You can take a ghost tour through this 120-year-old Alberta mansion

Tucked away in High River is a 120-year-old mansion with quite a spooky reputation. Mystic Manor is a historic home where you can explore its reportedly haunted rooms, hear stories behind the house, and even take part in a paranormal investigation.

The home has a long history, and the stories surrounding it are enough to make you wonder what’s going on inside.

So, if you’re thinking about checking it out for yourself, here’s everything you need to know before booking your visit.

What to expect at Mystic Manor

What is Mystic Manor?

Mystic Manor is a 120-year-old historic home in High River, Alta., about an hour south of Calgary.

According to Mystic Manor, today the home operates as a year-round paranormal experience. Tours are led by Faye Steinberg, the owner and psychic medium, and during the experience, guests are taken through the manor, introduced to its reported paranormal history, and given ghost-hunting equipment to investigate the home for themselves.

And unlike a traditional haunted house experience, these tours centre on ghost hunting and storytelling rather than jump scares.

Where is Mystic Manor?

Mystic Manor is located in High River, Alta., about a 40-minute drive south of Calgary. The manor is tucked into a residential neighbourhood in town, and free parking is available behind the space, so you won’t have to worry about finding street parking.

What happens on the ghost tours?

You can experience the manor in a few different ways, depending on how brave you feel. Here’s a look at the tours offered:

• The Haunted Tour
  • The main Haunted Tour takes you through the historic manor with a guide, where you’ll learn about the home’s history and reported paranormal activity as you explore different rooms. Along the way, you’ll use ghost-hunting equipment to look for signs of activity, before finishing off with a mini séance. The full experience lasts about 85 minutes.
• The Séance
  • The Séance is a separate experience that focuses specifically on spirit communication. Rather than touring the entire house, you’ll gather with a group for a guided séance led by a medium and try to communicate with the spirits reportedly connected to the manor.
• The Basement Experience
  • If you would rather explore the house without a guide, The Basement Experience lets you head downstairs and investigate on your own. You’ll have about 20 minutes to explore the space and see what you can discover.

How scary is the experience?

According to Mystic Manor, the tours are an immersive paranormal experience rather than a carnival-style haunt, so the focus is more on exploring the historic home and investigating reported paranormal activity than on jump scares.

The experience is recommended for guests 12 and older, with parental discretion advised for younger visitors. Since the rooms are dimly lit and some pretty spooky stories are told, it can still feel eerie, especially if you’re not a fan of the dark.

Where do these ghost stories come from?

According to Mystic Manor, the stories surrounding the house come from its long history, former residents, and the paranormal activity that has reportedly taken place there over the years.

When can I visit Mystic Manor?

Since Mystic Manor hosts haunted tours year-round, you don’t have to wait until spooky season to book. Tour dates and times vary throughout the year, with different time slots available depending on the day and the experience.

The easiest way to plan your visit is to check Mystic Manor’s online booking calendar, where you can see available dates and times and reserve your spot.

How much are tickets for the ghost tours?

Ticket prices vary depending on which tour you choose. The Haunted Tour is $55 per person plus GST, while the Seance experience costs $40 per person plus GST. If you want to explore on your own, the Basement experience is $13 per person plus GST.

Is there anything else I need to know before I go?

Since Mystic Manor is a historic home, keep a few things in mind before you arrive. The house has narrow passageways, low ceilings, and multiple staircases, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.

Photography may be allowed during the experience when your guide gives the go-ahead, but flash photography and video recording are not permitted.

There’s only one way to find out what’s lurking inside Mystic Manor: take the tour yourself. So, would you step inside?

Mystic Manor

When: Open year-round
Time: Tour times vary
Where: 410 5th St. SE, High River, Alta.
Cost: Haunted Tour: $55 plus fees, The Basement Experience: $13 plus fees, The Seance Experience: $40 plus fees, Halloween VIP Tour: $88 plus fees

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