Savannah: Midnight in the Garden Walking Tour Book & Movie Sites

Summary

Walk Savannah’s storied squares & meet the Midnight cast up close

You’ll walk Savannah’s squares with a longtime resident as your guide, stopping at spots from “Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil”—like Clary’s Cafe and Mercer Williams House—while hearing stories behind both book and movie. Expect honest local insights, character backstories, and a few surprises along the way that might stick with you after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s waving a paperback copy of “Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil” before I even spot our guide — turns out he’s lived downtown for decades and knows half the folks passing by. We set off from Reynolds Square, where he points at the Olde Pink House and starts talking about Jim Williams like he’s still around. The air smells faintly sweet, maybe magnolia, or maybe it’s just my imagination. I’m not sure what I expected, but hearing about Minerva (the voodoo priestess) right there on the sidewalk felt oddly intimate. Our group sort of huddled closer, like we were all in on something secret.

We wandered past Clary’s Cafe — apparently Moe Fetzer (the real Luther Driggers) used to sit here for hours, and our guide tells these little side stories that make you want to peek through every window. At Chippewa Square, someone asked about Forrest Gump (yes, that bench scene), but honestly, I was more taken by how Johnny Mercer music floats through the city if you listen for it. There was this moment outside the Mercer Williams House Museum where everything got quiet except for a bird somewhere overhead. Our guide talked about the trials and what really happened inside those walls — no sugarcoating, just facts and a bit of local gossip.

I tried to picture John Berendt meeting Joe Odom for the first time — apparently it happened just down Jones Street from where we stood. The houses here have that soft light you only get in Savannah at dusk; I kept thinking about how many stories these walls must hold. Someone laughed when I tried pronouncing “Armstrong House” with a fake Southern drawl (didn’t work). By Forsyth Park we were all swapping theories about what parts of the book were true, which felt kind of perfect — like we’d become part of Savannah’s story ourselves. I still think about that last conversation under those old oaks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Midnight in the Garden walking tour

• Introduction at Olde Pink House
• Discuss Johnny Mercer soundtrack
• Compare movie and book at courthouse
• Brief Forrest Gump presentation
• Explore Hamilton Turner Inn history
• Visit Clary's Cafe and Joe Odom sites
• Discuss Mercer Williams House Museum
• Talk about Armstrong House history
• Conclude tour at Forsyth Park

Top questions

How long is the Midnight in the Garden walking tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Does this tour go inside Mercer Williams House?

No, you’ll see Mercer Williams House from outside but do not enter.

Is this Savannah walking tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Are children allowed on this tour?

The tour is not recommended for children under 14 years old.

How many people are on each group tour?

The maximum group size is 15 guests per tour.

What sites are included on this Midnight in the Garden tour?

You’ll stop at places like Reynolds Square, Clary’s Cafe, Chippewa Square, Hamilton-Turner Inn, Mercer Williams House Museum (outside), Armstrong House (outside), and Forsyth Park.

Is lunch or food included on this walking tour?

No meals are included; it’s focused on storytelling and sightseeing.

Who leads this Midnight in the Garden walking tour?

A licensed professional Savannah guide who is also a veteran journalist and longtime downtown resident leads each group.

What’s included

Your day includes a small-group narrated walk led by a licensed local Savannah guide with deep knowledge of both book and movie history—plus all taxes and fees covered so you can just focus on listening (and maybe asking your own questions along the way).