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 Savannah ghost tours, 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.
Price: From $30
Duration: 2 hours
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.
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.
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, where 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.
Price: Adults from $25; kids from $10
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.
Price: From $38
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 the tour. The company also offers combination tickets for trolley sightseeing tours during the day.
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.
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.
