Spooky Things to Do in Savannah (that Aren’t a Ghost Tour!)

Savannah is the perfect destination for a spooky fall getaway. We may not have much to offer by the way of crisp weather, but we make up for it with our haunted history. We’ve made multiple “most haunted” lists throughout the years, and it’s easy to see why. We’ve got haunted hotels, bodies buried beneath our famous streets, voodoo, and more ghost sightings than one can remember. Throw in a little spice with our local yokels’ flairs for dramatics and it’s the perfect setting to get you in a spooky frame of mind for October. Everyone knows you have to do at least one Savannah ghost tour, but what other creepy attractions can be found in my haunted homeland? Below I’m sharing my favorite spooky things to do in Savannah (that aren’t a ghost tour!)

1. Bonaventure Cemetery

Where are my taphophiles at? Bonaventure Cemetery is a must-visit for any trip to Savannah, in my opinion. French for “good fortune”, Bonaventure is the final home for many of Savannah’s most famous (and infamous) residents. In my opinion, there really isn’t another place on earth quite like it. Beautiful sculptures fill over 100 acres of waterfront property. It’s most commonly known for the cover art of the John Berendt novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Equal parts beautiful and spooky, definitely add this to your list.

Now…I know this is a post about attractions that aren’t ghost tours. I will, however, recommend a cemetery tour. You are able to meander through Bonaventure at your leisure, but a guided tour can be really special. You’ll learn about the history of the cemetery, the significance of the artwork used, and more. Shannon Scott is one of the best Savannah has to offer. Check out my previous post on my experience with Shannon’s after-hours tour. Bonaventure Cemetery offers so much more than meets the eye. You won’t regret it!

3. Flannery O’Connor’s Childhood Home

Fans of Southern Gothic fiction will want to plan a visit to Flannery O’Connor’s childhood home on Tatnall Square. Her work is known for being sardonic and twisted with a calculated view on topics of race, religion, and morality. Flannery’s own life was plagued with illness; her father died from lupus when she was just 15. She later died from the same illness at 39.

O’Connor grew up on Tatnall Square, directly across from the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist (or as Savannahians know it– “The Cathedral.”) The tour focuses on what Flannery’s life might have been like growing up as a child during the Great Depression.

The home is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 10 am – 1 pm.

2. Graveface Museum

Horror and true crime fans, this one is for you. Located on Lower East Factor’s Walk, Graveface Museum is unlike any other attraction you’ll find in Savannah with real artifacts from well-known crimes and more. You’ll find cult leaders’ personal possessions, death row artwork from notoriously well-known criminals, secret society ritual gear, and even a pinball arcade.

The museum gift shop offers a wide array of macabre items like spell bottles, taxidermy, and creepy t-shirts for the horror fan in your life.

This is an adult experience— so leave the kiddos at home for this one! Read more about my visit to the Graveface museum here.

---

Savannah has a lot to offer by way of haunted history and spooky ghost stories. What are your favorite spooky things to do in Savannah? Tell me in the comments!