The Waverly Hills Sanatorium — Attraction in Louisville

We did the 2-hour tour immediately followed by the 6-hour tour. The 2-hour tour had 30+ people, and it was impossible to hear or see the guide. A chunk of the attendees were drunk and acted like idiots the entire time, yelping at nothing, talking over the guide, and all around rude. It would be better if tour groups were smaller, like ten people maximum so everyone can hear and enjoy the experience. Any drunk or rude attendees should be sent away.

The 6-hour tour group was a lot more respectful, which makes sense as this tour was more expensive. It was underwhelming though. The website reservation isn’t clear about bringing your own equipment. They don’t hand out any either. It makes for a boring experience without the technology necessary to detect the paranormal. They didn’t sell anything for ghost hunting in the gift shop either.

This tour says it’s partly guided, and for novice investigators, but we were left to our own devices with very little instruction or options to go around with the guides other than the tour we had just done. I wish there had been a more lightly guided option, not just a summary about the history, but someone who can take on the truly novice attendees and show them a good time if they don’t have any equipment or aren’t professional ghost hunters.

I would highly recommend the staff look to similar attractions for a better model of how to run investigations for people of all levels of interest. The Waverly Sanatorium reminded me a lot of the Missouri State Penitentiary, and it might be worth sending your staff on a field trip of sorts as I think they’ve found ways to cater to both professionals and nonprofessionals, making it a fun night for all involved.

As a quick aside, I know a diabetic had an accident requiring an emergency response, but it was kind of awkward to single out all the diabetics in our tour and tell them not to have any accidents. Then, hypocritically, they add no food or drink is allowed. I think a better approach would have been saying if anyone felt faint or needed medical assistance to alert one of the staff.

A little tact goes a long way in these situations. People were probably already uneasy about all the emergency vehicles anyway. Don’t make it worse by singling out the rest of the diabetics. It’s out of their...

I dont normally leave reviews but you guys dont know that, and thats also irrelevant. Went on the 2 hour night tour (10pm-12am) and it was very enjoyable. Aside from waiting for others on the reservation list to get there, and aside from the very brief rundown of the rules put in place by the owners, there really wasn't any sort of wait to go in. Our tour guide, Jason, was funny and informative and was one of the best tour guides I've come across. Other reviews say the tour guides were reading from a script but this wasnt the case with Jason. He took us around the building and told us the history of it and the major events, as well as the dates of those events (like who even thought it was a good idea to turn a 5 floor building into a place for geriatric individuals). He also told us about things that other people have claimed to have experienced and mentioned just a few of his experiences but the tour didnt seem like it was tacky or that certain things he said was scripted and forced, like other tours I've been a part of (pea patch island paranormal tour). He told us and let us take it for what it was worth. Others are complaining about not being able to use flashlights or phone photo flash, and to them, i say... go on the day tour then. But the guide has a flashlight and makes sure to warn us of anything we might trip over and anything like that. If you want to be able to still see at least decently during the night tour, go on the night of a full moon (it was a full moon when I went) and you'll be able to see pretty good. I would definitely want to go again during a new moon just to experience it in almost absolute darkness. Jason answered any questions we had and really did make the tour an enjoyable... well... tour. I would definitely like to go again and although I didn't interact with any other tour guides (though Jason says that Rusty Shackleford isn't a good guide), I would go with Jason as the guide every time. As long as you have common sense and are respectful of the rules that are set in place by the owners, you'll have a good time. Well worth the money and the 3 hour drive it took for me to get there. 10/10...

Waverly Hills had been on our list of places for several years and we finally decided to make a trip of it. The drive up to the sanitorium definitely set the mood for the night. It loomed large and eerie. After watching an informative video, we were divided into two group, one on the upper floors, and one on the lower. Our guide was fantastic, giving a very engaging speech about the history of the different rooms and wards. That is, until she started talking about specific manifestations and her flashlight, sitting on the shelf next to her began flickering on and off. With that she turned us loose into a free roam through our area. The other guest were very friendly and accommodating. We aren't versed at all in the paranormal, and the members of our group who were were very inclusive with us, allowing us to see things like divining rods correctly answering questions and more flashlights flickering, with purpose. As far as our unique experience, we decided to go back up to the top floor a few minutes before the two groups switched places, and as we walked down the hall, we heard the sound of a ball bouncing. We turned to see a ball (there were several rubber play balls scattered around this floor) roll out from an empty room we had just passed. As we watched the ball rolled to a stop, then started rolling of its own volition back into the room. Very thrilling. If I had to make a recommendation, it would be to try to go when the weather is cooler. In an effort to preserve the building, the owners have smartly added windows to several of the floors. We went in August and even in shorts and t-shirts, it was sweltering. This is completely on us for underestimating the southern heat. As would be expected, their tours book very quickly around the time of Halloween. The next time I plan a trip, (because I will be back) I will plan my trip when they open for the Season in March. Definitely worth the trip for not just those interested in the paranormal and occult, but for anyone who wants a truly...