Savannah: Bonaventure Cemetery History & Film Locations Tour

A Cemetery Where History, Film, and Wildlife Collide in Savannah

You walk Bonaventure Cemetery with a professional guide who covers the graves of Johnny Mercer and Conrad Aiken, the symbolism in burial art, and filming locations from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Along the way, you spot over 100 bird species and learn how the cemetery shaped Savannah's history and culture. The tour lasts 2–3 hours and includes a guide who knows the stories behind every stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bonaventure Cemetery history and art

• Meet host Shannon Scott
• Stroll historic cemetery sections
• Learn stories of famed dead
• Observe statues and symbolism
• Discover burial rites and plant life
• Visit gravesites of Johnny Mercer and others
• Explore Midnight In The Garden filming locations

The experience

You walk into a cemetery expecting quiet, and instead you get a story that won't stop talking. Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah isn't a place to rush through. It's the kind of place where Shannon Scott or one of his guides will stop you in front of a grave and suddenly you're learning about Johnny Mercer's life, or the symbolism carved into a stone angel's wings, or why a particular moss-draped oak shows up in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The cemetery has been a filming location since the silent film era, and Ken Burns chose it for his American Journeys Tour Series, which tells you something about the weight of what's buried here.

What catches most people off guard is how alive the place feels. Over 100 bird species move through Bonaventure on any given day: owls, hawks, eagles, and if you're lucky, foxes along the river or even dolphins in the water beyond the grounds. Your guide will point out the plants, the burial rites, the esoteric and religious symbols that most visitors walk past without seeing. Little Gracie's grave, Conrad Aiken's plot, the stories of the people who shaped Savannah. They're all here, and the guide doesn't just name them, they explain why they matter. It's part history lesson, part art history, part nature walk, and somehow it all fits together in a way that makes sense by the end.

The tour runs in all weather, so bring layers or an umbrella depending on the season. The cemetery is wheelchair accessible, though there are uneven surfaces, and the paths wind through moss and shade. Most people find it takes about two to three hours, and by the time you leave, you'll have a completely different relationship with the place. It stops being a cemetery and becomes a kind of open-air museum where the dead are still teaching you something about Savannah, about art, about how a landscape can hold so much meaning at once.

What’s included

Your tour includes a local professional guide (many with art history expertise), detailed stops at historic gravesites including Johnny Mercer and Conrad Aiken, explanations of burial art symbolism and religious iconography, locations connected to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and wildlife spotting opportunities throughout the cemetery grounds.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (under 16)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Bonaventure, Historic Savannah, Low Country & Private with Shannon Scott Tours

Is this one for you?Best for history buffs, photographers, and film fans who want to understand Savannah's past through its most significant burial ground. The guide's expertise means you leave knowing the stories, not just the names.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 16).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Bonaventure Cemetery tour?

Approximately 2–3 hours. The pace allows for detailed stops at historic gravesites and symbolic monuments.

What famous people are buried at Bonaventure Cemetery?

Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken, and Little Gracie are among the notable gravesites included on the tour.

Is Bonaventure Cemetery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the cemetery is wheelchair accessible, though some paths have uneven surfaces that may require assistance.

Does the tour cover Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil locations?

Yes. The guide shows filming locations and settings connected to the book and film.

What wildlife can you see at Bonaventure Cemetery?

Over 100 bird species visit daily, including owls, hawks, and eagles. Foxes and dolphins in the river are also possible sightings.

Who leads the tour?

Shannon Scott or one of his highly-rated guides, many with professional art history credentials.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, the tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the season.