Segway Tour in Historic Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah

Bonaventure Cemetery is far too large to appreciate well on foot in a short visit. A Segway lets you cover more ground while keeping the pace easy, so you can reach famous graves, quiet lanes, and riverfront views without turning the morning into a long, hot march.

I especially like the brief training session, which helps first-time riders get comfortable quickly, and the personal storytelling from guides such as Neil and Carolyn. You hear about Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken, Gracie Watson, cemetery art, and local families rather than simply rolling past rows of stones.

The main catch is practical: you must reach the cemetery yourself at 330 Bonaventure Road. There is no downtown Savannah pickup, and you should leave room in your schedule in case the tour starts late or runs beyond the advertised 90 minutes.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride through a huge cemetery: A Segway covers much more ground than a walking tour in the same general time.
• First-time riders get instruction: The guide provides safety guidance and hands-on training before setting off.
• Hear personal stories: Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken, Gracie Watson, cemetery symbolism, and local family histories are part of the route.
• Enjoy Wilmington River views: Bonaventure’s position beside the river adds open scenery to the shaded cemetery lanes.
• Small group size: The tour accepts no more than 10 people, allowing the guide to watch your riding and answer questions.
• Plan for a self-guided arrival: Meet at 330 Bonaventure Road in the morning, not downtown Savannah.

Why a Segway works so well at Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery is not a compact burial ground that you can cross in a few minutes. Its broad roads and many sections reward exploration, but walking from one point to another takes time and energy. In Savannah’s heat, that matters.

The Segway changes the scale of the visit. You can move between significant graves and scenic corners without spending most of the tour simply getting there. I like that this is not speed for its own sake. The route still allows stops, explanations, and questions, but the vehicle does the tiring part.

You also stay above the level of a car seat and move at a gentle pace. That gives you a good way to look around as you ride, although you still need to pay attention to the path and follow the guide’s safety directions.

This is not a thrill ride. The appeal is access. You see more of Bonaventure in about an hour and a half, then finish with enough energy to continue exploring Savannah.

Meeting at 330 Bonaventure Road

The tour begins at Bonaventure Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Road, with a 9:30 am start. Arrive 15 minutes early. That extra time is not just a suggestion, since the guide needs to organize the group and get everyone through the initial instruction.

The meeting point is important when you plan your day. You are not being collected from a hotel or central Savannah. Arrange your own transportation to the cemetery, which is near public transportation, and check your timing carefully before booking.

This early start has advantages. Morning light suits the cemetery, and cooler temperatures make riding more pleasant. It also leaves much of the day free for Savannah’s squares, museums, or a second cemetery visit.

I would not place a tight reservation immediately after this tour. One recorded experience involved a late start, and another ran longer than 90 minutes. Those delays were not presented as the normal schedule, but a little breathing room is wise.

Getting comfortable on the Segway

Once the group meets, the guide explains how to operate and control the Segway. You receive safety instruction and time to practice before the tour moves into the cemetery.

For a first ride, this training is a real part of the value. Several first-time riders found the machines easy to learn after only a few minutes. That does not mean you should rush. The better guides make sure you feel steady before continuing, and they keep an eye on comfort and control during the route.

Neil is repeatedly praised for giving clear instruction while keeping the mood relaxed. Carolyn is also singled out for helping riders feel secure and offering an alternative bicycle option when one rider was concerned about balance and limited movement. The available information does not promise a bicycle for every booking, so treat that as something to ask about in advance rather than a guaranteed feature.

You should wear comfortable shoes. Sunglasses can help on a bright morning, and helmets are provided if needed. Some riders prefer to bring their own helmet. The practical rule is simple: wear shoes that feel secure, listen carefully, and do not worry if you have never used a Segway before.

Riding past famous graves and local stories

The route includes the graves of Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken, and Gracie Watson. These names give the tour an immediate sense of purpose, but the experience is not limited to a checklist of famous people.

The guides also explain stories connected to the people buried here, along with details about tombstones, cemetery symbolism, and decorative art. That is where the tour becomes more than transportation through a large cemetery. You begin to read the place, noticing how memorials express grief, faith, family ties, and social standing.

Neil receives particularly strong praise for answering questions and adding stories from his own research. He is also a longtime local, which helps connect the cemetery to Savannah beyond the gates. Carolyn is described as warm, funny, and attentive, with a gift for making the tour feel conversational.

Guides can make a big difference on a cemetery tour. The stones themselves are quiet. Without explanation, you might appreciate the trees and sculpture but miss why certain graves matter. A good guide gives you a reason to pause and a story to remember.

Wilmington River views and the peaceful side of the tour

Bonaventure Cemetery sits beside the Wilmington River, so the tour is not all monuments and narrow lanes. You also get views toward the water, adding open space and changing the mood of the ride.

The river is especially valuable as a pause in the storytelling. After hearing about historic families and famous figures, you can look out across the water and take in a quieter scene. Dolphins have been spotted during some tours, though that is luck, not part of the promised program.

The setting helps explain why this experience feels calmer than a standard city tour. You are still learning about Savannah, but you are away from downtown traffic and moving through a place designed for reflection. The Segway keeps the ride gentle enough for you to notice the cemetery’s atmosphere instead of treating it as a fast sightseeing circuit.

If you want only dramatic architecture or a long list of dates, this may feel slow in places. I think the slower rhythm is a strength, but you should enjoy stories, memorial art, and outdoor scenery to get the most from it.

What the 90-minute duration really gives you

The advertised duration is about one hour and 30 minutes. That is enough time to see a meaningful selection of Bonaventure Cemetery without committing half a day to a walking route.

A walking visit can easily become tiring because of the cemetery’s size. The Segway saves your legs and lets the guide include more ground. You may still stop and step off for a break, and one guide extended the route to cover additional points of interest.

That flexibility can be welcome, but it also means you should avoid planning something immediately afterward. The tour may finish close to the stated time, or it may run over. If your schedule is packed, the extra time could become a nuisance. If your schedule is open, it may feel like a bonus.

The group limit of 10 is another useful detail. A small group gives the guide a better chance to notice if someone is struggling with the machine, and you can ask questions without shouting across a crowd. It also makes the cemetery feel less like a parade.

Is the $80 price fair?

The price is $80 per person, including the Segway tour and taxes. Entry to the cemetery is listed as free, so most of what you are paying for is the equipment, instruction, guide, route planning, and access to a much larger area than you could comfortably cover on foot.

For someone who already plans to walk only a small part of Bonaventure, $80 may seem steep. You can enter the cemetery without paying an admission charge. The tour earns its price through convenience and interpretation, not through a ticket to the grounds.

I see better value here if you want three things at once: a guided introduction, a way to cover distance, and a low-effort outdoor activity. The small group makes the price easier to justify than a large coach tour, especially when you can ask direct questions and receive individual riding help.

The value is also higher for first-time visitors who might otherwise spend hours trying to find the most important graves. You are paying to avoid wandering without context and to use the cemetery’s size to your advantage.

Who will enjoy this cemetery tour most

I would recommend this tour to you if you like local stories, historic cemeteries, and unusual ways to see a place. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and people who want more than a standard downtown sightseeing ride.

It is also a smart option if heat, limited stamina, or balance concerns make a long walk unattractive. The Segway removes much of the physical burden, though you still need to stand, steer, and follow safety instructions.

First-time riders should not be put off. The training is built into the experience, and several people learned the basics within minutes. Still, if you are uncomfortable standing on a moving device, ask about alternatives before booking. The provider allows service animals, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed mobility requirements.

Families should consider the age and comfort of each participant before booking. The tour is limited to 10 people, but no specific minimum age is provided, so ask the operator directly if children are part of your group.

Small details that improve the morning

Arrive 15 minutes early, wear comfortable shoes, and bring sunglasses if the forecast is bright. Helmets are available, and you can bring your own if preferred.

Keep your morning flexible. The standard start is 9:30 am, but a previous tour experienced a significant delay connected to vehicle trouble, and another ran longer than scheduled. That does not define every departure, but it is enough reason to avoid a close appointment afterward.

Take the safety lesson seriously even if the machine looks simple. The best part of the experience is feeling relaxed on the route, not proving how quickly you can learn.

If you need to cancel, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Bonaventure Segway tour?

I would book this if you want to understand Bonaventure Cemetery without exhausting yourself on foot. The strongest reasons are the scale of the grounds, the clear beginner training, the small group, and the guides’ focus on people and stories rather than empty facts.

Neil and Carolyn are both praised for friendly instruction and strong storytelling, although you cannot assume which guide will lead your departure. The river views and chance of seeing dolphins add a pleasant bit of luck to an already peaceful setting.

Skip it if you prefer exploring alone, need a tightly timed morning, or mainly want a free visit to the cemetery. For everyone else, $80 buys a practical, well-guided way to see far more of Bonaventure than a short walk would allow.

FAQ

Where does the Bonaventure Cemetery Segway tour start?

The tour starts at Bonaventure Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Road, Thunderbolt, Georgia 31404.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am. You should arrive 15 minutes early.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes. It can sometimes run longer, so leave extra time afterward.

Is transportation from downtown Savannah included?

No. You meet at the cemetery, so you must arrange your own transportation there. The cemetery is near public transportation.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $80 per person. Taxes and the Segway tour are included.

Is training provided for first-time Segway riders?

Yes. The guide provides safety instruction and training before the group begins riding through the cemetery.

Which famous graves are included?

The tour visits the graves of Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken, and Gracie Watson. The guide also discusses cemetery history, family stories, symbolism, and art.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.