Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour

Savannah gets stranger after sunset. The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour turns that mood into a 75-minute ride through stories of murder, restless spirits, and old Savannah characters, with two after-dark stops that add more than a simple drive-by sightseeing tour.

I like the mix of history and theatrical storytelling, especially when the guides use period clothing, humor, and dramatic scenes to bring the tales to life. I also like the unusual nighttime access to the Andrew Low House and the Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery on River Street. The main drawback is that this is not a cemetery tour after dark, and some visitors find the acting too silly or the narration lighter on historical detail than expected.

What makes this tour worth considering

• Two indoor stops after dark: Visit the Andrew Low House and River Street’s Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery, both included in the experience.
• A 75-minute trolley ride: You get a comfortable overview of Savannah’s darker stories without spending the whole evening on foot.
• A theatrical guide style: Guides such as Billy, Emmaline, Madam Rouge, August, Barnaby, and Madame Bella Rouge have earned praise for strong delivery and good audience energy.
• No cemetery entry after 8 p.m.: City rules prevent the tour from entering cemeteries during most evening departures.
• A small group by trolley standards: The maximum group size is 32 people, which helps the narration feel more personal.
• A fair evening price: At $39.54 per person, the value depends on how much you enjoy staged ghost stories and the included building visits.

A trolley ride through Savannah’s darker side

The experience begins at 301 East River Street, where you check in at least 15 minutes before departure. From there, you board the trolley of the doomed for a narrated ride through Savannah.

The ride gives your feet a break and lets you see more of the city than a short walking ghost tour can cover. The focus is not only on ghosts. You also hear about murder, mayhem, suspicious characters, and strange events tied to Savannah’s past.

That mix is important. If you want a serious history lecture, this may feel too theatrical. If you want a spooky evening with a steady supply of stories and jokes, the format works better.

The guides set the tone. Billy has been praised for a warm, informed delivery, while Emmaline brought a pleasant and engaging style. Lin was described as animated and clear, and August earned approval for being both friendly and well prepared. Madam Rouge and Madame Bella Rouge received especially strong praise for making the stops lively.

The driver can add to the experience, too. Mr. Larry, Brandy, Brenda, Alice, and Ty were all singled out for helping the evening run smoothly. That matters on a tour like this because the narrator and driver share the job of keeping the group comfortable, on time, and involved.

Andrew Low House after sunset

One of the strongest parts of the tour is the 20-minute stop at the Andrew Low House. The building sits beside Lafayette Square on a trust lot and retains its original mid-19th-century garden.

The house offers a look at the polished side of old Savannah. Its rooms and setting help explain how a wealthy family lived in the 1800s, which gives the ghost stories a real historical setting instead of leaving them floating in the dark.

The house also has a direct connection to Juliette Magill Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. She was born in Savannah in 1860 and died at the Andrew Low House in 1927. That connection makes the stop valuable even if you are not strongly interested in ghosts.

After dark, the building feels very different from a daytime house museum. The quiet rooms, old furnishings, and period setting support the spooky mood. The theatrical presentation may include a staged scene or dramatic storytelling, depending on the guide and evening.

There is one practical point to keep in mind. The tour is not recommended for people who cannot safely manage stairs. A visitor with limited mobility should call the provider at least 24 hours ahead to discuss arrangements. The house stop may be difficult if stairs are a concern.

River Street and the Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery

The second major stop is on River Street, an area linked with Savannah’s port history and many of the city’s ghost stories. The tour takes you inside the Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery after dark.

This stop gives the evening a change of pace. Instead of listening only from the trolley, you enter an old commercial setting and receive a presentation from a guide on site. The enclosed space allows for more theatrical effects and closer interaction with the story.

Several accounts of the experience praise this part of the tour, including the character who appears in the warehouse. One description also notes the use of paranormal equipment. That detail suggests the stop leans toward entertainment and audience participation rather than a formal museum presentation.

The warehouse section is not a perfect match for everyone. Some people find it the most fun and spooky part of the night, while others find the acting forced or the presentation too long. If you prefer quiet historical interpretation, the staged performance may test your patience.

Still, the building visit is a major reason to choose this tour over a basic trolley loop. You are not simply passing old streets while someone tells ghost stories. You get out, enter historic spaces, and experience Savannah’s darker folklore at close range.

Why you will not enter a cemetery

The title can create the wrong expectation. Despite the name Ghosts & Gravestones, the evening tour does not enter cemeteries after 8 p.m. A city ordinance prevents cemetery access at that time, and most departures take place later.

This is the clearest point to understand before booking. If your main goal is walking through a graveyard after dark, this is not the right experience. The tour still covers ghost stories connected with Savannah and includes two historic buildings, but the cemetery portion is not part of the standard evening route.

One visitor specifically suggested taking a daytime tour if cemetery access is important. That is sensible advice. Plan this outing for the trolley ride, the stories, the Andrew Low House, and the River Street warehouse, not for nighttime graveside exploration.

The storytelling style: spooky, funny, and sometimes theatrical

The tone is best described as PG-13. The stories involve mature subjects, including violence, death, and disturbing events, but this is not a horror attraction designed to frighten you at every turn.

The guides use humor to keep the mood from becoming too grim. That works well for many people, particularly families with older children and groups of friends who want a light evening activity. It also means you should not expect sustained suspense.

The acting is a matter of taste. Strong guides can make the stories memorable. Billy’s storytelling, Lin’s animated presentation, and Madam Rouge’s stage presence received especially high marks. Another guide was praised for using a clear speaking volume, which is helpful if you have trouble hearing.

Yet the format can miss the mark. Some performances may feel more goofy than frightening, and a few narrators may spend too much time on unverifiable stories. One dissatisfied visitor felt the warehouse sequence dragged and wanted a stronger storyline.

I would choose this tour for fun spooky history, not for strict historical research. The best guides balance documented Savannah history, local legend, and theatrical flair. The weaker presentations may lean too far toward acting.

How the price compares with the experience

At $39.54 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to hear Savannah ghost stories. It is also more than a simple narrated trolley ride because the price includes admission to the Andrew Low House and the River Street ship chandlery.

The value comes from the combination of transport, narration, and indoor access. You get a short overview of the city, two distinct stops, and an evening activity that does not require planning several separate admissions.

The 75-minute duration also helps. It is long enough to feel like a proper outing, but short enough to fit before dinner or after another Savannah activity. You are not committing an entire night to one theme.

The price makes the most sense for first-time visitors, couples, families with older children, and friends who enjoy a little theater with their history. If you are mainly interested in detailed architectural or cemetery history, a walking tour may offer better value.

You should also consider the group limit of 32 people. That is not a private tour, but it is manageable for a trolley experience. A smaller group can make it easier to hear the narrator and follow the indoor presentations.

Practical details that can shape your evening

The tour begins and ends at 301 East River Street. Since it returns to the same meeting point, you do not need to arrange a separate ride from the final stop.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Finding the trolley has been easy for some visitors, but arriving with time to spare is still wise, especially if you are unfamiliar with River Street or visiting during a busy evening.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Food and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed, but alcohol is not permitted. There is no food or drink included, so plan dinner separately.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Children under six are not permitted. Because of the mature stories and PG-13 tone, infants and toddlers are not recommended even when age rules might otherwise allow them.

Service animals are permitted. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, companion animals, service animals in training, and ordinary pets are not allowed on the trolley or at the tour stops.

Who will enjoy this Savannah ghost tour

You are likely to enjoy the experience if you:

• Like ghost stories mixed with local history
• Prefer riding to walking for most of an evening tour
• Enjoy guides who use costumes, characters, and dramatic delivery
• Want after-hours access to historic interiors
• Are visiting Savannah for the first time
• Can handle stairs at the Andrew Low House
• Are comfortable with stories involving death, violence, and other mature subjects

You may want a different tour if you:

• Expect to enter a cemetery after dark
• Prefer a serious, heavily documented history talk
• Dislike theatrical acting or staged scares
• Need a fully step-free experience
• Want a longer tour with more time at each site

The tour is suitable for older children, but the PG-13 subject matter deserves attention. It is better for families with children who can handle spooky stories than for very young children.

Should you book the Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour?

Book it if you want a short, entertaining introduction to Savannah’s haunted reputation, especially if the Andrew Low House and River Street warehouse appeal to you. The two indoor stops give the tour more substance than a simple trolley ride, and a strong guide can make the evening both funny and memorable.

Skip it if cemetery access is your main goal or if you want a carefully researched history tour with little performance. The quality depends heavily on the narrator, and the theatrical style will not suit everyone.

For the best chance of enjoying it, arrive early, expect a PG-13 ghost story rather than a serious investigation, and choose it as an evening introduction to Savannah’s darker side. At $39.54, it is a fair buy when you value the included buildings and the convenience of seeing several parts of the city in one compact outing.

FAQ

Where does the Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour depart?

The tour departs from 301 E River St, Savannah, Georgia 31401. It also ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. You can arrive earlier if you want extra time to find the meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Do you enter cemeteries during the tour?

No. Because of a city ordinance, cemeteries cannot be entered after 8 p.m., and most evening tours take place later than that.

What sites are included?

The experience includes a stop at the Andrew Low House and a nighttime visit to River Street’s Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery. The tour also includes a narrated trolley ride through Savannah.

Is the tour accessible for people who cannot manage stairs?

The tour is not recommended for anyone who cannot safely navigate stairs. You should contact the provider at least 24 hours before the tour to discuss possible arrangements.

Are children allowed?

Children under six are not permitted. The tour has a PG-13 rating because its stories include mature subjects, so infants and toddlers are not recommended.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.