Wondering which Bonaventure Cemetery tours are best — or if you should even tour it at all?

Whenever my friends and family come for a visit, I tell them Bonaventure is one of the city’s top must-see spots. I also note that it’s one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Savannah — if not the entire country!

Today I’m going to show you what makes it so special, and I’ll give you some insider tips to help with your planning. As usual, I’ve included lots of photos.

Two cemetery photos with text overlay that reads Photos That'll Make You Want to Visit Bonaventure Cemetery

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If you’re new around here, first of all… allow me to extend a warm welcome!

My name is Erin, and I authored the Savannah First-Timer’s Guide. It contains everything you need to plan your trip to Savannah.

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Before You Go

Hours: Cemetery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Address: 330 Bonaventure Road, Thunderbolt, GA 31404

Getting There: Bonaventure is located approximately three miles from Savannah’s Historic District. Even if you enjoy walking long distances, the main roads to the cemetery are busy and many don’t have sidewalks. Because of that, I recommend driving there instead of walking or biking.

Parking: There are a couple dedicated parking areas in the cemetery. When you enter the gates, drive down Greenwich Road almost to the end. There’s a small parking lot on the right just as the water comes into view. (When viewing on Google maps, the lot is where Greenwich Road has a sharp bend along the waterfront.) There are three or four spaces near Little Gracie’s grave, too.

Restrooms: There are public restrooms at Bonaventure. They’re located just inside the entry gates, to the right of the main building. You’ll find a few portable potties scattered throughout the grounds, too.

Bugs: If you visit anytime between March and September, expect a strong chance of mosquitos and/or gnats. Bring bug repellant and plenty of water to stay hydrated!

Dogs: Dogs are welcome at Bonaventure, but please keep them leashed and pick up after them.

App: There’s an app available from the Bonaventure Historical Society that you can download prior to your visit. Proceeds benefit preservation efforts at the cemetery. Apple | Google Play

Tour on Your Own or with a Guide?

You’re welcome to explore Bonaventure Cemetery on your own — either on foot or by car — but you’ll have a far more enjoyable experience if you go with an experienced guide who can explain the secrets of the cemetery.

It’s way too easy to get overwhelmed and miss out on some of the best parts when you go on your own. The cemetery is huge, and there’s a LOT to take in!

Here are a few of the guided tours I recommend…

My Favorite Bonaventure Cemetery Tour

My favorite tour is led by Don Teuton, former Vice-Chairman of the Bonaventure Historical Society.

Don’s parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are all buried at Bonaventure, so he has a deep connection to the place.

He’s very respectful of the cemetery’s history, so you won’t hear ghost stories or rumors during his tour. He only focuses on the facts, which I appreciate.

As I often say, this city is interesting enough on its own — there’s no need to tell tales!

His tour is ultimately a history tour of Savannah and some of the city’s most fascinating residents. He also shares extensive details about John Walz, the sculptor who created many of the most well-known monuments in the cemetery.

Aside from his wealth of knowledge, one of the biggest perks of Don’s tour is that it’s on a “name your price” basis. That means he has good incentive to make sure you love your time spent in Bonaventure!

Bonaventure Don Tour Details

  • Reservations required
  • Tours take place Tue/Thur/Sat at 11 a.m. | Wed/Fri/Sun at 2:30 p.m.
  • Time to Allot: Plan to spend two and a half to three hours — and you’ll wish it was longer!
  • Cost: Name your price

Don was awesome! He knows his stuff! The cool thing about him is that he has a long line of relatives that are laid to rest there. He is real and has an answer to every question. He comes prepared with water bottles, umbrellas, and pop up chairs, if you’d like. You pay him what you think he is worth for the tour, and if I could give him a million dollars I definitely would. You wont be disappointed.

Ana G. (via my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide private Facebook Group)

Reservations Required! Book your tour with Bonaventure Don here

Best Tour with Hotel Pickup

If you’re staying in Savannah without a car, this is the tour I recommend.

The guide/owner, Tim Rowell, has lived in Savannah his entire life.

In fact, he’s a sixth generation Savannahian — which is something few can claim. (Savannah is a surprisingly transient city; people come and go, but few put down long-term roots.)

Tim is a trained historian, and he’ll tell you all about the local legends who are buried in the cemetery.

One of the biggest perks of his tour is that he picks you up at your hotel and provides round-trip, air-conditioned transportation to the cemetery and back — that way you won’t have to rely on Uber or Lyft.

Make note that when you’re actually in the cemetery and doing the tour, you’ll be out of the vehicle and walking through the cemetery.

His is a one-man show, so he keeps the tours small. That means you’ll get a highly personalized experience.

Bonaventure Dash Tour Details

  • Daily tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (2 p.m. only during the winter months)
  • Plan to allot three hours round trip
  • Cost: Approximately $50 (that includes transportation)

Just finished the Bonaventure Cemetery tour with Tim from Bonaventure Dash. He was fantastic! Wasn’t so much like a structured tour, as it was a friend showing you around. Would 100% recommend!

Krista H.R. (via my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide private Facebook Group)

My family and I have taken Tim’s tour twice, and it’s been a pleasurable experience both times. First off, him picking you up and dropping you back off at your hotel is a really nice deal. (He also plays music from Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer on the trips.) The tour itself runs two hours or so and is done at a very smooth and manageable pace, and he’ll pause to let stragglers get done taking pictures. He’s a sixth generation Savannahian and a trained historian, so he knows of what he speaks. He presents stories about the cemetery, the city, and the area in a very detailed but understandable fashion, and he’s one of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet, to boot. Highest possible recommendation.

Greg B. (via my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide private Facebook Group)

Reservations Required! Book your tour with Bonaventure Dash

Golf-Cart Tours for the Mobility Impaired

If you have mobility issues, you’ll want to skip the two walking tours listed above and opt for one of the golf-cart tours instead.

With the golf-cart tours of the cemetery, you’ll ride around in a cart that fits approximately 8 – 10 riders, and the guide will stop at various points of interest so you can take photos and get a closer look.

I know of two companies that provide golf-cart tours of the cemetery, and they both do a good job.

I tend to favor Savannah Cruzers, but feel free to pick the one that has availability during the dates you’re traveling (or the one with the best price). You can choose from Savannah Cruzers or Wise Guys Tours.

BOOK SAVANNAH CRUZERS

Bonaventure Cemetery Photos

As much as I’d like to, I can’t keep the beauty of this place to myself. Here are some of the photos I’ve taken during my many visits to Bonaventure.

As you can see, it’s incredibly beautiful.

Bonaventure Cemetery scene with pink azaleas, three crosses and an angel with a broken wing headstone, and beautiful trees with Spanish moss as the backdrop
I can’t possibly overstate the beauty of Bonaventure. It’s stunning! The Taliaferro monument is my favorite statue in the entire cemetery. She’s so beautiful.
Close-up of a statue of an angel with her hand outstretched and stains that look like red tears dripping down her face
Statue of an angel in Bonaventure Cemetery surrounded by pink azaleas and beautiful trees
Peering through azaleas at the back of a statue of an angel with a broken wing
She’s pretty from every angle! It looks like both of her wings broke off at some point, but only one tip was replaced. Sadly, that happens when hurricanes blow through Savannah and heavy tree branches fall on the headstones.
Peering through a curtain of hot pink azaleas at three cross headstones and a beautiful statue of an angel with a broken wing at Bonaventure Cemetery
I’ve taken way too many photos of her through the years, but I can’t resist.
Headstones in Bonaventure Cemetery surrounded by pink azaleas and a canopy of oaks overhead dripping in Spanish moss
You’ll find picturesque canopies of Southern live oaks with Spanish moss throughout Savannah and the Lowcountry in nearby SC.
A low-hanging branch at Bonaventure Cemetery covered in Spanish moss illuminated by the sunlight
I love when the Spanish moss is backlit by the sun.
Tree trunks in the foreground with three elaborate old headstones in the background
The headstones in the older sections of the cemetery are very intricate. I’m always drawn to these three when I’m out taking pictures.
Statue of a young girl sitting next to a cross who appears to be writing on the stone marker
If many of the sculptures in the cemetery look similar, it’s because a good number of them were carved by the same talented artist named John Walz.
Dual mother/father headstone with an angel guarding both sides
I’m clearly drawn to angels! This is another of my favorite headstones in the cemetery. I love the dark shading that’s settled over it through the passage of time.
Worn headstone of an angel with a detached look on her face
This is the Herschbach Angel…but I often refer to her as the sassy angel. She looks like every day is a Monday, and she’s over it.
Headstone of two babies lying side by side, facing one another and holding hands
The Hartmann Twins headstone is one of the more heart-wrenching graves in the cemetery. Their cause of death isn’t listed, although pneumonia was common in the mid-1800s.
An old weathered stone cross with lichens growing on it at Bonaventure Cemetery
An old weathered stone cross with lichens and Spanish moss growing on it and an angel statue in front of it
B&W of intricate headstones from the mid 1800s
The intricacy of some of the headstones in the older section of the cemetery is incredible.
Headstone at Bonaventure Cemetery with Father and Mother Grimm carved into it
Do you think they’re related to the Brothers Grimm?

Landscaping at Bonaventure Cemetery

Much of what makes Bonaventure so beautiful is the land it sits upon.

The cemetery faces the Wilmington River, and it’s quite a sight to behold when a soft coastal breeze stirs the Spanish moss dripping from those massive Southern oaks.

Sometimes I get chills even on the hottest of Savannah days when I’m out there!

Peering through pink azaleas at a couple sitting on a bench looking out over the Wilmington River
Few things on earth are more relaxing than sitting on a bench at Bonaventure while watching the sailboats pass by.

American author Harriet Beecher Stowe describes the scene much better than I ever could in her book, Palmetto-Leaves…

How shall we give a person who has never seen live-oaks or gray moss an idea of it?

Solemn avenues of these gigantic trees, with their narrow evergreen leaves, their gnarled, contorted branches feathered with ferns and parasitic plants, and draped with long swaying draperies of this gray, fairy-like moss, impress one singularly. The effect is solemn and unearthly; and the distant tombs, urns, and obelisks gleaming here and there among the shadows make it more impressive.

Harriet Beecher Stowe, Palmetto-Leaves, printed by Rand, Avery, & Co., 1873
A dirt road surrounded by pink azaleas, white dogwoods, and oaks covered in Spanish Moss
Sometimes the faded pastels of the azaleas combined with the dogwoods and Spanish moss makes the cemetery look like a watercolor painting.
Giant sago palms and a backdrop of live oaks in Bonaventure Cemetery
The landscaping at Bonaventure is spectacular. These Sago palms are taller than I am!

Bonaventure Don’s tour is a good one to take if you want to learn more about the landscaping and how the cemetery has evolved over time.

He has helped plant some of the beautiful plants in the cemetery and knows the proper propagation techniques for the camellias and azaleas, so he’s practically a walking encyclopedia on the topic!

Azaleas in Savannah

Of course, the most incredible time of year to visit Bonaventure Cemetery is when the azaleas are in full bloom. (It’s also one of the best times of year to visit Savannah in general.)

The azaleas start blooming as early as late February and sometimes stretch into the first week in April.

Mid-March is usually peak azalea season in Savannah.

An aged cross headstone with pink azaleas backlit behind it
It’s hard to decide which is prettier…the headstones, the azaleas, or the Spanish moss. There are beautiful scenes like this throughout the cemetery during the month of March.
Elaborate statue grave marker surrounded by bright pink azaleas and oak trees draped with Spanish moss
Azalea season is brief in Savannah, but it’s the prettiest time of year to tour Bonaventure Cemetery. If you’re planning a visit to see them, you can consistently count on a good showing in mid-March.

When people say the cemetery looks like a sea of pink during azalea season, they aren’t kidding.

Hot pink azaleas dominate the grounds, and many of them grow six feet high — or taller.

I’ve spoken to older Savannah residents who have told me the azaleas used to grow as high as a house!

These days the landscapers keep them trimmed to a more respectable level.

In addition to the azaleas, you’ll also find camellias, dogwoods, and magnolias throughout the grounds.

Related Reading: When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Savannah?

Famous Statues in Bonaventure Cemetery

Plenty of famous people have been buried in Savannah, and a tour of Bonaventure Cemetery will give you a behind-the-scenes peek into many of their lives.

Here are a few of the cemetery’s more well-known residents…

Little Gracie Watson Grave

Gracie Watson, or “Little Gracie,” as she’s affectionately known, has become more famous in death than she was in life.

That’s thanks to the local ghost tour guides who often include her story when weaving tales about Savannah.

According to them, Little Gracie was quite popular with guests at the Pulaski House hotel, which her dad managed.

The hotel faced Johnson Square and was considered one of the best hotels in all the land. (Do I sound like a tour guide yet?)

Gracie was said to be a friendly little child who often sang and danced in the hotel lobby to entertain guests.

She was beloved by locals, visitors, and her parents…right up until her untimely death.

Sadly, Little Gracie died of pneumonia when she was only six years old.

Peering through a sea of hot pink azaleas towards a Gracie Section E wooden sign
Little Gracie’s plot is clearly marked in Section E, plot 98, at Bonaventure Cemetery. It’s one of my favorite sections of the cemetery, especially when the azaleas are in bloom.

When she passed away, her father sunk into a deep depression.

He gave a photograph of Little Gracie to a sculptor who had just arrived in Savannah, and that sculptor created a rather life-like monument based off of it.

Statue of Little Gracie Watson in Bonaventure Cemetery with pink blooming flowers and greenery behind her
Statue of a little girl with long hair wearing a dress and sitting properly with her ankles crossed
Statue of Little Gracie at Bonaventure Cemetery
Visitors used to be allowed close to Little Gracie’s statue, but the plot was gated after she received a little too much love and someone damaged her nose.

Eventually, Gracie’s parents moved back to their hometown in New England, leaving Gracie all alone at her plot in Bonaventure Cemetery.

Tour guides claim Gracie’s spirit still dances around Johnson Square.

Sometime shortly after the stories of Gracie became commonplace, a tradition began of visitors leaving presents at her gravesite to comfort her.

These days, there’s a fence around her plot, but people still leave gifts just inside the iron gate.

Related Reading: Discover the 11 Most Haunted Places in Savannah

Johnny Mercer Grave

Johnny Mercer was born in Savannah in 1909 and went on to become a famous singer, songwriter, and composer.

He won multiple Academy Awards, Oscars, and Grammys before his death in 1976.

My favorite song of his is “Moon River”, which was made famous by the Audrey Hepburn movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

I also love “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” (the Bing Crosby version).

It makes me happy that so many of his lyrics are so cheerful.

Moon River is located south of Savannah, near Pin Point Heritage Museum and Butter Bean Beach.

Those just happen to be two of my favorite places in Savannah to catch a sunset!

Side Note: Pin Point is also one of the top tours I recommend in my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide ebook. It’s a fantastic place to learn about the Gullah-Geechee people.

Entrance to the Mercer Family Plot in Bonaventure Cemetery with "MERCER" and "perpetual care" carved in stone
The entrance to the Mercer family plot is clearly marked. You’ll find it in Section H, Lot 48.
Two identical grave markers, side by side, for Johnny Mercer and his wife
Johnny and his wife, Elizabeth, rest side-by-side for all eternity. John’s grave is #4 and Elizabeth’s is #5 in the Mercer family plot. Her inscription reads “you must’ve been a beautiful ‘baby'”.
John "Johnny" Herndon Mercer's headstone reads "and the angels sing"
His inscription reads, “and the angels sing”. He died from complications after surgery to remove a brain tumor. Mercer earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the US Post Office created a commemorative stamp in his honor.

Mercer is credited with writing or co-writing approximately 1500 songs during his lengthy career.

I’m a big proponent of positive thinking, so I’ve always appreciated the lyrics to his song, “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive”.

You’ve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between

John “Johnny” Herndon Mercer – Lyrics from “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive”, 1944
The Johnny Mercer bench at Bonaventure Cemetery
The Johnny Mercer bench at Bonaventure includes titles from some of his biggest hits, as well as a sketch of his profile and his signature.

Historic Marker: You can find the historic marker for Johnny’s childhood home in Savannah’s Historic District at 226 E. Gwinnett Street — kitty corner from the Kroger.

Conrad Aiken Grave

Conrad Aiken was perhaps best-known for his poetry; he served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 1950 to 1952.

Aiken was born in Savannah in 1899, but had to move up north to live with relatives when his father tragically killed his mother and then committed suicide.

Instead of a traditional headstone, his grave is marked by a bench which visitors can use to rest and take in the beauty of Bonaventure.

Like many of Savannah’s most well-known destinations, his final resting place reached notoriety after a mention in John Berendt’s bestseller, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil“.

Conrad Aiken sign carved in wood at the entrance to a Bonaventure Cemetery plot surrounded by hot pink azaleas
Although it seems odd to sit on a headstone, that’s the intended purpose of Aiken’s bench. Legend has it he wanted poetry lovers to relax and enjoy a drink at the spot.

The poignant inscription on it reads, “Cosmos Mariner – Destination Unknown | Give My Love to the World.”

He shares his tombstone with his third wife, Mary Hoover Aiken, who was an artist. The Metropolitan Museum of Art currently owns two of her pieces.

The Bird Girl Statue

The Bird Girl Statue, aka: “Little Wendy”, became famous in 1993 when Jack Leigh photographed her as dusk enveloped one of the family plots at Bonaventure.

His photograph ended up gracing the cover of John Berendt’s book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”.

After the book became a New York Times Best Seller, people visited Bonaventure Cemetery in droves to see The Bird Girl statue.

The family donated the statue to Telfair Museum, and it currently resides at Jepson Center of the Arts.

Bonaventure Cemetery FAQs

What time does Bonaventure Cemetery close?

Bonaventure Cemetery is open from 8 am – 5 pm daily. The gates close at exactly 5 pm, so make sure you head towards the exit at least 15 minutes before closing.

How far is Bonaventure Cemetery from the Historic District?

Bonaventure is located three miles from downtown Savannah. While you could walk or bike to get there, driving is by far the easiest method. The neighborhoods closest to the cemetery don’t have sidewalks, so they aren’t very pedestrian friendly.

Should I book Bonaventure Cemetery tickets in advance?

You don’t need a ticket to enter Bonaventure Cemetery. It is free to enter and drive or walk around on your own. You only need to purchase a ticket in advance if you want to do a guided tour.

Who is Gracie in Bonaventure Cemetery?

When people talk about Little Gracie, they’re referring to Gracie Watson, who is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery. Her plot is one of the most visited in the cemetery, thanks to the many ghost tour guides who like share her story. She was born in 1883 and died in 1889, and it’s often said her spirit can still be found roaming Johnson Square.

Which section of Bonaventure is Gracie in?

You can find little Gracie Watson in Section E of Bonaventure Cemetery. There’s a wooden sign pointing directly towards her plot. There are a few individual parking spots not far from her grave. Wooden sign with "Gracie Section E" etched into it in the foreground and the grave of Little Gracie Watson in the background

Where is the Bird Girl statue in Bonaventure Cemetery?

The Bird Girl Statue, which was made famous by the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, is long gone from Bonaventure Cemetery. It was removed after the book became wildly popular and drove massive numbers of tourists to the cemetery. It now resides at the Jepson Center.

Related Reading: Discover the Most Authentic Black History Tours in Savannah

Final Reminders When Visiting Bonaventure Cemetery

Don’t forget to book your tours in advance, and be sure to bring bug repellant and water, unless your tour guide provides them.

If you want to download the app, do that before you head out to the cemetery. Finally, don’t forget your camera! You’re going to want to take lots of photos.

Savannah Travel Guide

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Finally, don’t forget to purchase a copy of my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide ebook. It has all the information you need to plan your trip.

You’ll also gain access to my private Facebook group for first-time visitors, where you can pick my brain and read reviews from other recent travelers.

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Erin authored the Savannah First-Timer's Guide and loves helping first-time visitors plan their trips. She lives in the artsy Starland District and enjoys exploring Savannah's hidden gems, as well as the surrounding Lowcountry.