dark tourism savannah ga

Protect Your Trip »

The 8 spookiest savannah ghost tours of 2024.

Prove you're not afraid of the dark by taking one of these terrifying tours.

Spookiest Savannah Ghost Tours

Getty Images

While it may seem like a quaint Southern town by day, Savannah, Georgia , is purportedly one of America's most haunted cities. The city's ghostly reputation may be related to the bloody Civil War, the yellow fever epidemics of 1820 and 1876 or the numerous murders that took place throughout its history. These chilling tales make the haunted city of Savannah the perfect backdrop for a ghost tour. Below, you'll find the top U.S. News picks of the best tours in town, compiled using both expert input and traveler sentiment. These haunting tours cater to all crowds, from families with kids to those who need a little liquid courage before seeking out the paranormal.

Savannah Ghost Walker – The Savannah Ghostwalker Tour and Ghost Hunt

Price: From $30 Duration: 2.5 hours

During this tour, guides (or "ghostwalkers") lead you down live oak-lined streets past haunted antebellum homes to battlefields and hidden cemeteries, where paranormal events are a common occurrence. As you walk, ghostwalkers recount the scary stories of Savannah's eerie past. You can even search for otherworldly activity with your own "ghost-hunting" equipment. Travelers enjoy guides' ability to highlight the city's historical facts in their ghost stories. Visitors also say that the electromagnetic field meters add a fun twist to the tour.

Tours generally run nightly at 9 p.m. Savannah Ghostwalker limits its tours to 15 people, and alcohol is not permitted.

Check prices & availability on:

Courtesy of Ghost City Tours

Ghost City Tours – Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

Price: From $30 Duration: 2 hours

This adults-only (21 and older) evening pub crawl takes travelers to some of the city's most haunted pubs and taverns. During this Savannah ghost tour, guides share creepy tales about each bar stop. Thanks to Savannah's lack of open container laws, you can take an alcoholic beverage with you and imbibe along the walk. Most reviewers say the tour provides a fun outing and the ghost stories are entertaining. Others complain of busy bars and expensive drinks.

Tours typically run at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8, 8:30 and 9 p.m. on weekends, but exact offerings may vary by month. For a more family-friendly experience, consider the company's Grave Tales Tour.

Genteel & Bard – Savannah Dark History & Ghost Encounter Tour

Visit some of Savannah's most haunted locales on this spine-chilling experience. Over nearly a mile, a local tour guide will take small groups through the city, spinning tales about Colonial Park Cemetery and the Sorrel Weed House, among other historic landmarks. Note that the entire tour takes place outside – you do not actually go into any buildings. As a bonus, the guide wears a microphone and all tourgoers receive personal earbuds with a wireless receiver so that they don't miss one scary story. Reviewers mention that guides are passionate, entertaining and great storytellers. They also appreciate the earbuds as there is never an issue with hearing.

Genteel & Bard offers its ghost tour at multiple times between 7:30 and 9 p.m. daily. The company also offers history walking tours and women's history walking tours of Savannah.

Blue Orb Tours – Savannah Shadows Tour

Price: Adults from $30; kids from $25 Duration: 1.5 hours

Blue Orb's Savannah Shadows tour is based on the book of the same name written by the company's founder, Tobias McGriff. This tour is suitable for all ages and stops at locations known for their paranormal activity, such as the Hanging Square (generally known as Wright Square). Many reviewers comment that the tour offers the right mix of history and storytelling, along with chilling details. Others say that though the tales are spooky, they aren't too scary for kids.

Tours are typically offered Wednesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. For a real thrill, the company offers an adults-only Zombie Tour that focuses on the Voodoo concept of the walking undead.

Ghost & Gravestones of Savannah – Ghost & Gravestones Trolley Tour

Price: From $36 Duration: 1.5 hours

On the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour, you'll drive by cemeteries, squares and mansions known for their ghostly residents. Along the way, you'll visit two of Savannah's most haunted locales: the Andrew Low House and Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery. The chandlery is located on River Street, which is considered a hotbed of paranormal activity. According to some reviewers, the tour guide's theatrics are cheesy rather than scary. Travelers also warn the chandlery is set up like a haunted house, so you'll want to prepare young children for some startling surprises. The company rates its tour PG-13, though several reviewers say it's family-friendly. Children must be 6 or older, and no one younger than 18 can ride without the supervision of an adult.

Tours depart nightly at various times starting around 7 p.m. Keep in mind: You may be required to climb some stairs while on tour. The company also offers combination tickets for trolley sightseeing tours during the day.

Hearse Ghost Tours – Public Hearse Tour

Price: From $40 Duration: About 1.5 hours

Drive through Savannah's spookiest cemeteries and pass through parts of the Historic District in an open-air hearse once used by funeral parlors. Hearses can accommodate up to eight tourgoers. Some reviewers say the guides are funny and entertaining, while others complain the stories lack depth and are not scary.

Tours are offered at multiple times daily between 6 and 10 p.m. There are pickup locations at Franklin, Oglethorpe and Telfair squares in the Historic District. The company also runs private outings and a bar crawl ghost tour.

Shannon Scott Tours & Events – Bonaventure Cemetery After Hours Tour

Price: From $45 Duration: 2 hours

What could be more spine-chilling than being locked behind the gates of Bonaventure Cemetery? On this after-hours cemetery tour, you'll spend an evening listening to humorous and macabre tales of romance and death featuring the city's most notable deceased residents. Reviewers rave about this tour and guide Shannon Scott's storytelling ability; many travelers find him mesmerizing.

Tours run on Saturdays at 6 p.m. Prefer to explore the cemetery while it's still light out? The company also offers cemetery tours during the day.

6th Sense World – Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour

According to reviewers, it's the entertaining guides that set 6th Sense World apart from other ghost tour operators in the city. During the company's ghost tour, you'll hear spooky tales about some of the city's most haunted locales, including the Mercer-Williams House, the Hamilton-Turner Inn and the Candler Hospital, among others. Participants describe the tour as creepy, engaging and educational.

Tours run nightly at multiple times between 7 and 10 p.m., depending on the season and day of the week. Later tours are restricted to participants 16 and older and may cost more. Discounts are available for members of the military. The company also offers daytime tours of Bonaventure Cemetery, among other options.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Savannah Tours
• The Best Hotels in Savannah
• The Best Charleston Ghost Tours
• Hauntingly Abandoned Places You Can Still Visit
• The Most Haunted Hotels in America

Tags: Tours , Travel , Georgia , Vacations , Georgia Vacations , Southeast Vacations , US Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Flight canceled or delayed what to do.

Amanda Norcross April 26, 2024

The Best Beach Hats

Megan Johnson and Sharael Kolberg April 26, 2024

The Best Florence Tours

John Rodwan April 25, 2024

The 9 Best Louisiana Swamp Tours of 2024

John Rodwan April 24, 2024

How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Gwen Pratesi April 24, 2024

The Best Whale Watching in Cape Cod

Lyn Mettler April 24, 2024

Best Whale Watching Tours in Maine

Marisa Méndez April 23, 2024

The Best Wineries in Napa Valley

April 23, 2024

The Best East Coast Beaches

April 19, 2024

The Best Carry-on Luggage

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 17, 2024

Why just hear about Savannah's dark history...

...when you can be a part of it?

Like Nothing You ' ve Ever Done Before...

The Savannah Underground is an attraction you like no other. It's a new way to experience Savannah's dark & terrifying past as three creepy, true

 tales play out around you in a 360 degree set. This is not your average Savannah ghost tour... This is one of the scariest things to do in Historic Savannah. 

Experience Savannah's dark past in this fully interactive and immersive show. Three ghost stories play out around you in a 360 degree set.

TROLLY + SHOW

Not your average ghost tour. Dive into Savannah's haunted history on an immersive trolley ride that takes you to the show.

One Spooky 

History lesson.

All three southern fried horror tales you'll experience have taken place in Savannah and it's surrounding areas. Experience the most haunted city on earth!

What People Say About The Savannah Underground.

This was such a well produced, acted, and executed show. The frights are as real as the historical stories and it was definitely worth the price. Check it out if you love horror!

We had a wonderful time. Our group found ourselves suspending reality, as we truly became completely immersed in the experience. Definitely a must see!

Just the right amount of spooky! This experience makes Savannah history and ghost stories come to life and actually makes you part of the story. This is a great way to learn about some of Savannah's most famous ghost stories and way more exciting than a ghost tour.

Three Frightening Tales

Embark on the ghost hunting trip of a lifetime as you encounter three grim stories, all of which took place in Savannah's horrific past. 

Yellow Fever

The year is 1820.

A young girl suffers from the brutal disease that ravaged Savannah... yellow fever. Assist Dr. Gaust in putting her out of her misery.

The year is 1894

A  lowcountry ghoul, the hag is coming for you... Can you trap it before it's too late?

Demon House

The year is 1963.

Meet Mary... A teenage girl who was the subject of Savannah's only confirmed exorcism.

Subscribe for exclusive updates.

Thank you for submitting.

13 Best Savannah Ghost Tours For a Scary-Good Time [2024]

Are you looking for a spooky good time in Savannah? Explore the most haunted places in Savannah on these highly-rated ghost tours! Here are some of the best ghost tours in the city to get you started.

The best way to see Savannah’s haunted spots is to take a ghost tour . There are all kinds of Savannah ghost tours to choose from : walking tours, driving tours, pedal pubs, cemetery tours, and even a hearse tour!

From historic cemeteries to haunted theaters, the city of Savannah is full of ghostly tales and chilling legends. So if you’re brave enough, take a ghost tour of Savannah and find out for yourself the city’s dark secrets.

TOP PICK: BEST SAVANNAH GHOST TOUR

This Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour delves deep into the city’s haunted history. With thousands of reviews, a 5-star rating, and an affordable price, this is the best ghost tour in Savannah !

Here are 13 of the best ghost tours in Savannah, Georgia to help you get your scare on.

Post Contents

Top Savannah Ghost Tours

Are you brave enough to walk Savannah’s haunted streets at night? Check out these ghost tours to explore the most haunted city in America!

1. Historic Savannah Theatre 3 Hour Investigation

Tour length: 3 hours | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Take part in a paranormal investigation of a 200-year-old Savannah landmark on this Historic Savannah Theatre 3 Hour Investigation .

This interactive night-time tour lets you use high-tech ghost-hunting equipment like thermal cameras and EMF detectors to find evidence of paranormal activity at the historic Savannah Theatre.

We had a wonderful experience! We loved learning the history of the building and the area. Our hosts were super knowledgeable and provided all the equipment that we needed. Great experience! A+ – Amanda ( see more reviews )

You’ll get a detailed tour of one of the longest-running theaters in the US .

This 3 hour ghost tour and paranormal investigation provides you with high-tech ghost-hunting equipment that you’ll need to experience one of Savannah’s most haunted locations for yourself.

2. Haunted Savannah Ghost and Pub Walking Tour

This small-group Haunted Savannah Ghost and Pub Walking Tour takes you to some of the most haunted places, and pubs, in Savannah.

On this haunted pub crawl, you’ll explore the spooky side of Savannah by visiting pubs and watering holes with haunted histories.

This tour was so much fun. Jess, our tour guide, had lots of interesting stories to tell us about each location. All the bars were fun. – Nancy ( see more reviews )

You’ll hear ghost stories about Savannah, combining dark history with a night out drinking.

This 3 hour walking tour includes costumed tour guide, a take-home commemorative can cooler or cup, and a visit to 4 popular Savannah pubs and bars.

3. Genteel and Bard’s Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour

Tour length: 2 hours | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Genteel and Bard’s Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour is one of the best ghost tours in the city!

This interactive guided ghost tour gives you the history of each haunted location along with photos, music, and professionally-recorded first-account letters as evidence.

We had a great time on this tour! We loved that it blended Savannah history and ghost stories. We learned a lot and we’re so glad we decided to do it. Ashley was so nice, funny, and a great storyteller. Would definitely recommend this tour to others! – Cam ( see more reviews )

You’ll benefit from a small group for an intimate experience, first-hand accounts of Savannah’s haunts, and engaging storytellers.

This 2 hour walking tour includes a local, professional guide and a headset so you can hear your guide clearly and not miss out on a single ghost story.

4. GUY IN THE KILT Savannah Ghost Tours & Pub Crawls by GOT GHOSTS!

Tour length: 2 hours | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

You’ll meet your kilted tour guided for a scary-good time with this Guy in the Kilt Savannah Ghost Tour and/or Pub Crawl .

For this tour, you have the option of a normal Paranormal Activity Tour or a 21+ Adults-Only Pub Crawl .

Patrick was a excellent host! We great a time hearing amazing stories about the paranormal in Savannah. Would definitely recommend the tour! – Brad ( see more reviews )

Your paranormal tour guide will take you through Savannah’s historic district to learn about its dark history and haunted locations.

This 2-hour walking tour covers about 1 mile of historic downtown Savannah. It includes a professional local tour guide and photo opportunities at Savannah’s top haunted sites.

5. Savannah Night Terrors Walking Tour

This Savannah Night Terrors Walking Tour makes use of paranormal investigative equipment to take your ghost tour experience to the next level.

You’ll get to use EMF detectors, thermal cameras, and 4K night vision cameras to find and record paranormal activity around Savannah’s darkest corners.

Loved Taylar and Tree they were great and very informative. Learned alot of history and interesting facts about Savannah – Sharon ( see more reviews )

Do your own ghost hunting, led by a guide, in America’s most haunted city!

This 2-hour walking tour includes paranormal investigative equipment and a guide who teaches you how to use the equipment. This tour is recommended for adults only.

6. Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

Stop in for a drink at some of Savannah’s most haunted bars on this Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl .

You’ll get to experience the best of Savannah’s history and its great party scene. You’ll hear spooky stories and haunted lore as you explore the streets of Savannah and stop in at some haunted pubs for a drink .

We had an amazing time. Over the years we have been on several ghost tours. This one is the best I have ever been on. Spooky Steve has a passion for what he does, we loved our walk through bars, history, murders stories, and of course ghost stories. – Christian ( see more reviews )

Your local guide will regale you with scary tales of Savannah’s dark past and the historic pubs’ haunted histories as you drink.

This 2-hour walking tour of Savannah’s historic district includes a local guide and a stop at 4 haunted pubs and bars.

7. Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour

Experience haunted Savannah on this Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour . This walking tour will take you around downtown Savannah to learn all about the city’s haunted history.

You have the choice of going on an all-ages family-friendly tour or an adults-only 16+ tour . Your expert guide will provide you with chilling tales that are age-appropriate for your group.

Captain Jack our guide did a great job. Very knowledgeable. Fun and interactive. Would highly recommend. – Andrew ( see more reviews )

You’ll pass by iconic local sites like the Mercer Williams House, Forsyth Park, Calhoun Square, and 432 Abercorn St.

This 2-hour walking tour includes a professional local guide to provide you with a personalized experience.

8. Savannah Ghostwalker Tour and Ghost Hunt

Tour length: 2.5 hours | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

This small-group Savannah Ghostwalker Tour and Ghost Hunt lets you learn this history and haunts of the city’s top landmarks.

You’ll set out on foot to explore several paranormal sites, including cemeteries, battlefields, and historic homes . You’ll hear ghost stories as you learn about the history of Savannah.

Our tour guide was great, learned so much on the tour, and took notes on stuff that I wanted to look up later. – Thomas ( see more reviews )

On this tour, you’ll visit spots like Colonial Park Cemetery, Chippewa Square, and the Andrew Low House. You’ll also get to use EMF meters to search for paranormal activity.

This 2 to 2.5 hour walking tour includes an expert guide and the use of K2 EMF Meters.

9. Spirits and Scoundrels Adults Only Savannah Ghost Tour

This adults-only Spirits and Scoundrels Savannah Ghost Tour delves deeper into the dark history of Savannah than a traditional ghost tour.

You’ll explore Savannah under the cloak of darkness and hear stories that focus on voodoo, murder, and haunted mansions .

Kat was an amazing tour guide. Charming story teller, lots of personality. It was a wonderful experience. So glad we chose this tour. – Chris ( see more reviews )

Explore the darkened streets of Savannah’s historic district on this walking tour. You’ll also see paranormal evidence caught using specialized equipment.

This 1 hour and 50 minute, adults-only walking tour has a professional guide who will give you a taste of Savannah’s dark history.

10. Fraidy Cat: The Family Fun Ghost Tour of Savannah

Tour length: 1.5 hours | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

This Fraidy Cat Family Fun Ghost Tour of Savannah is a walking tour of Savannah’s haunts that you can bring the kids on.

On this tour, you’ll hear family-friendly versions of the city’s most famous ghost stories and legends . You’ll explore spooky cemeteries, creepy public squares, and other haunted locations around the city.

We had a great time. Our guide was fun and informative. She made our tour amazing. I would recommend anyone take the tour. – Melissa ( see more reviews )

Your local guide will bring Savannah’s dark history to life with stories of Savannah’s supernatural history and strange unexplained occurrences.

This family-friendly 1.5 hour walking tour is aimed at older children and adults.

11. Savannah History & Haunts Candlelit Walking Ghost Tour

Tour length: 1.5 hours | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Delve deep into Savannah’s dark history with this popular Savannah History & Haunts Candlelit Walking Ghost Tour guided by the glow of a lantern.

Savannah’s fraught history of war, executions, murders, and mystery make for great ghost stories on this walking tour.

Our guide, Tyler, was a spectacular actor as he brought stories to life for us. He scared us a few times and made us jump. I’d highly recommend this tour, especially if Tyler is your guide. – Sonja ( see more reviews )

You’ll follow your guide through Savannah’s historic squares and cobblestone streets as they regale you with eerie tales.

This 1.5-hour lantern-led walking tour of Savannah has multiple departure times to best suit your schedule.

12. 90 Minute Original Haunted Savannah Tour

Discover Savannah’s paranormal hotspots on this 90 Minute Original Haunted Savannah Tour .

This tour is an evening adventure filled with stories of hauntings that are backed up with paranormal evidence .

Our two guides were very fun and informative. We enjoyed the whole experience. I would definitely recommend. – Susan ( see more reviews )

You’ll explore Savannah’s historic district and find out dark secrets about the city that you wouldn’t have uncovered alone.

This 1.5 hour walking tour is guided by a local expert who provides entertaining stories and evidence of paranormal events.

13. Savannah Supernatural Haunted Walking Tour

Take an evening stroll on the dark side of Savannah on this Savannah Supernatural Haunted Walking Tour .

You’ll learn facts, figures, and stories about dark times in Savannah’s history that aren’t included on other ghost tours . 

Jody was awesome. I loved his passion for the city and the history it has. I could walk around and listen to him for hours! – Joseph ( see more reviews )

Your guide will delve into unusual stories about Savannah’s history as you explore top sights like Moon River Brewing, Johnson Square, Colonial Park Cemetery, and the historic district.

This 1.5-hour walking tour is a great affordable option with the perfect blend of history and ghost stories.

Top Haunted Hotels in Savannah

Savannah has a ton of haunted sites, and a lot of them happen to be hotels. This is great if you’re the type of person who loves staying in haunted hotels (I’m too scared to even try). Book a stay at one of the top haunted hotels, inns, and B&Bs in Savannah listed below!

• The Marshall House
• The Hamilton-Turner Inn
• 17Hundred90 Inn
• The Kehoe House
• Foley House Inn
• The Olde Harbour Inn
• The Eliza Thompson House
• Planters Inn on Reynolds Square
• East Bay Inn

Or if you want a likely not-haunted place to stay, check out the recommendations below.

Where to Stay in Savannah (Non-Haunted)

Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to Savannah (that isn’t haunted!), from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.

• Where We Stayed: Hyatt Regency Savannah
• Top Hotel: Perry Lane Hotel
• Great Value: Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District
• Unique Stay: Mansion on Forsyth Park

Top Savannah Tours

With so much to see, Savannah can be overwhelming for any first-time traveler. To take some of the stress out of planning your visit, opt for a guided tour! Check out this list of the top Savannah tours to help you make the most of your time in this gorgeous Southern city.

• Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
• Savannah First Squares Culinary & Cultural Walking Food Tour
• Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

More Savannah, GA Itineraries

Check out more fun things to do in Savannah, Georgia with the help of these itineraries:

• How to Spend the Perfect Girls’ Weekend in Savannah, Georgia
• 4 Incredibly Fun Things To Do In Savannah, Georgia
• Romantic Things to Do on Your Honeymoon in Savannah, Georgia

Ready to visit Savannah, Georgia? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight:  Find the cheapest flights using  Skyscanner , my favorite flight search engine.
• Find accommodation: You can find top hotels in Savannah using Hotels.com.
• Get packing:  Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources .

Have you been on any of these amazing Savannah ghost tours? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta? , a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

Similar Posts

14 incredible christmas lights in georgia [2023].

Georgia is all lit up with incredible holiday light displays. Get into the spirit of the season with these Christmas light experiences.

How to Get to Anchorage Airport from Seward, Alaska

Are you wondering how to get to the Anchorage airport from the Seward cruise port? Don’t worry, it’s really easy!

Visiting Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland

Take a visit to the most besieged place in Great Britain. Learn more about visiting the imposing Edinburgh Castle in this post.

Ultimate Guide to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival

With spring comes the annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival. This guide tells you everything you need to know about attending the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

The Best Asian Restaurants in Calgary, Canada

Check out this list of the best and most authentic Asian restaurants in Calgary, Canada and sample the many flavors of Asia.

Visiting Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, Ireland

The serenity of Kylemore Abbey has made it the largest tourist attraction in the west of Ireland. Learn more about visiting this Victorian-era castle.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The 13 Best Ghost Tours in Savannah Georgia

If you’re heading to America’s most haunted city and want to experience the ghosts that haunt the historic city, I recommend going on one of the best ghost tours in Savannah.

It’s nearly impossible not to wander past a building in Savannah that doesn’t have a spooky or dark history tied to it. Savannah has a ghost story for every place you see, from haunted pubs to graveyards.

Whether you are into true crime, a haunted pub crawl or listening to tales on a ghost tour – this list will help you find the best tour in Savannah for lovers of all things spooky.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please see my  Privacy Policy  for more information.

The 13 Best Ghost Tours in Savannah GA

1. savannah history and haunts candlelit ghost walking tour.

Want to hear more in-depth stories about wars, executions and murders in Savannah? The Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour is for you.

This tour is full of the dark history of Savannah and has no jump scares or dramatics, just great storytelling.

The Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour is one of the best ghost tours in Savannah for those who aren’t into theatrics.

Book here: Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

2. Genteel and Bard’s Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour

Are you looking for an amazing interactive ghost walk? Genteel and Bard’s Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour is the best ghost tour in Savannah.

The tour visits Savannah’s most haunted locations, where you will be told tales of darkness, mysterious apparitions and old conflicts. 

The tour is informative and attention-grabbing, with incredible storytelling. The guides make you feel like you are the only one on the tour, and they are very personable and friendly. 

One thing that makes this one of the best ghost tours in Savannah is the audio headset you will be provided with. You will never miss out on any spooky stories or strain to try to hear the guides speak.

Book here: Genteel and Bard’s Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour

3. Savannah’s Ghost City “Dead of Night” Walking Night Tour

Are you a fan of haunted cemeteries? Savannah is home to several of America’s most haunted graveyards, including the Colonial Park Cemetery. 

To explore the haunted Colonial Park Cemetery, you must take Ghost City Tours Savannah’s “Dead of Night” Walking Night Tour . Not only is this a really good ghost tour, but it is one of the best cemetery tours in Savannah .

You will hear the stories of Savannah’s spirits and demons that lurk in the shadows, lingering behind tombstones, watching you listen to their tales.

The tour also stops at Johnson Square, Wright Square, and the Savannah Historic District.

The guides will show you photos, videos and recordings that help add to the ambiance of the tour. The Dead of the Night tour is super spooky and has excellent storytelling with added stories by the guides.

Book here: Savannah’s Ghost City “Dead of Night” Walking Night Tour

4. Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour

Get off your feet and hop aboard the Ghosts & Graveyards Trolly Tour . This is one of the best ghost tours in Savannah for people who love comedic and theatric tour guides who will drive you to the city’s most haunted locations.

The Trolley of the Doomed is a 75-minute tour that takes you into the Andrew Low House and  River Street’s Perkins and Sons Shop Chandlery – at night – when no one else will save you! The tour is more fun than scary, so it is the perfect ghost tour for families or people who don’t want to get too scared. 

Book here:  Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour

5. Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour

The Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour is a private tour that takes you through Savannah’s spookiest landmarks. Your expert guide, Otto, will stop at each site and tell you about the chilling history behind each location.

This is the best ghost tour in Savannah for people who want to customize their tour experience. As the tour is private, you can choose from a family-friendly theme or a very dark adult-only tour.

Some sites you will visit include the Espy House, which has a corrupt history. Another site this tour stops at is Taylor Square, where you will learn about the bodies buried right below your feet.

Book here: Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour

6. Savannah Ghostwalker Tour and Ghost Hunt

If you want to go on a ghost walk tour and ghost hunt, check out the Savannah Ghostwalker Tour and Ghost Hunt .

The tour is perfect for people who prefer small-group ghost tours in Savannah.

Follow an expert guide as they take you to Battlefields, haunted mansions and Savannah’s historic district, regaling you with spooky stories about each location.

If you want to experience using paranormal equipment, the Savanna Ghostwalker Tours provides you with K2 EMF meters to see if you can connect with spirits.

Book here: Savannah Ghostwalker Tour and Ghost Hunt

7. True Crime Pub Crawl – the Original Savannah Murder Tour

If you want a pub crawl combined with a true crime tour in Savannah, I recommend the True Crime Pub Crawl – the Original Savannah Murder Tour . It is Savannah’s only true crime tour experience.

Spend an evening going on a twilight investigation through Savannah’s murderous, scandalous past of serial killers, crimes of passion, and unsolved cases. 

The rest of the tour is spent walking through the mysterious streets and beautiful city squares while stopping at bars, including a bar from the 1790s, as you explore history.

This is one of the best ghost tours in Savannah if you are a true crime junkie. You will hear gruesome true crime stories from the Colonial Park Cemetery.

One of the best things about this tour is that small groups are welcome – even if you are the only person on tour, it will not be cancelled.

Book here: True Crime Pub Crawl – the Original Savannah Murder Tour

8. Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

If you love haunted history and partying at the pub, you will love the Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl .

Walk through Savannah’s historic district while listening to spooky stories and lore. You will stop at four haunted pubs to fuel up on drinks to take with you to the next haunted location.

This tour takes you to the elusive and special access second floor or basement at the 200-year-old Moon River Brewing Company, one of the world’s most haunted places. How cool is it to see behind the scenes at Moon River?

Book here: Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

9. Savannah Supernatural Haunted Walking Tour

Stroll through the dark corners of Savannah with the Savannah Supernatural Haunted Walking Tour .

This is one of the best ghost tours in Savannah for people looking for stories about ghosts that aren’t discussed on other tours. The ghost stories are pleasant rather than overly gruesome if that is more your thing.

The nighttime tour takes you through Savannah’s most haunted places, like the Moon River Brewing Company, Johnson Square, Colonial Park Cemetery and the Savannah Historic District.

Book here: Savannah Supernatural Haunted Walking Tour

10. Spirits and Scoundrels Adults Only Savannah Ghost Tour

What is the scariest ghost tour in Savannah? It’s the Spirits and Scoundrels Adults Only Savannah Ghost tour ! 

For adults, this is one of the best ghost tours in Savannah, GA, as it’s full of terrifying stories that family-friendly tours avoid.

You will see real paranormal evidence discovered from paranormal investigations around Savannah. The tour visits some gruesome locations while learning about murder, voodoo history and haunted mansions around Savannah. 

All of the guides are great, but Greg is a fantastic guide. He is knowledgeable of history and a strong storyteller. He is detailed, hilarious, energetic and super friendly and knows how to tell a good story.

If you have time before this tour, I recommend watching Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil .

Book here: Spirits and Scoundrels Adults Only Savannah Ghost Tour

11. Haunted Savannah Ghost and Pub Walking Tour

Spend the evening drunk with costumed guides and hopefully a few ghosts on the Haunted Savannah Ghost and Pub Walking Tour . 

The tour stops at four famous pubs where you will learn about their haunted historical past. So why not drink some spirits with the spirits? 

If you are looking for a small group ghost tour in Savannah and want to spend the night listening to fun stories and getting awesome drink recommendations, this tour is for you. Also, this is one of the best Savannah pub crawls you can take!

Book here: Haunted Savannah Ghost and Pub Walking Tour

12. Creepy Crawl Night-Time Haunted Pub Walking Tour of Savannah’s Historic District

The Creepy Crawl Night-Time Haunted Pub Walking Tour of Savannah’s Historic District brings you to Savannah’s most haunted pubs to tell you tales of the most haunted stories in Savannah.

You will visit up to four of Savannah’s haunted pubs. Drinks are not included in the tour price, so bring enough money to cover all the alcohol you want.

One of the pubs you will drink at is the haunted Six Pence Pub. You will hear the spooky history while sipping your favourite beverages before moving through Savannah’s Colonial Park Cemetery. 

As you walk to the next pub, you will get tidbits of spooky history on the spots you pass. This is one of the best pub crawls in Savannah for people who love paranormal stories while getting drunk.

Book here: Creepy Crawl Night-Time Haunted Pub Walking Tour of Savannah’s Historic District

13. Historic Savannah Theatre 3-Hour Investigation

Want to spend the night in a haunted theatre? Not only will this 3-hour tour by Truth In Evidence Haunted Tours allow you to explore a haunted building, but you will also get to participate in a paranormal investigation.

The tour is more than a ghost tour. It is a ghost hunt complete with high-tech ghost-hunting equipment and incredible tour guides that will make your investigation successful.

So, spend the night in a paranormal lockdown at the Historic Savannah Theatre and try to contact the spirits that call the haunted historic Savannah Theatre home.

Book here: Historic Savannah Theatre 3-Hour Investigation

Spooky things to do in Savannah

• The Best Savannah Civil War Tours
• The Most Haunted Hotels in Savannah
• The Best Cemetery Tours in Savannah
• The Best Pub Crawls in Savannah

Save this for later on Pinterest!

Sharing is caring!

Experience Savannah’s Most Haunted Ghost Tour

Ready to discover the horrors of haunted Savannah? Join us for a terrifying look into the city’s dark past filled with stories of war, historic cemeteries, and the spirits that stalk the darkest corners of this charming city.

Savannah Terrors takes you through the swampy beginnings of the 13th and final colony, where disease, death, and the perils of war lay the cursed foundations for one of America’s most haunted cities.

Ghost Tour Meeting Location : Oglethorpe Square, 127 Abercorn St, between bakery and slave quarters

Tour Duration : 1hr. across 1 mile

To Order : Press "Get Tickets" for availability.

Ghost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

The Experiences You've Heard About

Savannah Terrors Ghosts and Ghouls of the South

Discover the gruesome nightmare of deadly diseases, grave misfortunes, and horrific ends that built the city on a trek through the Hostess City.

Savannah Terrors Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour

Journey deep into Savannah's historic downtown district for a truly terrifying late-night experience full of genuine Southern haunts and horrors.

Savannah Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Take a sip from cocktails and brews that took centuries to perfect while learning about one of America's oldest and most haunted cities.

We Shall Overcome: A Savannah Black History Experience

Hear the untold stories of African Americans who lived and loved in Savannah and were instrumental in developing the America we know today.

Tombs of Savannah: Bonaventure Cemetery Experience

Take a deeper look at Savannah's haunting history, nestled deep among the moss-draped oaks, with the myths and stories surrounding this historic cemetery.

Savannah Historic District Savory Foodie Tour

Experience the delectable cuisine, amazing cafes, and fascinating individuals who have formed Savannah's unique and delicious Southern food culture.

Visit the Most Haunted Places in Savannah

In the world of ghostly encounters, Savannah holds the prestigious title of one of the most haunted cities in the nation. The city is rooted in layers of human suffering that reverberates through the streets, manifesting as eerie and spine-chilling experiences courtesy of the sorrowful spirits not ready to leave this world.

Savannah Terrors takes you to the city’s haunted locations that put it on the otherworldly map. Discover the sordid tales that birthed the infamous hauntings and spirits you may just experience tonight.

Colonial Park Cemetery

No ghost tour would be complete without a stop in a haunted cemetery. Colonial Park Cemetery has been the stuff of ghastly lore since the 1700s. Here, tour guests may encounter the spirits of Savannah’s many yellow fever victims. Yellow fever ravaged Savannah throughout the 1800s in three separate epidemics where hundreds lost their lives. While Savannah is the final resting place for more than 700 yellow fever victims, many who succumbed to this vicious disease aren’t resting at all. Come with us to Colonel Park Cemetery, where many have seen (and felt) apparitions of yellow fever fatalities aimlessly roaming the grounds.

Haunted 17Hundred90 Inn

This popular restaurant and hotel has been the subject of numerous paranormal invevstigations, and for good reason. Built in the 1800s, the building became the site of tragedy almost immediately when a young woman committed suicide by jumping from the roof. Her story is as old as time, as she fell in love with and became pregnant by a sailor who left Savannah with no intentions of returning. Distraught, she took her own life, making her a permanent resident of the 17Hundred90 Inn. Guests of Room 204 can expect a cozy room with disembodied sobbing and the possibility of having personal items moved around the room, or removed altogether. Enjoy!

The Kehoe House

This quaint, cozy bed and breakfast once served as a funeral home, only after it was the home of William Kehoe, his wife, and 10 kids. The ghosts of the two Kehoe kids who died in the home are still there, causing a ruckus for both staff and guests, maintaining their rambunctious behavior in the afterlife.

Test your bravery, and join us!

What to expect on your savannah terrors ghost tour.

Downtown Savannah is a thriving hub that boasts picturesque gardens, antique architecture, tree-lined walkways, and signature cobblestone streets that pay homage to simpler times. Of course, these beautiful sites double as a facade, as Savannah’s rich history also features a legendary spectral side.

For those brave enough to endure it, Savannah Terrors takes you on a guided walking ghost tour where we will lift the mask and reveal the city’s ominous locations that give Savannah its haunted reputation. Join us as we retell terrifying accounts ensnared in some of the city’s notoriously haunted spaces.

From disturbed Native American burial grounds to underground tunnels used to transport the bodies of Yellow Fever victims, you can expect to get a horrific history lesson given at the very spots where these grim narratives occured. A Savannah Terrors ghost tour is not for the faint of heart. Prepare yourself for a night of heart-pounding fun and frights.

Ready to see what our ghost tour of Savannah is all about? Click the Get Tickets button to reserve your spot tonight!

Discover What Lurks Beneath the Charming Facade of Savannah

Learn who is affectionately known as the “Lady in Gray” and maintains her home ownership in the afterlife

Visit one of the oldest squares in Savannah that’s still reeling from the disturbance of a Native American chief

Discover the former home of the founder of the Girl Scouts Organization said to still be the home for her late parents

Check out the location for the iconic Forest Gump bench scene, just mere feet away from the sinister Foley House

Take a walk to a famously haunted theater where you can take in a show from the talented living, and the restless dead

Why You Should Book Your Savannah Terrors Ghost Tour Tonight!

History, ghosts and so much atmosphere!

The Savannah Ghost Tour is full of historical detail. The 8 or 12 location tours are based in history and add first-hand accounts of hauntings, sightings of ghouls, and mysterious happenings in the Southern Home of Hospitality. You’ll learn about the history of this fascinating city, with established historical events told with stories about the lives of some of Savannah’s most famous and infamous residents.

Perfect for visitors and locals

Learn about the history of this amazing town, through the lives (and deaths) of some of its most famous sons and daughters. We constantly have locals on the Savannah Terrors tours, and as well as adding personal stories, they always learn something they did not know.

First-time visitors walk away from the tour with an insight into the city that makes the rest of their time here so much more interesting and scary!

Scary and Memorable

Many previous tour groups and guides have had unexplained encounters while walking the dark and atmospheric streets of Savannah. As well as the chance of seeing, or more commonly feeling a ghost, you’ll find your time with us entertaining and the stories are sure to stick with you. You’ll remember every terrifying detail to tell to others.

Savannah Terrors provides a ghost walk experience for all ages, with a mix of history and spookiness rolled into one.

Right for everyone in your group

Savannah Terrors is perfect for everyone in your group, regardless of age and interests. We know traveling in a group makes it challenging to find activities with universal appeal. Our tour starts just as the sun goes down, and the atmosphere gets spooky. The biggest reason to join the Savannah Terrors tour? The commitment to authenticity that is sure to make a believer out of even the biggest skeptics.

Come discover the otherworldly side of Savannah!

Savannah First-Timer's Guide

Plan the Perfect Trip to Savannah

The 11 Most Haunted Places in Savannah Georgia

• 20 Comments
• by Erin Clarkson

The most haunted places in Savannah Georgia are often quite beautiful by day, but they take on a more sinister aura by the light of the moon. Maybe it’s the Spanish moss swaying gently in the trees that causes the hair on the back of your neck to stand at attention?

Or perhaps it’s the plethora of strange ghost tour guides wandering around dressed in creepy period attire?

Whatever the case, there are certain areas of the city that give me the heebie jeebies more than others, and today I’m going to share a few of my favorites with you!

Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.

If you’re new around here, first of all…welcome! I’m Erin, and I authored the  Savannah First-Timer’s Guide . I love introducing visitors to the city, and I’m a huge fan of all things haunted.

I live in Savannah’s artsy Starland District, and I spend much of my free time exploring the city!

Table of Contents

Savannah Ghost Tour Map

To make things easier, I’ve added each of the locations mentioned below to a handy map that you can download to your phone, tablet, or computer. Click on any ghost to get additional info for that location.

Everything on the list is within walking distance in the Historic District, except you’ll need a car to get to the bonus spot on the list.

You can download the map here.

I always say the best way to see Savannah is to get out and explore it on your own two feet!

If this is your first (or second, or third!) visit to the city, my ebook about Savannah contains all of my best insider tips in one handy guide.

Guided Ghost Tours in Savannah

If you prefer to take a guided tour so you can hear the inside scoop on Savannah’s intriguing stories, I totally get it! I’ve created an epic guide to the best ghost tours in Savannah, Georgia .

Related Reading: The Top Things To Do in Savannah Georgia in October

Most Haunted Places in Savannah Georgia

I feel like I should post a little disclaimer first: In all my years of hunting ghosts, I’ve never actually seen any. I can feel ’em, though!

I’m one of those super sensitive types who can sense others’ emotions before they ever vocalize them. I also sense the energy around me.

In fact…I’m often referred to as a SLIder, which is the nickname for a person who exhibits Street Light Interference phenomenon. It means that sometimes when I walk past streetlights, they’ll automatically turn off or on just by my presence.

It’s actually quite entertaining if you happen to spot me walking in Forsyth Park. There are certain lampposts I can touch and the lights just cut right out.

People tend to steer very clear of me when that happens.

Anyway, my point is…I can sense energy and am highly sensitive to places that have a weightier feel to them.

With that in mind, here are some of the most haunted places in Savannah that you can see and — in some cases — even tour!

Factors Walk

Factors Walk | Located between Bay & River Streets, Savannah, Georgia 31401

In the late 1700s to early 1800s, Savannah was one of the leading exporters of cotton. Men known as cotton “factors” worked along the bustling riverfront, and it’s where they set the prices for cotton worldwide.

The area soon came to be known as Factors Walk, and it’s one of my all-time favorite spots to explore in Savannah!

Today Factors Walk still looks very much like it did hundreds of years ago. If you explore the area, you’ll find the eerie Cluskey Vaults , the Cotton Exchange Building, the Stone Stairs of Death, and numerous sealed-off tunnels .

The tunnels once led into the basements of buildings located on nearby Bay Street. There’s speculation, but no definitive proof, that the tunnels were used to transport enslaved men and women from the river to the city’s slave auction blocks.

Even though the tunnels are bricked over now, there are a few places where the bricks have been knocked loose. You can even reach your cell phone inside to take a picture — if you’re brave enough.

I’ve only done it once, but that’s because I’m more scared of bugs crawling on me than I am of ghosts.

Personally, I think Factors Walk is one of the spookiest places you can visit in the entire city! In my personal opinion, I find the western side of Factors Walk spookier than the eastern side.

Graveface Museum

If you’re into the weird and unusual, check out Graveface Museum on East Factors Walk. It’s one of the more unusual things to do in Savannah !

The museum has an entire room dedicated to showcasing serial killer memorabilia, plus it’s loaded with all kinds of other oddities.

Factors Walk Safety Tips

Factors Walk is definitely spookiest at night.

The many shadowy nooks and crannies on the lowest two levels are common resting spots for transient travelers — which adds to the spook factor.

You never know who might be watching you as you explore!

However, I don’t recommend exploring Factors Walk on your own after dark for safety reasons. Take a group of friends with you and make sure everyone stays alert, or go with a tour guide.

Check out my Savannah Crime Map to stay updated on current crime trends in the area.

Q: Can you tour it? Yes. You can wander around on your own or go on a guided ghost tour.

432 Abercorn

The Benjamin Wilson House | 432 Abercorn, Savannah, Georgia 31401

This home just can’t shake its haunted reputation, even though it recently underwent an extensive multi-million dollar renovation.

Since at least March of 2021, the owners have been living in the home and cohabitating peacefully with any lingering spirits.

432 Abercorn was originally constructed in 1869 for the Wilson family. In recent times, the home stood empty for roughly 40 years on one of the most sought-after lots in the entire city.

The house actually had an owner for all those years… she just didn’t live in it!

Paying thousands of dollars per year in property taxes just to let a multi-million dollar house sit empty and unused definitely helped cement its standing as the most haunted home in Savannah .

The photos above show what 432 Abercorn looked like in 2018, before the new owners began the renovation work.

General Benjamin Wilson

The most persistent tale about this house is that the original owner, Benjamin Wilson, left his daughter tied to a chair in her room for days on end in the sweltering Savannah heat.

He did this to punish her for playing with children he considered “beneath” the family’s standing.

After she reportedly died, Wilson became so distraught that he is said to have killed himself in the home.

Many ghost hunters claim you can still spot the girl’s face in a second-story window as she peers outside, watching children from the nearby Massie School at play without her in Calhoun Square across the street.

From there, additional stories about the home took on a life of their own…

Rumors About 432 Abercorn

You’d be hard-pressed to find a home in Savannah with more haunted stories surrounding it than this one!

There’s the wacky tale of a triple homicide in the home, plus rumors that Anton LaVey attempted to purchase the house to use it as the East Coast branch for his organization, the Church of Satan.

There’s also a long-standing rumor that your camera will break if you attempt to photograph the home.

I write in detail about the tales above, plus more theories, in my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide . I also separate fact from fiction in the ebook and tell you what’s true vs. the rumors that have spread over time!

HINT: Much of the above is rumor!

If you don’t want to purchase my ebook, I also wrote an in-depth blog post where I attempt to debunk the many ghost stories about 432 Abercorn .

Q: Can you tour it? No. You can walk past to see it, and many of the ghost tours drive by it, but it’s a private residence and there are no tours. The owners would most likely prefer to be left alone!

Wright Square

Wright Square | Intersection of Bull & W York Streets, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Although many of Savannah’s peaceful squares are adorned with beautiful Southern live oaks draped in Spanish moss, you’ll find that Wright Square isn’t one of them.

It’s a stunning square, no doubt! But the moss refuses to grow on any of the trees in the square. Many claim that’s because the moss won’t grow where wicked spirits flow .

I just made that up. Ha! Some ghost tour guide is probably going to steal it from me as soon as they read this.

Just remember, folks… you heard it here first . That’s right; I’m the cheesiest.

It really has been said that the moss won’t grow in any areas where ghosts linger. If that’s true, then Wright Square has good reason to be moss-free, since it’s also known as the Hanging Square .

Alice Riley & The Hanging Square

Wright Square is where some of Savannah’s earliest convicted criminals met their untimely death — like Alice Riley, who was hanged there for committing the first murder on record in the city of Savannah. That occurred way back in 1735.

A few days before she died, Alice gave birth to a baby. However, that child was taken from her shortly before she was hanged.

Now it’s said her spirit wanders Wright Square in search of a newborn baby to cuddle as her own.

The square is also home to the marker of Yamacraw Indian Chief Tomochichi — an ally to General Oglethorpe, who founded the colony of Georgia.

Even though his marker is in the square, Tomochichi’s remains have been, shall we say “misplaced” with the passage of time.

The Ghost of Tomochichi

Some brilliant ghost tour guide decided to start the rumor that if you circle his monument three times and ask, “Where is Tomochichi?,” he’ll respond with, “Nowhere” as his snarky whispered comeback.

Give it a try it if you want, and let me know what happens. (Most likely, you’ll just get some goofy looks from locals and no response from Tomochichi.)

Q: Can you tour it? Yes. You can explore it on your own 24-hours a day. Many of the guided ghost tours also include it as a stop.

Moon River Brewing

Moon River Brewing | 21 West Bay Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

The Moon River Brewing Company is one of the older still-standing buildings in Savannah. It was constructed in 1821 and originally served as the City Hotel.

Here’s a postcard from the Georgia Historical Society showing what it looked like in the year 1837.

Duels in Savannah GA

Back in the early 1800s, dueling was considered a popular gentlemanly method for settling disputes. Politicians — and even presidents — were known to participate in duels!

Here are a few of the more notorious duels in Savannah .

In 1832, James Jones Stark and Dr. Phillip Minis participated in a duel near the hotel bar. Stark died, so I guess you could say Minis won that battle.

Minis was tried for murder, but he claimed self-defense and was acquitted.

Some people claim Stark’s spirit still roams the building.

Moon River Brewing Haunted?

The Moon River Brewing Company purchased the building in the 1990s and began renovating it, and that’s when most of the ghost stories started.

The fourth floor and the basement are considered the two most haunted areas. In fact, the fourth level has such bad vibes that it’s still in near-original condition.

That’s reportedly because construction crews refuse to work there!

To be honest, I think that part is a bunch of malarky. People will renovate anything in Savannah if you throw enough money at them — ghosts or no ghosts.

The basement level has been featured on many ghost hunter shows, and film crews typically report finding signs of paranormal activity.

“Tony” the Grumpy Ghost

One ghost in the basement appears to employees so frequently that Moon River crews have even given him a nickname. “Tony” is an angry apparition who is known for pushing people around.

Sometimes he knocks over bottles or grabs the ankles of frightened bar patrons.

Q: Can you tour it? Yes. Stop in during business hours for a drink! A few haunted pub tours stop there, as well. Click here to see my favorite Savannah ghost tours.

The Marshall House

The Marshall House | 123 E. Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

This is easily one of the most haunted hotels in Savannah, and it’s also one of the most beautiful. Fortunately for my fellow ghost hunters, it currently operates as a hotel.

That means you can stay there as a guest!!

It consistently tops my list of the Best Accommodations in Savannah . The cheerful second-story veranda makes the perfect spot to relax in a rocking chair while sipping a glass of sweet tea.

Bones Beneath the Floorboards

The hotel was completed in 1851, but it also served as a makeshift Union Army hospital during the Civil War — and again during multiple Yellow Fever outbreaks in Savannah.

It’s been rumored that when the building was being renovated in the late 1990s, construction workers discovered amputated human bones hidden beneath the floorboards.

As the story goes, construction was immediately halted, the hotel was marked as a crime scene, and the bones were sent out for further examination.

The bones reportedly dated back to the Civil War era and were likely placed there when injured soldiers had to have their limbs amputated.

Reportedly, much of the war-era hospital work occurred on the fourth floor of the hotel so people passing by at the street level wouldn’t hear screams as soldiers’ body parts were amputated.

Haunted Rooms at The Marshall House

For that reason, the fourth floor is considered the most haunted, and Room 414 in particular is said to be the most active. Guests often mention an odd and persistent odor in that room. (Perhaps it’s the stench of death?)

I wrote an in-depth post about The Marshall House and added stories from a few of my readers who have stayed in room 414 and other haunted rooms.

Q: Can you tour it? Yes. You can wander through the lobby level. If you want to tour any other areas, you’d need to stay there as a guest. Click here to check current rates.

Bradley Lock and Key

Bradleys Lock and Key | 24 E State Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

This is one of the lesser-known of Savannah’s haunted businesses, but that doesn’t make it any less spooky! It certainly appears to be the most haunted from the exterior.

I love peeking through the windows of this shop! It’s filled with every type of key imaginable, as well as vintage safes and odd trinkets.

Haunted by Houdini

The shop was founded by the Bradley family in the 1800s. The founder’s son was friends with the famous illusionist, Harry Houdini, and even named his son after him: William Houdini “Dini” Bradley. (May he rest in peace; the beloved local passed in 2019.) The shop is currently in the hands of the fourth and fifth generation of Bradleys.

It’s been rumored that Houdini’s ghost might haunt the place.

I have no clue if that’s true, but I love this old building so much that I just had to include it on my list! If you’re doing a walking tour of all the spots I’ve included in this post, you’ll walk right past it when you’re headed from The Marshall House to Wright Square.

Give it a peep, and let me know what you think!

Q: Can you tour it? No. You can walk by and explore the outside, and you can even peep in the windows, but it’s an active locksmith business, so I don’t suggest going in there to bug them about ghosts. If you need to have keys made or if you get locked out of your car, then by all means stop in for a visit!

Colonial Park Cemetery

Colonial Park Cemetery | 200 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

If I had to pick the one place in Savannah where people claim to see ghosts most often, it would probably be in hauntingly beautiful Colonial Park Cemetery .

Ghosts have reportedly been captured on camera and on video in the cemetery.

Colonial Park was established way back in 1750, and it quickly tripled in size — which can partly be attributed to the Yellow Fever outbreaks I previously mentioned.

The Great Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1820 killed as many as 700 people, and those bodies were often buried in mass graves. Colonial Park is the site of at least one such mass burial.

What many visitors don’t realize, is that the cemetery’s boundaries are much larger than the actual fence currently surrounding the area.

Walking on Graves

When you walk on the sidewalks and streets extending beyond the cemetery, you’re actually walking atop graves that have been paved or bricked over.

Some say that’s why Savannah is considered America’s most haunted city …because so many of the dead have been displaced or disrespected.

They’re probably wandering around in search of a peaceful final resting place!

The cemetery closes nightly at 8 pm (5 pm during the winter season). Back in earlier times when it was open all night, it was a popular spot for hoodoo practitioners to perform ceremonies!

Q: Can you tour it? Yes, you can do a self-guided tour during the daytime hours. Most guided ghost tours don’t enter the actual cemetery, but instead skirt around the outer boundary, so know that before purchasing.

The Pirates’ House

The Pirates’ House | 20 East Broad Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

If you’ve ever wanted to see the oldest surviving building in the state of Georgia, head on over to The Pirates’ House!

The Herb House portion of the building was constructed in 1734 and is still standing today.

The house is even mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, “Treasure Island,” and you can find early edition pages of the manuscript in the restaurant’s Treasure Room. .

The Pirates’ House currently operates as one of Savannah’s most haunted restaurants , and it’s very popular amongst tourists.

Back in the mid-1800s, privateers reportedly targeted drunken men at the bar, knocked them over the head, and then hauled the unconscious men through tunnels below the restaurant and then out to sea.

When the men awoke, they found themselves forced to work aboard pirate ships as imprisoned sailors. They were tossed overboard if they refused!

The spirits of many of those sailors are said to haunt the building today.

Multiple employees have reported feeling a sensation of being watched, only to turn around and see a man who then faded into thin air before them.

The employees also often hear moans originating from the tunnels and the sounds of boots echoing across wooden floorboards when the restaurant is nearly empty.

Q: Can you tour it? Yes, if you’re dining at the restaurant. They also have a gift shop, so if you’re not dining, you can wander in to visit the store.

The Olde Pink House

The Olde Pink House | 23 Abercorn, Savannah, Georgia 31401

This famous building currently serves as another popular restaurant beloved by tourists and locals alike. The home dates back to 1771 and once served as the first bank in the state of Georgia.

It’s reported that the home’s original owner, James Habersham, Jr., commonly appears in uniform to raise his glass to fellow patrons in the downstairs tavern. He then fades away as you’re watching!

Employees have also reported hearing sounds of a woman sobbing in the upstairs level of the building and have experienced a mysterious tidy “helper” who straightens up behind them.

The scariest tale stems from the ladies restroom at the pub level. So many women reported being locked inside the bathroom stall that the owners finally removed the door’s lock!

Even with the lock removed, many women still struggle with opening the door.

The photo above shows what the house looked like in 1936, before they added any of the pretty exterior landscaping. This photo was also taken before the area to the left of the front entry was excavated to add an entry to the downstairs tavern.

Q: Can you tour it? They allow patrons to tour the building. It’s very popular, so I suggest making reservations well in advance.

Sorrel-Weed House

Sorrel-Weed | 6 West Harris Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

This home was built by Francis Sorrel in the 1840s, and he lived there with his wife, Matilda.

Ghost tour operators will tell you Matilda discovered Francis being intimate with an enslaved laborer named Molly, with whom he’d had a long-time affair.

She then reportedly killed herself by leaping from the second story balcony. Weeks later, Molly hung herself from a noose in the carriage house.

Or so the story goes. I debunk much of that tale in my ebook.

It’s been said their spirits both still wander the home. Cell phone batteries are also said to drain abnormally fast inside, especially in the basement.

The Sorrel-Weed House has been highlighted by HGTV’s “If Walls Could Talk,” The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), Conde Nast, and many others.

I always love seeing what these old houses looked like “back in the day,” don’t you? The photo above was taken in 1936 for a Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) for the National Park Service.

This home is one of the few (reportedly) haunted houses in Savannah that invites guests inside the home in search of ghosts.

Q: Can you tour it? Yes. You can pay to take guided tours through the house. It’s a beautiful historic home! I wrote all about it here: The Sorrel Weed House: Let the Debunking Begin!

Taylor Square (Formerly Calhoun Square)

Taylor Square | Intersection of East Gordon and Abercorn Streets, Savannah, Georgia 31401

This beautiful square is the only one in Savannah that still has all of the original structures surrounding it still intact. The most haunted house in Savannah, 432 Abercorn Street (mentioned further above), sits facing Taylor Square.

The square itself is allegedly the site of a massive unmarked slave burial ground. Visitors to the square often report feeling uneasy and say the air feels “heavy” there.

It’s estimated there might be thousands of bodies buried in the area in and around Taylore Square.

That was further confirmed in 2004 when city workers uncovered a skull and various bones along the SE corner of the square.

Q: Can you tour it? Yes, you’re free to explore it on your own 24/7. Some of the walking ghost tours also stop by Taylor Square.

BONUS SPOT: Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery | 330 Bonaventure Road, Thunderbolt, Savannah 31404

Now, the folks out at Bonaventure don’t ever bill it as a destination for ghost hunters, but I can’t write a list of haunted places in Savannah, GA , without mentioning one of the city’s most beautiful cemeteries.

Bonaventure Cemetery sits on the grounds of a former plantation and is located along the beautiful banks of the Wilmington River.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

The cemetery is referenced multiple times in John Berendt’s book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” .

The photo of the bird girl statue that graces the cover was even taken in Bonaventure — although it had to be removed from the cemetery long ago to prevent vandalism.

In the movie adaptation of the popular book, Jim Williams is seen driving past Bonaventure on his way to meet Minerva the Voodoo Priestess (she was actually a “Root Lady” or Root Doctor), who often cast her spells in Savannah’s cemeteries late at night.

People often mistakenly think they’re in Bonaventure in the movie scene. However, if you listen closely, Jim says they’re headed to the “colored cemetery down the road” — which is likely a reference to Laurel Grove South.

The half hour before midnight is for doin’ good. The half hour after midnight is for doin’ evil. Seems like we need a little of both tonight. Minerva the Voodoo Priestess, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”

While I don’t condone sneaking into any of Savannah’s cemeteries late at night to work your voodoo magic on anyone, I do recommend checking out Bonaventure during the daylight hours.

It’s particularly beautiful in the springtime, when the plots are lined with thousands of pink azaleas .

If you’re interested in learning more about the fascinating history of the cemetery, I suggest booking a tour with Bonaventure Don . He’s a Savannahian through and through — with parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all buried at Bonaventure.

Q: Can you tour it? Yes. You can drive or walk through the cemetery anytime it’s open.

The Truth About Savannah’s Most Haunted Spots

To see which of the above stories are true and which are false, I suggest purchasing my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide .

It goes more in-depth about Savannah’s most haunted locations and also includes a printable checklist of each of the sites mentioned here — plus at least 15 more haunted areas for you to check out in Savannah!

Haunted Savannah: Related Reading

Can’t get enough of the most haunted places in Savannah Georgia? Here are a few additional posts to check out…

• 21 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Factors Walk
• What’s the Most Haunted Bed & Breakfast in Savannah?
• Is 17Hundred90 Inn Haunted by the Ghost of Anna?
• Is The Marshall House Really the Most Haunted Hotel in Savannah?

Have fun getting spooked while you’re out and about! Don’t forget to book your Savannah ghost tour .

So…which of the most haunted places in Savannah Georgia do you want to visit first? Let me know in the comments below!

Love this post? Pin it now to save for later!

20 Comments on The 11 Most Haunted Places in Savannah Georgia

The Olde Pink House looks fascinating! Great guide, loved reading it.

Wow! So many haunted palaces in Savannah! I got curious about going there now despite knowing nothing about the place from before!

This post is absolutely awesome! People always say Savannah is so much like New Orleans, but I’ve never been! I think it might be first our list when we can travel again. Thanks for the spooky spots list, I’m going to bookmark it for when we finally take that trip ~M

It’s a lot like New Orleans…lots of booze, historic buildings, and ghosts. I hope you’re able to make the trip soon. I’m so ready to travel again!

Ghost tours are SO fun (and spooky). Would love to do one in Savannah!

Pirates!!! How cool! I also love that vertical graveyard. I really need to get to Savannah! A weekend getaway is in my future.

The vertical graveyard is very unique! It makes for some pretty photos. It’s sad that so many headstones have been displaced through the years, though.

This was a really good read. Although I’m not really a believer in ghosts, I love doing ghost tours and freaking myself out haha. Also some of these places look lovely just as a building too – the pink house is stunning!

We toured the Moon River Brewing Co and down in the basement I took a picture of the tour guide and there was a string of light going from the ceiling down to guides lantern…but you couldn’t see it during her talk. Also, on the upper levels none of my pictures would focus..it looked like there was some kind of energy field interfering with my pictures and one had an orb in it along with strings of light. I had this issue down on the river front also..there was definitely something some kind of energy at play in theae places.

Ooh, that’s really neat to hear! There is a strange energy in many places in Savannah.

Just returned from my romantic trip with my husband and knew nothing of The Marshall House Hotel; just thought it was cute, quaint, perfect location and perfect getaway place to stay. I’ve learned a lot the morning I checked out and since. I loved Savannah and can’t wait to plan another 2nd stay. My husband said it just won’t be at an historic hotel. LOL. I also loved Marshall House!

I think it’s cute and quaint, too, and I love the convenience of the location. I’m giggling at your husband’s response. Maybe he’s not a fan of ghosts?

Great highlights for a visitor to the city! I was there in 2006 and have been dying to go back. One question however- This may be confusing but here Goes lol On the tour we took, the guide told a story about a fire (I think) and children (maybe orphans) that either died in the building or some survived, others didn’t, or a staff member that saved kids but died. I feel like it was children that haunted the place. I’ve been searching for this story for years and cannot find anything close! I know the home sat on the corner of one of the squares, possibly near the “hanging tree”. Any chance you or anyone knows what I am thinking of? I hope so because it drives me crazy!!

That’s probably the old girls orphanage over by Greene Square. It caught fire at some point and about half of the girls who lived in the orphanage died. It’s a rather nondescript 3-story brick house on Houston Street. It’s not near the hanging tree, though.

Here’s a link to the text discussing it in the book, Haunted Savannah: https://books.google.com/books?id=zrC3DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=117+houston+street+savannah+fire&source=bl&ots=hjV1h1MzOj&sig=ACfU3U30saBbqFHi2N6oYHM7Tgqa15Nmkw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiw_diJ2KXyAhXQB80KHU5fBnUQ6AF6BAghEAM#v=onepage&q=117%20houston%20street%20savannah%20fire&f=false

I really wish your book was printable. I found your information very fascinating and you didn’t seem to be sunk in hyperbole. Everything read as facts as you know them. Thanks, I look forward to coming this December.

Thanks, Susan! I’ve had more than a few requests to turn my ebook into a paperback, so I have plans to have it formatted into a printable version for the next issue. And you’re correct about the hyperbole…I feel that Savannah is interesting enough without embellishment!

Can I purchase your guide in book form ?

I’m working on a print version for 2022, but it isn’t available just yet.

This is a wonderful article! We are planning our return trip to Savannah in a few weeks and are looking for some (spooky!) fun and historical adventure.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• dark tourism
• Andaman & Nicobar
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Channel Islands
• Cyprus (North)
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• Easter Island
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands
• French Guiana
• Great Britain
• [Nagorno-Karabakh]
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• North Korea
• Philippines
• South Africa
• South Georgia
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Transnistria
• Tristan da Cunha
• Turkmenistan

Georgia, Caucasus

• disclaimer & privacy policy

© dark-tourism.com, Peter Hohenhaus 2009-2024

Uncensored Zombie Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour of Savannah (Ages 18+)

• Delve deeper into the petrifying past of Savannah on an adult ghost tour
• A great introduction to Savannah's haunted history for first-time visitors
• Receive personalized attention in a small group limited to 14 people
• A guide revels information that you're unlikely to find in the guidebook
• See itinerary
• Local guide
• Professional guide
• Tour escort/host
• Entry/Admission - Chippewa Square
• Food and drinks
• Chippewa Square, Savannah, GA 31401, USA Check in at 9:45 pm. Our tours meet in the center of Chippewa Square. Squares in Savannah do NOT have addresses. For GPS purposes use 222 Bull Street- this is The Savannah Theater. Chippewa Square is next to the theater. Check in at 9:45 pm in the center of Chippewa Square.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Chippewa Square

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Chippewa Square Savannah, GA 31401, USA Check in at 9:45 pm. Our tours meet in the center of Chippewa Square. Squares in Savannah do NOT have addresses. For GPS purposes use 222 Bull Street- this is The Savannah Theater. Chippewa Square is next to the theater. Check in at 9:45 pm in the center of Chippewa Square. See address & details
• 1 Chippewa Square Stop: 2 hours - Admission included Check in at 9:45 pm. Guided walking ghost tours throughout the Savannah Historic District. Tours are led by licensed guides who are also professional storytellers, authors and playwrights. Ample photo opportunities are available as well. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• RunHikeRun 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Walking Through the Dark History of Savannah Our tour with Lance was awesome! He met us promptly and explained where to get drinks/hit the restrooms before the tour. We covered a lot of history and saw so many parks and squares. Lance knows his Savannah history and shared it engagingly and entertainingly. We also loved seeing the pictures that Lance had on his tablet of pictures from previous tours. We loved chatting with him after the tour about some things we experienced and other opportunities for paranormal experiences in Savannah. This was such a great tour and a great way to learn about Savannah's darker history. Read more Written April 6, 2024
• esherrell82 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Ask for LANCE!!! Lance was an AMAZING tour guide. He is very knowledgeable and able to answer everyone's questions. He has taken the time to research the stories and tell what actually happened and has an incredible array of paranormal photos taken on the tours. Will definitely take this tour again!!! Read more Written March 15, 2024
• jlrcommercial 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A fun nighttime activity Lance was a confident teacher of history underlying Savannah's haunts, enhanced by ipad videos. Kids 14 and 10 loved it--and parents were very amused. Read more Written January 2, 2024
• stephaniecA3273CD 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles All ages tour Highly recommend! This was the perfect ghost tour experience! Our tour guide, Adam kept us entertained and interested the whole time. Great way to see Savannah’s historic district! Read more Written October 7, 2023
• courtneygO1542HU 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic We had a great time with our tour guide Lance! He was very knowledgeable and did a fantastic job! Would recommend to others. Read more Written September 21, 2023
• 885jenk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Girls Trip & Birthday Fun Our tour guide, Lance, was great! Very informative and interesting tour! Definitely a must do when in Savannah. Read more Written September 10, 2023
• sandrabB6920FM 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderfully fascinating! Wonderful tour and really great guide named Brandon. Spooky but learned a lot about events, places and people in historic Savannah. Totally enjoyed!! Read more Written June 18, 2023
• 925kayleen 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour! Such a fun experience! We went on the 8pm family-friendly guided tour with Brandon and had a blast! Even though the stories are safe for children, it is not the least bit boring and you’ll get to see some of the best spooky haunts around town. Brandon is very knowledgeable and an incredibly entertaining tour guide, if you want someone who knows their stuff, he’s your guy. If you’re looking for a fun way to get to know more about the city and it’s various hauntings (and maybe even get to handle some other paranormal equipment), this is definitely the tour to go on. Read more Written May 28, 2023
• 709jeniw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Lovely Ghost Tour with Adam I loved this ghost tour with our tour guide, Adam! He had a wonderful sense of humor and kept our large group entertained and engaged throughout the night. Adam allowed us to have a say in choosing our experience, giving us some options about where to go next a few times during the tour. I highly recommend this tour with Adam. Read more Written March 5, 2023
• 189cindis 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun experience Our guide was informative and funny. ( middle school history teacher helps). Only wish the cemetery was open at night. Read more Written October 9, 2022
• izbstina 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Adam is a must guide! From Ohio- and taking a trip to show my niece and nephews something different and decided on savannah because it’s the most haunted city in the USA. Adam was our guide - wow! Impressed! Thoroughly enjoyed his dry sense of humor. He often said things under his breath assuming no one was listening - but I laughed and caught it all. But back to the tour- Adam was very mindful of his audience. He took social cues if people were bored and also was very respectful asking people if they were comfortable seeing or doing things. AND HE WOWWWW HIS KNOWLEDGE!!! I have been on many paranormal and ghost tours and he Knew. His. Stuff. He had updates real estate transaction histories, old history aligned with new facts and an over abundance of love for history and Savannah. But loved the humor! It was a great walking tour! Guided with insight, facts, and personal experience mixed with comedy! Read more Written October 7, 2022
• Renae V 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Savannah Blue Orb tours for the WIN Our family of 11 all did the Blue Orb Savannah Shadow Tour. Our tour guide Adam was fantastic!! He had great humor, but also was very informative and very open to all sorts of questions. We enjoyed the walking tour over the trolley tour so we could REALLY experience Savannah and all the stories first hand. Read more Written August 5, 2022
• Vernon N 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour My wife and I loved this tour! Brandon was an awesome guide; he was very knowledgeable about the paranormal in general and the Savannah ghosts in specific. I’m in a wheelchair and the sidewalks in Savannah are not wheelchair friendly. Brandon, was very kind and helped us s time or two. Brandon interjected humor into his presentation which made it that much more fun! Blue Orb allowed us to change nights from a Saturday to Sunday without question. Read more Written April 27, 2022
• Southna83 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Funny and Amazing tour with our Guide Brandon In the beginning I thought would be boring then our guide Brandon made this experience "scary" and super funny. Unforgettable experience. Thank you 😊 Read more Written April 3, 2022
• supersega 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles So much fun to do with the kids and dog! I was down south visiting family. We had 4 children (7-11 years old), 3 adults, and a dog. We wanted to find an activity we could do with the dog that would be fun for all. We found blue orb through bringrover.com. The reason we chose blue orb is that we had really bizarre things happening while searching their site. <we have a camera in my car back in ny and it was going off as if there was someone in my car. it kept going off for the whole time i was on their website. My husband checked some of the other cameras and saw a strange light going on and off in the back of my car. So I picked the place where we already seemed to have a spooky experience. > We drove over an hour to get into Savannah and walked around beforehand and grabbed bubble tea and yummy dumplings at a place next to the square we had to meet the tour. I strongly recommend comfortable shoes and dressing appropriately for the walk. Adam was our tour guide. He was great. We totally loved his vibe and sense of humor. The tour takes you around the city and tells ghost stories of things that happened in Savannah. We had a great time and loved listening to the history. There was one spot in the tour where my dog seemed to start acting strange, jumping back shaking his head stepping forward jumping back again - started barking towards someone which he never does. I brushed it off a bit and pulled him to the side so as not to ruin anyone's tour. For the kids, we "pretended" that Eddie must have seen a ghost...oooooooo. Even not feeling like we saw any ghosts I would definitely go on this tour again - I would like to come back without the kids and maybe do the adults-only tour. We also agree that this would be a lot of fun to do during Halloween for an extra creepy vibe. It was beautiful to take a nice long walk with the dog and tire our puppy out without having a place to let him run around. Anywho - on our way back my 9 year old told me that in the same place the dog was acting out he saw a spirit that kept staring at him and mimicking his movement. He described it to me and I brushed it off as his imagination running wild. Welp, my niece started looking at the pictures she took from our tour and no lying - there are two clear figures in one of the photos. She had taken several in the one spot and nothing was in the first 2, but the last one she took looks like a young kid hiding in the bushes peeking from a space, and figure above/behind the fence. It is clear as day! Now I would like to go back just to take more pictures and not just have it as something cute to do with the family. Read more Written March 6, 2022

More to explore in Savannah

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Buy it with

Uncensored Zombie Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour of Savannah (Ages 18+) provided by Blue Orb Savannah Ghost Tours

GPB Originals

Browse by genre, featured programs, featured programs & series, more gpb news, for kids & teachers, ghsa sports, high school football, browse by type, browse by category, for parents & caregivers, support gpb, gpb newsletter cta, banner image, section branding, header content, tagged as: , anything but a ghost tour: savannah dark history tour serves up frights through facts, not fiction.

October 30, 2022 12:00 PM

• Benjamin Payne

Share this page

Primary Content

Attorney by day, historical tour guide by night, Brandon Carter eschews ghost stories in favor of “things that actually happened” throughout Savannah's morbid history. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.

When Brandon Carter moved to Savannah a few years ago, he thought his tour guide days were behind him.

The former National Park Service ranger led historical tours in the mid-2000s at Richmond National Battlefield Park in Virginia, before leaving for law school and becoming an attorney specializing in legal ethics (“an oxymoron,” as Carter jokingly calls his area of expertise).

Fast-forward to 2019 when he began renting an apartment near the notorious Mercer-Williams House of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame.

That's when things changed.

“I would sit on the front porch [of my apartment], maybe having a beer from time to time, and I would hear the tours come through,” Carter said. “The things they were saying could not be true. So, I looked into it, and they absolutely were not true.

“I thought that I will start something that will be the antithesis to the traditional Savannah tour and we'll call it Savannah True History Tours . Every fact that I present, I'll be able to show you exactly where it came from.”

And that's how his side hustle came to be.

“There's no need to make up history in Savannah,” Carter says, “because there's enough interesting stuff if you're willing to go find it.

And he's more than willing to go find it — and take others along for the ride. New this fall to his solo operation is the Savannah Dark History Tour, a two-hour walk through downtown that uncovers the macabre without turning to tall tales and fanciful ghost stories.

And Carter makes that very clear from the start.

“I'm not a big ghost guy, so we're not going to talk about ghosts,” he tells a group of about a dozen people gathered along Bay Street on a brisk October night.

“And if that's what you were expecting, let me know and I'd be happy to refund you. What we are going to do is review some original history that I've done — original research. We're going to talk about things that actually happened in Savannah. And when we talk about those things, we're actually going to be where most of those things happened. We're also going to poke some holes in some of those ghost tour myths.”

Tag along on the tour, in this “audio postcard” from GPB's Benjamin Payne:

Secondary Content

About the author.

Benjamin is the Savannah-based reporter for GPB, where he covers Coastal Georgia.

Prior to coming to Savannah, he freelanced in Bellingham, Washington, for public media outlets including NPR, Marketplace , and PRX. Previously, Benjamin hosted Morning Edition for WVIK, his hometown NPR member station in Rock Island, Ill. Before that, he served a news internship with NPR member station WBEZ in Chicago.

Benjamin is a graduate of the University of Nevada-Reno's journalism master's program, and earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from Augustana College in Rock Island.

Bottom Content

Related news.

A blast from St. Patrick's Day past: Savannah tour guide tells story of city's inaugural 1824 parade

200 years later, tour guide Brandon Carter retraces the origins of Savannah's popular St. Patrick's Day parade.

New historical marker in Savannah honors roots of city's 200-year-old St. Patrick's Day parade

The downtown marker at 132 Montgomery St. will be unveiled Saturday.

New historical marker in Savannah honors first Black woman to serve on Republican National Committee

In the early 1920s, Mamie George Williams helped register 40,000 Black women in Georgia to vote, overcoming Jim Crow laws that sought to deny them the franchise.

Support Quality Journalism

GPB is committed to bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world.  Your support makes this possible.  Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service.

Experience TRUE Savannah

Welcome to savannah.

Join us for a stroll through Historic Savannah. Your guide will be a former National Park Service Park Ranger turned attorney. We believe everyone deserves access to Savannah's history. Accordingly, our in-depth tours are among the most reasonably priced in town. Also, kids are free! Our guide absolutely loves this city, and you’ll feel it from the first minute of his tours. Whether you’ve been in Savannah an hour or a lifetime, you’ll learn something new on these tours.

We're Savannah's most comprehensive tour company. No one matches our level of research or attention to detail. We even take time on each tour to correct myths espoused by other tour companies. That's why we were voted both Best Walking Tour and Best Tour Guide by Connect Savannah's Readers in our first year of business. In the Fall of 2022 alone, we were featured on both the Discovery Channel and Georgia Public Broadcasting. We strive to set Savannah's record straight!

Connect Savannah Magazine

2024 Best Walking Tour, Runner-up Best Tour Guide, Runner-up Best Tour Company

2023 Best Walking Tour, Best Tour Guide, Best Tour Company, Best All-Around Savannah Resident

2022 Best Walking Tour, Best Tour Guide, Runner-up Best Tour Company

Savannah Magazine

2023 Best Tour Guide

UPCOMING PUBLIC TOURS

4/29 - Dark History Tour, 7:30 PM

5/4 - Dark History Tour, 7:30 PM

5/7 - Savannah History 101 Tour, 1:15 PM

Savannah History 101 Walking Tour

Colonial Park Cemetery Tour

Your Guide...

My name is Brandon, and I’ll be your guide through Historic Savannah. My background in the field of history is quite extensive. I graduated with distinction from the Virginia Military Institute (History Major, of course). My historic and interpretive skills were honed while serving as a Park Ranger at the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Additionally, I had an article published wherein I argued that Civil War battles may have caused rain (Ask me about it – I’ll try to send you the link. It’s OK to decline and call me a nerd.). All-in-all, I bring over fifteen years of historian/tour experience to our time together.

I’m also a member of the Georgia Historical Society, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, and the Friends of Honey Hill, an organization actively preserving and interpreting the Honey Hill Battlefield in South Carolina. Once you inevitably learn of my interest in craft beer, it will not surprise you to know I'm a co-founder and Board Member of Richmond Beeristoric, a 501(c)(3) that leads tours of beer-related historic sites in Richmond, Virginia.  

Tours are what I do for fun. My day job is that of attorney. I represent breweries, bars, and my firm’s attorneys in legal ethics and conflict of interest matters. As you can imagine, there’s plenty of work to be done there.  

I live in Downtown Savannah, and it’s exactly where I want to be. Thank you for giving me the great pleasure of showing you around my beautiful hometown.  

Why Savannah True History Tours?

Just the facts.

With Savannah True History Tours, your personal guide is a former National Park Service Ranger and historian with a degree from VMI. We are Certified Tour Guides by the Tourism Leadership Council and share the factual, verifiable history of our beautiful city.

We are passionate about sharing our history and heritage, and that means making our tours accessible to groups and families. This history belongs to the people, and we want as many as possible to appreciate and preserve it.

Personal Attention

We're a guide-owned, family-owned business. We limit the sizes of our groups and take the time to answer your questions. We take our customer experience seriously because preserving our rich, shared history depends on it.  

Around Savannah ( & Tour Photos )

Ready to Go? Let's Connect

What our customers say..., caitlin f. - yelp.

I was fortunate to be on one of Brandon's first tours! My group absolutely loved it. Brandon's knowledge of Savannah  history is extensive and his passion for the city is evident. There are many tours in Savannah that tell good stories, but I've found they are  not always true. This is the first I've been on that combines good history with good story telling. Highly recommend for both visitors and  locals!

September 13th, 2021

Elise - TripAdvisor

Brandon was incredibly knowledgeable, full of interesting facts about Savannah and the area. He knows his stuff! He did an excellent job answering questions. A very comprehensive tour - he took us from the founding of Savannah in 1733 up to the present day. Wear good walking shoes and bring a drink! Loved that it was kid & pet friendly.

Melissa M. - TripAdvisor

Brandon makes learning about Savannah history so much fun! I learned stories I had never heard before and fell even more in love with the city. He is very knowledgeable, but also approachable. I will definitely take his tour when I come back to visit!

Monday - Saturday, 9am - 4pm

A Georgia beach aims to disrupt Black students’ spring bash after big crowds brought chaos last year

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. — Thousands of Black college students expected this weekend for an annual spring bash at Georgia’s largest public beach will be greeted by dozens of extra police officers and barricades closing off neighborhood streets. While the beach will remain open, officials are blocking access to nearby parking.

Tybee Island east of Savannah has grappled with the April beach party known as Orange Crush since students at Savannah State University, a historically Black school, started it more than 30 years ago. Residents regularly groused about loud music, trash littering the sand and revelers urinating in yards.

Those complaints boiled over into fear and outrage a year ago when record crowds estimated at more than 100,000 people overwhelmed the 3-mile island. That left a small police force scrambling to handle a flood of emergency calls reporting gunfire, drug overdoses, traffic jams and fist fights.

Mayor Brian West, elected last fall by Tybee Island’s 3,100 residents, said roadblocks and added police aren’t just for limiting crowds. He hopes the crackdown will drive Orange Crush away for good.

“This has to stop. We can’t have this crowd anymore,” West said. “My goal is to end it.”

Critics say local officials are overreacting and appear to be singling out Black visitors to a Southern beach that only white people could use until 1963. They note Tybee Island attracts vast crowds for the Fourth of July and other summer weekends when visitors are largely white, as are 92% of the island’s residents.

“Our weekends are packed with people all season, but when Orange Crush comes they shut down the parking, bring extra police and act like they have to take charge,” said Julia Pearce, one of the island’s few Black residents and leader of a group called the Tybee MLK Human Rights Organization. She added: “They believe Black folks to be criminals.”

During the week, workers placed metal barricades to block off parking meters and residential streets along the main road parallel to the beach. Two large parking lots near a popular pier are being closed. And Tybee Island’s roughly two dozen police officers will be augmented by about 100 sheriff’s deputies, Georgia state troopers and other officers.

Security plans were influenced by tactics used last month to reduce crowds and violence at  spring break in Miami Beach , which was observed by Tybee Island’s police chief.

Officials insist they’re acting to avoid a repeat of last year’s Orange Crush party, which they say became a public safety crisis with crowds at least double their typical size.

“To me, it has nothing to do with race,” said West, who believes city officials previously haven’t taken a stronger stand against Orange Crush because they feared being called racist. “We can’t let that be a reason to let our citizens be unsafe and so we’re not.”

Tybee Island police reported 26 total arrests during Orange Crush last year. Charges included one armed robbery with a firearm, four counts of fighting in public and five DUIs. Two officers reported being pelted with bottles, and two women told police they were beaten and robbed of a purse.

On a gridlocked highway about a mile off the island, someone fired a gun a into a car and injured one person. A white man was charged in the shooting, which officials blamed on road rage.

Orange Crush’s supporters and detractors alike say it’s not college students causing the worst problems.

Joshua Miller, a 22-year-old Savannah State University senior who plans to attend this weekend, said he wouldn’t be surprised if the crackdown was at least partly motivated by race.

“I don’t know what they have in store,” Miller said. ”I’m not going down there with any ill intent. I’m just going out there to have fun.”

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson was one of the Black students from Savannah State who helped launch Orange Crush in 1988. The university dropped involvement in the 1990s, and Johnson said that over time the celebration “got off the rails.” But he also told reporters he’s concerned about “over-representation of police” at the beach party.

At Nickie’s 1971 Bar & Grill near the beach, general manager Sean Ensign said many neighboring shops and eateries will close for Orange Crush though his will stay open, selling to-go food orders like last year. But with nearby parking spaces closed, Ensign said his profits might take a hit, “possibly a few thousand dollars.”

It’s not the first time Tybee Island has targeted the Black beach party. In 2017, the city council banned alcohol and amplified music on the beach only during Orange Crush weekend. A discrimination complaint to the U.S. Justice Department resulted in city officials signing  a non-binding agreement  to impose uniform rules for large events.

West says Orange Crush is different because it’s promoted on social media by people who haven’t obtained permits. A new  state law  lets local governments recoup public safety expenses from organizers of unpermitted events.

In February, Britain Wigfall was denied an permit for space on the island for food trucks during Orange Crush. The mayor said Wigfall has continued to promote events on the island.

Wigfall, 30, said he’s promoting a concert this weekend in Savannah, but nothing on Tybee Island involving Orange Crush.

“I don’t control it,” Wigfall said. “Nobody controls the date that people go down there.”

The Associated Press