San Jose, California

Walk the stairs that lead to the ceiling... In 1884, Sarah Winchester began work on the Winchester Mansion to protect herself from the bitter ghosts of the victims of her husband’s invention: the Winchester rifle. She spent the rest of her life creating the most dynamic and confusing piece of real estate ever built. But is this place haunted? Tour through 110 of the 160 rooms and marvel at oddities like closets that open to walls and doors that open to nowhere. Walk the stairs that lead to the ceiling or the 42-step staircase that goes up nine feet off the ground! Enter Sarah’s séance room and see where the spirits counseled her on the construction of this house. As you go, make sure to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Supposedly the ghosts of Sarah and others still wander the house to this day. If you think the house is confusing during the day, wait until you navigate it at night! Take the Flashlight Tours every Friday the 13th, Halloween and Christmas. You might find something that is out of this world! But were there ever really ghosts here, or was it part of a paranoid woman’s delusion? You decide. Photos courtesy of Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, CA.