Cemetery Showdown: Bonaventure vs. Colonial Park

One of my regrets about my trip to Savannah was that I didn’t get nearly as much cemetery-lovin’ time as I would have liked.

You see, I have this thing about cemeteries, especially the old ones. Why? There’s just something so positive and uplifting about them. Nobody ever has anything bad to say about anyone else in cemeteries. Everyone’s a “faithful husband” or a “devoted mother” or a “loyal son.” It’s as though death is a great purifier that removes the dross of a life before it’s preserved for perpetuity. Negative attributes are diminished  and the positive qualities come into focus.

As a history buff, I enjoy reading about the life stories of people who lived long before I was even a twinkle in my mother’s eye. There something about knowing that people lived and died long before me that’s humbling in a good sort of way.

So I was beyond excited for my trip to Savannah because I knew I’d have a chance to see and hear (and retell) some wonderful old tales from storytellers with stilled tongues. But with all there was to see and do in Savannah, I only had time to visit two of Savannah’s more popular dwellings for the dead: Colonial Park Cemetery and Bonaventure Cemetery.

But what about if you’re visiting Savannah and you only have time to visit either Colonial Park Cemetery or Bonaventure Cemetery? Let these resting places for the dead go head to head.

Choosing between Savannah’s big guns:

• Looking for a quiet contemplative spot? Opt for Bonaventure. While Colonial Park does offer a few options for a serene sit-down, Bonaventure is more secluded. The massive grounds are situated on a tract of land on the Wilmington River. On a beautiful day, it really doesn’t get much more scenic and tranquil than this.

• Hot for old, lichen-covered headstones? Your better bet is Colonial Park cemetery. It’s almost a full century older than Bonaventure Cemetery with deliciously worn and patina’d headstones to match.

• Ornate monuments more your style? Bonaventure Cemetery is your thrill. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many intricately carved monuments to dead people all together in one place. It’s pretty amazing…if you’re into that sort of thing.

• On a tight budget? Choose Colonial Park. Getting out to Bonaventure cemetery can be a little more challenging if you don’t have a car rental, although there are a few tour companies that offer a driving tour through the enormous grounds. A round-trip taxi fare from my hotel in the Historic District to Bonaventure was close to $30 while Colonial Park was less than 30 minutes walking distance.

• Searching for celebrities? Bonaventure’s got you (and them!) covered. One of Savannah’s most famous sons, songwriter and composer Johnny Mercer, is prominently buried there, as well as a few other lesser-known famous folk.

• Short on time? Colonial Park’s your place. It’s in the heart of the city and significantly smaller than Bonaventure. You can comfortably spend about an hour in Colonial Park without feeling rushed while Bonaventure requires at least a few hours to do it justice.

• Seeking Savannah’s “Bird Girl” statue? You won’t find her at Bonaventure Cemetery anymore. She now resides on the second floor of the Telfair Academy.

Now, I only visit cemeteries during the day because I’d get way too spooked at night, so for the creepiness factor, I can’t help you. I wouldn’t go near either of the two after dark.