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Winchester Mystery House: A Victorian Labyrinth

Explore the bizarre and haunted Winchester Mystery House, a sprawling Victorian mansion filled with architectural oddities and ghostly tales in San Jose, CA.

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The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is a sprawling Victorian mansion with a bizarre history. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the Winchester rifle magnate, the house is filled with architectural oddities and is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles.

A brief summary to Winchester Mystery House

  • Monday 10 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Book your tour in advance, especially on weekends, as they often sell out.
  • Arrive early to allow time for parking, as it can be limited due to nearby construction.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves a lot of walking through the house.
  • Photography is permitted during the tour, so bring your camera.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From downtown San Jose, take the VTA line 23 bus towards Stevens Creek & Valley Fair/Santana Row. The bus departs from San Carlos & Barack Obama and arrives at Stevens Creek & Winchester, which is a short walk to the Winchester Mystery House. The trip takes approximately 25 minutes and costs $2 - $5. From San Jose Airport (SJC), take the VTA line 60 bus towards Winchester & Olsen. The bus departs from SJC Airport Terminal B and arrives at Winchester & Olsen, directly in front of the Winchester Mystery House. The journey takes approximately 28 minutes and costs $3.

  • Taxi

    A taxi or rideshare from downtown San Jose to the Winchester Mystery House takes about 7 minutes and costs approximately $21 - $26. A taxi or rideshare from San Jose Airport (SJC) to the Winchester Mystery House takes about 8 minutes and costs approximately $26 - $31.

  • Driving

    The Winchester Mystery House is located at 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128. From I-280 South, take the Winchester Blvd exit and turn left at the stoplight. Proceed two stoplights, and the Winchester Mystery House will be on your left. Free parking is available on-site in the front lot and an overflow lot behind the estate off Olsen Drive. Additional parking is available at the Winchester Garage (330 Winchester Blvd) and the parking garage at 377 Santana Row. Be aware that Olsen Drive does not permit on-street parking.

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Discover more about Winchester Mystery House

The Winchester Mystery House is more than just a historical landmark; it's a testament to one woman's unique vision and a captivating architectural enigma. Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune, began the house's construction in 1884 and continued building until her death in 1922. Legend says she consulted a spiritualist who told her to move west and appease the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles by building them a house. The result is a 24,000-square-foot mansion with 160 rooms, 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors, 47 stairways and fireplaces, and numerous oddities such as staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open onto walls, and windows overlooking other rooms. The house also features rooms with gold-plated fixtures and Tiffany stained glass. Today, visitors can tour 110 of the mansion's rooms and explore the surrounding gardens. The Winchester Mystery House stands as a reminder of Sarah Winchester's life and the mysteries that continue to surround it.

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