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Former asylums, prisons, and sanatoriums are some of the most haunted places in the world - or at least they are some of the spookiest and most fun for a Halloween activity. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium in southern western Louisville County in Kentucky is said to be haunted and is open for ghost tours and Halloween experiences. It has become known as one of the "most haunted places on earth."
For those on the other side of the country, visit the Winchester Mystery House - the most haunted place in California. Another haunted sanatorium on the East Coast is the St. Albans Sanatorium, with an exceptionally spooky past.
From Tuberculosis Hospital To Haunted Attraction
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium was first opened in 1910 to accommodate 40 to 50 tuberculosis patients. Tuberculosis was known as the "White Plague" and ravaged the area at the time. There is a tunnel under the sanatorium that was used to transport dead bodies in and out of the building (it was also used as a temporary air raid shelter in WW2).
- Opened: 1910
- Closed: 1961
In 1961 the hospital closed, and plans to transform the abandoned hospital into a hotel fell through. There were plans in the 1980s to convert it into a minimum-security prison, but after neighbor protests, those plans were dropped too.
Today it stands as a beautiful (if not haunted) example of early 20th century early Tudor Gothic Revival style architecture.
It has managed to survive the looming threat of being demolished and is today on the National Historic Register. Today the historic sanatorium is open for tours and paranormal investigations (as well as special and seasonal events). This helps raise funds to preserve the historic structure.
Visiting The Waverly Hills Sanatorium & Tours
Visitors who would like to tour the haunted sanatorium need to make reservations. There are very few (if any) walk-ups, as they are likely to sell out. The grounds of the sanatorium are also not accessible without reservation.
Year-round opportunities to visit are:
- Public Tour & Investigational Season
- Private Overnights
There are plenty of all-season tours and events to choose from:
Waverly Hills 6-Hour Public Investigation:
This tour is for new ghost hunts, which would like to sleuth out one of America's most haunted buildings.
- Time: 11.59 pm to 6.00 am
- Days: Friday & Saturday Nights
2 Hours of Paranormal:
Get some sleep and do stay up all night chasing ghosts with this 2-hour spooky tour guided by the sanatorium.
- Time: 8.00 pm, 9.00 pm, and 10.00 pm
- Days: Friday & Saturday Nights
Private Ghost Tours:
Private ghost tours are for experienced ghost hunters or ghostbusters.
- Time: 8.00 pm to 4.00 am
- Days: Sunday through Thursday
Historical Tours:
Not all tours of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium need to be in the realm of the paranormal. Join a historical guided tour and learn about the history and significance of the old hospital that stands as a testament to when tuberculosis ravished the land.
- Time: 2.00 pm
- Days: Sundays
Halloween season or not, take the time to pop in and explore the Waverly Hills Sanatorium.
Future Halloween Tours Of The Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Plan ahead and check the Waverly Hills Sanatorium's calendar for its upcoming events and special programs. Upcoming special events include the exciting Halloween Events Fundraisers to be held over the month of October.
The Haunted House Tours are to be held from September 30 to October 29. The tours are only on Friday and Saturday nights during the Halloween Season. They are open from 8.00 pm to 1.00 am (with the last tickets sold at midnight).
- Tip: Book Tickets Online
- General Admission: $25.00
Visitors can also upgrade their ticket with their VIP - Haunted House Tour + Waverly Building Mini-Tour. The ticket includes general admission, fast-pass / VIP access to reduce weight time, a mini-tour of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium building in groups, a souvenir photo, and escape room access.
- VIP Pass: $65.00
For those really wanting the full package, consider the Super VIP - Haunted House Tour + Waverly Building Mini-Tour + All Add-ons. It includes all the benefits of the VIP Pass plus Super VIP access that eliminated almost all the line and a souvenir postcard.
- Super VIP Pass: $95.00
Halloween is upon us, plan now, or the tickets will be sold out, or the season will be over.