Savannah: Ghosts, Asylums, Voodoo, and Horror Walking Tour

Savannah’s prettiest squares conceal a grim underside: burial grounds, brutal murders, old asylums, and stories of spirits that never quite left. I like this tour because it treats the supernatural as part of the city’s history, not just as a string of campfire shocks. I also like the walk itself, which lets you see Monterey Square, the Historic District, and Forsyth Park after dark.

The catch is the graphic material. Decapitations, violence, mistreatment of vulnerable people, and stories involving children are part of the presentation. I would not bring a child under 12, and anyone with a queasy stomach should choose a milder evening activity.

Key points to know before you go

• 46,000 bodies below your feet: The tour explains Savannah’s buried remains and the strange feeling of walking over old burial grounds.
• Strong guides make the difference: Nathan, Jess, Jacob, Kate, Pam, Wendy, and others have been praised for clear storytelling, humor, and solid knowledge of Savannah.
• A real walking tour: You begin and end at Monterey Square, with time in the Historic District and a photo stop at Forsyth Park.
• More than ghost stories: Expect local beliefs about voodoo, root magic, occult practice, asylums, murder, and the treatment of people who did not fit society’s rules.
• Bring your phone and camera: Some people use phones to photograph supposed orbs and apparitions, while others simply enjoy the nighttime streets and old buildings.
• Good value at $25: Two hours of guided storytelling at this price is reasonable, especially if you want local history with a supernatural edge.

Starting beneath the Pulaski Monument

Your meeting point is in Monterey Square, in front of the Pulaski Monument. The address is easy to identify by its central monument, but use the supplied coordinates, 32.0715023, -81.0949532, if you are navigating by phone.

Monterey Square is a fitting place to begin. Savannah’s squares can feel gentle and leafy by day, but the mood changes after sunset. Old houses frame the square, the trees cut the light, and the guide can start the evening by showing how beauty and violence sit close together in this city.

The American Tour Company guide leads the walk in English. Names associated with especially well-received tours include Nathan, Jess, Jacob, Kate, Pam, Wendy, and Peyton. You cannot choose a particular guide when booking, but the pattern is clear: a good storyteller matters more here than theatrical costumes or special effects.

Several people have preferred guides who speak plainly rather than wearing costumes and acting out a part. That is useful to know if you want historical storytelling instead of a staged haunted-house performance. The guides are described as actual psychics rather than actors playing psychics, though you should treat supernatural claims as part of the experience’s belief system, not as proven fact.

Savannah’s Historic District after dark

The main walk passes through Savannah’s Historic District for about 20 minutes. This portion is less about entering buildings and more about stopping near old houses, streets, and squares while the guide connects each location to a disturbing story.

The format rewards a guide who can hold a group’s attention outdoors. You may be standing on a sidewalk while hearing about a murder, a family secret, or a spirit said to remain tied to a building. Nathan has been singled out for mixing facts, jokes, and strong narration. Jess has been praised for taking her time and explaining the families and places connected to each story. Jacob’s approach has focused on the documented events behind the legends, rather than telling only campfire-style tales.

That balance is one of the tour’s better features. Savannah’s ghost stories can be entertaining, but the darker material also reveals how people were treated in the past. The stories touch on slavery, mental illness, medical care, social outcasts, and people who refused to conform. For me, that context gives the tour more weight than a simple list of haunted addresses.

You should still expect a dramatic delivery. The stated theme includes murder, voodoo, asylums, horror, and occult practice. The stories do not avoid unpleasant details, so this is not a gentle introduction to Savannah’s past.

The dead beneath Savannah’s streets

One of the tour’s most striking claims is that more than 46,000 corpses lie only a few feet below the surface in parts of the city. The exact stories and places used to explain this may vary with the guide, but the point is clear: Savannah was built over layers of burials, disease, war, and human loss.

That detail changes the way you see the city. A square is no longer only a pleasant patch of trees and benches. A paved street is not merely a route between restaurants and museums. Beneath the attractive architecture is a crowded record of lives that ended in difficult conditions.

The tour also includes accounts of decapitations, brutal murders, and spirits said to resist disappearing. These are not vague tales of a cold breeze in an old room. They are graphic stories designed to unsettle you, and the guide may discuss the human circumstances behind the haunting.

I appreciate that the tour does not pretend the past was tasteful. Still, the presentation is not for everyone. If your interest is limited to photographing attractive squares at night, some of the murder stories may feel too heavy. If you enjoy true-crime themes and local folklore, this is likely to be the central appeal.

Root magic, voodoo, and local superstition

The tour also looks at Savannah’s connection to occult beliefs, voodoo, root magic, and local superstition. These subjects need care. They are not simply spooky decorations, and the quality of the explanation depends on how the guide handles culture, belief, and historical fact.

You can expect stories about rituals, spirits, protective practices, and the fear these traditions created among people who did not understand them. The tour’s aim is to show how supernatural beliefs became part of Savannah’s public memory. Some people join for the horror, but the cultural side gives the evening another layer.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a walking story tour, not a formal academic course in religious practice or occult studies. The guide’s role is to connect beliefs to places and events in Savannah, then keep the group engaged. The best guides appear to do that with humor and clear explanations.

If you are skeptical, you can still enjoy the tour. One person who described arriving doubtful found the storytelling engaging enough to become invested in the accounts. Another enjoyed using an EMF meter and dowsing rods to ask yes-or-no questions. Those tools may appear during some tours, but they are not listed as a guaranteed inclusion, so do not book expecting a particular paranormal demonstration.

Forsyth Park at the ten-minute photo stop

The itinerary includes a 10-minute photo stop at Forsyth Park. This is a useful pause after the darker stories and gives you time to take pictures of one of Savannah’s most recognizable public spaces.

At night, Forsyth Park offers a different mood from Monterey Square. The fountain and broad open area can look dramatic under low light, and the stop lets you use your camera without holding up the walking group for long. Some people come hoping to capture orbs or unexplained shapes. You may get an unusual image, but ordinary light, dust, moisture, and movement can also produce strange results.

I would bring a charged smartphone and a camera if you have one. The tour specifically recommends both. Your phone is also useful for directions to the meeting point and for taking notes if a story gives you a place to research later.

Ten minutes is enough for quick pictures, not a full visit to the park. The stop is best understood as a brief visual break within the larger tour rather than a guided exploration of Forsyth Park.

Returning to Monterey Square

The walk ends back at Monterey Square. That return matters more than it may seem. You are not left at a random street corner after the final story, and the starting point makes it easier to continue your evening from a familiar location.

The full duration is about two hours. That is long enough for a substantial set of stories but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing. The tour does not include transportation, meals, or entry to buildings. You walk between outdoor locations and listen to the guide.

Wear shoes you can use comfortably for two hours. Savannah’s historic streets and sidewalks can be tiring, especially if you have already spent the day walking. Weather can also affect the mood and comfort of the tour. Rain has made some evenings feel more eerie, but you should still bring suitable clothing rather than count on bad weather for atmosphere.

A face mask or protective covering is required according to the tour information. Masks can be purchased on site for $2. You should also carry cash for that possibility and for a tip. Gratuities are not included in the $25 price.

How much value do you get for $25?

At $25 per person, this is a fairly priced evening activity in Savannah. You receive two hours with a live guide, a route through several central locations, and stories that combine local history with supernatural belief. The price is especially reasonable if you want something more focused than a general sightseeing walk.

The value depends heavily on your interest. You are paying for narration and atmosphere, not access to a haunted building or a private paranormal investigation. If you expect special effects, guaranteed apparitions, or extensive time inside historic homes, this is not the right format.

For a first visit to Savannah, the tour can help you see familiar places differently. For someone who has already taken several ghost tours, the guide’s style becomes crucial. One repeat participant described a tour with Nathan as the best of several Savannah ghost experiences, while another valued Kate’s careful answers during a small-group walk. Small groups can allow more questions, but the group size is not guaranteed.

The booking terms are flexible. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Check the available departure times when booking because the tour runs for two hours but does not list one fixed daily start.

Who should book this ghost tour?

I would choose this tour if you like old cities, true-crime stories, folklore, and the uneasy space between documented events and supernatural belief. It is also a good fit if you want a nighttime walk that includes more context than a simple list of haunted houses.

Families should read the warning carefully. Some guides have kept teenagers involved with jokes and questions, but the material can be too graphic for elementary-age children. One account describes a 10-year-old becoming very frightened, and another strongly advises against bringing children under 12. The tour does not provide a formal age recommendation, so parents need to make that call themselves.

Skeptics can enjoy it too, especially if you focus on architecture, city history, and storytelling. You do not need to believe in ghosts to appreciate accounts of burial practices, social cruelty, local superstition, and Savannah’s complicated past.

I would skip it if you dislike murder stories, graphic descriptions, or supernatural claims presented with conviction. A standard daytime architecture tour would be a better choice for a calmer evening.

Final verdict: book it for stories, not proof

Book the Savannah Ghosts, Asylums, Voodoo, and Horror Walking Tour if you want two hours of dark local stories, strong narration, and a look at the city after sunset. The $25 price is fair, and the return to Monterey Square keeps the evening simple.

Choose it with open eyes. You may photograph something that looks like an orb, or you may simply take good night pictures of Savannah’s squares. The tour cannot promise a paranormal encounter, but it can give you memorable stories about murder, burial grounds, belief, and the people whose lives shaped the city. Bring a charged phone, comfortable shoes, cash for a tip or mask, and leave young children at home.

FAQ

How long is the Savannah ghost tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $25 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet the American Tour Company guide in front of the Pulaski Monument in Monterey Square. The coordinates are 32.0715023, -81.0949532.

Where does the tour end?

The walk returns to Monterey Square.

What places are included on the route?

The tour begins at Monterey Square, passes through Savannah’s Historic District, includes a photo stop at Forsyth Park, and returns to Monterey Square.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour is offered in English.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour contains graphic and gruesome descriptions, including murder stories. It is not recommended for people who are easily frightened or have a queasy stomach, and the material may be unsuitable for children under 12.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, a charged smartphone, and cash. A face mask or protective covering is required, and masks can be purchased on site for $2. Tips are not included.