Is this a guided tour of Savannah's literary sites?

No, this is a self-guided audio walk. You can start, stop, and explore each location at your own pace using the app's narration and map.

What is the best time for a walking tour Savannah literary fans would enjoy?

Mid-morning is ideal. Most bookstores open at 10:00 AM, and the temperatures are cooler than the afternoon heat. It also allows you to finish near Bull Street just in time for lunch.

Can I go inside the homes on this walking route?

Yes, both the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home and the Mercer Williams House offer interior tours. However, these require separate admission fees and have specific operating hours that vary by season.

Are the bookstores on the route dog-friendly?

E. Shaver Booksellers is famously pet-friendly and often has resident cats. However, it is always best to check at the door as policies can change.

Is the Mercer Williams House the one from the movie?

Yes, it is the actual house where Jim Williams lived and where the events of 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' took place. It was also used for exterior shots in the film adaptation.

Is the route accessible for wheelchairs?

While the terrain is flat, Savannah’s historic brick sidewalks are notoriously uneven. Most street corners have curb cuts, but some are steep. The bookstores have narrow aisles that may be difficult to navigate with large wheelchairs.

What should I wear for a self-guided walk in Savannah?

Comfortable walking shoes are essential due to the brick and cobblestone paths. During summer months, bring water and wear light clothing, as Savannah can be very humid.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Savannah is a city that breathes through its stories, where the Spanish moss drapes over squares like the velvet curtains of a theater. This self-guided walk invites you to step into the pages of Southern Gothic history and explore the haunts of the literary giants who called these cobblestone streets home. From the childhood residence of Flannery O’Connor to the enigmatic house made famous by 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil', you will traverse a neighborhood that has inspired Pulitzer Prize winners and modern bestsellers alike. Savannah’s literary legacy is more than just a collection of books; it is a living atmosphere of mystery, eccentricity, and Southern charm that you can discover at your own pace. As you begin your self-guided adventure, you will encounter the historic bookstores that serve as the city's intellectual heart. These are not merely shops but local institutions housed in 19th-century buildings, filled with rare editions and local lore. You will learn about the tragic and triumphant life of Conrad Aiken and see the grand architecture that provided the backdrop for some of the 20th century's most compelling narratives. This walking route Savannah offers is designed for those who appreciate the intersection of architecture and the written word. Whether you are a fan of classic Southern literature or contemporary non-fiction, this neighborhood stroll provides a deep dive into the cultural fabric of the Historic District. By following this route, you can explore independently, stopping to browse through stacks of books or photograph the ornate ironwork that defines the city's aesthetic. This audio walk ensures you don't miss the subtle details—like the specific window where a young author watched the world go by—that make Savannah a premier destination for book lovers. Experience the city not just as a visitor, but as a reader turning the pages of an unfolding story.

Highlights

The childhood home of Flannery O'Connor

Historic independent bookstores like E. Shaver and The Book Lady

The Mercer-Williams House from 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'

The residence and legacy of Pulitzer Prize winner Conrad Aiken

The stunning Second Empire architecture of the Hamilton-Turner Inn

Lafayette Square’s quiet, bookish atmosphere

Tour Stops (6)

Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home Museum

Welcome to the starting point of your literary journey. This modest Greek Revival townhouse was the childhood home of Flannery O’Connor, one of the most significant voices in Southern Gothic literature. Living here from 1925 to 1938, O'Connor's upbringing in this strict Catholic household in the heart of the Protestant South deeply influenced her writing. It was in the small backyard here that a five-year-old Flannery famously taught a chicken to walk backward, an event filmed by Pathé News that gave her an early taste of the 'grotesque' and unusual. The home remains a shrine to her early years, preserved with period furnishings and family memorabilia.

Hamilton-Turner Inn

Gaze up at the towering Second Empire-style mansion before you. Built in 1873, the Hamilton-Turner Inn is a masterpiece of Savannah architecture, but its literary fame comes from John Berendt’s 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'. In the book, the eccentric Joe Odom hosted raucous parties here, and it was nicknamed 'The Grand Hotel'. The building's ornate ironwork and mansard roof capture the opulence and slightly faded grandeur that Berendt described so vividly. It serves as a perfect example of how Savannah’s real-life residents and their homes become larger-than-life characters in Southern literature.

E Shaver Booksellers

This isn't just a bookstore; it’s a Savannah institution. Established in 1975 and housed in a building dating back to 1842, E. Shaver Booksellers specializes in local history, architecture, and, of course, Southern literature. As you wander through its seven themed rooms, you’ll likely encounter the shop’s resident cats, who have become local celebrities in their own right. The creaky wooden floors and floor-to-ceiling shelves create an atmosphere that feels like a scholar’s private library. It’s the ideal place to pick up a copy of 'A Good Man is Hard to Find' or a map of the city’s historic squares.

The Book Lady Bookstore

A short walk brings you to another literary gem. The Book Lady Bookstore has been a cornerstone of the Savannah book scene since 1978. This shop is known for its meticulously curated collection of rare, out-of-print, and used books. The atmosphere here is intimate and dense with the scent of old paper. It frequently hosts poetry readings and literary events, keeping the city's intellectual spirit alive. Note the narrow aisles and the vertical stacks that make every visit feel like a treasure hunt. It is a testament to Savannah's enduring love for the physical book in an increasingly digital world.

Conrad Aiken Home

You are standing before the childhood home of Conrad Aiken, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and novelist. Aiken’s life was marked by a profound tragedy that occurred within these walls: when he was 11, his father killed his mother and then himself. Aiken discovered the bodies, a trauma that haunted his sophisticated, psychological poetry. Despite this, he remained deeply attached to Savannah, eventually moving back later in life to the house next door (number 230). He famously spent his final years sitting on his porch, drinking martinis and waving to passersby, and his burial at nearby Bonaventure Cemetery features a famous bench-shaped tombstone intended for visitors to join him for a drink.

Mercer Williams House Museum

Our final stop is perhaps the most famous house in Savannah. Designed by New York architect John S. Norris for General Hugh W. Mercer, construction was interrupted by the Civil War. However, it gained international notoriety as the scene of the shooting of Danny Hansford by the house's owner, Jim Williams—the central event in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'. The house is a stunning example of Italianate architecture, but for readers, it represents the intersection of fact and fiction. The mystery surrounding the events here in 1981 transformed Savannah from a quiet coastal city into a global tourism destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

The total walking distance is approximately 0.8 miles (1.3 km). Depending on how much time you spend browsing the bookstores and touring the house museums, it typically takes 90 to 120 minutes.