Some of the most popular Savannah tours include ghost tours, history tours, and themed experiences. Guests often choose the Old Town Trolley for its live narration and friendly, knowledgeable guides, the immersive American Prohibition Museum® experience and well‑known Savannah ghost tours such as Ghosts & Gravestones®.
Why Is Savannah Known for Its Unforgettable Storytelling?
Savannah’s storied streets, large oak trees covered in Spanish moss and well‑preserved 18th‑ and 19th‑century buildings create the perfect setting for exploring the past. Guided tours here feel warm and personal as local guides share true stories of important events, remarkable people and mysterious happenings in ways that connect the past with the present. This guide will provide a look at the best tours Savannah has to offer.
What Can You Experience at the American Prohibition Museum®?
The American Prohibition Museum® is a unique experience in the heart of Savannah’s historic district. It’s the only museum in the United States devoted entirely to telling the story of the Prohibition era, a time when alcohol sales and production were banned nationwide. Visitors explore interactive exhibits that bring the 1920s to life, showing how this period shaped music, politics and daily life. From the rise of jazz to the growth of organized crime, every display connects the events of the era to the larger story of America.
A highlight of any visit is Congress Street Up, the museum’s fully restored speakeasy. Guests enjoy cocktails inspired by classic Prohibition recipes while surrounded by authentic period décor. Skilled bartenders craft each drink with care, sharing the history behind the recipes in a way that feels both informative and fun. Costumed CASTmembers add even more life to the visit, portraying important figures from the 1920s and answering questions with energy and personality.
You can choose between a self‑guided visit or a docent‑led tour, each offering a different way to experience the museum. The self‑guided option lets you explore at your own pace, while the guided tour gives you direct access to a knowledgeable CASTmember who can share little‑known stories and point out details you might otherwise miss. Whichever you choose, the museum offers a deeper understanding of this remarkable chapter in American history and remains one of the most memorable Savannah tours.
Why Are Savannah Ghost Tours So Popular?
Savannah’s history is as complex as it is fascinating, and that is a big reason so many believe it is one of the most haunted cities in America. Founded in 1733, the city has seen colonial battles, Revolutionary War skirmishes, Civil War occupations, deadly fires and devastating outbreaks of yellow fever. Many buildings and streets in the historic district stand on centuries old foundations, and some rest on or near unmarked burial grounds. Savannah ghost tours give visitors a way to explore this layered past after dark, bringing history and legend together in an unforgettable way.
Ghosts & Gravestones Tour®
The Ghosts & Gravestones® Tour takes place aboard the Trolley of the Doomed, a specially themed vehicle designed to set the tone for an evening of theatrical storytelling. Costumed Ghost Hosts guide guests through Savannah’s narrow streets, sharing true historical accounts intertwined with chilling local lore. The tour includes exclusive nighttime entry into the Andrew Low House, a 19th century mansion tied to the wealthy cotton trade, where eerie events and ghostly sightings have been reported for decades. Guests also visit the Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery on historic River Street, where the tales of Savannah’s seafaring past come alive with stories of shipwrecks, sailor superstitions and mysterious happenings. The combination of historic facts, immersive settings and atmospheric storytelling makes this one of the most popular Savannah ghost tours.
The Dead of Night Tour
The Dead of Night Tour from Ghost City Tours is geared toward guests seeking a more intense and uncensored ghost tour experience. Taking place late at night when the city is at its quietest, this walking tour explores areas tied to some of Savannah’s darkest true events. Stops often include Taylor Square, known for its connections to unmarked graves, and the Sorrel Weed House, where accounts of ghostly encounters have been widely documented. Guides share stories of documented murders, tragedies and unusual phenomena, creating a tour that leans heavily into Savannah’s most unsettling chapters. Because of its content, this tour is best suited for adults who want a deeper look into the city’s shadowy past.
Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour
The Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour offers a mix of history, legend and paranormal lore while keeping the experience accessible for a broad audience. Known for smaller group sizes, it allows for more personal interaction with the guide. The route often includes Madison Square, where guests hear about Revolutionary War battles and ghost sightings linked to those who perished there. It also visits the Mercer-Williams House, famous for its connection to the events depicted in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and for unexplained occurrences reported by staff and visitors. This tour also touches on Savannah’s medical history, including the yellow fever epidemics that left lingering sorrow in certain neighborhoods. Its slower pace and storytelling depth make it an excellent choice for those who enjoy richly detailed Savannah tours with a supernatural twist.
What Will You See on a Savannah Architectural Walking Tour?
Architecture lovers will find Savannah’s historic buildings feel like open-air museums. The Savannah Architectural Walking Tour leads guests through neighborhoods showcasing more than two centuries of design. Jones Street, often called one of the most beautiful streets in America, is lined with mid-19th century homes featuring decorative ironwork, broad staircases and shaded verandas. Along the route, guests see the Telfair Academy, one of the first public art museums in the South, built in 1819 in the Regency style. The tour also includes the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, a National Historic Landmark with one of the best preserved examples of English Regency architecture in the country. Guides point out details of Federal, Greek Revival and Gothic Revival architecture, explaining how these styles reflect Savannah’s growth from a colonial settlement to a thriving port city.
How Does the Savannah Historic District Walking Tour Bring the Past to Life?
The Savannah Historic District Walking Tour immerses guests in the city’s most storied locations. Covering some of the most photographed and historically significant squares, this tour includes Chippewa Square, home to a monument honoring General James Oglethorpe, Savannah’s founder. Reynolds Square recalls the city’s earliest colonial days, while Wright Square connects to both colonial justice and ancient Native American history. Along the way, guests see The Olde Pink House, an 18th century mansion turned restaurant, and the Savannah Theater, one of the oldest continually operating theaters in the United States. The route also includes Colonial Park Cemetery, where gravestones date back to the mid-1700s and where stories of Revolutionary War heroes and early settlers come to life.
What Can You Discover on the Civil War and Reconstruction History Tour?
The Civil War and Reconstruction History Tour explores Savannah during one of the most transformative periods in American history. Guests visit Fort Pulaski National Monument, a well-preserved masonry fort captured by Union forces in 1862 after a groundbreaking rifled cannon bombardment. In Forsyth Park, the Civil War Memorial stands as a tribute to lives lost during the conflict. The tour also includes the Green-Meldrim House, an elegant Gothic Revival home that served as General William T. Sherman’s headquarters after his March to the Sea. Guides explain how the Union occupation reshaped Savannah’s economy, daily life and political future, as well as how Reconstruction unfolded in the city. For history enthusiasts, this is one of the most in-depth Savannah tours available, offering a detailed view of preserved landmarks and the stories they hold.
How Can Cocktail and Speakeasy Tours Transport You to the 1920s?
Cocktail and speakeasy tours bring Savannah’s Prohibition era to life by visiting bars styled after 1920s speakeasies. Guests enjoy cocktails crafted from authentic recipes while hearing stories about rum running, bootlegging and the local port’s role in smuggling. Guides explain enforcement tactics, social trends and how Savannah became a key player in underground alcohol history. The Cocktail Class at the American Prohibition Museum’s® speakeasy, Congress Street Up, is an excellent choice.
Why Are Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours Ideal for First-Time Visitors?
Hop-on, hop-off trolley tours operated by Old Town Trolley Tours® offer live narrated rides led by friendly, knowledgeable guides. Tours run every 20 minutes and cover over 100 landmarks across a 9‑mile route through the historic and Victorian districts. Guests can depart at major stops such as Forsyth Park, River Street, The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist or the American Prohibition Museum®. Local guides share entertaining stories about Savannah’s past, architecture and cultural traditions. This makes it one of the most informative and flexible Savannah tours for newcomers wanting a broad overview.
What Makes Evening Tours Such a Memorable Way To See Savannah?
Evening tours reveal Savannah’s atmosphere under gas lamps and live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Guides describe the city’s founding, architecture and some spooky legends tied to historic homes and squares. Many evening walks also include pub stops or hidden courtyards. Fans of Savannah ghost tours appreciate that these outings blend history with legend, offering unique sights and stories not seen during daytime tours while keeping the tone engaging and approachable.
Why Is Bonaventure Cemetery One of Savannah’s Most Famous Landmarks?
Bonaventure Cemetery Tours explore this 160‑acre beautiful resting place known for its Victorian monuments, angel statues and mossy oaks. Guides interpret symbolism carved into graves, share stories of notable residents like Johnny Mercer and Conrad Aiken, and explain the cemetery’s role in Savannah’s cultural history. Many tours also include ghostly legends tied to specific monuments. Those interested in Savannah ghost tours will find Bonaventure’s lore a perfect blend of art, history and mystery.
How Does Savannah for Morons Mix Comedy With History?
Savannah for Morons delivers fast-paced comedy mixed with true local history. Performed by trained local actors, the tour weaves Savannah’s founding, eccentric residents and Civil War stories into an improvisational show filled with audience participation. Historical facts are shared in lively segments that feel both entertaining and informative. This tour offers a bold and humorous take on Savannah tours that still delivers accuracy while keeping the energy high.
What Can You Learn at the Savannah Pirates and Treasure Museum™?
The Savannah Pirates and Treasure Museum™, opening in 2025, will offer an engaging and educational look at the world of piracy. Through real stories drawn from historical accounts, immersive exhibits and interactive displays, visitors will discover how pirates navigated the seas, traded goods and clashed with naval forces. The museum’s location just steps from River Street in City Market places it in the heart of Savannah’s historic waterfront, an area once tied to bustling shipping routes and coastal trade. Guests can explore themed galleries that bring the Golden Age of Piracy to life, from shipboard life to legendary treasure hunts. Designed for all ages, the museum promises to be a memorable stop on Savannah tours, offering both entertainment and insight into a fascinating chapter of maritime lore.
Visit Savannah Soon
As this guide shows, Savannah’s tours are as diverse as the city’s history itself. Whether you prefer to walk through its storied streets, ride on a trolley or step back in time at a unique museum, there is an experience waiting for you, and each option provides a different perspective. These tours weave together the people, places and events that have shaped Savannah into the captivating city it is today.
FAQs
Many Savannah ghost tours are family‑friendly, but some may be better suited for older children due to spooky stories or nighttime settings. Ghosts & Gravestones® is recommended for guests ages 6 and older.
Yes. The American Prohibition Museum® offers educational exhibits suitable for all ages. While the on‑site speakeasy serves 21+ guests only, the rest of the museum is designed for visitors of all ages to enjoy as part of their Savannah tours.
Savannah can be enjoyed year‑round. Spring and fall often bring comfortable weather for walking tours, while evening Savannah ghost tours are popular even in the warmer months.
