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Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville: Hours, Address, Waverly Hills Sanatorium Reviews: 4/5

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Waverly Hills Sanatorium

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Waverly Hills Sanatorium
4
461
#24 of 181 things to do in Louisville
Mysterious Sites
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is on the U.S. National Register of Historical Places. The massive five story hospital was built in 1926 and sits atop Waverly Hill today. It housed 400 patients and was one of the largest facilities of its kind. Waverly served the community through decades of the worse TB outbreak in the country. After closing in 1961, due to the introduction of life saving antibiotics, the hospital reopened in 1962 as "Woodhaven Geriatric Center" which operated the facility until 1982 when it was closed by the state. Ravaged by years of neglect, the present owners have breathed new life into the building by conducting tours though the facility in effort to restore it to a useful asset for the community once again. Waverly has earned her place as one of the most haunted places in the country and has been host to many films and TV shows. During tour season (March – August) Waverly offers several options of visiting. *2hr. Introductory Paranormal Tour which includes a 20 film then a walk through the building.*2hr. Historical walk through tour held one Sunday each month*Public or Private overnight sessions for ghost hunting enthusiasts. For all tour or overnight reservations or inquiries contact the office open daily 9am to 5pm Monday - Friday.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
461 reviews
Excellent
262
Very good
105
Average
45
Poor
23
Terrible
26
Tracy I
3 contributions
Need to go
Couples
We have been waiting to go here since March but then COVID came. Once they reopened up we booked a 6hr tour 11:59-6am. Chelsea was good. I did try and call the office earlier that Friday day to see exactly what we were allowed to bring but no answer. When we got there everyone had recorders and using their phones and recording when the website says it’s not allowed. I then said since the guide knows everyone is using devices to we aren’t “allowed” to use I said,” well I’m going to record” I did and captured so much. I heard whispers man and women on the 2nd floor where Nikki is written in everywhere and the 3rd floor we captured growling and a whisper at the beginning saying,”everybody” I would recommend doing the overnight one where recording is allowed.
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Katlin S
3 contributions
Paranormal Bucket List
Solo
I’ve done several investigations and always wanted to visit this place. I went to the 6 hour public paranormal investigation. Aside from the hype this place has gained from the tv shows, I had some amazing personal experiences. Any great trip starts with great tour guides and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of experienced guides as I had. Todd, Leann, Jason, Ernie, Renee, and Denise demonstrated what good customer service is. As guides, you’d expect a certain amount of professionalism, they exceeded my expectations. They had great personalities. They were funny and entertaining but that only takes you so far. They all love investigating. They have a vast knowledge of the history, the real history, not just the stuff that is sometimes over exaggerated on tv. They told stories of personal accounts, historical accounts, emphasized safety, and encouraged everybody to have a great time. They show real love and respect for the building and anybody who enters it, but when it comes to the spirits there, they pride themselves with showing the spirits respect. When they told stories, it wasn’t a rehearsed, boring monologue. They spoke with excitement, but empathy. They chose to bring you to a level where yes, people passed here, but you can’t ignore the positives. They encouraged thinking about the real people that walked the halls, those who were no different than any of us. They made “stories” turn into empathy for people that could have been your family member. They stress the importance of seeing them from a real perspective instead of a cheap thrill. They closed the investigation with a genuine interest in your experiences, what you liked or didn’t like. They truly care about the reputation of this historical building.
If you choose to come here for an investigation, I would highly recommend it. Come in with an open mind and you will walk out with more than just a few photos and something from the gift shop. You’ll have some amazing stories of experiences. Even if you don’t have a whole lot of activity, it’s just a cool place to visit.
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dropsojup
Shreve, OH414 contributions
History > paranormal tour
Couples
We had been looking forward to going to this location for quite some time. We decided to choose a weekend where we could do the paranormal tour one night and the history tour the next day. The paranormal tour had a lot more historical information and a lot less paranormal aspects than I thought it would. We left after that tour slightly disappointed as we spent the whole tour in practical darkness walking around not seeing anything in the building but pitch black hallways and rooms. We've done many paranormal tours in different locations, such as Eastern State Reformatory, Bobby Mackeys, and Rolling Hills Asylum to name a few and we have never walked in complete pitch black where we couldn't experience our surroundings.
On the flipside, the historical tour the following day was fantastic. Not only could we enjoy seeing this magnificent building but we could take some wonderful pictures. I highly recommend the historical tour to anyone wanting to experience this wonderful building and all the significance of its history. All tour guides both nights were great and every employee we came across was helpful and kind.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kelli B
1 contribution
False Allegations ruined once in a lifetime experience
Couples
Well… after reading all the reviews I would have to say overall disappointed. I agree with many people that have mentioned about there being too many people. Felt like any time we found a quiet place that a group of loud obnoxious people would make there way with no respect to the people around them. The gift shop had few options and felt they are really missing out on the opportunity to make the most of it. You had two options black tshirt or black hoodie with the same print of a picture on everything. The guides didn’t seem really happy to be there or engaging but were nice except for one.. one in particular was very rude and I would have to say honestly ruined our night. It was myself, my husband, and my mother and I had bought tickets as my mothers bday gift. On the third floor we were walking around and this short man guide came out of no where on us… took a few deep sniffs in our direction and said to us “were you guys smoking pot?” We said “im sorry what? no! We haven’t smoked anything” then he responds with “okayyyy” and then walked away but stayed not far away from us as we continued to walk. Shortly afterwards we left. First off, how rude is that to accuse someone of something like that when all we were doing is walking around the floors trying to enjoy the place while trying to have any ghostly experience we could…second off what a way to kill our enjoyment of being there and why in the hell would I be smoking pot with my mother!? This was my mom’s number 1 bucket list experience she wanted to have but thanks to that short judgmental man he ruined it. After that she was upset and said she wanted to go home so we left.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tammy L
Bellevue, TN30 contributions
Add this to your “must visit list”
Friends
I highly recommend the overnight teams to rent the housing unit out for some 💤 before the drive home! I was pleasantly surprised by the complete package. Wonderful things are happening to the building and repairs are coming along nicely. I hope to see that building standing for many years to come! We can’t wait for the opportunity to visit Waverly again.

The building is so alive with its history and stories are waiting to be told. Unfortunately I cannot comment on a lot of paranormal occurrences this past weekend on a personal level. I simply didn’t have enough time to dig in. Several people from my group had arrived exactly on time, but the two of us were delayed. Eye witness accounts from people in the group were reported of the “creeper”, shadow play, slamming doors (likely could rule out due to the winds and rains that particular night), light touches to the females. I’m still reviewing audio. I personally had a fantastic spirit box experiment.
As I am typing this review, I just received an update moments ago from a member in my group. He has never experienced anything that couldn’t be explained in his lifetime. His background is Military and LEO and another member of the group is a 32’ year LEO. Prior to my arrival, they were in the body chute. Once they left that area, they both confirmed hearing the same exact sound. Although both are seasoned individuals in the area of skepticism and logical explanations, neither person could explain what they heard to be concluded as footsteps. He confirmed they were the only living people in that area at that time. I’m hoping that a recorder was going and I will have to patiently wait for the update.
They both wanted to hear and feel something over the top, but they understand you can’t make anyone perform on queue. The excitement in his voice, as he explained in great detail what happened to them both, brought me back to a moment in time when it was me who had to face that logic played no part in what I had witnessed. It will forever make me smile for the both of them.
It is a moment frozen in time, a memory that they will never forget...and it happened at Waverly Hills!

Nothing is more rewarding than being a part of a lifetime event. This item was on the Bucket List of six individuals. Together another moment in the Book of Adventures has been completed. Thank you to everyone at Waverly!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jason
Youngstown, OH5 contributions
This place is a must-see if you are into History, the Paranormal or Architecture!
Friends
Visiting this place has been on the top of my bucket list for many years, and I finally got to fulfill my dream this 4th of July weekend! Saturday night we booked the 6 hour Paranormal Tour which was spectacular! It started out with about a 2 hour tour of this monstrous place by our tour guide Jason, who gave us some history of the building and also Info on the Paranormal findings of this place. He was great and kept things fun and entertaining. After the tour, they let us roam and investigate the entire building including the “death chute” in the basement. All in all it was a spectacular evening!

We ended up booking a 2 hour History Tour on the following day! This was obviously geared towards the history of the building which was equally awesome and very entertaining. Our tour guide the History Tour was named Dale and he was great! We gave us a lot of interesting info while keeping the experience fun. Two other employees came along on the tour who also shared info with us and some of their personal experiences, one was a very nice young lady who I didn’t catch her name and the other was a guy named Kool-Aid. This dude was awesome! He actually pulled me aside during the tour and pointed something out down a hallway that he spotted. It was indeed a shadow close to the ground that moved and then disappeared. It was in the middle of the day and the hallway was lit by sunlight. I was amazed and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Anyways, this experience was absolutely spectacular and I give it a 10 out of 10!!! I will definitely be making that 5 1/2 hour trip again. Thank you to the entire staff at Waverly Hills for making our time so enjoyable!

Jason
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jo K
Pleasant View, TN52 contributions
Great Public Investigation of Historic Haunted Location
I had been to Waverly Hills before several years ago and returned Friday August 27th for an overnight public investigation. They split the group in two and our group went with Jason and Josh. Jason walked us through the whole building givong a detailed tour of the history and haunted/active areas. Both Jason and Josh told us about experiments they were doing using sound waves.
After the tour we stopped in the gift shop and then returned to Waverly for the investigation and were allowed to free roam so we could go to different areas on our own schedule. Sometimes depending on the group size they are unable to do that and will have designated times on each floor.
As we were walking on the second floor we ran into Josh and some of the others on the public investigation. Josh was using some of his personal equipment to investigate with them.
What was very clear to us was that the staff Jason,Josh, and others that were there care about the building and the spirits who are still there.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nicole M
6 contributions
Historical not paranormal
Friends
For my birthday my husband wanted to knock off a item on my bucket list. I loved the fact he wanted to go to Waverly as we have never been there before. We took the 10-12 paranormal tour on 8/1. It was absolutely beautiful inside and out. Unfortunately, it was not a paranormal tour as they advertised. It was more of a historical tour. The guide would NOT shut up! She talked the whole time explaining everything in detail the whole 2 hours. At the beginning it was told to not be rowdy, loud and be respectful of other and other that were on a separate tour. That being told it was so we can hear possible noises, footsteps anything out of the ordinary. Be aware you will not be able to use flash accept for the body chute also you will not be able to enter the chute either, and on the 5th floor was the last chance to use flash mode.They are very stern on no audio or video recordings, keep your settings on the lowest lighting. Don't expect to be able to wander within the rooms as my husband glanced into a room on the 3rd floor staying within the group he was barked at to pay attention to what the guide had to say. That again the guide would not shut up the whole time. Truly if I wanted a historical tour I would have signed up for that option. I'd upload a photo but didn't have any options of a good photo. See photo below!
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jennifer R
2 contributions
Too commercial, not what we expected
Family
At Waverly last night and I have to say I was very disappointed. 4 reasons. 1. Our group was too big, couldn't get the experience due to the shear # of people. 2. Felt too commercial. stop to take pictures over and over. 3. Guide talked to us like we were children and spent way too much time with trying to dramatize the experience. And 4th.
Pressure and sales to book the overnight experience. Mention it once, fine, twice ok. But more than 3x everytime you stop was over the top. Made me wish I didn't come.
Written March 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jamie O
1 contribution
Waste of time
Friends
We have been going for years as a group. Last night was miserable. They did a 2 hour tour of the building and then set you free to roam the building. Sounds great but it was terrible. People were blinding you with their flashlights (which were suppose to be limited), people were very very loud (even after being asked to be respectful of others), got blinded by flash photography on a regularly basis. The group was way too big and it's very obvious they don't care about anything other than making money at this point in time . As soon as it was brought up about the way the format is now the immediate went into defense mode and said it would never change back and started promoting $1000 tours. Sad to say I probably won't go back after going almost every year for the last 6.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Waverly Hills Sanatorium is open:
  • Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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