October is just around the corner, and that means it's time to get ready for Halloween. After all, this holiday is not just for kids anymore.
Halloween generally falls only behind Christmas and Thanksgiving as the favorite holiday for Americans, which is understandable. Who doesn't love an opportunity to act like a kid again? It could also be that fear gives us a burst of adrenaline. Haunted houses and ghost stories provide a safe environment to experience the thrill of having the daylights scared out of you.
With its sometimes-scandalous past, Savannah makes the perfect city to explore for Halloween. Some would even call it a haunted place. An array of tours provides a safe way to explore the dark side of this gothic city.
We'll start with the Mad Cat's True Crime and Wine History Savannah Pub Crawl, visiting four bars and strolling the street with drinks in hand. The tour begins in Reynolds Square. Expert guides weave tales of serial killers, ax murders, and more. If you're with kids, the Fraidy Cat Tour is family-friendly but still scary.
The Ghosts and Gravestones of Savannah tour unveils the city's spooky past. Take the Trolley of the Doomed to the burial grounds in Wright Square. How about encountering the ghost of Civil War Gen. Robert E. Lee at the famous Andrew Low House? This journey takes you to some of the city's most haunted sites, where eerie legends still frighten residents and visitors alike. Take note that this tour is rated PG-13. No children under six are allowed, and an adult must accompany anyone under the age of 18.
Genteel & Bard's Famous Savannah Dark History & Ghost Encounter Tour is a two-hour walking tour that takes small groups outside some of the area's most historic landmarks, including Colonial Park Cemetery and the Sorrel Weed House. The guide wears a microphone, and each participant gets their earbuds with a wireless receiver to not miss one scary story. That's a good thing because these guides are passionate, entertaining, and great storytellers.
Old Town Trolley Tours Ghost and Gravestones Tour drives by cemeteries, squares, and mansions known for their ghostly residents. Along the way, you'll visit two of Savannah's most haunted locales: the Andrew Low House and Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery. The Chandlery is located on River Street, considered a hotbed of paranormal activity. Tours depart nightly at various times, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $33 for adults and $16 for children ages 6 to 12. The company rates its tour PG-13, so children must be six or older, and no one younger than 12 can ride without adult supervision.
Beware: During October, tours often sell out, so book early if you dare.
