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🎬Midnight Savannah Tour
Here’s a laid-back itinerary inspired by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — with mornings near the filming locations, long walks through literary landmarks, and stress-free evenings in Savannah’s most atmospheric corners. Use it as a guide — or a starting point for your own slow-burn adventure.
The Mercer-Williams House — the real-life setting of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — still anchors Monterey Square with its wrought iron gates, quiet mystery, and cinematic presence. I actually took this photo while walking through the square during the holidays, just as the light was catching the brick. In an odd way, it felt like the story was still unfolding right there on the sidewalk.
Explore Your Day at a Glance
See how the day unfolds across Savannah’s most iconic filming locations — from breakfast scenes and quiet squares to movie-famous mansions, garden cemeteries, and moody moonlit walks.
Morning: Walk into the Story
Start your day at Clary’s Café, then trace the path of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil through Monterey Square, the Mercer House, and the quiet corners where truth met fiction.
Afternoon: Cemeteries, Statues, and Southern Secrets
Explore Bonaventure Cemetery, the relocated Bird Girl statue, and a few elegant facades that still whisper scenes from the book and film.
Evening: Shadows, Rooftops, and the Lady Herself
End your day with a rooftop cocktail, a quiet walk past Colonial Park Cemetery, and a tribute to The Lady Chablis — where Savannah starts to feel like a character all its own.
Want to explore all our Savannah itineraries (threads) in one place?
Get free access to our printable Savannah Travel Library — perfect for on-the-go exploring, printing, or sharing with your travel crew.
Here’s what’s inside:
✅ Printable layouts for tangible accessibility
✅ All featured stops clearly listed and mapped
✅ Direct links to our custom Google Maps
✅ “Locals know…” tips sprinkled throughout for authentic insight you won’t find on the web
📩 Just enter your email below and we’ll send the full library link straight to your inbox.
Morning in the Heart of the Story
1. Breakfast at Clary’s Café
Start your day at this classic Savannah diner, a neighborhood staple (and neighbor of ours) made famous after being featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The black-and-white floors, counter seating, and chatty regulars still feel straight out of the film — and the biscuits don’t hurt either.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
2. Walk South on Abercorn St. to Gaston.
After breakfast, head south on Abercorn Street toward Granite Hall (126 E. Gaston St. — the intersection of Gaston and Abercorn), the beautiful brick mansion used in the Married Women’s Card Club scene. Our rentals are just across Abercorn — and if you watch closely, you can actually spot our house for a split second in the film. Today, the home is owned by Paula Wallace, founder of SCAD. In 2024, just three weeks before she was set to move in, the house was struck by lightning and caught fire. Renovations are now underway again — with a lightning protection system firmly in place.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
3. Walk Through Forsyth Park
This is where the mood of Savannah fully sets in. You’ll walk under mossy oaks, past the iconic fountain, and alongside the stretch where Uga, the University of Georgia’s bulldog mascot, was filmed for the movie (walking alongside John Cusack).
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
4. Armstrong House (Now the Kessler Mansion)
Once the law office of Sonny Seiler — Jim Williams’ real-life defense attorney — this Italian Renaissance mansion sits just off Forsyth Park. It was used in the film and remains one of the grandest homes in Savannah. It’s now the private residence of hotelier Richard Kessler.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
5. Mercer-Williams House (sits on Monterey Square)
The centerpiece of the story. This is where Jim Williams lived — and where the shooting of Danny Hansford took place. The official tour, if you choose to go, is only through a small portion of the house. For the film, director Clint Eastwood famously invited real local Savannahians to attend the Christmas party scene (as opposed to actors), with engraved invitations as Jim Williams had done himself. The murder of Danny Hansford is not believed to be the only death that has taken place in the home, as at least two others are thought to have occurred.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
Once the law office of Jim Williams’ real-life attorney, this Italian Renaissance mansion now belongs to hotelier Richard Kessler. We took this photo in December, just as the lights were going up for the holidays — and you can still feel a little of the movie’s mood lingering in the air.
Afternoon: Cemeteries, Statues, and Southern Secrets
6. Bonaventure Cemetery (Uber or Lyft recommended)
This is where the story deepens. You won’t find the Bird Girl statue here anymore, but you will find the soul of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Minerva filmed her scenes here, and some characters even shared drinks at Conrad Aiken’s grave. The oak-lined bluff, the moss, the quiet — it all feels cinematic. Johnny Mercer is buried here, too.
LOCALS KNOW—but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
7. Telfair Academy (Bird Girl Statue)
Back downtown, stop at the Telfair Academy to see the original Bird Girl statue. She was relocated here from Bonaventure to protect her from weather, wear, and people — and now stands quietly behind glass in a small, reverent gallery. She was originally placed in Bonaventure in 1940, supposedly as a marker for a family’s plot, and now shifts between the Jepson Center and Telfair Academy.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
8. Hamilton-Turner Inn
Though it only makes a brief appearance in the movie, the Hamilton-Turner Inn is referenced for its lavish parties — especially those hosted by Joe Odom. It’s also historically significant: this was the first building in Savannah to have electricity. With its iron balcony and tucked-away charm, it feels more like a character than a setting.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
Bonaventure is where the atmosphere of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil really comes alive. The Spanish moss, the river bluff, and the silence between headstones — it’s one of those places where Savannah’s beauty turns cinematic.
Evening: Rooftops, Cemeteries, and The Lady Herself
9. Colonial Park Cemetery (after-hours walk-by)
Though it closes before dark, Colonial Park Cemetery holds a moody presence — day or night. The Spanish moss, the crooked gravestones, the sometimes nonsensical epitaphs, the iron gates... it all feels lifted straight from a Southern Gothic novel. Fitting, considering Midnight’s tone.
LOCALS KNOW—but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
10. Lady Chablis’ Apartment (418 E. Liberty St.)
Just a few steps from the cemetery, you’ll find the apartment where scenes with The Lady Chablis were filmed. She wasn’t just a character — she was a real performer and personality who played herself in the movie. Bold, brilliant, and unforgettable, she brought warmth and edge to the story in equal measure.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
11. Drinks at Peregrin
Walk over to Peregrin, the rooftop bar at the Perry Lane Hotel. With panoramic views and a breezy, stylish vibe, it’s the kind of place where conversation lingers and the skyline seems to glow. Perfect before dinner.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
12. Dinner: Crystal Beer Parlor or The Public Kitchen
Depending on your mood, choose from these two local favorites:
Crystal Beer Parlor
Casual, lively, and steeped in Savannah history. No reservations — just grab a table and enjoy classic pub food, a long list of beers, and zero pretense.LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
The Public Kitchen
A modern space with a relaxed atmosphere and consistently good food. The vibe is clean, local, and unfussy.LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
13. Doki Doki
End your day with something playful: ice cream from Doki Doki, where desserts are topped with edible glitter, torched meringue, and mochi. It’s a sweet, surreal contrast to the rest of the day — and somehow still fits.
LOCALS KNOW— but we only spill the secrets in the downloadable itinerary
I snapped this photo at Colonial Park Cemetery (I am lucky enough to walk through it daily) — one of the city’s most atmospheric corners. The markers lean, the moss hangs low, and it’s easy to understand why this spot ends up in so many stories.
Map Your Day
Follow the footsteps of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil across Savannah — one location at a time.
Want to explore all our Savannah itineraries (threads) in one place?
Get free access to our printable Savannah Travel Library — perfect for on-the-go exploring, printing, or sharing with your travel crew.
Here’s what’s inside:
✅ Printable layouts for tangible accessibility
✅ All featured stops clearly listed and mapped
✅ Direct links to our custom Google Maps
✅ “Locals know…” tips sprinkled throughout for authentic insight you won’t find on the web
📩 Just enter your email below and we’ll send the full library link straight to your inbox.
Self-Guided Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Tour: FAQ
Thinking about planning your own Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil walking tour through Savannah? Here are the most common questions travelers ask — like where to start, how long it takes, and what you’ll actually see along the way.
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The full experience is meant to fill a relaxed day — around 6 to 8 hours if you include meals, stops, and photos. But there’s no rush. You can do the entire thing in one stretch or break it into morning and evening segments depending on your pace.
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Yes. While the book and movie touch on adult themes, the actual walking route focuses on beautiful architecture, squares, and historic homes — all very appropriate for kids. You’ll be walking through Savannah’s most picturesque neighborhoods.
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Most of the tour takes place on public sidewalks and open spaces, but this is an old city with a lot of uneven brick and cobblestone. If accessibility is a concern, we recommend using a mobility-friendly map and avoiding certain stair-heavy areas like cemetery entrances.
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Yes, but only the first floor and carriage house are open to visitors. The guided tour focuses on the home’s architecture and art — not the events from the book or film. Still, it’s worth going inside for the atmosphere alone.
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She’s no longer in Bonaventure Cemetery. To protect her from weather and wear, the statue was moved to the Telfair Academy downtown. You can see her there during museum hours — she has her own quiet little exhibit.
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Not quite. While some of the stops overlap with Savannah’s ghost tours, this itinerary focuses on real people, real locations, and the story behind Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It’s more literary and historic than spooky — but still very atmospheric.
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No reservations are needed to follow the route, but a few specific stops do require tickets — like the Mercer-Williams House or the Telfair Academy. We recommend checking those sites ahead of time if you plan to go inside.
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Yes. Several local guides offer Midnight-themed walking tours, and they often include more backstory about the book, movie, and characters. If you prefer having a storyteller lead the way, that’s a great option. Ours is a more flexible, go-at-your-own-pace version.
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Comfortable shoes, a water bottle, and maybe a hat or umbrella depending on the weather. You’ll also want your phone or camera — there are plenty of photo-worthy stops along the way. Having the interactive map pulled up makes things easy.
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Mid-morning is ideal. You’ll catch Savannah at its quietest and coolest, and it gives you the flexibility to stop for lunch, shopping, or a rooftop drink in the evening. That said, golden hour and twilight are hard to beat for the moodier locations.
Stay in the Stillness of the Historic District
Both of our boutique rentals were designed to be a respite from a chaotic day of walking through Savannah. Each one offers outdoor space, true comfort, and proximity to Savannah’s quietest corners.
“A Walk in the Park” Rental
A light-filled garden apartment just steps from Forsyth Park. Blends 19th-century details with modern design — perfect for couples who want walkable charm.
“The Garden of Good” Rental
This quiet carriage house opens onto a private garden courtyard. A peaceful retreat hidden in the heart of the Historic District.