Whaley House Museum

"The Whaley House Museum has been called one of the most haunted houses in the United States. The two-story Greek Revival-style home was built by businessman Thomas Whaley in 1857, and the Whaleys experienced several tragedies after moving into the home, including the deaths of two of their children. The property was already rumored to be haunted before the home was built since the grounds were once an execution yard, and paranormal activity is said to occur in the house to this day. A guided evening tour is the way to go here. Being in the home after sundown adds to the spine-tingling effect, and the guides–who are dressed in Victorian-era clothing–are enthusiastic storytellers. The details they share about the neighborhood’s history, the Whaley family, and the tragedies that happened on the property makes it all engaging and brings the house to life." - Marie Tutko, Archana Ram

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? The Whaley House Museum has been called one of the most haunted houses in the U.S., and has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures and BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural. The two-story San Diego Greek Revival-style home was built by businessman Thomas Whaley in 1857, and within its walls were the county courthouse, a small theater for traveling troupes, and a general store in addition to a private residence for the Whaley family. Thomas and his wife, Anna, experienced several tragedies after moving into the home, including the deaths of two of their children. The property was already rumored to be haunted before the home was built since the grounds were once an execution yard, and paranormal activity is said to occur in the house to this day. Since the home has received extensive media coverage for its haunted reputation, it’s a popular attraction for visitors. A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? The home is well-preserved with furnishings, decor, artwork and kitchenware from the Victorian era, and a visit to the house is a walk back through time. Guests are able to see the parlor, dining room, kitchen, and some of the bedrooms, and get a glimpse of how a prominent family in California’s pioneer days lived. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? There are no seasonal or non-permanent exhibits at the museum–just consider that tours book quickly around Halloween. If a standard tour isn’t spooky enough for you, there is a special “after-hours paranormal investigation” experience that starts at 10:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and comes with the use of “ghost hunting equipment” such as thermal cameras and EMF meters. The tour is $99 and reservations are required. As for the museum itself, this is a good opportunity to see a residence that is more than 150 years old, which history buffs and architecture fans will appreciate. The lighting fixtures and lanterns throughout the home are dimly lit and flicker throughout the tour, adding to the mysterious ambience. Guided tours are set at a good pace, and there’s an optional Q&A session afterward on the lawn in the home’s backyard. What did you make of the crowd? Guided evening tours are limited to 20 people at a time, which feels like the right amount–some of the rooms in the home are small, and the guest limit allows for an intimate experience without feeling cramped. Children are usually not in attendance after 5 p.m., as the museum says it does not recommend the evening tour for anyone under 13 years old. The evening tours attract visitors from all over–both skeptics and haunted house enthusiasts–you’ll see a mix of families, couples, and groups of friends exploring the home. The tour has its somber moments, but it doesn’t leave you with a heavy feeling. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? Since you’re visiting a historic home, the furniture is off-limits for sitting. There are two brief times during the tour where guests are invited to sit–in the courtroom and the theater. There are no elevators onsite, and getting to the second floor involves climbing a narrow flight of stairs–people with mobility issues won’t be able to see the entire home. Any guided tours worth trying? Self-guided tours are available from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but a guided evening tour is the way to go here. Being in the home after sundown adds to the spine-tingling effect, and the guides–who are dressed in Victorian-era clothing–are enthusiastic storytellers. The details they share about the neighborhood’s history, the Whaley family, and the tragedies that happened on the property makes the brisk tour engaging and brings the house to life. Fans of the paranormal will enjoy hearing about the ghost sightings and encounters that staff and guests are said to have experienced over the years, and visitors are encouraged to submit their stories and photos on the museum’s website if they see, or capture, something unexplained during their visit. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? You’re required to enter the museum shop, which is next door to the Whaley House, to purchase a tour (if you didn’t book online in advance) as well as to check-in prior to your reservation. The small shop carries Whaley House-themed souvenirs, books on local history and paranormal topics, tarot cards, candles and incense. Is the café worth a stop? The museum doesn’t have an onsite restaurant, but there is a small coffee stand on the property where you can grab a latte. Since it’s in the heart of Old Town (a busy tourist district), there’s several restaurants within walking distance. We recommend Tahona Bar for mezcal flights and upscale modern Mexican dishes, and Old Town Urban Market, a new food hall that has birria tacos, mariscos (seafood), micheladas, and a wine bar. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? It takes roughly half-an-hour to experience the home on a guided tour. Even though it’s a short amount of time, the guide’s storytelling abilities and appreciation for the home’s history makes it worthwhile." - Marie Tutko