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Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery After Hours Group Tour

Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery After Hours Group Tour

Overview

Savannah’s ONLY after hours, cemetery tour! Conducted by Shannon Scott, this specialty adult tour delves into layers of secret society topics, root doctor ritual work, gangsters, bootleggers, murderous lovers and other clandestine story gems that Scott defines as “the taboo tales” of Bonaventure. For fans of Midnight In The Garden of Good & Evil? This is the ultimate show as you roam the grounds discussed in the novel where many of the characters are now buried and per expectation told in a highly personal, maverick manner by The Bard of Bonaventure, Shannon Scott!

City: Savannah

Tue 24 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $56.42

Make a reservation

Tue 24 Dec

Starting at $56.42

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Professional local guide

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Customers must have a cell phone on them and provide cell phone number at the time of booking.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

What To Expect

Shannon Scott Tours

Tour the South's most illustrious, Victorian Cemetery with 29 year, resident storyteller, Shannon Scott or one of his other premium story hosts! Bonaventure is home to poets, songwriters, actors, artists, industrialists, duelists, Confederates, and every life story under one sunny cemetery! Fans of Secret Societies like The Freemasons won't be disappointed either as Bonaventure is imprinted everywhere with their emblems! See Little Gracie, Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken, Noble Jones and more! Fans of "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil?" Get close to the characters! Talk about a personal & impacting day out! Inquire about Historic District Hotel Transportation!

Bonaventure Cemetery

During this 2.5 hour tour, you will be joining a very exclusive club of people who have seen the cemetery after it closes to the public. Not since it opened in 1846 has this been an opportunity, but thanks to your very special local host, now it is. You are literally locked in the cemetery the entire time; for the right taker, there's no price you can put on the joy of that. Imagine having the serenity, stillness, and quiet of the cemetery, uninterrupted by the living world. Stories stretch from the present day all the way back to Bonaventure's plantation beginnings in 1754. Our topics range from the funny and uplifting to the macabre at its most morbid. Some of the stories that will be covered include those of: • A "hooch runner" for Al Capone • A bizarre love story that ended in one murder and one visit to the electric chair • Savannah's role in The DaVinci Code • Lady Minerva & Jim Williams in Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (142)

Cathy489

Apr 2013

OK, where to start. Honestly, I don't like reading bad reviews, and I certainly don't like writing them, and, hear me out, this is NOT a bad review. I really enjoyed my Bonaventure tour with Shannon, but wanted to write this based on some of the comments I heard others in the group mention and also my personal opinion. First, this is NOT a ghost tour! I overheard many people in our group saying they were wondering when it was going to get to the scary part! This tour is a tour that highlights the history of Bonaventure and the personal stories of some of its more notable "residents". If you are looking for a scary "ghost story" sort of tour, then this is not the tour for you! Second, I have to honestly say that my initial reaction to Shannon was not good. He kinda came off as sort of full of himself, and the first 15-20 minutes or so I found myself checking my watch wondering if I was going to make it through his theatrical, poetic recitations for 2 hours. BUT, like I said, this isn't a bad review, and after those first few minutes, I found myself sort of mesmerized by his stories, and fully appreciating his eloquence. And, by the end, I was wishing I had another 2 hours to spend with Shannon and his love of Bonaventure. Third, it would have been a 5 star event for me had the group not been so large. There were so many of us taking this tour that by the time the crowd cleared enough to take a picture of some of the more notables, Shannon had already moved on to the next stop. Was it worth the time and money to take this tour with Shannon? Absolutely! Would I recommend this tour to anyone visiting Savannah? You bet! In fact, I can't think of a better way to see this beautiful cemetery. Book this tour with Shannon -- you will not be disappointed. Oh, and don't forget your bug spray!

Response from Host

Apr 2013

Thank you for a very personal and indepth review. I wish I could give you 5 Stars for just the thought that went into it! I appreciate immensely that you kept an open mind throughout, and allowed yourself to be swept up into the spirit of what it was versus what it wasn't. Although I don't know your specific situation, I have found that some clients who have bought vouchers online, they're under the impression that it was a ghost tour and its just not advertised that way. As strange as it is to say, the City of Savannah doesn't allow them in cemeteries they manage. I kid thee not, but they do this to avoid exploitation of the cemeteries where families still have much feeling invested. To the group size? Yes, there are occasions where if one weekend night doesn't come through, we're obliged to roll some reservations over. Apologies but my aim is to make it a quality experience at all turns where everyone feels they're getting some personal attention. On that note, thank you again for all of the time you took to share your opinions and feel very blessed by them!

frequent t

Apr 2013

Scott takes you on an after hours walking tour of Bonaventure Cemetery. It's a beautiful place, I can see why people are just dying to get into the place. Scott's stories are detailed, sometimes humorous, anecdote filled, sometimes personal stories of the heroes and villains in their final resting places. Scott's love of Savannah history and heart of a poet brings fascinating insight to the evening. He covered all the famous highlights, bringing life to such famous lives as Johnny Mercer and of course Gracie. His descriptions are replete with art history references, literary and poetic quotes, and an appreciation for the history of sculpture (funerary and otherwise). Scott also has knowledge of many greater and lesser known, but just as interesting, citizens & denizens of Savannah. He also lets you in on a secret on how you too can be buried at Bonaventure...but you'll have to take the tour to find out! One thing…Scott does warn you to bring bug spray…the no see’m bugs are ruthless!

blindhrtd

Apr 2013

My husband and I attended the Bonaventure After Hours tour on April 13, 2013. Shannon is an amazing storyteller, and his excitement for the history of the cemetery and Savannah is contagious! We could have listened to his stories all night. Shannon was great to work with and was always prompt to respond to any questions we had when booking the tour. I can't wait to come back.