Spending "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" in Savannah!

Books have this incredible ability to transport you to another day and time, as well as teach you so
much about the foundations and character of a place. True to this fact, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil oozes with Savannah's history and culture. 

For those who don't feel like committing to a book, Clint Eastwood has also made it into an incredible movie starring John Cusack and Kevin Spacey. 

If you want to follow along with the story that so perfectly captures the quirky essence of Savannah next time you're in town, here's how:

What's Ahead:

• Accommodations
• Restaurants
• Night Life
• Activities

Accommodations:

Stay In A Carriage House Like John Berendt/Kelso - Even though the Mercer-Williams Carriage House has been turned into the gift shop, this one is super close by. 

Look After A Mansion While Your Friend Is Out of Town Like Joe Odom - Now, you can't stay at 115 E. Jones St like where Mandy invites John to his first Savannah party, but this one looks super similar and is also on Jones Street. You can opt for the one-bedroom Wright Suite or the three-bedroom Monterey Suite at this location. 

Savannah Bed & Breakfast Inn - One of the most famous bed and breakfasts in the Historic District, this gorgeous building is just steps away from Monterey Square, Bull Street, and the Mercer-Williams House. 

Forsyth Park Inn - Right next to Forsyth Park, you might just see porter, William Glover, taking Patrick for his morning walk through the window of your suite.

Restaurants:

Breakfast: Clary's - 404 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA - Okay, so this may not sound like the most appealing spot to eat because of Luther Driggers with his leashed flies and threats to poison the water supply, but this little diner is a local favorite! You can even see photos of the cast during the time they were filming the movie by the front door. 

Brunch: The Fitzroy - 9 West Drayton Street, Savannah, GA - This quaint, little Gastropub sits where the original Churchill's once stood. Styled after many popular pubs in Melbourne, Australia, this handsome, casual space serves American pub fare and craft cocktails with bar seats and so much character.

Lunch: Collins Quarter at Forsyth - So many scenes in the story take place in gorgeous Forsyth Park, which is why this is a gem of a place to stop for lunch.

Dinner: Churchill's - 13 West Bay Street, Savannah, GA - After the original pub burned in a kitchen fire, the restaurant moved shop to Bay Street. Now able to seat over 400 instead of the original under 80, they have expanded.

Night Life:

Club One - Lady Chablis was a regular performer at this club between its opening night in 1988 and August 6, 2016, which was right before she was hospitalized and soon after passed from this world. You can still attend this club to attend some awesome and entertaining drag shows. 

Piano Bars - Savannah is all about their piano bars, the most famous of which is the Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos - 314 Williamson Street, Savannah, GA. However, there is also:

• Vic's on the River - 26 E Bay Street, Savannah, GA
• The Olde Pink House - 23 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA
• McDonough's - 21 E McDonough Street, Savannah, GA
• 17 Hundred 90 Inn and Restaurant - 307 E President Street, Savannah, GA

Monterey Square at Night

Activities:

Mercer-Williams House -  429 Bull Street, Savannah, GA - This was one of Jim Williams's Historic District salvages, and he fell in love with it so much that it made it his personal abode. Now owned and operated by his sister, Dorothy Williams shies away from any connection with the book, movie, or any alleged hauntings, but it is still a museum that you can visit where you can see Jim's house left in all its glory with all of his artwork and treasures still on display just the way he left them. Even if Dorothy doesn't believe the mansion is haunted, some say that if you walk by the house around Christmastime, you might just catch a glimpse of one of Jim Williams's historic Christmas Eve parties being held far into the afterlife. 

Bonaventure Cemetery - Many important parts of the story take place in this cemetery, and it's also where the story got its name. Minerva says that the thirty minutes before midnight are for good voodoo, and the thirty minutes after midnight are for bad voodoo. Also, the "Bird Girl" statue from the front cover of the book and the opening scene of the movie also used to be on display in the cemetery. However, because fans kept trampling graves to get close to her, they ended up moving her to the Telfair Academy, where you can see her on display along with other historic Savannah artifacts. The cemetery is open from 8AM-5PM, and one company does after-hour tours.

The Bonaventure

Take A Carriage Ride - Carriage rides are just part of Savannah, and Joe Odom even rides up on one when John is having car trouble during one of the parts of the story. If there's anything the Old South can teach you, it's to enjoy life and not to be in a hurry to get anywhere.  

His name is Pepper!

Other Filming Locations - Walking is easily the best way to see Savannah, and it's the way most locals get around:

• Armstrong House - 447 Bull Street, Savannah, GA - This was Jim Williams's attorney's office, and it is still used as a law firm to this day. Jim Williams helped save this building, just as he did so many in the Historic District. 
• Tomochichi Federal Building - 125 Bull Street, Savannah, GA - This was where Jim Williams's trials were held, and it is still used as a courthouse. 
• Forsyth Park - Many parts of the story take place in this park. It's an activity hub for the city, and the fountain is a symbol of Savannah. Forsyth is the largest park in the city at 30 acres, and it is a beautiful and peaceful way to experience the sounds and sites of the city. 

Forsyth Park and Fountain

For more on the "Hostess City of the South," click here for a "Haunted Weekend of Romance in Savannah." Also, please feel free to leave any Savannah suggestions or tips in the comments below!