Bonaventure Cemetery - Savannah’s Most Beautifully Haunting Walk -

Bonaventure Cemetery is pure Southern Gothic magic. Spanish moss swaying from ancient oak trees, elaborate marble statues, and winding paths that lead you through stories carved in stone. It’s peaceful, haunting, and absolutely stunning. I wouldn’t usually recommend visiting a cemetery but Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia is the most beautiful cemetery I have ever walked around.

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What is Bonaventure Cemetery Famous For?

The Bonaventure Cemetery was always beautiful. It gained a lot of attention in 1994, when John Berendt published the popular book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Sprawling across 160 acres, Bonaventure Cemetery overlooks the Wilmington River, giving you sweeping water views alongside towering oaks draped in Spanish moss. It’s romantic, a little eerie, and full of character—just like Savannah itself.

Overlooking the Wilmington River, the 160-acre cemetery grounds are hauntingly beautiful. Everywhere you look are live oak trees dripping with moss over tombstones and statues that have been around for over a hundred years.

Parking at the Cemetery

There is a parking lot near the Wilmington River. To park you take your first left on Sheftall Way. Then take your first right on Greenwich all the way down until you see water, parking is on the right.

You have great views of the Wilmington River from the cemetery.

Is Bonaventure Cemetery free to visit?

Yes, you can visit the cemetery for free.

Famous Graves at Bonaventure Cemetery

The cemetery is huge so it is easy to get turned around if you’re taking a DIY tour. There are wooden signs throughout. However, many of the most popular gravesites are a short walk from the parking area. For example, the oldest gravesite, the Mercers, Corrine Lawton, and Little Gracie are nearby.

Corrine Lawton’s Grave

From the parking lot take a right so that you’re overlooking the river on Greenwich. Take your second left and the Lawton’s grave is on your right. The young woman passed away right before her wedding day. The statue was created in Italy.

Where is Little Gracie’s Grave?

Little Gracie is one of the most famous gravesites in the cemetery. The life-size marble statue of the little six-year old is behind a wrought iron fence. It is not too far from the parking. Make a left on Greenwich out of the parking lot and then make your first left on Walz Way to view her gravesite.

Marie Barclay Taliaferro

One of the family plots that struck me was the Taliaferro plot, specifically Marie’s. An angel carved out of marble looks over the site.

Shell Girl – George Baldwin Plot

A statue of an angel holding a large shell is another memorial that I found especially beautiful.

statue in bonaventurine cemetery in Savannah GA

Is the Bird Girl Statue Still at Bonaventure Cemetery?

If you are a fan of the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and you’re looking for the famous Bird Girl statue you won’t find it in the cemetery. It was moved and the famous statue is now at the Telfair Museum in Savannah.

Where is Bonaventure Cemetery

The cemetery is three-miles from downtown Savannah.

Bonaventure Cemetery Tours

You can visit the cemetery on your own, but if you want a guide there are several tours of Bonaventure Cemetery.

There is an app you can download to tour the cemetery. For more information visit the Bonaventure Cemetery Historical Society . The group offers tours a couple times a month.

You can also take a guided tour of the Bonaventure Cemetery.