Bonaventure Cemetery Tours - The Original Tour April 23, 2010

Savannah's Most Famous Cemetery!

If you want to complete the Savannah mystical circle or just don't want to leave any cosmic loose ends, you're required by design touring law to go to Bonaventure Cemetery. Oh, and this tour is by day only. But not to worry, you're going to love its visual, historical and botanical splendors. Famously described as "Incomparable" by Oscar Wilde, Bonaventure Cemetery is 10-15 minutes city driving time and we meet you there for a fully narrated 2.5 hour tour. Like many you'll probably want to stay for an hour or two more to do your own meandering, gawking and photography. Overlooking the Intercoastal Atlantic Waterway, this cemetery on a bluff will steal your breath and come to think of it, you might not mind trading in your last breath for a burial here. Buried in the old sections are a colony founder or two like Oglethorpe's friend and entrusted physician, Noble Jones. Mr Josiah Tattnall, the famed veteran of 3 wars (War of 1812, Spanish-American & Civil) whose family deeded Bonaventure to the city and whom had famously declared in a courtroom drama that "Blood is thicker than water," is beautifully entombed. We cannot overlook the grave of famed poet, essayist, novelist and T.S Eliot's best friend, Conrad Aiken and his wife Mary. Of whom many consider was to literature what Einstein was to science or Jung to psychology. His wife Mary Hoover Aiken emblazoned the modern art world as a painter of portraits, landscapes and cityscapes. The Aiken's gravestone is a granite bench and much like the story inside of Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil reminds, you must sit a spell and ponder the beauty and mortality around you. Or as Conrad had hoped, that you might do so in conjunction with a cocktail or two but we didn't tell you that one! Ah, but many seek out Bonaventure for one of the world's most impacting songwriters and founder of Capitol Records, Johnny Mercer. By the time you reach his family plot, you'll start to recall some of his thousands of classics like "Moon River," "Hooray For Hollywood," "Jeepers Creepers," "You Must've Been A Beautiful Baby" and "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive." Yeah man, you'll be groovin in Bonaventure. Before you go we'll stroll you by "Little Gracie" who many consider to be the unofficial face of Savannah's spirit world and we'll tell you all about how she fits into things. We'll also divulge the facts around 40 people who have committed suicide in Bonaventure and why there may have been an incentive plan for those who did. Nevermind a great yarn about the caretaker's wife who murdered her husband in the caretaker's house in 1910! All in all, this tour will leave you feeling like Bonaventure is either the love of your life or the one that got away. OUR tour (and don't be fooled by copycat advertisers here gang) was recently featured on The Travel Channel w/Samantha Brown in an episode called "Samantha Faces Her Fears!" This tour has a 4 person minimum so be sure to check with office 24 hours before your scheduled tour. Please keep in mind that each guide has their own story list prerogatives and the above description is only a measure and not an exact guarantee. Thank you!

330 Bonaventure Rd, 31404
Arrive 15 mins early
Bathrooms On Site

Times: Daily at 10:00 am & 2:00 pm
Length: 2.5 hours

By Reservation Only

Minimum of 4 guests required to perform tour. Please check with office 24 hours prior to tour to confirm and make sure you have given traveling cell phone number if you make purchase online so we may contact you if necessary.

Official Website: http://www.bonaventurecemeterytours.com/home.html