Key takeaways
- Savannah's 22 historic squares, laid out from 1733, are the stage for its ghost tours.
- Visit Bonaventure Cemetery by day : its moss-draped oaks and statues are unforgettable.
- Famous haunts include the Sorrel-Weed House, Mercer-Williams House and Marshall House.
- October is ideal: mild weather, nightly tours and a city that loves dressing up.
Some cities have to work hard to feel spooky. Savannah does it by simply existing. Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe as the first city in the colony of Georgia, it is a place of shady squares, live oaks draped in Spanish moss, gas lamps, cobbled ramps and grand old houses with long memories. In October, when the heat eases and the nights turn mild, it is one of the most enchanting Halloween destinations in the country.
Why Savannah feels haunted
- Old bones. Parts of the city were built over earlier burial grounds, and several squares and buildings have long been linked with lost graves.
- Hard history. Yellow-fever epidemics, great fires, Revolutionary and Civil War battles, duels and the legacy of slavery shaped the city.
- Preservation. Savannah's historic district, one of the largest in the U.S., kept its 18th- and 19th-century streetscapes intact.
- Atmosphere. Moss, fog off the river, flickering gas lamps : the stage set is permanent.
The squares
Oglethorpe's original plan organized the city around open squares. Today 22 survive, each with its own character and many with their own ghost stories. Ghost tours typically weave between them after dark. Highlights include:
- Wright Square : linked in local lore to the colonial-era execution of Alice Riley.
- Madison Square : overlooked by the Sorrel-Weed House.
- Monterey Square : home of the Mercer-Williams House.
- Chippewa and Calhoun Squares : central to many ghost walks.
Cemeteries
Bonaventure Cemetery
A few miles east of downtown on the Wilmington River, Bonaventure is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in America : a former plantation where avenues of live oaks frame Victorian monuments, statues and family plots. It gained fame from John Berendt's 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The famous Bird Girl statue from the book's cover has been moved to Telfair Museums for safekeeping. Visit during daytime hours and consider a guided tour.
Colonial Park Cemetery
Downtown, opened in 1750, this was Savannah's main burial ground for more than a century and holds many victims of yellow fever. Local legend claims Union soldiers camping here during the Civil War altered dates on headstones. It's a park now, and a staple of evening ghost tours (from the outside, after hours).
Laurel Grove Cemetery
A historic 19th-century cemetery with sections for white and Black Savannahians, rich with history and quieter than Bonaventure.
Famous haunted places
| Place | The story |
|---|---|
| Sorrel-Weed House | A Greek Revival mansion with tales of tragedy; offers ghost-focused tours |
| Mercer-Williams House | Scene of the 1981 shooting at the heart of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; daytime house tours |
| The Marshall House | A historic hotel on Broughton Street, used as a hospital during the Civil War and yellow-fever outbreaks |
| The Pirates' House | A restaurant in an 18th-century building with legends of tunnels and shanghaied sailors |
| Moon River Brewing Company | A brewpub in a former hotel building, often featured on paranormal shows |
| Kehoe House | A Victorian inn with its own ghost stories |
Ghost tours
Savannah offers ghost tours in every format:
- Walking tours : the classic, lantern-lit stroll through the squares.
- Trolley tours : cover more ground; good for families and anyone who prefers not to walk.
- Hearse tours : ride through the city in a converted hearse.
- Haunted pub crawls : Savannah allows open containers in parts of the historic district, which makes these popular (21+).
- Investigative tours : use equipment such as EMF meters inside reputedly haunted buildings.
Book ahead for October weekends, and choose the tone that suits you : some tours lean historical, others theatrical, and some are explicitly adults-only.
Halloween events
In October, Savannah's River Street, City Market and many squares host Halloween activities, from costume crawls to family festivals. Neighborhoods in the historic district and nearby areas are popular for trick-or-treating, with grand homes elaborately decorated. Check Visit Savannah's calendar for the current year's events.
Daytime Savannah
Balance the spooky with the city's many daytime pleasures:
- Forsyth Park and its famous fountain
- Telfair Museums, including the Bird Girl
- River Street and the riverfront
- Historic house museums such as the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, which tells the story of the enslaved people who lived and worked there
- SCAD galleries and shops
- Southern food : shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, pralines
Practical tips
- Weather: October is usually warm by day and pleasant at night : perfect for walking tours.
- Getting around: The historic district is very walkable; free shuttles and trolleys help with longer distances.
- Lodging: Historic inns fill fast in October; book early, especially for Halloween weekend.
- Respect cemeteries: Follow hours and rules, and don't touch fragile monuments.
- Dress comfortably: Uneven sidewalks and stairs are everywhere.
Continue the journey
Savannah pairs naturally with Charleston, St. Augustine and New Orleans for a southern ghost-city road trip : see Halloween in the American South. Next stop: St. Augustine, Florida.
Questions & answers
Is Savannah really haunted?
Savannah is often called one of America's most haunted cities because of its long history of epidemics, fires, wars and duels, and because parts of the historic district were built over old burial grounds. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, its stories and atmosphere make it a top destination for ghost tours.
What is the most haunted place in Savannah?
Popular contenders include the Sorrel-Weed House, Colonial Park Cemetery, the Marshall House hotel, the Pirates' House restaurant and the Mercer-Williams House, made famous by the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Can you visit Bonaventure Cemetery?
Yes. Bonaventure Cemetery is a city-owned cemetery open to visitors during daytime hours. Guided tours explain its history and notable graves. Check current hours before going, as it is not open at night.
Where is the Bird Girl statue?
The Bird Girl statue, made famous by the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, was moved from Bonaventure Cemetery to protect it and is now displayed by Telfair Museums in Savannah.
Tour offerings, cemetery hours and event dates change. Check Visit Savannah and the City of Savannah's cemetery pages before visiting.