
Savannah's Original Dark History Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 193 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Savannah's Original Dark History Tour worth booking?
Savannah's Original Dark History Tour is a 2-hour experience in Savannah, United States, from $29 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 193 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (193)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $29 per person
We pride ourselves on fact-based history. That's why we don't give ghost tours. Savannah has so much dark history that we don't need to make up any! This tour begins with a brutal duel that took place in a bar that still exists to this day. We'll move on to discuss Savannah's first murder. You'll see the site of the colony's first cemetery and the grave of a Native who was crucial to Georgia's success. We'll visit the location where a more recent serial killer met a victim, then discuss Colonial Park Cemetery's past and present. Savannah saw a great deal of tragedy during the Revolution, and you'll learn about the toll it took. We'll tie things up at the site of a killing that ironically put Savannah on the pop culture map and helped lead to its booming tourist industry today. Please note that though some local ghost tours have recently rebranded themselves as "dark history" tours, we are the original! This is Savannah's only fact-based evening tour.
What you get
About this experience
We pride ourselves on fact-based history. That's why we don't give ghost tours. Savannah has so much dark history that we don't need to make up any! This tour begins with a brutal duel that took place in a bar that still exists to this day. We'll move on to discuss Savannah's first murder. You'll see the site of the colony's first cemetery and the grave of a Native who was crucial to Georgia's success. We'll visit the location where a more recent serial killer met a victim, then discuss Colonial Park Cemetery's past and present. Savannah saw a great deal of tragedy during the Revolution, and you'll learn about the toll it took. We'll tie things up at the site of a killing that ironically put Savannah on the pop culture map and helped lead to its booming tourist industry today. Please note that though some local ghost tours have recently rebranded themselves as "dark history" tours, we are the original! This is Savannah's only fact-based evening tour.
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
What you'll see and do
Colonial Park Cemetery
We'll discuss eight different spots with Colonial Park being the midpoint. You'll learn about the cemetery's history, its residents, and how some made a reappearance not too long ago!
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Savannah
We'll meet in the small park surrounding Oglethorpe's Bench.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We'll conclude near Mercer House, just off of Monterey Square.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Savannah True History Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 187 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
187 verified traveler reviews for Savannah's Original Dark History Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommend
Very knowledgeable guide! Loved the stories and how they weaved together to tell a wide history of the dark side of Savannah.
via Tripadvisor
Great dark tour
Lots of information — a little bit about the ghost stories, but the focus was history. Our guide was well-informed and entertaining. Our group was just the right size
via Tripadvisor
Great story telling of...
Great story telling of actual events and history in Savannah. Thanks for doing your research and sharing the darker side of the truth.
via Viator
Real History, No Cheesy Ghost Stories
Phenomenal experience! Skip the ghost stories and do this.If you want real history, book the True Dark History Tour. Our guide, Shirley, was remarkably knowledgeable and a fantastic storyteller. I deeply appreciated that she could answer any question effortlessly without ever making things up. It was refreshing to take a genuine history tour rather than a ghost tour. Shirley made the experience unforgettable!
via Tripadvisor
Better for Serious History Buffs
The tour was much more history-dense than we were expecting. True history buffs may really enjoy the level of detail, but for us it felt a little like having a history book read aloud. There were so many names, dates, and details coming at us that it was hard to follow or retain much of anything. We were hoping for an engaging, accessible introduction to Savannah’s history—one that used stories and context to help bring the history to life, including the more difficult parts of Savannah’s past. Instead, the presentation felt very academic and wasn’t particularly engaging or enjoyable to listen to. We felt more like we were prepping for a Savannah history test than experiencing the city and learning about its history. We ended up leaving about halfway through, and unfortunately I couldn’t tell you a single fact I learned. Probably a good fit for serious history enthusiasts, but if you’re a casual visitor looking for an engaging overview of Savannah’s history, this may not be the right tour.
Response from the operator: We're sorry you did not enjoy the tour. You're not wrong - Our tours are the city's most comprehensive, and we wrote them for folks who want to immerse themselves in history. It sounds like you may have enjoyed our Orientation Tour or Savannah History 101 Tour better. We'd love to have you look into those next time you're in town.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $29 to $34
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 68
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Savannah's Original Dark History Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Savannah.
How much does Savannah's Original Dark History Tour cost?
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Prices start at $29 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Savannah usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Savannah's Original Dark History Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Savannah is not rushed.
Is Savannah's Original Dark History Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 193 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Savannah, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Savannah's Original Dark History Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Savannah's Original Dark History Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Savannah's Original Dark History Tour?
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Around 68 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Savannah can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Savannah and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Savannah's Original Dark History Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Savannah within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Savannah?
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Savannah is a walking city with a dense guide market, which means quality spread is wide. Historic district walks, Bonaventure Cemetery trips, trolley hop-on routes and ghost tours with tavern access make up most bookings. Outty Ranking leans on licensed-guide status and group size, since the squares get loud once a tour passes twenty people. On Outty we rank every Savannah experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Bonaventure Cemetery Walking Tour with Transportation, Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour, Haunted Savannah Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Savannah?
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March to May for azaleas, or October to November for cool evenings. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Savannah?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Savannah's Original Dark History Tour?
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Included: All Fees and Taxes. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Savannah's Original Dark History Tour?
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We'll meet in the small park surrounding Oglethorpe's Bench. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Savannah's Original Dark History Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Savannah's Original Dark History Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Savannah's Original Dark History Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Savannah's Original Dark History Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Savannah's Original Dark History Tour?
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Across 193 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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