Savannah, Georgia
We loved our time in Savannah - it quickly became one of our favorite cities we’ve ever visited. The history, the architecture, the beautiful live oaks, and the walkability all made us fall in love with this charming southern town. The pineapple - a symbol of hospitality - is seen all over for a reason!
Lodging (there are many options, but we quickly narrowed in on The Marshall House)
The Marshall House: it has been voted Best Hotel and Best Downtown Hotel in Savannah, and is one of the most unique hotels in Savannah. The hotel's 68 guest rooms offer an authentic historic Savannah experience including fun balcony rooms, authentic historic features, complimentary wine and more. It’s located in the very center of the Historic District. Shopping and dining right outside the door and beautiful squares and antebellum architecture at every turn.
In 1864-65 The Marshall House was occupied by Union troops and was used as a Union hospital. Historic photographs and documents are displayed throughout the hotel, including a 3rd floor feature on the Civil War.
***We stayed here and enjoyed the charming space, the location, and the afternoon entertainment (music, lectures, wine socials etc).
Must Do in Savannah:
First Timer's Guide to Savannah, GA - this website has a great list of historic district restaurants and other info.
The Historic District is 1.5 miles, north to south from River Street to Forsyth Park, about 1 mile east to west from East Broad to Martin Luther King Blvd. Bull Street divides it between east and west. The three main areas of the Historic District are:
City Market (8 minute walk from Marshall House) - features artists working in their lofts with works for sale, restaurants, open air cafes, jazz clubs and shops. Check out Byrd’s Famous Cookies.
River Street (7 minute walk from Marshall House) - River Street and the Old Cotton Exchange were the center of commerce in 1897 when cotton was king. Where once stood old cotton warehouses you’ll now find a multitude of bars, restaurants and shops.
Find the Waving Girl Statue at the River Street Market. It’s on the River Street Boardwalk.
See the Savannah Candy Kitchen.
Take the free Savannah Belles Ferry to the other side of the river. Go at night to look back and see the city lights! See the link for the schedule and route.
Forsyth Park (16 minute walk from Marshall House): This 26 acre park is especially beautiful in the spring when the flowering trees and azaleas are in full bloom. See the Garden for the Blind (in the enclosure next to the playgrounds). The large ornate fountain dates back to 1858. Joggers and walkers head there to make the mile loop around the perimeter of the park.
Savannah’s Squares: Savannah was originally built around four open squares in 1733. Today 22 of the 24 historic squares remain intact.
A good place to start is the 10-block stretch of Bull Street that begins at City Hall and ends at Forsyth Park. You should also hop over and see Ellis Square near City Market for the Johnny Mercer monument and water feature. If you make this a circle route you can see 10 Squares plus Forsythe Park and the City Market
5 favorites:
Ellis - features a Johnny Mercer Statue
Reynolds - near the Olde Pink House
Chippewa - site of the “Forrest Gump” bench
Lafayette - near Flannery O’Connor’s childhood home
Monterey - near Temple Mickve Israel, the “most beautiful square”, has the tall Pulaski Monument
Other favorites
Colonial Cemetery (6 minute walk from Marshall House) - in the heart of the historic district. This 6 acre park-like cemetery is the oldest intact municipal cemetery in Savannah. It served as the primary public cemetery from 1750-1853.
The Mercer House (15 minute walk from the Marshall House) - built in 1960 for songwriter Johnny Mercer. It is the location of the book and film titled Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and is open for tours.
Sites of note outside of the historic district:
Tybee Island
Tybee Island is a barrier island rich in both history and natural beauty. It is a 30 minute drive from Savannah. 3 miles of uninterrupted public beach. See Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island Lighthouse and the Tybee Island Lighthouse.
***We have friends who visited, and said they would rather have spent their time at other barrier islands.
Bonaventure Cemetery - We LOVED this. “The Most Beautiful Cemetery in America”. Beautiful Spanish Moss on the trees. We just walked around on our own with a self-guided tour app, but there are guided tours available.
15 minute drive from Savannah. Free parking. You can explore on foot for no charge if you don’t want a tour. They are open 8-5. Visitors Center only open on the weekends. Go here first and then head to the Wormsloe Historic Site.
There is a free map available at the Savannah Visitor’s Center.
Can get a cemetery tour app here: Bonaventure Historical Society
There is a small fee ($4.99). Narrated with 31 stops.
***We enjoyed this narration (once you figure out where to start!)
Most popular gravesite in the historic section is little Gracie Watson, the 6 year old daughter of a popular hotel manager. She died suddenly after being photographed in her new Easter finery. Also popular is the grave of Johnny Mercer (H-48) and the stunning marble carvings on the Lawton Plot (H-168). More than 500 crosses denote the final resting place of Confederate soldiers. Section K has the nation’s second largest area dedicated to those who were killed in the Spanish American War.
Reviewer: Go with a tour or you will feel lost and miss all the backstories. It’s always a few degrees cooler than the city, so keep something warm handy.
Wormsloe Historic Site - Definitely make this a stop. This is where you’ll see the iconic tree lined drive with live oaks. We really enjoyed our visit.
Wormsloe State Historic Site | Department Of Natural Resources Division
Open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 am 8 pm and weekends 9-5. $10/adults for admission. There is a visitors center, small museum, picnic area, interpreted ruins, colonial demonstrations, nature trails. Suggested time: 2-3 hours.
The Wormsloe Historic Site was once the colonial estate of carpenter Noble Jones, who came to Georgia with James Oglethorpe in 1733. This former plantation is the site of the oldest standing structure in Savannah. The ruins of Jones’ tabby house was built in 1745.
A breathtaking live oak avenue leads visitors one mile down a colonial road to a visitor center where they can watch a short historical film, tour a museum, and browse a gift shop. A walking trail leads to the 1737 tabby ruins of the oldest remaining structure in the Savannah. Trails meander past scenic marsh views to the Colonial Life Area where costumed interpreters provide living history demonstrations in the afternoons, weather permitting. Five more miles of nature trails are available for those who are more adventurous.
Several paths lead out to the Isle of Hope where there are breaks in the trees and even docks to venture out on for good views.
Fort Pulaski
Pin Point Heritage Museum
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Old Fort Jackson - you can see this from the River Cruise
Museums
Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters (5 minute walk from Marshall House)
Open 10-5 daily for 45 minute guided tours or self-guided tours. $25/adult gets you a tour of the Owens Thomas House and admission to The Telfair Academy (art and science museum) and Jepsen Center (art, history, architecture museum).
Built in 1819, this mansion exemplifies the neoclassical styles popular in England during the Regency period. The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters allows visitors to explore the complicated relationships between the most and least powerful people in the city of Savannah in the early 19th century. The tour focuses on the art, architecture, and history of the home through the lens of slavery. Visitors will experience an inclusive interpretation of not only the wealthy families that inhabited this home for a span of over 100 years, but of also the enslaved people who lived and labored here.
Davenport House Museum
William Scarbrough House and Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum - full of model ships, elegant architecture and Greek gardens.
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
Andrew Low House Museum
Green-Meldrim House
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
Beach Institute African American Culture Center
Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences
Jepson Center
SCAD Museum of Art
Savannah Children’s Museum
Savannah History Museum
Georgia State Railroad Museum
***Other Places of Note: The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (definitely walk in here - breathtaking), First African Baptist Church (from what we heard this would be at the top of our list for touring. The Underground Railroad had a stop here).
Check out a Savannah Bananas Baseball Game (like the Harlem Globetrotters is to Basketball).
Live Music/Theatre
Jazz’d Tapas Bar - closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Looks very cool.
The Wormhole - Open Mic on Mondays (6 pm - 2 am), Karaoke (9 pm - 2am) on Tuesdays.
Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos (Only open Thursday- Saturdays)
The Historic Savannah Theatre
The Tree House - open 7 days a week, says either live music or a DJ every day. Open 7 pm - 2am
Bay Street Blues
The Warehouse Bar and Grill (reviews say live music Thursday - Saturday)
Saddlebags Savannah - country music and dancing Thursday-Sunday
Dining - there are SO many good options - these are a few of the don’t miss destinations.
Leopold's Ice Cream Parlor - ranked in the top 10 ice cream parlors in the world, just down the street from the Marshall House.
Byrd’s Famous Cookies in the City Market (Flavors like Key Lime Pie and Georgia Peach)
The Olde Pink House - originally owned by someone in the cotton industry. Depending on the season you need to make your reservation 3 months in advance. If you don’t get a reservation upstairs you can eat in The Tavern downstairs - no reservations, but you have to show up at 4:45/5:00 to get your name on the list and they’ll tell you what time you can come back to eat. Same menu as upstairs (AMAZING food). Live music starts nightly at 7:30. The pianist playing and singing the night we were there was a highlight - the quintessential “Piano Man”. Very cool atmosphere.
***Make this a dining priority for your trip!
Tour Options
We really enjoyed this tour - you get a narrated trolley ride through the Savannah Historic District, the Victorian District, River Street, and Savannah City Market where you learn the history, legend, and lore which has shaped Savannah into a place known both as one of the most romantic and most haunted cities in America.
Since Savannah is so walkable we were very glad we didn’t do a hop-on-hop-off tour.
Following your trolley tour of Historic Savannah, embark on the Savannah Riverboat for a 90-minute sightseeing cruise down the Savannah River. Experience the river that was – and remains – the lifeblood of Savannah! Hear the Captain’s intriguing tales and historic facts about Savannah’s modern port and the ships that visit from all over the world. Then it’s downriver to Old Fort Jackson, home of one of the largest and oldest original artillery pieces in the country! Take advantage of the great photo opportunities of Savannah’s historic riverfront and skyline.
They have complimentary Historic District shuttle service the day of and an extra $10 for an additional day. Also they will pick you up at your historic district hotel to get to the start of the tour. Service runs through 5 pm.
Reviewer: We loved this tour. Everyone will recommend the hop on/off tours from other companies, but this tour was great. No stopping every 5 minutes to load and unload passengers. Just an uninterrupted tour of Savannah. To make up for not having the hop on/off option, they give you unlimited shuttle service for the day of the tour to anywhere in the historic district. You can even add a day of the shuttle service for $10/person. This is a way better option if you don't want to wait around at a station all day to finish your tour or load a bus. Also, our guide was wonderful - informative, funny, and highly entertaining.
Reviewer: The shuttle was a must. Simply call them, tell them where you are and where you want to go and they have someone there within 15 minutes.
2-Hour Savannah Riverboat Cruises during the day and at sunset are available seasonally. Options with and without a buffet style dinner are available.
They have combo options with hop on/hop off or walking tours as well.
Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Savannah by Old Savannah Tours
100 minutes total of driving time. Runs 9-5.
If you’re planning on exploring Savannah's Historic District, book this hop-on hop-off trolley tour in advance and leave transportation to someone else. The route includes 15 stops through the area, with trolleys arriving at each stop every 20 minutes. Sightsee at your own pace, setting your own itinerary, and get off to explore areas that interest you the most. Along the way, learn history from costumed actors.
Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour By Noble Jones Tours
2 hours, 3 miles of flat, easy terrain on a 1 speed pedal cruiser built for comfort.
60-Minute Guided Segway History Tour of Savannah By Adventure Tours in Motion
Savannah Tybee Island Dolphin Cruise Tour with Stop at Tybee Island Lighthouse By Gray Line Savannah (5 ½ hour tour)
If you don’t have your own car, visiting Tybee Island from Savannah can be tough. This guided tour makes it easy to take the quick drive in comfortable private transportation—not to mention it means you don’t have to deal with parking at Savannah’s most popular nearby beach. Enjoy free time and a dolphin watching cruise when you arrive for a crowd-pleasing favorite experience.
Tybee Beach Bus
Explore beyond the Savannah city limits with a private beach day experience at Tybee Island. Get picked up at your hotel or the address of your choice in Savannah and travel in comfort to nearby Tybee Island. Relax on the beach for the day with all equipment including chairs, umbrellas, towels, and coolers stocked with ice provided for you. Return, private transportation to Savannah is included.
The "Savannah for Morons" Comedy Trolley Tour
$49/adult. 90 minutes. Combine culture with comedy during a tour that injects fun and humor into Savannah’s 300 years of history. Traveling by traditional trolley—the open sides of which allow for unobstructed photos—you’ll tick off top city sights and enjoy plenty of laughs with a comedian guide. Plus, this short tour proves ideal for visitors with limited time.
***Reviewers recommended for a mature audience. You won’t learn as much history.
Wormsloe Plantation & Bonaventure Cemetery Tour from Savannah By Gray Line Savannah
Explore historic Georgia without the hassle of navigating on your own on a 6 hour tour to two major landmarks. $59/adult (to Park at the Savannah Visitor’s Center it’s free for the first hour, and then $2/hour after that)
Departs from the Gray Line office at 223 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Your day begins with a tour of Bonaventure Cemetery to learn about the lives of notable inhabitants like Academy Award-winning songwriter Johnny Mercer, Georgia’s first governor Edward Telfair, philanthropist Mary Telfair, as well as the tragic tales of poet Conrad Aiken and Gracie Watson. The Cemetery walking tour meanders under moss draped oaks and along the bluff of the Wilmington River. Bonaventure Cemetery, dating back to 1846, is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country.
Following the cemetery tour, you will have lunch on your own at Eric Davis Lowcountry restaurant, a local favorite whose owner and family have deep ties in Savannah. Their focus on Coastal Southern Cuisine brings together fresh seafood, barbecue, and southern sides in a menu that embodies the Lowcountry. After lunch, the day continues to Wormsloe Historic site and a drive through the picturesque Isle of Hope Historic District.
Your visit to Wormsloe includes a breathtaking drive down the famous live oak tree lined drive. You will take a short walk to see the Plantation Tabby Ruins that date to the 18th Century and visit the museum of the Georgia State Park Historic Site. After Wormsloe, we will drive down Bluff Dr to view the Intercoastal waterway and the magnificent houses that range in style from Greek Revival to Craftsman Bungalows. Finally, a stop is scheduled at the Famous Savannah Byrd Cookie Company headquarters for shopping and tastings of Byrd’s Famous Cookies. Key Lime, Bennie Bits and Cheddar Cheese are just a few of the favorites.
