Most Haunted Places in Savannah: Complete Guide to Savannah's Ghostly Sites (2026)
By Best of Savannah
Savannah didn't become America's most haunted city by accident. Built atop Indigenous burial grounds in 1733, devastated by yellow fever epidemics that killed thousands, and scarred by Civil War battles — this Spanish moss-draped city has accumulated centuries of tragic history. And according to locals and paranormal investigators alike, many souls never left.
With over 100 documented ghost sightings annually and more haunted buildings per square mile than any other U.S. city, Savannah's supernatural reputation is well-earned. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or just curious about the stories behind Savannah's most famous hauntings, this guide covers every major haunted site you can visit in the Historic District.
Quick Overview: Savannah's Most Haunted Places
- Colonial Park Cemetery — Most haunted cemetery (10,000+ graves, active paranormal site)
- Moon River Brewing Company — Most haunted building (closed 2024, but legendary)
- Sorrel-Weed House — Ghost Adventures featured, active paranormal tours
- 432 Abercorn Street — Most notorious haunted home (private residence)
- The Marshall House — Haunted hotel (you can stay overnight)
- Bonaventure Cemetery — Famous "Midnight in the Garden" cemetery
- Factors Walk — Haunted riverfront tunnels and vaults
- Wright Square — "The Hanging Square" (Alice Riley's ghost)
- The Pirate's House — 1753 tavern with underground tunnels
- Andrew Low House — Girl Scout founder's haunted mansion
Why Is Savannah So Haunted?
Savannah's haunting reputation stems from three centuries of accumulated tragedy:
Built on burial grounds. General James Oglethorpe founded Savannah in 1733 atop Yamacraw Indigenous burial sites. Many believe disturbing sacred ground created spiritual unrest that still lingers.
Yellow fever epidemics. Between 1820 and 1876, Savannah suffered multiple yellow fever outbreaks. In 1820 alone, over 700 people died in a city of just 7,500 residents. Bodies were buried quickly in mass graves. Colonial Park Cemetery holds an estimated 10,000+ bodies despite having far fewer visible markers.
Civil War violence. Savannah changed hands during Sherman's March to the Sea in 1864. Hotels became makeshift hospitals. Amputations were performed without anesthesia. Soldiers died in buildings that still stand today — including The Marshall House, where bones were reportedly found beneath floorboards during renovations.
Preserved architecture. Unlike Atlanta (burned during the war) or Charleston (rebuilt after earthquakes), Savannah's Historic District remains remarkably intact. You're walking past the same buildings, squares, and cemeteries that witnessed death 200+ years ago.
The result: Savannah is a city where history never quite became the past. The buildings remember. And according to thousands of visitors, guides, and paranormal investigators — so do the spirits.
Colonial Park Cemetery — Savannah's Most Haunted Cemetery
📍 200 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Hours: Open daily dawn to dusk (cemetery rules prohibit entry after dark)
Can you visit? Yes — free, self-guided, no tours allowed inside after dark
Ghost activity: Orbs, shadow figures, voices, cold spots
If you're looking for Savannah's single most haunted location, Colonial Park Cemetery consistently ranks #1. Opened in 1750 and closed to new burials in 1853, this six-acre cemetery holds an estimated 10,000+ bodies — but only about 600 visible markers remain.
The math doesn't add up for a reason: yellow fever epidemics required mass burials with minimal record-keeping. Bodies were stacked in trenches and covered quickly to prevent disease spread. Many graves were never marked.
The Ghost Stories
René Rondolier — The Hanging Man. In the 1700s, René Rondolier was convicted of murder and hanged on the cemetery grounds. Visitors report seeing his silhouette swinging from trees at dusk, and some claim to hear rope creaking even when no wind blows.
Vandalized gravestones. In 1864, Union soldiers camped in Colonial Park Cemetery and defaced hundreds of gravestones — changing death dates to the 1700s and carving crude jokes. Some believe the desecration unleashed paranormal activity that continues today.
Orbs and shadow figures. Photographers consistently capture unexplained light orbs in Colonial Park. Visitors report seeing shadow figures moving between monuments, cold spots on humid summer nights, and hearing whispered voices near the brick vault area.
The glowing woman in white. Multiple witnesses describe a luminous woman in a white gown walking near the eastern wall around dusk. She vanishes when approached.
Visitor Tips
Colonial Park Cemetery is free and open to the public during daylight hours. Many Savannah ghost tours stop at the gates but cannot enter after dark per city ordinance. The best time to visit is late afternoon when crowds thin and the light turns golden through the Spanish moss.
The cemetery is peaceful and beautiful by day. At dusk, it takes on a decidedly different atmosphere.
Moon River Brewing Company — Most Haunted Building
📍 21 West Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Status: CLOSED June 2024 (building remains, no longer operating)
Former ghost tours: Basement and upper floors once open for paranormal tours
Ghost activity: Physical attacks, bottle throws, footsteps, apparitions
Moon River Brewing occupied one of Savannah's oldest buildings — constructed in 1821 as the City Hotel. For decades, it held the title of Savannah's most haunted building, featured on Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and Buzzfeed Unsolved.
The brewery closed permanently in June 2024, but the building's haunted legacy remains legendary.
The Ghost Stories
James Stark — The Dueling Ghost. In 1832, Dr. Phillip Minis and James Jones Stark dueled in the building's second-floor billiard room. Stark died. Visitors reported seeing his apparition in period clothing, and bartenders claimed bottles flew off shelves with no explanation.
"Toby" — The Angry Basement Ghost. The basement spirit, nicknamed Toby by staff, was known for physical attacks. Employees reported being shoved down stairs, scratched, and grabbed by unseen hands. Paranormal investigators documented EVP recordings of angry male voices and documented cold spots that defied explanation.
Construction crews refused to work. During renovations in the 1990s, workers reportedly refused to complete the fourth floor due to overwhelming feelings of dread, disembodied voices, and tools mysteriously disappearing.
Current Status
While Moon River Brewing is no longer operating, the building remains one of Savannah's most notorious haunted sites. Ghost tour guides still share its stories, and the location continues to fascinate paranormal enthusiasts.
Sorrel-Weed House — Ghost Adventures Featured Site
📍 6 West Harris Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Hours: Tours available by reservation
Can you visit? Yes — architectural tours and paranormal investigations available
Ghost activity: Shadow figures, voices, documented EVP recordings
The Sorrel-Weed House is one of Savannah's most architecturally significant homes — and one of its most actively haunted. Built in 1840 for wealthy merchant Francis Sorrel, the Greek Revival mansion has attracted famous paranormal investigators including Zak Bagans (Ghost Adventures) and Phil Torres (Expedition X).
The Ghost Stories
Matilda Sorrel — The Grieving Wife. Francis Sorrel's wife, Matilda, died in 1860 under mysterious circumstances — some say suicide after discovering her husband's affair with an enslaved woman named Molly. Visitors report seeing a woman in 1800s clothing on the second floor, accompanied by overwhelming sadness.
Molly — The Carriage House Tragedy. According to local legend, Molly was found dead in the carriage house (now the gift shop) shortly after Matilda's death. Shadow figures and unexplained voices have been reported in that area.
Paranormal investigation results. Ghost Adventures documented EVP recordings, unexplained shadow movement on thermal cameras, and investigators reported being physically touched during overnight investigations.
Visitor Information
The Sorrel-Weed House offers daytime architectural tours ($20-25) and evening paranormal investigations (pricing varies). Reservations required. Check their official website for current tour schedules.
432 Abercorn Street — The Benjamin Wilson House
📍 432 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Can you visit? No — private residence (you can walk past to see exterior)
Ghost activity: Face in window, camera malfunctions (legend)
No haunted Savannah list is complete without 432 Abercorn — the city's most notorious haunted home. Built in 1869 for the Wilson family, this mansion sat vacant for over 40 years before recent renovations.
The Ghost Stories
The girl in the window. The most persistent tale claims General Benjamin Wilson locked his young daughter in an upstairs room for days as punishment for playing with children he deemed "beneath the family." She allegedly died in that room, and witnesses claim to see a girl's face peering from the second-story window.
Camera malfunction legend. For years, tour guides claimed cameras would break or malfunction when photographing the house. (Spoiler: This is largely myth. Modern smartphones work fine.)
Separating fact from fiction. Many stories about 432 Abercorn — including rumors of triple homicide and Anton LaVey attempted purchase — have been debunked by historical research. The home does have a dark reputation, but much of it is exaggerated folklore.
Current Status
The home underwent extensive renovation in 2020-2021 and is now privately owned and occupied. There are no tours. Ghost tour buses still drive past, and you can walk by to see the exterior, but respect the residents' privacy.
The Marshall House — Haunted Hotel You Can Stay In
📍 123 East Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Can you visit? Yes — it's an operating hotel (book overnight for the full experience)
Ghost activity: Voices, footsteps, children's laughter, cold spots
The Marshall House opened in 1851 as one of Savannah's premier hotels. During the Civil War, it served as a Union Army hospital. During yellow fever epidemics, it housed the sick and dying. Both periods left their mark.
The Ghost Stories
Bones beneath the floorboards. During 1990s renovations, construction workers reportedly discovered amputated limbs hidden beneath the original floorboards — remnants of Civil War surgeries performed without anesthesia.
Room 314 and children's voices. Multiple guests in Room 314 report hearing children's laughter and running footsteps in the hallway late at night. Some believe these are spirits of children who died during yellow fever outbreaks.
Faucets turn on by themselves. Guests across multiple rooms report bathroom faucets turning on during the night with no explanation.
Visitor Information
The Marshall House welcomes guests and doesn't shy away from its haunted reputation. Staff are happy to discuss paranormal reports, and the hotel occasionally partners with paranormal investigation groups. Rooms start around $200-300/night depending on season.
Bonaventure Cemetery — "Midnight in the Garden" Fame
📍 330 Bonaventure Road, Savannah, GA 31404
Hours: Daily 8 AM - 5 PM
Can you visit? Yes — free, self-guided walking allowed
Ghost activity: Apparitions, voices, mist formations
Bonaventure Cemetery gained worldwide fame as the cover location for *Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil*. Located along the Wilmington River just outside downtown, this hauntingly beautiful Victorian cemetery is draped in Spanish moss and filled with elaborate monuments.
The Ghost Stories
Gracie Watson — The Child in White. Six-year-old Gracie Watson died in 1889. Her lifelike marble statue has become one of the cemetery's most visited sites. Visitors report seeing a little girl in white near the monument, toys left at the statue mysteriously rearranged, and overwhelming sadness near her grave.
The dinner party legend. According to local lore, a 1800s dinner party at Bonaventure Plantation (before it became a cemetery) was interrupted by fire. Guests threw their table settings into the river and continued the party under the oaks. Some claim to hear laughter, clinking glasses, and music on quiet evenings.
Mist formations and orbs. Photographers capture unexplained mist formations even on clear days. The oak-lined paths create naturally eerie atmospheres at dusk.
Visitor Tips
Bonaventure is about 15 minutes from downtown Savannah by car. Free parking available. The cemetery is peaceful, beautiful, and slightly spooky all at once. Bring water, wear walking shoes, and consider visiting in late afternoon when light filters through the Spanish moss.
Factors Walk — Haunted Riverfront Tunnels
📍 Between Bay Street and River Street
Hours: Accessible 24/7 (use caution at night)
Can you visit? Yes — public area, but stay alert after dark
Ghost activity: Shadow figures, voices, cold spots in sealed tunnels
Factors Walk is a series of iron walkways, brick vaults, and sealed tunnels connecting Bay Street to River Street. In the 1800s, cotton factors (merchants) used these spaces to store goods and conduct business. Beneath the walkways, tunnels once led to basements of Bay Street buildings.
The Ghost Stories
Sealed tunnels and slavery rumors. While no definitive proof exists, some historians believe the tunnels were used to transport enslaved people from the river to auction blocks. Whether true or not, the tunnels carry heavy, oppressive energy. Several are now bricked over, but gaps remain where you can peer inside.
The Cluskey Vaults. These brick vaults beneath Factors Walk once served as storage. Visitors report hearing voices, seeing shadow figures dart between pillars, and experiencing sudden temperature drops.
The Stone Stairs of Death. Factors Walk's steep stone stairs have witnessed fatal falls throughout history. Some believe traumatic deaths leave psychic imprints, explaining the unsettled feeling many visitors report on the lower levels.
Safety and Visitor Tips
Factors Walk is free to explore, but use caution at night. The lower levels have shadowy alcoves frequented by transient travelers. Go with a group or guided tour after dark. Daytime exploration is safe and fascinating — the area is one of Savannah's most photogenic spots.
Wright Square — "The Hanging Square"
📍 Intersection of Bull and West York Streets
Hours: Public square, accessible 24/7
Can you visit? Yes — free, often included on ghost tours
Ghost activity: Woman searching for baby, voices near Tomochichi monument
Wright Square is one of Savannah's 22 historic squares — and the only one where Spanish moss refuses to grow. Locals say moss won't grow where wicked spirits linger. Given Wright Square's history as Savannah's primary execution site, that reputation makes sense.
The Ghost Stories
Alice Riley — Savannah's first convicted murderer. In 1735, Irish immigrant Alice Riley was hanged in Wright Square for murdering her abusive master. She gave birth days before execution, and her newborn was taken from her. Her ghost is said to wander the square searching for a baby to hold.
Tomochichi's missing remains. Yamacraw Chief Tomochichi, ally to James Oglethorpe, was buried in Wright Square in 1739. His monument remains, but his body was lost over centuries of development. Some believe his spirit is restless due to the lost grave.
Visitor Tips
Wright Square is beautiful, well-maintained, and centrally located. It's a peaceful spot during the day and takes on a different energy at night. Many ghost tours stop here to share Alice Riley's story.
The Pirate's House — 1753 Tavern and Tunnels
📍 20 East Broad Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Hours: Restaurant open for lunch and dinner
Can you visit? Yes — dine at the restaurant and explore the historic rooms
Ghost activity: Sea captain apparition, voices, mysterious footsteps
The Pirate's House opened in 1753 as an inn for sailors. According to legend, it was frequented by pirates and press-gangs — men who drugged unsuspecting travelers and dragged them through underground tunnels to waiting ships.
The Ghost Stories
Captain Flint's ghost. The pirate captain from *Treasure Island* is rumored to haunt the building. Visitors report seeing a man in 18th-century naval attire near the Treasure Room and hearing a gravelly voice muttering "Bring me rum."
Underground tunnel rumors. While tunnels connecting the building to the river have never been definitively proven, local lore insists they exist. Some staff report hearing footsteps and voices in the basement late at night.
Visitor Information
The Pirate's House operates as a restaurant and tourist attraction. Dine in historic rooms, browse pirate-themed exhibits, and soak in the atmosphere. Lunch and dinner served daily.
Andrew Low House — Girl Scout Founder's Haunted Mansion
📍 329 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Hours: Tours available Monday-Saturday
Can you visit? Yes — guided house tours available
Ghost activity: Footsteps, voices, doors opening/closing
The Andrew Low House was home to Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of America. But before her residency, the home witnessed tragedy when Andrew Low's first wife, Sarah, died young in the house.
The Ghost Stories
Sarah Low's spirit. Visitors report seeing a woman in Victorian-era clothing on the second floor. Some believe it's Sarah Low, who died in the house in the 1850s. Footsteps and voices are heard in empty rooms.
Doors opening by themselves. Tour guides report doors closing and reopening with no drafts or logical explanation.
Visitor Information
The Andrew Low House offers historical tours focused on architecture and Girl Scout history. While not explicitly a "ghost tour," guides acknowledge paranormal reports if asked. Tours run Monday-Saturday, tickets around $10-15.
Best Way to Explore Savannah's Haunted Sites
Savannah offers multiple ways to experience its haunted history:
Self-guided exploration. Colonial Park Cemetery, Bonaventure Cemetery, Factors Walk, and all public squares are free to visit on your own. Download a map, bring a camera, and explore at your own pace during daylight hours.
Ghost tours. Over two dozen companies operate ghost tours in Savannah. Popular options include Genteel & Bard (storytelling focus), Hearse Ghost Tours (ride in an actual hearse), and Ghosts & Gravestones (theatrical, family-friendly). Most tours run 60-90 minutes and cost $25-35 per person. See our complete ghost tour comparison guide.
Paranormal investigations. The Sorrel-Weed House and a few other locations offer overnight paranormal investigation experiences. Expect to pay $75-150+ per person for multi-hour access with equipment.
Stay in a haunted hotel. Book a night at The Marshall House for the chance to experience paranormal activity firsthand. Even if you don't encounter ghosts, you'll sleep in a beautifully restored historic hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 most haunted place in Savannah?
Colonial Park Cemetery consistently ranks as Savannah's most haunted location, with over 10,000 burials, documented paranormal activity, and centuries of reported ghost sightings. Moon River Brewing (now closed) held the title for most haunted building.
Can you visit Savannah's haunted places on your own?
Yes. Colonial Park Cemetery, Bonaventure Cemetery, Factors Walk, Wright Square, and other public sites are free to visit independently. Private properties like the Sorrel-Weed House and Andrew Low House require paid tours.
Are Savannah ghost tours worth it?
Absolutely. Even skeptics enjoy the historical storytelling, atmospheric locations, and theatrical guides. If you're interested in Savannah's dark history, a ghost tour is one of the best ways to learn about yellow fever epidemics, Civil War tragedies, and 18th-century crime. Read our detailed ghost tour comparison.
What's the best time to visit haunted Savannah?
October is peak ghost tour season (Halloween crowds), but tours run year-round. For fewer crowds and better availability, visit in spring (March-May) or fall (September-November). Cemeteries are spookiest at dusk, and ghost tours typically run at 7 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM nightly.
Can you really see ghosts in Savannah?
That depends on your definition of "see." Thousands of visitors, tour guides, hotel staff, and paranormal investigators report unexplained experiences — orbs in photos, sudden cold spots, disembodied voices, and shadow figures. Whether these are actual spirits or psychological phenomena is for you to decide.
What's undeniable: Savannah's history is tragic, its architecture is preserved, and the atmosphere after dark is genuinely eerie. Whether ghosts exist or not, the stories are real — and worth hearing.
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