Halloween in Savannah: America's Most Haunted City
Savannah is known as “America's Most Haunted City” and transforms into a spooky wonderland during Halloween each year. The city's historic charm, draped in Spanish moss, collides with eerie ghost stories as misty cemeteries, candlelit tours, and shadowy figures create a spine-tingling atmosphere. Since the release of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, haunted tourism in Savannah has skyrocketed. Sip cocktails in haunted buildings and join costume-clad revelers in Forsyth Park, where the line between the living and the dead blurs, offering a thrilling Halloween experience.
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Haunted History
Savannah’s haunted reputation runs deep in the soil itself. The city was built atop Native American burial grounds, where restless spirits are said to linger, disturbed by the bustling streets above. The ground beneath your feet holds memories older than the city itself.
Photo by Pokemonprime / CC 4.0
Savannah’s dark history is also steeped in the horrors of slavery, with the cruelty and suffering of those who were once shackled here echoing through the centuries. Many believe that the energy left behind by such torment keeps their spirits tethered, forever wandering the city’s shadowy corners. The ballast stones used to pave the cobblestone streets were discarded from slave ships that docked in Savannah's harbor and carry that traumatic energy today fueling some of the lingering spirits.
Savannah was also the site of bloody battles during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, where countless lives were violently cut short. The spirits of soldiers, trapped between life and death, are said to roam the city’s squares, forever reliving their final moments. The eerie stillness of these battle-worn grounds can send a chill down your spine as though the echoes of gunfire still hang in the air.
Adding to the city's tragic history, yellow fever epidemics swept through Savannah, killing thousands and leaving the city’s population ravaged. The souls of those who perished in these waves of death are believed to linger, their lives cut short by an invisible killer.
And as if war and disease weren't enough, Savannah has also faced natural disasters like hurricanes, which have further shaped its haunted reputation. The storms may have passed, but the spirits stirred by their fury remain, adding to the city’s eerie atmosphere.
Ghost Stories & Legends
Savannah's haunted past is alive with eerie tales of restless spirits, each one with a story that chills the air. Its very common to for renovation and landscaping projects to be halted by the discovery of human remains throughout Savannah. After, all America's Most Haunted City was built upon the grave of others who came before them.
At the 17-hundred90 Inn, the ghost of Anna Powers is known to move jewelry and nudge guests in the night. Some say she took her own life after a tragic love affair, and her sorrow has never left the inn.
Guests claim to feel her presence in the halls, the weight of her despair hanging like a shadow over the rooms she once wandered. If you are a brave soul, book Room 204, the most active room, if you dare.
The Olde Pink House, an 18th-century Georgian mansion, turned restaurant is legendary for its Southern cuisine and ghostly residents. A prankster spirit likes to knock over menus causing drinks to spill on diners’ laps.
Legend also says that James Habersham Jr, the wealthy cotton farmer who built the house, is known to partake in a lager and watch the goings on at his former home. His son, Joseph, is said to be seen drunkenly standing at the bar ordering more spirits, and then making his way to the Colonial Park Cemetery where he is buried.
The Marshall House served as a Civil War hospital, where countless soldiers met their end, and today invites guests to sleep within the same haunted walls.
Human remains were found during renovations, but it was later determined that these were amputated limbs of Union soldiers treated during the Civil War.
Other ghost sightings here are frequent, with some claiming to see the specters of nurses and soldiers still wandering the halls, as though they’re trapped in an endless loop of tending to the wounded. If you are brave enough to spend the night with ghosts, then this would be my pick for the best-haunted hotel in Savannah to stay.
Photo by Tjbliss / CC 4.0
At the Moon River Brewing Company, whispers of the past cling to the walls. This former hotel has been the site of violent encounters and eerie sightings and is considered one of the most haunted buildings in Savannah. Shadows move where no one stands, and strange cold spots send shivers down the spines of those who dare venture too far into its depths.
This notoriously haunted brewery offers more than just craft beer. Said to be the most haunted building in Savannah, Moon River has been featured on several paranormal TV shows. Enjoy a pint while keeping an eye out for the resident spirits, including the mischievous Toby in the basement. Their Moon River Lager pairs well with their haunted history.
Photo by Daniel Mayer / CC 3.0
Colonial Park Cemetery is the final resting place for many of Savannah’s early settlers. The victims of the yellow fever epidemics are said to linger here, their souls restless after being buried in mass graves. The cemetery is quiet, yet filled with an unsettling energy, as though the dead are still seeking peace.
Forsyth Park and its iconic fountain may appear serene by day, but as night falls, the park becomes a hotspot for paranormal encounters. Apparitions and strange phenomena have been reported, making this popular spot one of the most unexpectedly haunted in the city.
The Sorrel-Weed House, a Greek Revival and English Regency-style mansion, has been featured on numerous ghost hunting TV shows for a reason. The spirits within its walls are active, and those who visit often leave with stories of ghostly sightings and unexplained experiences that linger long after they’ve left.
The basement is particularly chilling due to the disembodied voices and shadowy figures seen walking around.
Once a tavern filled with rowdy sailors, the Pirate’s House legend tells tales of men being shanghaied and never seen again. The dark tunnels under this old haunt echo with the footsteps of those dragged away into the night, never to return, their spirits still searching for escape.
These same dark dank tunnels provided access for smugglers to transport illicit cargo from the wharf with no one the wiser.
Savannah’s haunted legacy lives on in its most notorious locations, where ghosts from centuries past still make their presence known. The city embraces its spooky reputation, offering numerous ghost tours, haunted pub crawls, and Halloween events that allow visitors to explore Savannah's haunted history. The combination of beautiful historic architecture, moss-draped trees, and eerie legends creates the perfect atmosphere for those seeking a ghostly experience, especially around Halloween.
Halloween Events
Tours are the most popular thing to do in Savannah at any time of the year. There are tours of every kind in every possible mode of transportation.
The Hearse Ghost Tours are very unique to the most haunted city in the US. Imagine riding through the paranormally charged streets of this Southern City in a hearse that used to carry the bodies of the dearly departed to their final resting places.
I chose this tour when I visited Savannah for Halloween 2022. The tour was phenomenal and our tour guide was so friendly and warm. I learned so much great info about each of the locations we visited.
Everyone we passed on the sidewalks would yell and laugh at the hearse. It was really a fun time!
Another tour that is a must is a Bonaventure Cemetery tour. You can choose from a daytime tour or an evening tour by candlelight. I highly recommend taking the daytime tour, because the cemetery’s setting is breathtaking and can’t be experienced in the dark. Depending on what tour provider you choose, they will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the cemetery several miles outside of town. Since Savannah is so walkable, you won’t need a car.
If you want to dress up for Halloween and partake in adult beverages then Halloween bar crawls are a great choice. The city's open container laws allow for creative bar crawl experiences. Nightmare on Congress Street bar crawl features a costume contest with cash prizes and the Vampire Bar Crawl is perfect for the bloodsuckers.
There are costume parties and balls like the Savannah Vampire Ball at Ghost Coast Distillery with live music and dancing and the NeverNotGoth Halloween Horror Party featuring DJs and punk/industrial/goth music.
The best family-friendly event includes Wag-O-Ween where residents dress up their dogs and participate in a downtown walk, collecting treats from local businesses.
Savannah Scare on the Square is a three-day Halloween festival in Emmet Park with parades, costume contests, spooky vendors, and live entertainment. It's a perfect blend of family-friendly fun and Halloween thrills.
Spooky Kat Recommendations
Leopold's Ice Cream is an iconic ice cream parlor that features seasonal flavors for Halloween. Their pumpkin spice ice cream is a fall favorite. Every time I passed Leopold’s there were lines out the door!
River Street Sweets has the best pralines in Savannah plus this awesome candy shop is located on River Street which is an experience in itself.
The best witchy shop is Cosmic Corner. It’s a bit of a walk from the historic district but worth the effort! They have a Samhain ceremony each year on October 31st.
Photo by Historic54321 / CC 4.0
The best places to stay in Savannah are The Marshall House (haunted AF) and the non-haunted Holiday Inn Express. The 4th floor of the Marshall House is the most active area of the property. These rooms book fast so reserve early! I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and was super happy with the location and proximity to my most important sights and locations.
The Olde Pink House restaurant is known for its ghoulishly great grub. Their signature dishes include Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Molasses, Crispy Scored Flounder with Apricot Shallot Sauce, and Corn Bread Fried Oysters.
Savannah Travel Tips
Book tours and accommodations well in advance, as Halloween is peak season in Savannah.
Plan your itinerary ahead of time, as many events sell out quickly
The Historic District is very walkable. Use the free DOT shuttle bus to get around downtown.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to explore the cobblestone streets. This can make or break a trip! Ask me how I know.
Pack light layers for the changeable weather.
Take advantage of free activities like exploring the historic squares and parks.
Be aware that hurricane season runs from June to November. Check weather forecasts before and during your trip.
Whether you're wandering through spooky cemeteries by candlelight, sipping craft brews in centuries-old haunted pubs, or joining the costume-clad revelers at the Savannah Scare on the Square, you'll find that Halloween in Savannah is an experience like no other. The city's rich history and ghostly legends come alive, creating an atmosphere that's both thrilling and enchanting.
So pack your courage (and maybe a costume) and come discover why Savannah is the ultimate Halloween destination. Let the city's eerie beauty and warm hospitality cast their spell on you. Who knows? You might just encounter a friendly spirit or two along the way.
And when you do visit, we'd love to hear about your Savannah adventures! Share your ghostly encounters, favorite haunted spots, or spooky snapshots with us.
Did you catch an orb on camera at Bonaventure Cemetery? Or perhaps you felt a chill run down your spine in the Sorrel-Weed House? Your stories and photos could inspire fellow travelers to embark on their own Savannah Halloween journey.
