by Leslie Alwiel
Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the most popular places to visit here in Savannah, the fourth most popular according to Trip Advisor . It is a serene and sublime experience to walk about this Victorian Era cemetery filled with beautiful statues, oak trees with Spanish moss, and to learn about the history of those who built our fair city.
Hours, Parking and Basics
The cemetery is from 8 am to 5 pm every day of the year and is free to enter. There are two small parking areas on the side of each entry gate, another small area near the start of the historical section and places to pull over on the wider roads throughout its 100 acres.
There are also two restrooms available to the public, one stand-alone building near the soda machine by the parking area inside the Jewish gate, the other near the Grave Locator outside the Visitors Center.
Bonaventure Cemetery is over 170 years old and features few modern amenities.
We suggest comfortable shoes, sunscreen in the summer months, and bug spray most of the year to keep the “no see’ums” – sand gnats – at bay. We also strongly recommend bringing bottled water during the Spring, Summer and Fall months.
The cemetery is a working cemetery managed by the City of Savannah and the office is inside the red brick administration building that also serves as the Bonaventure Historical Society’s Visitor’s Center. On the weekends and some holidays the Bonaventure Historical Society volunteer staff is available to assist you during your visit. We greatly appreciate so help with our mission to fund the restoration work required to keep things as beautiful as they are. We receive no city, state or federal funds in support of that mission.
Visitor’s Center and Main Office
Bonaventure Historical Society Tours
The Bonaventure Historical Society also offer free tours during the weekend of the second Sunday of each month. Our schedule can be found here. And we’re happy to host group tours of ten or more people when requested.
We also offer a self-guided tour via our Bonaventure Cemetery App it is available on both iOS and Android devices. You can learn more about the mobile tour here.
You can learn more about Bonaventure Cemetery on our website.
Thanks and we hope you do stop by and take time to enjoy this local treasure. And feel free to share your photos on our Facebook Page!