Genteel and Bard’s Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour

Reviewed · SAVANNAH SQUARES & HISTORIC WALKING TOURS

Genteel and Bard’s Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour

5.0 · 1,546 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $39 Operated by Genteel and Bard · Bookable on Viator
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Savannah gets creepy fast. On this 2-hour outdoor Genteel and Bard walk, I followed dark stories paired with photos, music, and professionally recorded first-person letters, all delivered through high-range headsets.

What I like most is how the tour keeps you connected to the story even when you’re standing a few steps away, not pressed shoulder-to-shoulder. A small group (up to 22) also means your guide can focus on you, and guides such as Jovi and Juliana clearly know how to pace the night.

One possible drawback: this is story-forward more than stop-and-go sightseeing. If you want lots of quick photo opportunities in a short time, or if you don’t like spooky narration, you may feel the 2 hours lean more toward listening than racing from place to place—especially on cold nights.

Key things to know before you go

Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour - Key things to know before you go

  • Clear audio with headsets, so you can hear the guide without shouting
  • Professionally recorded first-hand letters, plus photos and music at stops
  • Small group size (max 22) for better attention and smoother flow
  • 8 major stops across central Savannah, ending at Colonial Park Cemetery
  • 100% outdoors, with no inside-building access during the tour
  • Dark history meets local lore, including Savannah’s first murder and cemetery tales

How the Genteel and Bard ghost walk plays in real life

Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour - How the Genteel and Bard ghost walk plays in real life
This is an evening walk designed for people who like their history with atmosphere. You’ll be outside the whole time, moving along Savannah’s squares and haunted-leaning landmarks, while your guide blends local context with creepy specifics.

The format helps a lot: each stop is paired with audio support, and the headsets are there so you don’t have to strain or guess what you missed. I also like that the tour doesn’t rely only on the spoken word. You’ll hear professionally recorded letters and see supporting visuals, which makes the stories feel more anchored than pure folklore.

You should also expect a guided walk with a deliberate pace. Some stops are short, and one stretch is longer, so the experience doesn’t feel like a checklist of quick pop-ins. The upside is you get continuity; the downside is you won’t cover as many separate places as a hop-on-hop-off-style route.

We have more walks through Savannah's historic squares and old district to wander

Start at Abercorn Street, end at Colonial Park Cemetery

The meetup is at 124 Abercorn St in central Savannah. The walk ends at Colonial Park Cemetery, 200 Abercorn St, so plan for an easy post-tour stroll or quick ride after you finish.

Because the whole tour is outdoors, timing matters more than you might think. Colonial Park Cemetery has limits after nightfall, and the tour is built to fit the timing of the experience. If you’re running late, you’ll feel it.

This also isn’t a hotel-pickup tour. You’ll get there on your own, and the start point is near public transportation. If you want a low-stress night, show up a little early so you can get your headset sorted and settle into the group.

Oglethorpe Square: the story engine of the whole walk

Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour - Oglethorpe Square: the story engine of the whole walk
Oglethorpe Square sets the tone right away. This stop is framed around why Savannah is known for haunting lore, and you’ll get themed stories that connect local history with paranormal claims.

What makes Oglethorpe Square work on this tour is the delivery. The guide keeps the narrative flowing, and the audio enhancement helps the story land even if you’re a few feet back. If you’ve ever been on ghost tours where you can’t hear half the group, the headset system here is a big quality-of-life upgrade.

You’ll also learn what this tour doesn’t do. The tour is designed for stops outside—hotels, private homes, museums, and restaurants that are privately owned—so don’t expect interior access during the walk. You can revisit many sites later on your own time if they’re open.

Wright Square: Savannah’s first murder, told with specifics

Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour - Wright Square: Savannah’s first murder, told with specifics
Wright Square is one of the shorter stops, but it carries a heavy theme: Savannah’s first murder. The point here isn’t suspense movie theatrics; it’s the guide using story structure to make the historical facts feel personal and immediate.

The practical value: even if you’re new to Savannah, this is a clean way to get oriented. Squares are easy landmarks, so your brain can map where you are while the guide adds context and detail.

If you’re someone who likes straight history mixed with eerie framing, this stop is a good match. It’s short enough to keep things moving, but not so brief that it feels like a throwaway mention.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum: secrets under the streets

Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour - Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum: secrets under the streets
Next up is the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum area. Here you’ll hear about secrets “below your feet” on Savannah’s streets, and the stop also includes a story of love continuing past death.

This is where the tour’s multimedia approach starts to shine. You’re not just listening to spooky lines; you’re getting a layered presentation—spoken history paired with visual and audio support. That combination helps the stories feel less like generic ghost talking and more like specific local lore.

Because this stop is also on a tight time window, you’ll want to keep your eyes up. Watch for the cues your guide gives, and don’t step away while the audio is playing, even if the street feels quiet. Small timing differences matter when stops are only around 10 minutes.

There are more haunted-history and ghost walks waiting in Savannah after dark

Chippewa Square: who was hidden among the familiar

Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour - Chippewa Square: who was hidden among the familiar
At Chippewa Square, the story centers on a question of who was hidden near one of Savannah’s popular inns. This is another location where the tour uses the area’s real layout as part of the narrative.

Here’s the angle I like: you’re seeing a place that many people visit in daylight, then hearing a darker interpretation of the same streets at night. It changes how you look at the architecture and the rhythm of the neighborhood.

This stop is brief too, so it’s smart to stay close to the guide. The headset experience means you can hear clearly, but you still want to follow along with where the guide directs your attention.

The Old Sorrel Weed House and Madison Square: murder, war, and aftermath

Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour - The Old Sorrel Weed House and Madison Square: murder, war, and aftermath
The tour continues to the Old Sorrel Weed House Museum & Tours, where the theme list is blunt: murder, suicide, and war. This stop is heavy, and it’s also a reminder that Savannah’s haunting lore is often tied to real human tragedy.

Then you shift to Madison Square, which focuses on war. That may sound broad, but on this walk the guide uses it to connect events to local lives and the way stories get passed down.

A small caution: these themes can feel intense if you’re sensitive to true-crime style history. The tour is respectful, but it doesn’t soften the subject matter. If you like your ghost stories with historical grounding, it’ll likely land well.

Colonial Park Cemetery: disease, Hudu, and what graves can teach

Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour - Colonial Park Cemetery: disease, Hudu, and what graves can teach
Colonial Park Cemetery is the longest stop in the second half, and it’s arguably the climax. You’ll hear cemetery history, including diseases and a discussion of Hudu as part of the local lore.

This is the place where you’ll feel the weight of the whole night. The guide’s pacing gives you time to absorb the story, not just rush through it. And since it’s a real cemetery setting, the best way to enjoy this segment is to slow down and listen without multitasking.

Practical tip: dress warmer than you think you need to. Reviews mention cold nights, and even the headset comfort can feel different when weather turns. Bring gloves if you run cold, and keep your hands free so you’re not constantly fumbling with your headset.

Genteel & Bard Savannah: extra sites and a longer wrap-up block

After the major squares and landmarks, the tour includes additional locations visited under the Genteel & Bard Savannah banner. This is a longer stretch (about 45 minutes) where you’ll hear more stories while passing and referencing places such as Savannah’s first cemetery, the Marshall House, Foley House Inn, and 12 Oglethorpe Ave.

This part matters because it ties the themes together. You’re not only hearing about one isolated case. The guide connects patterns: how tragedies, folklore, and neighborhood memory blend over time.

It also helps you see Savannah as a whole. By the time you reach this segment, you’ve already built a mental map of squares and streets, so the extra names start to click into place instead of feeling random.

Headsets, photos, and letters: why you’ll understand every word

One of the most praised parts of this walk is the headset system. High-range audio means you’re less dependent on standing right in front of the guide. Reviews also mention visual aids, which is a big deal for night tours because lighting and distance can make storytelling harder.

If you’ve been on tours where you hear only fragments, this setup changes the experience. You can follow the narrative without doing the awkward lean-forward dance.

The one thing to keep in mind: cold weather can affect comfort and handling. If it’s freezing, give yourself a little extra patience for small headset issues. Guides on this tour appear prepared to keep things running smoothly even when the weather isn’t friendly.

Walking for 2 hours: what your body should expect

The tour is about 2 hours total, and it’s a real walk. There’s time to listen at each stop, but you’re still outside moving between squares and landmarks.

Good shoes matter. Savannah sidewalks can be uneven, and at night you’ll be watching where you step while also glancing up at the guide and any visuals. If you prefer a gentle stroll with minimal hills, plan for that kind of pacing, not for a power-walk.

Also plan your expectations. The experience isn’t designed to maximize how many separate places you photograph. It’s designed to make you feel the story thread from stop to stop.

What I think the $39 price gets you

At $39 per person, this tour sits in the “you’re paying for quality” category. You’re not just buying a route; you’re buying a scripted storytelling experience with headset audio and guided interpretation.

The value improves because the group is limited to up to 22 people. That matters. When a guide can keep a smaller crowd moving and attentive, the tour feels more organized and personal.

The tradeoff is time. Since it’s narrative-heavy, you’ll likely spend more of the two hours listening than grabbing photos at every corner. If you’re truly looking for volume of locations, you might prefer a different style of tour. If you want the stories done well, the price feels fair for what you get.

Who this ghost encounter walk is best for

This is a great fit if you:

  • love Savannah squares and want to connect lore to place names
  • like your spooky stories tied to first-hand letters and recorded materials
  • want clear audio without craning your neck or turning your head constantly
  • enjoy small-group energy and attention from the guide

It’s less ideal if you:

  • hate long narration and want more quick photo stops
  • dislike spooky themes that include murder, war, suicide, and disease
  • get very cold easily and don’t want to spend time outside in the evening

And if you like a calmer street scene, consider going on a weekday. Some nights can have multiple tour groups in the same general areas, which can add noise and distraction.

Should you book Genteel and Bard’s Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter walk?

I’d book it if you want a guided night walk where you can actually hear the story and follow the thread. The headset setup, the multimedia support, and the small-group format are the big reasons this works so well.

I’d think twice if your main goal is ticking off lots of locations quickly or if you’re not into story-heavy ghost lore. This one is about staying with the narrative long enough to feel it, not about rushing through as many stops as possible.

If you’re ready for a cold-weather-friendly, story-forward evening (dress warm), this is one of the stronger ways to experience Savannah after dark.

FAQ

How long is the Genteel and Bard Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour?

The tour is listed as about 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $39.00 per person.

Where do I meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at 124 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31401. The tour ends at Colonial Park Cemetery, 200 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31401.

Is the tour indoor or outdoor?

This tour is 100% outdoors. The locations are places you can usually enter on your own time, but the tour itself happens outside.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes a local professional guide and headsets so you can hear clearly.

What are the main stops during the walk?

The tour includes stops at Oglethorpe Square, Wright Square, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, Chippewa Square, The Old Sorrel Weed House Museum & Tours, Madison Square, Colonial Park Cemetery, and other additional locations including places like the Marshall House, Foley House Inn, and 12 Oglethorpe Ave.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 22 travelers.

Can I bring a service animal, and what if weather is bad?

Service animals are allowed. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.