With historic southern porches, trees dripping in moss and streets lined with flickering lanterns, Savannah certainly has a spooky vibe….especially at night after the sun goes down. The city has its fair share of ghost tours, haunted houses and creepy museums, but there’s more to the city than it’s haunted reputation. Savannah is also home to SCAD (the Savannah college of Art and Design) and the artistic influence of the college and its students is evident throughout the city. Not to mention all of the outdoor spaces and the riverwalk the city has to offer.

Getting There

There are direct flights from cities throughout the US, including NYC. From NYC, the flight is a quick one at under 3 hours.

Things To Do

Take a tour of the Mercer-Williams House – If you have read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, this house was the setting for much of the story, but even if you did not read the book, it’s an awesome tour! The architecture itself is impressive, but the history of the house is fascinating! And yes….it involves MURDER and a voodoo priestess. You may have to read the book or tour the house to find out the rest so that the suspense doesn’t kill you.

$13.50 for the tour. tickets sold right on the bottom floor in the gift shop

Go on an After Hours Tour of Bonaventure Cemetery – Ok…So if 50 Shades of Grey was a horror flick, it would take place here. As far as I know, there is only one company that has access to the cemetery after it closes and they are called Shannon Scott Tours. We walked around listening to ghost stories and facts about Bonaventure while carrying lanterns in the dark. It was such a great way to spend the night.

$ 30. pp for the After Hrs. tour… you won’t have to dig too deep to afford it…

Visit the Graveface Museum – If you want some creepiness overload, you must visit this place. Morbid and disturbing displays of witchcraft, voodoo, serial killers, and other oddities are spread throughout several rooms with unlimited free pinball machines dead center. I know, it sounds bizarre, yet it makes sense when you are in the moment. The larger than life and slightly battered Ronald McDonald doll hiding out on the stairs was priceless.

$20. admission

Take a ghost tour in a hearse – This was even cooler than I imagined and is exactly what you think… an hour and a half of listening to ghost stories while being driven around in an open air hearse. You are permitted to bring a 16 oz. clear container of alcohol on the ride. I am really bad at math so I didn’t realize how many glasses of wine that was. Until I got drunk. I have renamed it the “Ghoul and Drool” tour. If you go and you bring a drink, be sure to make it a stiff one. Sorry. I had to.

$40. pp with 3 convenient pick up locations.

Admire Art at the Telfair – This is a great little art museum located in an old mansion in the historic district. The admission gives access to 3 sites including the Telfair, The Jepson Center (also an art museum) and the Owens Thomas House ( a former plantation and slave quarters). The Owens Thomas house can only be visited with a guide (also included in admission).

$30. for adults. discounts for college students and children

Shop at the Book Lady Bookstore – As a book addict I know that the first step is admitting you have a problem. I have many many problems… and buying more books than I have time to read is only one of them. The Book Lady Bookstore did not disappoint. Down a few steps and into an overcrowded cozy space with books stacked in every corner I found 2 treasures. A Mary Shelly book of short stories and of course, yet another horror novel written to keep me up at night convinced that there is someone hiding under my bed…

Visit the Forsyth Farmers Market – This market runs the length of Forsyth Park on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm and is open year round. They have everything from produce, farm fresh eggs, local honey, handmade jewelry, local artwork and even several tarot card readers. The reader we stopped at told me there was a man in my future… I asked her if he was hiding under my bed.

Where to Stay

The Andaz by Hyatt- Amazing hotel downtown with great perks like free appetizers and wine tasting at happy hour, free bikes, s’mores for their firepit and a heated pool. Unfortunately, the hotel tacks on a ridiculous “resort fee”…but it is waived if you use points for your room! Say no S’more…

Where to Eat

The Cotton Exchange– fantastic dinner on the river in a historic, rustic setting

Treylor Park– there are several throughout the city..great for breakfast lunch and dinner

Vinny Van Gogh Gogh Pizza– The name alone is reason enough

Casa Guava– Hands down, one of the best and most authentic Cuban places outside of Cuba. only open for breakfast and lunch. limited seating.

Although we did not encounter any real-live ghosts while visiting Savannah (pardon the oxymoron) , we did have a great time listening to ghost stories, cemetery-trekking , riding in a hearse and checking under the bed for strange men (fancy meeting you here) . If you are interested in a fun city, give Savannah a try…Enjoy a biscuit with gravy for breakfast, wander around the city squares and maybe, just maybe come face to face with a freakishly large Ronald McDonald.

Recommended Reads; Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt