is an architectural wonder and historic landmark in San Jose, CA that was once the personal residence of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester and heiress to a large portion of the Winchester® Repeating Arms fortune.… Ask the Community Ask a question

  13. History

    The Winchester Mystery House® is an architectural wonder and historic landmark in San Jose, CA that was once the personal residence of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester and heiress to a large portion of the Winchester® Repeating Arms fortune.

  14. Winchester House Tour: 110 Rooms of Mystery & Lore

    Embark on a captivating tour of the Winchester Mystery House, delving into its 110 enigmatic rooms and uncovering the paranormal secrets that have made it a worldwide phenomenon. ... San Jose Step into the mysterious world of the Winchester Mystery House, where you can explore 110 out of 160 rooms and witness the bizarre architectural wonders ...

  15. Guide to Winchester Mystery House, San Jose's spooky historic mansion

    The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose was owned by the widowed Sarah Winchester and opened for tours in 1923. Courtesy Winchester Mystery House. According to legend, she continued to build out ...

  16. The Guide to the Winchester Mystery House

    The Guide to the Winchester Mystery House By Carol High The Bay Area has its share of legends. However, none are quite as strange as the story of the Winchester Mystery House, which has captured popular imagination for its unusual and sinister past. Here's what you need to know on your next visit.

  17. Winchester Mystery House

    About Tour the Winchester Mystery House. Here are tour details. Grand Estate Tour The Winchester Grand Estate Tour is a 2 ½ hour experience that takes guests on a 65-minute guided tour of the Mansion interior and a 55-minute tour of the Behind-the-Scenes. Also included in the Grand Estate Tour are the Historic Firearms Museum, which houses the largest collections of Winchester Rifles on the ...

  18. Winchester House: The attraction that spawned a horror movie

    By Laura Chubb, CNN 5 minute read Updated 9:49 AM EDT, Tue July 3, 2018 Link Copied! This room was where Sarah usually slept (when she could). Courtesy Winchester Mystery House Lovers of all...

  19. I recommend both tours

    Winchester Mystery House. 3,176 Reviews. #11 of 265 things to do in San Jose. Sights & Landmarks, Historic Sites, Mysterious Sites. 525 S Winchester Blvd, North San Jose, San Jose, CA 95128-2588. Open today: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

  20. The Winchester Mystery House

    90 11K views 2 years ago WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE Garden Tour - 7:36 House Tour - 28:11 Hello everyone, how are you? Today's video is a look at the Winchester House in San Jose...

  21. Winchester Mystery House Tour // San Jose, California

    Today, we take you on a tour of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. A percentage of everything we e...

  22. Letter from Birdland

    Good morning, San Francisco. ... Yesterday, we drove to San Jose to visit the Winchester Mystery House. ... The walking tour is an exercise in contradictions.

  23. The Ultimate Guide to Visiting San Jose, California

    If you prefer a scenic road trip, San Jose is easily accessible from major highways, including Interstate 280 and U.S. Route 101. San Jose is 48.4 miles from San Francisco and on a non-commute ...