A travel blogger’s simple self-guided Savannah ghost walk tour. Enjoy a free walking map and learn about ghostly encounters from some of the most haunted homes in the heart of historic Savannah. Fun ghost stories, plus where to stay, eat and shop from a SCAD parent while visiting beautiful Savannah, Georgia.
My Solo Trip Self-Guided Savannah Ghost Walk Tour & Map
After driving 16 hours across the country to drop my daughter at college in Savannah, I embarked on a solo trip calling it “My Menopause Side-Quest“. To keep from ugly crying, I kicked off my solo side-quest with a self-guided ghost walking tour, because why not replace my sadness with a little healthy fear?
I’m sharing all that I did and learned while researching this self-guided ghost walk through historic Savannah’s beautiful streets. I did not encounter any ghosts along the way, but it sure was fun!
If you love history and want something different to do in Savannah on a budget, this self-guided ghost walk is for you!
How Long is This Self-Guided Savannah Ghost Walk Tour?
This walking tour is best started 30 minutest to 1 hour before sunset. You can go at your own pace, give yourself 30-45 minutes to walk around the homes and squares listed below. If you choose to head over to the Colonial Park Cemetery, add on an extra 30 minutes to your walking tour. This is fun walk to do before or after dinner!
Self-Guided Savannah Ghost Walk Tour Map
This self-guided Savannah ghost walk tour started at my hotel, The DeSoto. I then walked to Lafayette Square to begin my official haunted walk. Follow this map and scroll down to learn about each haunted stops. Don’t miss my recommendations for where to eat, drink and shop along the way.
Self-Guided Ghost Walk – Stop 1:
Lafayette Square
Lafayette Square was laid out in 1873 and named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French general under George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.
Since it’s considered one of the city’s most haunted locations, it’s our first stop on the self-guided Savannah ghost walk tour. Several buildings surrounding the square are known for their ghostly tales, including the Hamilton-Turner Inn and the Andrew Low House which you’ll learn about below.
Self-Guided Ghost Walk – Stop 2:
Hamilton-Turner Inn
The Hamilton–Turner Inn is a historic mansion in Savannah, Georgia, now operating as a luxury bed-and-breakfast. Built in 1873 for Samuel Pugh Hamilton, known as the “Lord of Lafayette Square,” the home was one of the first in the city to have electricity. Its striking French Empire architecture, ornate details, and grand staircase make it one of Savannah’s most photographed landmarks. It’s rumored to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion attraction.
Ghost Stories About Hamilton-Turner Inn
Guests and staff have reported strange sounds, such as billiard balls rolling across the floor, believed to come from the days when the house hosted lavish parties. Others claim to see the spirit of a former caretaker smoking a cigar, or even children’s laughter echoing through the halls.
Self-Guided Ghost Walk – Stop 3:
Andrew Low House Museum
The Andrew Low House Museum in Savannah, Georgia, is a beautifully preserved 1849 Italianate mansion built for wealthy cotton merchant Andrew Low. The home is known for its elegant architecture, ornate interiors, and ties to notable figures: Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, lived here, and famed author William Makepeace Thackeray was a guest.
Today, it operates as a museum showcasing 19th-century furnishings, artwork, and the lifestyle of Savannah’s elite. Like many historic homes in the city, it also carries ghostly tales—visitors have reported cold spots, shadows, and unexplained sounds, with some believing the spirits of former residents still linger.
Most Popular Ghost Story from the Andrew Low House
One of the most chilling ghost stories from the Andrew Low House Museum centers on Juliette Gordon Low’s husband, William Mackay Low. After his death in the home, many claim his restless spirit never left.
Visitors and staff report hearing a man’s heavy footsteps pacing through the upstairs rooms when no one is there. Others have smelled strong wafts of cigar smoke lingering in the halls—though smoking has long been banned inside. Some even say his stern presence is felt in the library, where people suddenly grow uneasy or feel as though they’re being watched.
Self-Guided Ghost Walk – Stop 4:
Madison Square
Madison Square is a charming historic square laid out in 1837 and named for President James Madison. Surrounded by notable landmarks like the Green–Meldrim House and St. John’s Episcopal Church, it features a central monument honoring Sergeant William Jasper, a Revolutionary War hero. The square is both a peaceful green space for visitors and locals and a place rich with history—its grounds are tied to the bloody Siege of Savannah in 1779, making it a popular stop on both history and ghost tours.
A Madison Square Ghost Story
One of the most chilling legends tied to Madison Square comes from the Siege of Savannah in 1779, when hundreds of soldiers were killed on the very ground where the square now stands. Locals say many of the dead were hastily buried beneath the area, and their restless spirits still linger.
Visitors often report seeing shadowy figures drifting across the square at night, sometimes mistaken for living people until they vanish. Others describe strange cold spots, phantom footsteps, and an eerie sense of being watched. Some ghost tour guides claim the spectral soldiers appear most often near the monument to Sergeant William Jasper—as if the fallen are still rallying around their hero.
Self-Guided Ghost Walk – Stop 5:
Green-Meldrim House
The Green-Meldrim House is one of the South’s finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture. The most expensive 19th century house in Savannah.
- Musical Spirits – Ghost stories often describe spectral activity tied to live music inside the house. Visitors and guides report that playing instruments can trigger doors to open or close on their own, and disembodied voices sometimes echo through the rooms. These phenomena are commonly attributed to the spirit of one of Charles Green’s former enslaved servants, known for her appreciation of the musical gatherings held there.
- Ghost on the Balcony – Some ghost tours even claim sightings of a ghostly figure on the house’s balcony, reinforcing its reputation as a place where the past feels ever-present.
Self-Guided Ghost Walk – Stop 6:
The Old Sorrel-Weed House
The Old Sorrel–Weed House is one of Savannah’s most famous historic mansions and is often called one of the most haunted houses in America. Built in 1840 by shipping merchant Francis Sorrel, the elegant Greek Revival home is known for its striking architecture, rich history, and chilling ghost stories tied to tragedy, slavery, and mysterious deaths. Today, it operates as a museum and popular stop for ghost tours, drawing visitors fascinated by both its beauty and its eerie reputation.
Want to save this for later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
3 Ghost Stories About the Sorrel–Weed House:
- The Tragic Mistress – Francis Sorrel was rumored to have had an affair with a young enslaved woman named Molly. When his wife, Matilda, discovered the affair, she is said to have thrown herself to her death from the second floor balcony. Not long after, Molly was reportedly found hanged in the carriage house. Many visitors claim to feel overwhelming sadness in those rooms, and ghost hunters often record unexplained voices of a distraught woman.
- Soldiers in the Basement – During the Civil War, the home’s basement was allegedly used as a field hospital and morgue. Guests and staff report hearing groans, shouts, and the clanging of metal, as though battle-weary soldiers are still lingering there. Cold spots and sudden drops in temperature are especially common in the basement corridors.
- Dark Shadows and Apparitions – The Sorrel–Weed House is frequently described as being full of shadowy figures that dart through rooms or stand watching in doorways. Some witnesses claim to see the spirit of Matilda herself, while others encounter unknown male figures in 19th-century clothing. Paranormal investigators often capture orbs, mists, and eerie shapes on film inside the house.
Self-Guided Ghost Walk – Stop 7:
Colonial Park Cemetery
Colonial Park Cemetery served as Savannah’s cemetery for more than a century and contains over nine thousand graves. Established in 1750, by 1789 it had been expanded three times to reach its current size. Colonial Park Cemetery is approximately 6 acres in size and is located in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District. The cemetery is open to pedestrians from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Popular Ghost Stories About Colonial Park Cemetery
- The Ghost of René Rondolier – Legend holds that René Rondolier, a towering figure nearly seven feet tall, was accused of murdering young girls in or near the cemetery. A mob captured and lynched him by a tree within the grounds—later known as the “hanging tree.” Soon after his death, witnesses began reporting sightings of a tall, shadowy figure, sometimes seen swinging from that same tree, haunting the graves. The details of his crimes remain unverified—historians have found no records of a René Rondolier or such murders—but the ghost story persists in tour lore.
- The Red Girl – Paranormal investigator Tobias McGriff describes a spectral young woman bathed in a red aura, often seen kneeling beside graves. She appears in photographs and remains unidentified—her identity lost to time, but her presence captured in eerie snapshots.
- The Jumping Boy – Several visitors have recorded footage of what appears to be a small spirit child moving through the cemetery. In one video, a boy leaps unusually high up into a tree and then suddenly drops down—movements described as highly unnatural and “animal-like”.
Where to Eat & Drink in Savannah
Searching for ghosts can make you very hungry, so here are a few of our recommended Historic Savannah area restaurants within walking distance of these haunted houses. As a SCAD mom, I visit a lot and have to say The Public Kitchen is my all time favorite restaurant in all of Savannah!
The Public Kitchen
The Public Kitchen & Bar serves American and Southern dishes with options for comfort food, healthy choices, small plates, and vegetarian options. Known for their Shrimp & Grits and grass fed burgers, it’s a must stop for lunch or dinner in Savannah!
1540 Room
1540 Room is a lively dining room with an open kitchen features Low country sourced, farm-to-table dishes, including a unique collection of wines —curated by Chef de Cuisine, Melissa Schownir and Sommelier, Tinna McDonald.
Proof & Provision
Proof & Provision located in the DeSoto, has barrel-aged cocktails mix and mingle with farm-fresh Southern comfort food favorites. An indoor-outdoor pub for craft cocktails and laid back dining.
Peregrin
Peregrin is Perry Lane Hotel’s rooftop bar offers stunning views, curated drinks, and an inviting atmosphere.
Franklin’s
Franklin’s is a to-go cafe and coffee shop located in Savannah’s Historic District, known for its modern take on classic Southern brunch and coffee. It’s definitely a favorite among the SCAD students.
Gryphon
Gryphon Tea Room is the epitome of Southern hospitality, elegance, and charm. Located in historic Savannah, stop by and enjoy a traditional tea service.
Hitch
Hitch is a part of the popular Treylor Park restaurant group. It’s best known for its Treylor Park Nachos Grande, but also features other creative dishes like the Duck Pot Pie Eggroll. You can’t go wrong eating here!
Other Places to Visit That aren’t Haunted (As far as we know)
SCADstory & Shop SCAD
The SCADstory, located in the same building as Shop SCAD, is an immersive 4D experience that carries guests on an unexpected journey through SCAD history, across four decades of beauty, design, and invention. Told with the magic and wonder of 25 SCAD disciplines — from animation to themed entertainment design. SCADstory is similar to a theme park attraction. It’s amazing and I highly recommend it for anyone visiting Savannah.
Cathedral Basilica of St. John
Cathedral Basilica of St. John is a gorgeous cathedral in Savannah located on Lafayette Square. It is free to tour at your own pace, and they do allow pictures to be taken. Touring hours are 9 AM-11:30 AM and 1 PM – 4:30 PM. Typically, docents are available Monday-Friday during open hours. There is a suggested donation of $3.00 when visiting the church.
St. John’s Church
St. John’s Church in Savannah is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia located in Madison Square. The church was formed in 1841. Church tours are free to the public and take place on Tuesdays and Fridays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $10.00 per adult when visiting the church.
3 Great Places to to Stay in Savannah
There are many places to stay when embarking on a self-guided ghost walk is Historic Savannah, but here are a few locations we recommend that are located on our Self-Guided Ghost Walk map.
The DeSoto Savannah
Located in the heart of downtown Savannah, The DeSoto offers luxurious amenities including a rooftop pool and authentic southern restaurants. From this hotel, you can do a self-guided ghost walk and also visit some great other attractions in historic Savannah.
Hamilton-Turner Inn
Stay in the heart of the haunts in Lafayette Square at Hamilton–Turner Inn. It’s a luxury historic hotel that offers beautiful rooms and a delicious breakfast. Plus, it might also have all the haunts you desire right there!
The Perry Lane Hotel
If you crave modern luxury, then The Perry Lane Hotel is for you! Enjoy the views of Savannah from their rooftop bar.
If you go on this self-guided Savannah ghost walk tour, let us know if you find any ghosts!
You might also love these fun travel tips:
- Where to Find Mickey Beignets at Disney World
- Fairfield Inn Pensacola Beach Hotel Review
- 15 Unforgettable Things to Do in Grand Cayman
- 10 Things You Must Do At Universal Orlando
- 2 Day Oahu Itinerary – Honolulu Hawaii
- 10 Best Character Dining at Disney World for Dinner
- Top 3 Favorite Things to do in Oklahoma
