As a port city situated front and center for the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War, Savannah is bursting with the echoes of monumental moments in history.
The land the city sits on has seen so much activity that legends of ghosts aren’t just tied to specific locations; the entire city of Savannah is haunted. Ghost City Tours has put together your go-to guide for the places you can’t miss that have an extra dose of the paranormal.
What Haunted Attractions Can I Take My Family To In Savannah?
Forsyth Park
781-899, Savannah, GA 3140
The gateway to any Savannah day for visitors and locals alike begins in Forsyth Park. This iconic park spans over 30 acres and holds some of the most scenic views in the city. Once you step foot in this historic green space, you might feel a sense of deja vu. Savannah’s famous fountain was installed here in 1858 and is the most photographed in the city.
On St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, the grand marshal of the parade pours dye into the fountain, turning it green! The city dyes all of its fountains green for the holiday, a tradition you won’t want to miss if you plan on traveling during this time.
The park will give kids a chance to get out that extra energy from sitting in a car or plane because it has not only one but two playgrounds. There’s a splash pad open on summer days on the East Side of the park.
A restaurant called Collins Quarter is located inside the park between the bandshell that provides both indoor and outdoor seating as well as public restrooms. Collins Quarter serves coffee, brunch and sandwiches.
A favorite stop for families today, the park has a darker history. One of the land’s first uses was a training ground for Confederate troops before they went to battle.The park is also located just steps away from the old Candler Hospital. According to city legend, tunnels were dug under Forsyth Park to place bodies during the Yellow Fever outbreak.
A family’s paradise in the day, the park can get downright creepy at night, especially if you consider the fact that just may be standing above an unmarked graveyard.
Factors’ Walk
102 East River Street, Savannah GA 31401
An alleyway located between Bay Street and River Street called Factors Walk is one of Savannah’s most overlooked paranormal hotspots. Today the alleyway is lined with art shops and restaurants, but in the 1700s and 1800s this was the home of the Cotton Exchange and where slaves were unloaded from the ships.
Imagine the terror thousands of slaves must have felt as they were herded off ships and into these dark corners of the city to await a terrible fate. Evidence of the dark and cruel past in this alleyway remains today. Our all-ages ghost tour, Grave Tales takes a closer look at the now sealed-off tunnel entrances that led to basements of historic buildings dating back to the 18th century.
Here, many of our tour guests have witnessed dark figures take the shape of a human, moving along the cobblestone pathway. People have often reported hearing the sounds of ghastly moans in the still night air. You likely will cross Factors’ Walk in your visit to Savannah, be sure to learn its true history, to fully appreciate Savannah’s hidden past.
Savannah’s Haunted Squares
There are a total of 24 squares in Savannah that are green spaces in the city, perfect for picnics and gathering families. There’s no shortage of ghosts in all of them, but a few stand out from the rest because of how often people report bizarre things happening inside them.
Wright Square
Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401
Wright Square is one of Savannahs’ oldest and most popular squares. The beautiful Spanish moss, oak trees, and impressive monuments however, look a little darker once you learn this also happens to be the location of the city’s first public executions.
The history here dates back to 1734, when two Irish servants were publicly hanged. Alice Riley and Richard White were accused of murdering their employer, who was known as a deviously-tyrannical man impossibly difficult to work for.
When the court found the two guilty of the crime, Alice announced that she was pregnant, and their lives were spared until Alice gave birth. A few weeks later, Alice and Richard were hung in this square in front of a crowd.
Beware if you’re approached by a frantic woman in a tattered old dress screaming for her baby. Apparently, Savannah Police often receive phone calls from park visitors about the woman, but when they arrive, she is nowhere to be found. Many believe the woman is the ghost of Alice Riley herself, searching for her child after her brutal execution.
Read more about the history of Wright Square and keep in mind, if you do spot something creepy, you can book it out of the square and over to the nearby Downtown Shopping District loaded with antique shops, cafes, and boutiques.
Wright Square Cafe on West York Street is famous for its gourmet lunches and chocolates.
Madison Square
Bull Street, Savannah
Madison Square is often considered to be one of the most haunted outdoor locations in all of Savannah. The square itself was built in 1839, but it’s what happened on the land even before then that makes it the center of paranormal theories.
In this location a bloody battle between the Patriots and Redcoats took place resulting in the deaths of 100 soldiers. Some say there was a mass grave for dead soldiers deep in the dirt in haunted Madison Square, but that has not been historically confirmed.
Dark, shadowy figures are reported floating through the area today, believed to be the ghosts of America’s first soldiers, including that of William Jasper. Jasper was a revolutionary war soldier killed in battle during the Siege of Savannah in 1779, and you can point out his statue to the kids during your visit. Just don’t be surprised if they’ve already seen him making his rounds in the green space in his afterlife.
Calhoun Square
Abercorn Street, Savannah GA
This is the only square in Savannah that is still surrounded by original buildings. It’s the least likely location for a family picnic because locals consider haunted Calhoun Square the most sinister.
Well-known for the number of haunted houses that surround it, this square is a prime location for ghost hunts. Take our Grave Tales Ghost Tour, and you’ll learn all about the history of these infamous homes, including 432 Abercorn. Many tours will tell fictional stories about what transpired in this home, but we’ll tell you the true terrifying tales of the house.
As for the square itself, it’s estimated that about a thousand slaves were buried underneath the soil in here, disrespectfully disposed of without coffins. Some believe the spirits of the slaves that haunt the square, and can be seen as shadowy figures in the area at night.
The Mercer Wiliams House Museum
429 Bull Street, Savannah GA
912-236-6352
Any traditional family-friendly trip has a good museum on the list. In Savannah, it’s not hard to find one with a paranormal background. This is a famous one, well-known for its mention in the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Today it’s open for tours that draw in history and antique fanatics as many of the pieces inside date back to the 18th century.
The home was originally designed for General Hugh Weedon Mercer, but the Civil War got in the way, and Mercer never ended up living in his house. At some point, the home was abandoned, and in a true-life version of a scene we only usually see in horror movies, a young boy snuck in did not make it out alive. The child fell to his death from the upstairs balcony and was impaled on a wrought-iron fence below. It’s a bizarre tragedy that seems unbelievable, but historical newspapers prove it really happened.
Two others died inside the house, including Jim Williams. Jim’s lover Danny Hansford was murdered inside the home, and Jim was tried four times for the crime before being acquitted. He didn’t get to enjoy his freedom long; he too was found dead in the home just six months later.
Visitors who snap pictures from the outside of the house claim to capture ghost-like images reflecting from inside the windows of the house.
The home is open as a museum today, but the owners do not share the paranormal history by choice. To hear more about the true story of the Mercer Williams House, we’d suggest booking a family-friendly ghost tour.
You won’t learn about the ghosts on an official house tour, but a peek inside is an experience we’d highly suggest. The house is open for tours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The Savannah Theater
222 Bull Street
912-233-7764
As one of the oldest theaters in the United States, performers have taken the stage at the Historic Savannah Theater for more than 200 years. Some of the former headliners here might surprise you, like Oscar Wilde and Edwin Booth (brother of Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes-Booth.)
Today, the shows at the theater range from comedy acts to musical and dance performances. Step inside and sit in front of the red velvet curtains to transport back to the Antebellum era in Georgia, when the theater was the premier source of entertainment in the state. A hurricane and fires near the turn of the 19th century essentially gutted the building early on, but it was rebuilt several times.
Rumors of hauntings in the Historic Savannah Theater have existed since 1898, when policemen on patrols would often hear applause and a crowd in the theater, even when it was closed and no one was inside. Take your family to one of the shows here and you may just feel the presence of something or someone sitting in the empty seats behind you.
Tybee Island Lighthouse
30 Meddin Dr, Tybee Island, GA 31328
912-786-5801
A 25-minute drive from Savannah to the coast will bring your family to Tybee Island Lighthouse. Several exhibits make up the Tybee Island Museum, but at 145 feet tall, the lighthouse is the most popular and the most haunted.
The lighthouse was part of the battleground during the Civil War. Once set on fire by confederate troops in 1861 so the light wouldn’t guide Union ships to shore, the lighthouse that stands today was built out of brick and metal, made to be fireproof.
Ghost encounters are common here, many people report unexplained whistling and the apparition of a man wearing lightkeepers clothing. Kids will enjoy experiencing life as a keeper more than a hundred years ago. The lighthouse is open Wednesdays - Monday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
10 E Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, GA 31401
912-233-4501
If you have any Girl Scouts in the family, the Juliette Gordon Low birthplace is a must-see. The house museum is operated by the Girl Scouts of America and is the same place Juliette made the phone call to start the Girl Scouts in 1912. The attraction was created as a house museum for Girl Scouts to enjoy with original historic furnishings and artwork created by Juliette.
People who visit the museum today say the house holds something spookier than the way your stomach feels after polishing off a box of Girl Scout cookies. Some feel a presence in the rooms, or hear the sound of disembodied footsteps. Some staff members say they’ve seen the apparition of Juliette’s mother Nelly in the haunted Juliette Gordon Low House.
The most famous ghost story in the home however, is a love story. Just before Juliette’s mother passed away in her bed, family members claim the apparition of her late husband appeared.
Guided tours take place at the home Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but are currently on hold until December 31st due to COVID-19. The birthplace is closed on Sundays, and all major holidays.
The Owens-Thomas House
124 Abercorn Street, Savannah GA 31401
912-790-8800
Built in 1819, this home is considered one of the most intriguing in Savannah today. The house has one of the oldest urban slave quarters still intact, which will give kids a tangible look at one of America’s darkest and most important history lessons.
The slave quarters have virtually remained untouched, and are lined by artifacts and other relics that were used by slaves. The house itself has witnessed the Fire of 1820, slavery, the Civil War, and several Yellow Fever outbreaks.
Spirits and lost souls are said to linger in the halls, unable to crossover in the haunted Owens-Thomas House. A well-built man with jet black hair in 1830s clothing has been spotted in the front parlor room, watching the guests as they explore the house. Furniture is moved by an unseen presence and shadowy figures have appeared on the upper floors.
Guided tours are available at the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Old Fort Jackson
1 Fort Jackson Rd, Savannah GA 31404
912-651-6840
This fort gives families a unique experience to walk in the footsteps of our nation’s early military. Far from a snooze-fest, the museum has daily cannon firings and exciting interactive experiences for kids. Fort Jackson is a National Historic Landmark that has painstakingly been restored to its original state.
The fort is located on the Savannah River, a quick and easy trip from Downtown Savannah. Many come to this attraction for the history lesson, and leave convinced it’s haunted by ghosts. Fort Jackson was an active battleground during the Civil War and many believe the spirits of the men killed here remain even today.
The most commonly reported paranormal activity at the Fort are the disembodied sounds of phantom footsteps believed to belong to the ghosts of the soldiers who fought and died protecting Savannah. Employees at the Fort say they have even gotten glimpses of apparitions of Civil War soldiers. The Fort manager says many people have experienced an eerie feeling overcome their bodies just before witnessing a ghost, who reveals himself in the dark corners of the fortress.
Visit Old Fort Jackson’s website to see current hours and COVID-19 restrictions.
The Best Family-Friendly Haunted Restaurants in Savannah
With so much to see in Savannah, a busy trip is going to work up an appetite. In Savannah, you don’t have to take a break from your ghost hunt to refuel. The city is home to several eateries known for their menu, and their paranormal regulars.
The Pirate’s House Restaurant
20 Broad Street, Savannah GA
912-233-5757
One of the first buildings in Savannah was an inn and tavern for visiting sailors. It is said there are multiple tunnels below what is now The Pirate’s House Restaurant that lead back to the Savannah river, used by pirates to sneak unsuspecting men onto their crew.
The book Treasure Island mentions The Pirate’s House, and it’s believed the inn is where Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired to write the story. Early edition pages are on display in the restaurant today.
Shadow people and other ghostly apparitions have been spotted walking through the dining rooms of The Pirate’s House. Visitors walking past The Pirate’s House often take pictures, and sometimes they capture more than they bargained for. They claim to see ghostly apparitions inside looking back at them from within the walls of the restaurant.
The Pirate’s House’s signature menu items are their award-winning honey pecan fried chicken and Low Country Spring Rolls. Employees are dressed as pirates and will give out sailors caps for the little ones to wear during dinner. A kids menu includes a list of mocktails so the little ones can drink like a pirate and still walk as straight as a plank.
The Olde Pink House
23 Abercorn Street, Savannah GA
912-232-4286
Named for its pink hue, this historic structure was built out of red bricks and covered with white stucco since the pigment from the bricks would bleed through.
The restaurant is said to be haunted by its creator James Habersham Jr. who appears often in the restaurant wearing colonial garb and drinking ale. Some guests claim they’ve had a conversation with someone dressed in Colonial garb, believing he was a reenactor, only for him to vanish in the blink of an eye.
The Olde Pink House is one of the top restaurants in Savannah. It’s perfect for families because they offer fine dining on the main floor and a more casual tavern and bar below. The menu is centered around Southern-influenced cuisine but will serve even the pickiest little eater as sides of macaroni & and cheese and french fries are also available for order.
Lunch is served Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dinner is served nightly beginning at 5 p.m.
17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant
307 E President St, Savannah GA 31401
912-236-7122
The inn and restaurant at 17Hundred90 has enchanted residents and visitors to Savannah for centuries.17Hundred90 Inn is known as Savannah’s oldest inn, and it’s a full-service restaurant with 14 rooms attached. The fine-dining restaurant serves local classics like Oysters Rockafeller and Spicy Jambalaya
The owners believe at least three ghosts haunt the building, complete with an epic love story. Anna, a woman so heartbroken when her love sailed away, reportedly took her own life in the Inn. Her ghost is said to haunt couples and often move women’s jewelry, and turn on the electric fireplace in certain rooms with the flip of a switch late at night.
Anna’s story changes quite a bit, and we at Ghost City Tours know there’s no historical proof to back it up. Book our All-Ages Ghost Tour, and we will tell you the true history of the business. We can’t guarantee a heart-broken ghost lives here, but we can assure you the restaurant will serve up some of the best fresh seafood and southern vegetables in all of Savannah.
Ideal for a special, family night out, dinner is served nightly from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dinner dress is resort casual; a jacket is not required.
The Shrimp Factory
313 E River Street, Savannah GA 31401
912-236-4229
If you’re in search of a casual seafood restaurant, The Shrimp Factory is a popular stop for families. Situated on the riverfront and housed in a former 19th-Century cotton warehouse, this eatery is known for (you guessed it) their shrimp lunch and dinners.
The restaurant itself is relatively a newbie in a sea of historic stops in Savannah, having been in business since 1977. Their signature dish is the Pine Bark Stew, consisting of southern bouillabaisse with potatoes, onions, peppers, and a medley of fresh seafood. They also start every meal with fresh-baked bread and pimento cheese.
The Shrimp Factory has a side of ghosts on the menu; the restaurant owners say the staff has always felt a presence in the upstairs storage facilities. Their resident ghost has been named Joe
, and they make sure to leave rum for him upstairs because bottles often fall off the shelves when the supply gets low. Employees don’t mind the burst of cold air he provides upstairs on a hot Savannah night.
The Shrimp Factory is open from 11 a.m to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where are the Family-Friendly Haunted Hotels in Savannah?
No family-friendly ghost vacation would be complete without a night spent in a haunted hotel. Luckily for you, Savannah is teeming with haunted inns. Ghost City Tours has rounded up a list of hotels and B&Bs that are ideal for a family of travelers.
The Olde Harbour Inn
508 East Factors Walk, Savannah GA 31401
912-234-4100
Big families will enjoy the spacious suites at the Olde Harbour Inn, which also offers a wine and cheese reception for the grownups and ice cream treats delivered to the room for the kids.
You may just notice an extra presence in your family suite, as the resident ghost “Hank” often visits and leaves behind the smell of cigar smoke in his wake. He’s also known to cause coins to drop the floor.
The first building on this lot was a cotton warehouse built in 1812. It caught fire several times in its early years, and according to legend, Hank is the spirit of a worker who died during that time. However, there is no historical evidence to substantiate that theory.
The former innkeeper encourages ghost-seeking guests to consider staying in Room 405 or 406. The hotel’s location near River Street and Factor’s Walk puts it in arguably the most haunted area in all of Savannah.
The Hamilton-Turner Inn
330 Abercorn Street, Savannah GA 31401
912-233-1833
If you can believe it, this is the first house in the city of Savannah to install electricity. This was so shocking to the residents of Savannah at the time they would often gather outside just to watch the lights come on.
It's much harder to impress visitors in 2020, but this home has stood the test of time and still delivers a dose of elegance. A winner of several travel awards, the luxury hotel is famous for its role in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It’s also rumored to be the early inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion.
With enough ghost stories to fill an entire book, the Inn is legendary for it’s hauntings. The most common experiences are the sound of children laughing, a man smoking a cigar on the roof and even a Civil War soldier that walks the halls at night. A stay here includes a southern-cooked complimentary breakfast and complimentary wine and Hors d'oeuvres by the fireplace in the evenings.
The Inn is just down the street from the Juliette Gordon Low House and a few blocks away from the Mercer Williams House.
The Marshall House Hotel
123 E Broughton Street, Savannah GA 31401
912-644-7866
Occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, The Marshall House was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. It also served as a hospital during two Yellow Fever Epidemics. With a history like that, it’s no surprise this hotel makes top lists for most haunted hotels in America.
The Marshall House is one of the oldest hotels in Savannah, and has been featured several times on the Travel Channel’s haunted hotel specials. The Hotel embraces their spooky reputation and welcomes ghost hunters to stay the night and share what they find.
The ghosts most commonly reported here are apparitions spotted in the hallways and foyers, and some hear children running down the long, narrow hallways late at night. Faucets turn on and off by themselves.
A $25 amenity fee includes two breakfasts for adults, and kids under 13 years old eat free. The rooms each have an individual charm and lavish balconies are available in some suites. The hotel is located just a few blocks away from the Savannah River and The Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters.
The Foley House Inn
14 West Hull Street, Savannah GA 31401
800-647-3708
Almost a century after the Foley House was built, construction workers discovered human skeletal remains behind a wall. It’s believed the bones belonged to a boarder who was a wealthy exporter in Savannah on business. He disappeared and was never heard from again, and people today believe he may have been murdered for his money and hidden behind the wall.
Since the discovery, staff at the Bed and Breakfast hear ghost stories of a man in a top hat walking around the garden late at night. Other guests claim they’ll feel a rush of air or strange noises at night. Constructed over the ashes of a home destroyed by the Great Savannah Fire, the 1896 structure holds a lot of history and is a key part of Savannah’s haunted history.
The Foley House is pet-friendly, and willing to place paranormal enthusiasts in the haunted room of their choice. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. daily, and they offer an evening wine reception nightly from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The Best Family-Friendly Ghost Tours in Savannah
Ghost City’s Grave Tales Tour is the best family and pet friendly tour in the city of Savannah. The tour is designed to entertain anyone aged 5 to 1000.
Join us each night at 9 p.m., and we’ll take you on a trip to Savannah’s haunted mansions, historic homes, burial grounds, and a revolutionary war battlefield.
In Savannah, many ghost legends have been passed down from generation to generation. Ghost City Tours stands apart from the rest thanks to our rigorous fact checking and deep dives into history. We’ll educate you and your family about Savannah’s true history and share it’s spooky past with you along the way. At Ghost City Tours, we believe that truth is spookier than fiction.
Other Family-Friendly Things To Do In Savannah
Leopold’s Ice Cream
212 E. Broughton Street, Savannah GA
912-234-4442
For 100 years, Leopold’s Ice Cream has churned out legendary homemade ice cream. They also cook up made from scratch soups, sandwiches, and salads if you’ve got the willpower to save the ice cream for dessert.
Their signature butter pecan ice cream was a favorite of former president Jimmy Carter. The family that owns Leopold’s has ties to Hollywood, and their ice cream has won many celebrities' hearts.
Leopold’s is open every day from noon to 10 p.m. If you miss the Broughton Street location, you can also buy their ice cream at the airport.
Bonaventure Cemetery
330 Bonaventure Rd, Thunderbolt GA 31404
912-651-6843
Considered one of the world’s most beautiful cemeteries, Bonaventure will transport families back in time and deliver a hauntingly beautiful experience like no other.
The cemetery is located on the former site of the Bonaventure Plantation. An avenue of live-oaks about fifty feet high tower over Bonaventure’s historic gravestones. Despite being a final resting place for the dead, the cemetery is filled with life in the form of bald eagles, and groups of butterflies.
The cover photograph for the best-selling book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil featured the sculpture of a young girl that was once located inside the cemetery, but has since been moved to a museum.
The cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The historical society has created an app that can be used while visiting the cemetery to learn of the stories of the people buried here. Check the cemetery’s website for the latest information about the Visitor Center and current COVID-19 restrictions.
Savannah Children’s Museum
655 Louisville Rd, Savannah GA 31401
912-651-4292
If you’re on the trip with little ones who need to get some excess energy out, the Savannah Children’s Museum is an outdoor attraction with over a dozen exhibits designed to expand the imaginations of children. We highly recommend the exploration maze and sensory garden.
The history of the museum is also fascinating. It was created in 2012 as an adaptive reuse project of the Central Georgia Railway Carpentry Shop in downtown Savannah.
The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandtown Rd, Savannah GA 31410
912-395-1212
What started as part of a cotton plantation in the late 18th to mid 19th centuries is now a wildlife center home to more than 150 animals from 50 different species. The animals live in large natural habitats that are stationed along a rustic trail through forest and marshlands.
There is a Wolf Wilderness and a Georgia Farm area the little ones will enjoy. With affordable rates such as $5 for adults and $3 for children 4-17, this is an easy stop in Savannah to take a break from ghost hunting. The center is open Sunday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
See You In Haunted Savannah!
The long list of haunted locations and things to do with the family in Savannah promises to make this a trip the entire family will remember.
We hope to have you join us on the Grave Tales Ghost Tour, the best all-ages, family-friendly tour the city has to offer.
If you do happen to spot a ghost in this historic, beautiful place, be sure to share your story with us on social media. We can’t get enough of the history of Savannah and love soaking up everything about the city and the ghosts that make it so special.
Get to know Savannah's Most Haunted Places
Colonial Park Cemetery
Savannah's oldest and most haunted Cemetery
432 Abercorn
Savannah's most infamous haunted house
Laurel Grove Cemetery
A quiet, and haunted Cemetery in Savannah