History and Haunts by Local Author

REVIEW · SAVANNAH

History and Haunts by Local Author

  • 5.03 reviews
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • From $27.00
Book on Viator →

Operated by Cobblestone Tours · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 5.0 (3)Duration2 hours (approx.)Price from$27.00Operated byCobblestone ToursBook viaViator

Savannah earns its spooky nickname for a reason. This 2-hour History and Haunts tour mixes ghost stories with real local context in the Historic District. You’ll walk under mossy oaks, hear legends tied to specific spots, and then keep moving to about 4 haunted establishments for the fun part.

I especially like how the tour is built around well-researched hauntings told by experienced storytellers. And I like the tone: light enough for families, but still eerie, with a pace that stays easy to follow. In one review, the guide Nicole was praised for giving a clear overview of ghost history and staying flexible about relevant questions.

One thing to consider: there’s no alcohol included. You can carry beverages during the crawl, but alcoholic drinks aren’t part of the ticket price, so plan your budget accordingly if you’re hoping to drink.

Key Things I’d Plan For

History and Haunts by Local Author - Key Things I’d Plan For

  • Author-led haunted history angle: stories are tied to research by the company founder and book author.
  • About 4 haunted establishments: you’re not doing a marathon pub crawl, just a focused set of stops.
  • Family-friendly spooky: you get legends and “dark history” without making it too intense.
  • Small groups (max 20): more conversation, less wandering in a crowd.
  • Ends at Chippewa Square: a practical location to meet up again or keep exploring.
  • You can carry beverages: easier to enjoy the stops without constantly returning to a bar.

Savannah’s Dark Reputation, Explained in Walking Terms

History and Haunts by Local Author - Savannah’s Dark Reputation, Explained in Walking Terms
If you’ve ever heard Savannah called The Necropolis of the South, this tour is one of the easiest ways to understand what that label is getting at. The idea isn’t just about ghosts for the sake of it. It’s about how the city remembers death, stories, and old reputations right in the streets you’re walking today.

What makes the experience interesting is the blend of tone and location. You’ll stroll the Savannah Historic District with Southern Gothic scenery all around. At the same time, you’ll get explanations that connect hauntings and legends to specific places you can point at as you pass them. That keeps the ghost talk from feeling vague.

The tour also leans into the culture of Savannah itself: slow walking, historic blocks, and that mix of charm with unease. You don’t need to be a Halloween superfan. If you like local stories and want something different from a standard sightseeing walk, this fits.

You can also read our reviews of more historical tours in Savannah

From Oglethorpe & Abercorn to Chippewa Square: The Easy Route

History and Haunts by Local Author - From Oglethorpe & Abercorn to Chippewa Square: The Easy Route
The tour starts at Oglethorpe & Abercorn in downtown Savannah (at EBSavannah, GA 31401). It ends at Chippewa Square, usually about two blocks east of Colonial Park Cemetery. That matters because Chippewa Square is a major landmark you can orient around afterward.

It’s also a good finish point if you’re pairing this with other plans. You can grab dinner nearby, continue walking on your own, or use it as a meetup spot with friends. The tour notes that groups may end in different places, but Chippewa Square is the most typical end, and your guide will help you get directed to your hotel or vehicle.

Timing is simple: plan on about 2 hours. That’s long enough to cover multiple stops, but short enough that you won’t feel locked into an all-night itinerary.

The Historic District Story Walk: Mansions, Myths, and Meaning

Your first big segment is the Savannah Historic District stroll. This is where you set your “context” so the later haunted stops land better. You’re not just hearing scary stories. You’re learning why those stories stick in Savannah, and why the city’s nickname connects to what happened here and how it’s remembered.

Expect your guide to talk about:

  • Dark history and legends tied to the neighborhoods you’re walking through
  • Why Savannah is called The Necropolis of the South and what that means in practice
  • Hauntings researched by the company’s founder, who is also an author of haunted history books of the South

You’ll also get that signature Savannah mood as you walk: moss-covered oaks and old buildings that look like they’ve been waiting for a story to catch up. The guide’s job is to connect the “atmosphere” to something you can understand, not just admire from a distance.

One practical plus: you’re walking at a pace that’s described as excellent and not rushed. That’s a big deal on ghost tours, because if the guide moves too fast, you miss half the story. Here, the flow is meant to keep you listening while still moving.

The Haunted Pub Crawl Part: About 4 Stops and Two Kinds of Spirits

History and Haunts by Local Author - The Haunted Pub Crawl Part: About 4 Stops and Two Kinds of Spirits
After the Historic District story time, the tour shifts into the Haunted Pub Crawl format. You’ll visit approximately 4 haunted establishments, and this is where the experience turns from storytelling to “place-based” spooky fun.

A nice detail here is that you’ll encounter both types of “spirits.” The tour doesn’t frame this as just about alcohol or drinking for its own sake. It frames the crawl as part of the history and legend-building, tied to specific spots.

You can bring the vibe of the crawl with you. Beverages can be carried throughout the historic district, which makes it easier to keep moving without constantly backtracking. This is also why the tour length works: you’re not bouncing between far-apart locations.

What you should know up front: drinks aren’t included. The experience says alcohol beverages aren’t part of the ticket. So if you’re hoping to make it a true pub night, you’ll want to purchase what you want at the stops.

What You’re Actually Paying For: Value at $27

History and Haunts by Local Author - What You’re Actually Paying For: Value at $27
At $27 per person for about 2 hours, this is priced like an experience you can fit into a single night without blowing your budget. The real value is not the number of stops. It’s the storytelling quality and how closely it ties to specific locations in Savannah.

The tour emphasizes:

  • Well researched hauntings and history
  • Famous and lesser known locations
  • Experienced storytellers with a historic-history author background

That combination matters because ghost tours can go two ways. Either you get general spooky chatter with no anchor, or you get a narrative with context you’ll remember. The structure here is built to feel like a guided explanation of why Savannah’s legends exist and why the city’s past still shows up in its streets.

Also, tours are capped at a maximum of 20 travelers. That’s not just a comfort detail. Smaller groups typically mean better pacing, more chance to ask questions, and less time spent trying to hear over a crowd.

If you like structured walking plans (even spooky ones), you’ll likely feel like you got your money’s worth quickly.

Family-Friendly Without Going Soft

History and Haunts by Local Author - Family-Friendly Without Going Soft
This tour is described as family friendly, which tells you the goal is spooky entertainment with boundaries. The stories aim for eerie atmosphere and local legend, not shock content.

That also means it can work for mixed groups. If you’re traveling with kids, teens, or adults who don’t want full horror, you won’t have to split plans. You can keep the night together, and the guide can maintain a tone that doesn’t derail the mood.

The key is that the tour balances “dark history” with lighthearted, approachable storytelling. In a review, Nicole was praised for giving a ghost history overview plus lighthearted stories of local and famous events, and for answering questions when they stayed on-topic. That kind of guide style is a big part of why the experience lands well.

Practical Logistics That Matter in Savannah

History and Haunts by Local Author - Practical Logistics That Matter in Savannah
Savannah is walkable, but you still need to plan your body and your shoes. The tour notes a moderate physical fitness level is expected. For a 2-hour Historic District walk plus crawl stops, that usually means you’ll want comfortable walking shoes and a willingness to keep moving.

Good to know for planning:

  • Mobile ticket is used
  • The tour is offered in English
  • It’s near public transportation
  • Service animals allowed
  • Maximum 20 travelers
  • Confirmation happens at booking time

One more practical detail: tours can end in different locations depending on the group, but the guide typically ends at Chippewa Square and helps you get pointed toward your hotel or vehicle. That reduces the “now what” stress when you’re in a historic downtown.

Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Might Skip It)

History and Haunts by Local Author - Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Might Skip It)
This is a strong match if you:

  • Want haunted stories with actual place-based context
  • Prefer walking tours over sitting in a dark venue
  • Like small groups and a guide who can handle questions
  • Are traveling with family members who want spooky fun, not horror

You might skip it if you:

  • Only want traditional nightlife and plan to drink heavily (since alcohol isn’t included)
  • Dislike walking city blocks for any length of time
  • Expect a purely spooky, no-context ghost experience

If your goal is a memorable Savannah evening that mixes atmosphere with meaning, this tour hits a sweet spot.

Should You Book History and Haunts in Savannah?

I think it’s a smart booking for most first-time visitors who want a different angle on Savannah beyond the obvious photo stops. The format is short enough to stay manageable, but structured enough to feel like a complete experience rather than random stops and vague legends.

Book it if you value well-researched stories, a guide who can keep the pace comfortable, and an end point at Chippewa Square that makes it easy to continue your night. Skip it only if you’re mainly chasing nightlife and expect your ticket to cover drinks.

If you’re planning one guided activity in Savannah, this is a good candidate because it turns the city itself into the set.

FAQ

How long is the History and Haunts tour?

It runs for about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Oglethorpe & Abercorn (Savannah, GA 31401) and usually ends at Chippewa Square in downtown Savannah.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $27.00 per person.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Does the tour include alcohol?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. Drinks are not included, though beverages can be carried during the walk between stops.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Savannah we have reviewed

Scroll to Top

Explore Savannah

From the squares under the oaks to the riverfront, the cemeteries and the dark nights in between, here is the whole city, sorted.