Fall is just around the corner and soon we’ll be celebrating one of the spookiest and most fun holidays of all – Halloween! Savannah, known as one of America’s most haunted cities, offers many ways to enjoy this unique holiday but one of the best has to be touring Bonaventure Cemetery.
Historic Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the city’s most iconic and beautiful features. It’s been here in one form or another since 1846 and there’s no need to wait for Halloween to visit it at all. People tour the cemetery all year long.
The picturesque graveyard encompasses almost 160 acres and is located on a bluff overlooking the Wilmington River. It began as a small, family plot but has long since grown well beyond those humble beginnings.
It’s now known as the final resting place of singer/songwriter Johnny Mercer, poet Conrad Aiken, Gracie Watson, and Edward Telfair, Georgia’s first governor. You’ll also find more than 500 Confederate graves here.
The cemetery’s also well known for it’s place in the popular book and film, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Both the cover of this book and poster for the movie feature images of the cemetery’s now famous “Bird Girl” statue. So famous, in fact, that the city felt they had to move “Bird Girl” to the Telfair Museum of Art to keep it safe.
The main attraction, however, is the cemetery itself. Meandering paths lead past oak trees draped with Spanish moss that shade Gothic angels, stone obelisks, and clusters of sculpted grave markers. Bonaventure is large and fascinating enough to wander through for hours and belongs near the top of everyone’s “must-see in Savannah” list.
Luckily, many local companies offer tours that will help you to make most of your visit. This is especially true around Halloween!
Bonaventure Cemetery Tours
Join host Shannon Scott for Savannah’s only after hours, lantern tour of the city’s most famous cemetery. Bonaventure Cemetery After Dark tours offer a deep dive into the cemetery and city’s storied past has captivated audiences for 15 years. You’ll learn about secret societies, root doctor rituals, bootleggers, serial killers, star-crossed lovers, and more.
Bonaventure Cemetery After Dark tours run from October 7th to November 4th, 2023.
Those looking for something even more special may want to consider attending one or more of the 5 Nights of Halloween event.
5 Nights of Halloween runs from Friday, October 27th through Tuesday, October 31st – Halloween night! Each night includes a 3 hour cemetery tour with take-home swag but that’s not all.
Saturday, October 28th includes a tour under the Hunter’s Blood full moon, a special dinner at Erica Davis Lowcountry, live entertainment, a full bar, games, and more!
Tuesday, October 31st, Halloween, includes a visit to Southbound Brewery for a concert featuring, Vision Video, DJ Blue Ice, and Beneath Trees. There will also be food trucks, circus performers, and other delights!
Visit shannonscotttours.com for more information.
Bonaventure Cemetery
Bonaventure Cemetery is located at 330 Bonaventure Rd, in Thunderbolt, GA. This is just 10 minutes from the door of our Savannah bed and breakfast, McMillan Inn.
Spend the day (or night!) exploring the many attractions of Savannah, then return to the supreme comforts of your room at McMillan Inn.
Our convenient location in Savannah’s downtown historic district lays the best of the city at your feet. Why iconic Forsyth Park and the cities many historic squares are literally just steps away.
Book your next Savannah getaway at McMillan Inn, today!
Learn more about Bonaventure Cemetery at www.bonaventurehistorical.org.