The fall is generally associated with haunted houses and ghouls. One TravelingMom shares why Waverly Hills in Louisville, Kentucky isn’t just for Halloween! This stop is not for the faint of heart, but you might just impress teenagers in your group! Find out why she thinks these haunts last all year long!
Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo Courtesy: Allison Taylor/Research TravelingMom
The History
According to their website Waverly Hill is known to many paranormal experts as one of the most haunted places in the world.
Originally the building was used to house tuberculosis patients, opening its doors in 1926. TB was a huge problem around that time period and no matter the location of the hospitals, patients were isolated from the general public. TB was highly contagious, and the campus of the Waverly Hills hospital was basically a small city inside of itself. Waverly Hills had its own zip code, post office, and land for farming. Those who chose to work there had to say goodbye to their family and friends. Once the staff accepted positions they became permanent residents of the community. Can you even imagine having a job that demanding?
After a cure was found for TB in the early 60’s the hospital changed its capacity to serving as a geriatric facility. Eventually it was closed by the state in the early 80’s.
Waverly Hills as a TB hospital. Photo Courtesy: Waverly Hills
Waverly Hills Today
The old property was purchased by a local couple whose goal is to restore it into a haunted hotel. While the property isn’t used as a hotel yet, there are several different ways that it is in use currently.
My whole life, I grew up having a healthy respect for those sort of situations because you aren’t ever really sure what you are getting into. Even if ‘ghost hunting’ isn’t your thing, the bones of the building and the history behind it is fascinating enough in and of itself.
Haunted House
Waverly Hills offers a traditional type haunted house each year opening in late September and running through Halloween.
At this haunted house you can expect things to pop out at you and extra props set up to provide even more frightening moments. Actors are on hand to provide an extra element of fear in this haunted house. The cost is $20 per person for one trip through the house and $60 for a VIP pass that includes a 30 minute paranormal tour of the old hospital before the haunted house. If you need some other ideas of things to do in Louisville, check this post out!
The sunroom at Waverly Hill Sanatorium. Photo Courtesy: Allison Taylor/ Research TravelingMom
Paranormal Tours
While my husband and I haven’t taken part in the haunted house offerings that go on at Waverly Hills, we have been on a paranormal tour. I have to be honest and tell you that I really wasn’t sure what to expect and to be honest I was pretty skeptical. It is important to keep in mind that for a long while the property was left for anyone and everyone to run wild in, so there is quite a lot of graffiti and vandalism that has occurred around the property.
Those points aside the tour was downright terrifying and fascinating at the same time.
There are sections of the old hospital that during the tour pregnant women are advised not to enter particular rooms, because the ‘residents’ as you will, tend to bother them.
At one point in what used to be the children’s wing they tossed a ball down the hall and it came bouncing back to us.
The cost of the tour is $22, and the tour lasts an hour and a half. Children under 10 aren’t permitted and those under 18 must have an adult with them. They are available Friday and Saturday nights March – August.
If the historical portion of the property is what interest you most, Waverly Hills offers those types of tours as well. They take place on Sunday afternoons at 2:30 starting in March and running through August at a cost of $22 for each participant, no one under 7 is permitted.
Looking down a patient hallway at Waverly Hills. Photo Courtesy: Allison Taylor/Research TravelingMom
The Takeaway
At the end of the day the history and the atmosphere at Waverly Hills is a bit heavy when you start thinking about the people who ended up at this hospital. They had to endure experimental medical practices and didn’t have any hope of getting out. It is very important to think about those who spent their lives at the hospital.
This is the type of activity that is best decided on an individual basis. As with most activities, it isn’t the best fit for everyone.
It was a fun date night for my husband and I, but we went into the experience with a sense of adventure and fun. For other haunted experiences, check out this post.
If you do decide to go make sure you let me know!
