Although unrelated, I kind of felt the same as you about the Jack the Ripper walk in London. We went and it was a lot of fun and very informative.

We'll be visiting Savannah at the end of April and I'm interested in any responses.

About 4 years ago we met a young woman from SCAD who worked as a ghost on one of the tours. She said she would sit in her car, at the appointed hour pop out from behind some tombstone and do her ghost thing, and then get back in her car and do some studying until the next group. This isnot helpful to your question, but I thought you might find it amusing.

The guy who originated the ghost tours in Savannah stood us up. It was years ago, but I'm still holding a grudge. I think the reason was that there were only two of us but we waited at the appointed place and he was a no-show. When I reached him by cell phone, he blew us off.

On my last trip to Savannah, I took this walking tour -
http://www.savannahrambles.com/

This guy is fabulous. Read his background. He also showed up at the appointed time (a good thing) for a tour for just me. He really was the best guide I've had just about anywhere.

While we were on the tour a mom and daughter passed by and greeted him with much enthusiasm. They had been on his tour the previous day and they said it was their best tour ever. They asked if he could do a "ghost tour" and he said sure. It won't have the hokey "jump out from behind the tombstone" thing, but I'd be surprised if there's anyone that could give a better tour than this guy. He is flexible and customizes tours so contact him and see what he says. It was so cold that day last month that it actually snowed on us. Great guy, great tour.

Myer, we're going in March - I'll let you know if we go on one and what we think! I've been to London and never done a Jack the Ripper tour for pretty much the same reasons. I've also heard that the experience is very dependent on the guide/company, which probably applies here too.

gail, that is HILARIOUS. I'll definitely have to share that with the others!

starrs, Dirk's "highlights" tour is actually on our list, thanks to your earlier post! I hadn't thought about asking him for a ghost tour - that's a definite idea. I'm not sure if my friend is going more for the historic haunting stuff or for the cheese factor. We'll have to figure that one out.

If you take a ghost tour, perhaps you'll get the guide who gave us an exceptional tour of a historic Savannah house last March. She told me that she sometimes makes a few extra bucks giving "ghost" tours, even though she thinks they are a bunch of hooey.

HTTY

jent - when in March? Hopefully not around 3/17 or you will not see anything other than drunken St. Patrick's Day partiers.

I've never gotten it: do people think they'll see ghosts? Or just want to know about history?

suewoo, I overheard a ghost tour in New Orleans in December and the guide was talking about murders that occurred in the building and the ghosts that supposedly inhabit it. I'm not big on murders and ghosts and vampires and the like, so a ghost tour does not appeal to me. I DO know a family who lives in a house inhabited by a ghost - well, two actually. One ghost made an appearance during a candlelight tour of the historic home - by slamming a door. The group fled. That was an unexpected "ghost tour"

I know where lots of ghosts live but they're not on any tour.

Sorry for the tangent, but that reminded me of...
I know where love lives -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNvbjrq586o

Thanks!

gail, we'll be there the weekend before St. Patrick's Day (arrive Thursday afternoon, out of town Sunday morning). We didn't have any trouble getting a hotel, and since the parade isn't till the 17th, I'm hoping it won't be too bad...?

I don't really get the appeal of the ghost tours either. But one of the girls loves cemeteries (Bonaventure is her must-do) and the other one is fascinated by this kind of thing, so unless I want to hang out in our hotel room knitting socks (we'll see) this is what we're doing one night. And that's fine. We found Blue Orb Tours, which is really highly reviewed on TA, and the owner/main guide seems to take this very seriously. I did request that we skip the "Midnight Zombies" tour...

I might pick knitting socks - but understand the importance of going along for the "fun". Boneventure is fascinating and hope you do not limit a visit to some hokey ghost experience and go during the day. It is like spying on family histories to stroll and read tombstones - some with inscriptions displaying some real humor.

As far as St. Patrick's Day - you will probably find bars along River Street a bit more crowded and some great green beer specials )guessing that is not your thing either). SCAD used to schedule Spring Break that week to try to herd students out of town for St. Pats Day - since son is no longer student there have not checked calendar.

There is somewhat of a competition between New Orleans and Savannah as to which city is more "haunted". I would think after Katrina, New Orleans wins - but they may make mention of the claim to this.

gent,

When we were in London some years ago we went on a tour given by the famous Don Rumbelow. He wrote a book and was a consultant for the movie.

His tour had over 100 people. He carried a little soap box and kept stopping, getting on the box and telling stories. He was excellent.

The other tours we passed all had 2 or 3 people.

I read that he recently began just showing up to collect the money and then an assistant took over. I cannot confirm this but I've read about it.

Thanks for the info, Myer. I think I've heard of Don.

gail - no, green beer isn't really our thing either. You read us well. Bonaventure is definitely on the daytime list. If we do go with Blue Orb, it's a walking tour in the historic district, so my guess is it wouldn't go as far as the cemetery anyway. The three of us are supposed to get together this weekend and get a general plan together, so we'll see what happens!

I go to Savannah several times a year and I take the Uncensored Zombie Tour with Blue Orb Tours. Tobias McGriff is the Founder and it is the highest ranked on Trip Advisor and Destination Guides Best Savannah Ghost Tour. It is also 18 and older only and I have always loved it. Based on your desires I think you would love this one.Tobias backs up the stories with news articles and documentation. He also has a book called Savannah Shadows that is very good as well. I'm a senior contributor on Trip Advisor and I hear nothing but good things about Blue Orb http://www.blueorbtours.com

Ashley

I am also interested in ghost tour recommendations. I am planning a trip to Savannah over Halloween. I'm kind of more interested in a night-time history tour than something with people dressed up as ghosts jumping out from behind tombstones, or zombies & reverse exorcisms.
We went on a similar ghost tour a few years ago in Burlington, VT that was an interesting view of local history, without anyone shouting "boo."

willbert, you will really like Dirk's Dark Ramble. Check his website - Savannah Rambles.

I just realized this is an old thread, but, yes, I heartily second Starrs reco of Dirk. He's fantastic.

Thanks starrs - I had already looked at Dirk's website based on your previous posts. I was wondering if I would like his daytime ramble or dark ramble better, or both?

Personally I'd prefer day - but I'm sure the Dark Ramble is good too.

I have been on several Savannah ghost tours and the best by far is Haunted Savannah Tours. They have an early ghost tour that is more rated pg-13 and an adults only tour that ends at midnight, the witching hour! Their website is http://www.hauntedsavannahtours.com