Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour

The most unusual part of this Savannah tour is not the trolley ride. It’s the chance to enter historic buildings after dark, including the Andrew Low House and River Street’s Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery, where theatrical guides turn local history into a spooky night out.

I like two things here: the mix of Savannah history and ghost lore, and the fact that the 75-minute outing is more than a drive-by tour. You get a narrated ride, live storytelling, and indoor stops. Guides such as Emmaline, Billy, Lin, Madam Rouge, and August have earned especially warm praise for clear, animated performances.

The main drawback is the tone. This is a theatrical ghost show with a PG-13 edge, not a quiet cemetery walk or a serious history lecture. The city ordinance also means you do not enter cemeteries after 8 p.m., so the name Ghosts & Gravestones can set up the wrong expectation.

Key points to know before booking

• After-hours access: The Andrew Low House and Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery are the tour’s biggest draws.
• A trolley plus indoor visits: You spend part of the time riding through Savannah and part of it inside historic buildings.
• Guides set the mood: Emmaline, Billy, Lin, Madam Rouge, August, Barnaby, and others have all led highly praised departures, but your guide is assigned on the day.
• No nighttime cemetery entry: City rules prevent cemetery access after 8 p.m., which affects the experience.
• Short and easy to fit in: The tour lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes and begins and ends at 301 E River St.
• Best for families with older children: Children under 6 cannot join, and the stories cover murder, death, and other mature subjects.

What the Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones tour is really like

This is a compact evening tour built around atmosphere. You board the trolley at 301 E River St, near Savannah’s waterfront, and settle in for a narrated ride through the city’s darker past.

The basic format is simple: ride, listen, get off for special indoor visits, then return to the meeting point. The trolley holds up to 32 people, so this is a shared group outing rather than a private ghost hunt. That size is small enough to keep the storytelling personal, though the experience can feel more like a stage show than a quiet walk through old Savannah.

The narrator does much of the work. You’ll hear stories of murder, mayhem, suspicious deaths, restless spirits, and strange happenings tied to Savannah. Some guides use period clothing and character acting. Others lean more heavily on local history and spoken storytelling.

That difference matters. Past guides have included Emmaline, Lin, Madam Rouge, Billy, August, Barnaby, Michael, Ty, Jojo, and Madame Bella Rouge. Several are praised for being animated, clear, and well informed about Savannah. A few visitors found the theatrical style too silly or felt the narration went on too long. You should book this expecting a guide-led performance, not a controlled paranormal investigation.

The trolley ride through Savannah after dark

The trolley gives you a relaxed way to see parts of Savannah at night without walking the full route. Your guide narrates from the vehicle, linking streets and historic places to tales of violence, loss, and hauntings.

I like this setup for two practical reasons. First, you get off your feet for much of the evening. Second, the ride gives the stories a wider setting. Instead of hearing about one haunted room and going home, you see the city connected to its legends.

The ride itself is also a useful introduction if you have just arrived in Savannah. You’ll pick up a sense of the city’s historic core and its darker stories, then can return to places that catch your interest during daylight.

Still, the trolley portion may not satisfy you if you want a lot of detailed historical background. One person who also took a walking tour felt the walking guide offered more information. That is a fair comparison: a walking tour usually gives more time at each street and building, while this experience aims for pace, mood, and entertainment.

The sound level is worth noting if you have trouble hearing. One departure received praise because the narrator spoke clearly and at a comfortable volume without shouting. Your result will depend on the guide, seating, and group noise, so arriving early may help you choose a useful seat.

Inside the Andrew Low House after dark

The Andrew Low House is one of the tour’s strongest stops. Built on a trust lot facing Lafayette Square, the house includes an original mid-nineteenth-century garden and gives you a look at genteel Savannah life.

Its connection to Juliette Magill Gordon Low adds a personal thread. Low, born in Savannah in 1860, founded the Girl Scouts of the USA and died in the Andrew Low House in 1927. That history gives the building more weight than a generic haunted-house set.

The nighttime visit changes how you read the rooms. Details that might seem formal or decorative during a daytime visit take on a more uneasy tone after dark. The guide can frame the house through its occupants, deaths, and reported supernatural activity, while the building itself supplies the atmosphere.

You should allow about 20 minutes for this stop. It is not a full house tour with time to study every room. Think of it as a focused after-hours visit tied to the evening’s ghost stories.

There is one physical concern: stairs. The tour is not recommended for anyone who cannot safely manage them, and one person noted that the stairs were difficult for older family members. Call at least 24 hours ahead if you need accessibility arrangements. The tour provider says service animals are allowed, but pets and emotional support animals are not.

River Street and the Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery

The second major indoor stop takes you to River Street, an area associated with wandering spirits and Savannah’s waterfront past. Here, you visit Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery after dark.

The ship chandlery setting fits the subject well. A chandlery supplied ships, so the building connects the ghost stories to Savannah’s working riverfront rather than only to grand homes and squares. The stop gives the tour a rougher, more commercial side.

This is also where the evening can become more theatrical. Past departures included dramatizations, a man appearing in the warehouse, ghost stories, and even the use of paranormal equipment on some tours. One guide was praised for making this portion especially memorable, while another person found the warehouse segment pointless and too long.

That split tells you what to expect. If you enjoy actors, suspense, and a little playful fright, the chandlery may be the highlight. If you prefer documented history and restrained storytelling, you may find the performance overdone.

The tour description also mentions River Street as a place where spirits are said to wander. Treat that as folklore, not proof. The value is in hearing how Savannah’s stories grew around old buildings, waterfront work, death, and changing city life.

Why the cemetery detail matters

The name Ghosts & Gravestones suggests that you’ll enter a graveyard. You won’t on this evening tour. A city ordinance prevents cemetery entry after 8 p.m., and most departures run after that time.

This is the clearest point to understand before paying. You will hear stories connected to death and burial, but the tour does not take you into a cemetery after dark. One person specifically wished they had known this and suggested a daytime tour for anyone hoping to walk among graves.

If your main goal is historic tombstones, cemetery architecture, and quiet outdoor atmosphere, choose a daytime cemetery visit instead. If you want a warm trolley, indoor access, live narration, and spooky storytelling, the lack of cemetery entry may not bother you.

The tour’s appeal rests on the Andrew Low House and the ship chandlery, not on the gravestones in the title.

How scary and theatrical is the experience?

The tour is rated PG-13 because its subject matter includes murder, death, and other mature themes. It is not described as a haunted-house maze or a jump-scare attraction, but it does use mood, acting, and spooky stories.

I would call it frighteningly fun rather than truly terrifying. The exact balance depends heavily on your guide. Billy has been praised for combining historical detail with good-natured laughs. Madam Rouge and Madame Bella Rouge have been singled out for strong character work. Lin was described as animated and well informed, while August was praised for being both friendly and engaging.

Other departures have drawn criticism for acting that felt forced or too silly. One person wanted more history and less theater. That is useful advice for booking: you should enjoy a campfire-story style, where the line between local legend and performance is part of the fun.

The guides do not all use the same script in the same way. A strong narrator can make familiar stories feel fresh. A weaker match for your taste can make the trolley section drag. The tour’s average rating of 3.9 from 2,725 ratings reflects that variation.

Price, timing, and overall value

At $39.54 per person, this is not the cheapest way to hear Savannah history. It is also more than a simple narrated trolley ride because admission to the two featured indoor stops is included.

For your money, you receive about 75 minutes of entertainment, local history, transportation between stops, and after-hours access to historic interiors. The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately to visit the Andrew Low House and want a nighttime atmosphere.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long, detailed history lesson. Seventy-five minutes passes quickly, and part of the time is spent moving between locations. The tour is best viewed as an evening attraction with historical content, not as a substitute for a full house tour, cemetery visit, or serious walking tour.

Food and drinks are not included, though they are allowed on board. Alcohol is not permitted. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure and plan to return to the same River Street meeting point.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, no refund is available.

Who should book this Savannah ghost tour?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and friends who want a light evening activity with some history mixed into the scares. It works especially well if you prefer sitting to walking or want to see Savannah at night without planning your own route.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy live performance. Guides may dress in period clothing, play characters, stage scenes, or use paranormal equipment. The humor keeps the mood from becoming grim.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking a quiet, evidence-based account of haunted places. You may also be disappointed if entering a cemetery is essential, if you dislike stairs, or if you want every minute packed with historical facts.

Children under 6 are not permitted. Infants and toddlers are not recommended, and the PG-13 material may not suit younger children even if they meet the age rule.

Practical tips for a better evening

Arrive early enough to check in and settle onto the trolley. The meeting point is 301 E River St, and the tour ends there, so you can plan dinner or a waterfront walk around that location.

Dress for the weather. The tour operates outdoors between indoor stops, and poor weather can lead to cancellation or a date change. If rain is possible, bring suitable protection rather than counting on a fully indoor experience.

If you have trouble hearing, sit where you can clearly face the narrator. One departure worked well for a person with hearing difficulty because the guide spoke at a clear volume, but group size and vehicle layout can affect your seat.

Do not book this expecting a specific guide. Emmaline, Billy, Lin, Madam Rouge, August, Barnaby, Michael, Ty, Jojo, and others have led different departures, and the driver also varies. The best approach is to judge the format, not assume a named performer will be present.

Should you book the Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour?

Book it if you want a short, lively night tour that combines Savannah’s darker stories with two indoor visits. The Andrew Low House and the Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery give the experience more substance than a simple trolley loop, and a strong guide can make the evening both funny and eerie.

Skip it if you want cemetery access, a long historical lecture, or a restrained ghost investigation. The show can feel too theatrical for some people, and the warehouse section may not work for every taste.

For most visitors, the decision comes down to expectations. Treat it as a theatrical Savannah history outing with ghost stories, not as proof of the supernatural or a cemetery tour. With that in mind, the $39.54 price is reasonable for an entertaining 75-minute evening, especially if after-dark access to historic buildings is high on your list.

FAQ

Where does the Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour depart?

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

How early should I arrive?

You must check in at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. You may arrive earlier if you prefer extra time.

Does the tour enter cemeteries at night?

No. A city ordinance prevents cemetery entry after 8 p.m., so the tour does not enter cemeteries during its nighttime departures.

Which buildings does the tour visit?

The experience includes nighttime entry to the Andrew Low House and River Street’s Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery.

How scary is the tour?

The tour has a PG-13 rating because it covers murder, death, and other mature subjects. It is not designed as a fun-house attraction, but it includes spooky stories, theatrical performances, and dark humor.

Are children and pets allowed?

Children under 6 are not permitted. Service animals are allowed, but pets, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companion animals, and service animals in training are not allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a different date or a full refund.