The best things to do in Savannah GA are walking along the 22 historic squares, exploring the Forsyth Park, sightseeing the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, eating at the Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, a ghost tour, visiting Bonaventure Cemetery, walking along River Street, exploring Wormsloe Historic Site, day-trip to Tybee Island and exploring Mercer-Williams House.
More than 15 million visitors came to Savannah last year, and frankly, I understand why. This city is a fusion of history and amazing food, as well as Southern charm that does not seem like a tourist trap. You are in the right place in case you are trying to determine the best things to do in Savannah.
I have explored each and every square, dined in the majority of the eateries beneath and completed several ghost tours which I am not sure I am supposed to. This is all I wish to be told me prior to my first visit in order to create an agenda of things to do in Savannah Georgia that actually makes it worth it.
1. Walk Savannah’s 22 Historic Squares
The Historic District of Savannah is constructed around 22 public squares each of which is shaded by the live oaks and covered with Spanish moss.
This layout was designed by James Oglethorpe in 1733 and it was later to be described by the American Planning Association as one of the best public spaces in America. The 22 can be completed in one day, however, I would recommend that you select a few and do it slowly.
The five blocks of the Bull Street are referred to as the Crown Jewels: Johnson, Wright, Chippewa, Madison, and Monterey.
The oldest is Johnson Square (1733) and the Madison Square with the Green-Meldrim House in which General Sherman lodged after his March to the Sea. This is where I begin when people request me on what to do in Savannah GA. Free, open 24/7.
Cost: Free | Hours: Open 24/7 | Best For: First-time visitors, photography, couples
2. Visit Forsyth Park and the Famous Fountain
Forsyth Park is a 30-acre park with a green area with a white fountain you have likely spotted on Instagram. The fountain is 1858 and is stained green on every St. Patrick day. The Forsyth Farmers Market is a farmers market operating on Saturdays, 9 AM to 1 PM and has more than 70 local vendors.
I enjoy taking brunch at Collins Quarter at Forsyth after which I do the 1.5-mile perimeter loop. Among the things to do in Savannah Georgia in a lazy morning in Savannah Georgia is it. The Fragrant Garden for the Blind as well as the 300-year-old Candler Oak are worth visiting.
Cost: Free | Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk | Best For: Morning walks, brunch, Saturday market
3. Tour the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
The oldest Roman Catholic in Georgia is this French Gothic cathedral on the Lafayette Square. The twin spires are 214 feet and within it are 81 stained glass windows and an Italian marble altar. It is known as the Sistine of the South by the locals, and I believe the name is deserved.
In 1898 it almost caught fire, and was in less than one year rebuilt. This should be listed on any list of what to see in Savannah GA even though church is not your thing. It is already one of the best Savannah tourist attractions by its architecture.
Cost: Free ($3 donation suggested) | Hours: Mon-Sat 9 AM-4:30 PM, Sun 1-4:30 PM | Address: 222 E Harris St
4. Explore the Mercer-Williams House Museum
Italianate mansion completed on Monterey square in 1868 and restored by Jim Williams who is the protagonist of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The tours last 20-40 minutes each time and they are around 45 minutes. The upper floors are not accessible because they are the personal property of a house.
They are prohibited to have interior pictures. It is a must-have experience in Savannah GA in case an individual is interested in the real crime, Southern architecture or literary history.
Cost: $13.50 adults | Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 11:30-5 | Address: 429 Bull St
5. See Three Museums on One Telfair Ticket
The complex of Telfair Museums consists of the Telfair Academy (the oldest contemporary art museum of the Southeast, opened 1886), the Jepson Center for contemporary art, and the Owens-Thomas House. A combination ticket is seven days and this is quite substantial.
The Bird Girl of the famous Midnight book cover statue is contained in the Jepson Center. It is also among the Savannah tourist sites that take people by surprise when they had not imagined that the city could have world class art.
Cost: $22-$25 combo (7 days) | Hours: Varies by site | Best For: Art lovers, Midnight fans, rainy days
6. Tour the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters
It was one of the best English Regency buildings in America which was designed by William Jay in 1819. The fact that it has one of the earliest intact urban slave quarters in the South is what makes it particularly important. The wall ceiling is painted in haint blue, which is a Gullah custom to keep away spirits.
In 1825 General Lafayette addressed the veranda. Tours last between 50 minutes and are available as part of your Telfair combo ticket. The attraction is among the stronger attractions in Savannah GA and I hope that more people are aware of it.
Cost: Included with Telfair combo ticket | Address: 124 Abercorn St
7. Visit the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
This is one that is dedicated to Girl Scouts fans. The Girl Scouts founder was born in this Regency style house located in Oglethorpe Avenue in 1912. Savannah was the first National historic landmark. The tours last about 40 minutes and they are sold out in peak season.
Plan in the spring and the summer. It is a good choice to add to your family list and a good addition to your itinerary of Savannah sightseeing.
Hours: Daily 10 AM-4 PM | Address: 10 E Oglethorpe Ave
8. Drive Out to Wormsloe Historic Site
Wormsloe, should you have seen pictures of a 1.5 mile avenue lined with 400 living oaks hung in Spanish moss. It is approximately 20 minutes out of downtown and the entrance is worth the drive all by itself.
Noble Jones owned the estate, which was a colony and he came with Oglethorpe in 1733. One of the oldest buildings in Georgia is found on the property of Tabby ruins.
You will need a car to get here. It is among the top ten tourist places to visit in Savannah Georgia and it is as good as all its images.
Cost: $12 adults | Hours: Daily 9 AM-4:45 PM | Address: 7601 Skidaway Rd
9. Explore Bonaventure Cemetery
Bonaventure is a 100-acre Victorian sculptures, Spanish moss and sweeps of the Wilmington River. It gained popularity throughout the world with the Midnight in the Garden book and film. This is the grave of Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken and little Gracie Watson (died age 6 in 1889).
I highly suggest a guided walking tour (costs between 25 to 35 dollars) as otherwise you are bound to miss most of the stories. It is a must do experience in Savannah. Car or rideshare needed.
Cost: Free (tours $25-$35) | Hours: Dawn to dusk | Address: 330 Bonaventure Rd
10. Visit Fort Pulaski National Monument
The fort Pulaski is located approximately 15 miles east of the downtown and on the path to Tybee Island and is a massive fort constructed using 25 million bricks between 1829 and 1847. Robert E. Lee was a young boy who assisted in the construction.
The 7.5 foot walls were broken by Union rifled cannons in only 30 hours in 1862 and military fortification was transformed forever.
Set aside two or three hours and add it to your trip to Tybee Island. Passes to National Parks Passes are accepted. It is among the best attractions that the visitor of Savannah GA is likely to miss.
Cost: $10/person (under 16 free) | Hours: Daily 9 AM-5 PM
11. Stroll Down River Street
The River Street follows the river of Savannah on the old cobblestones (they were ballast of the old trade vessels). There will be more than 75 stores, galleries and restaurants in the 19 th century restored cotton warehouses. There are Savannah Candy Kitchen, River Street Sweets and Savannah Bee Company.
Have a comfortable pair of shoes due to the cobblestones which are highly uneven. Even the Savannah experiences down here are amplified after the sun has set, when live music plays in the waterfront bars. It is among the things to see in Savannah that no one misses.
12. Eat at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
Mrs. Wilkes is a family style restaurant that attracts block long lines of people at 107 West Jones Street. Fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, and approximately 20 rotating sides all come to the table at the same time. Cash only. Open Monday- Friday, 11 AM to 2 PM.
My suggestions: be at the office by 10:15 AM to beat the worst of the queue. The queue may take up to two hours during peak time. Worth it? Absolutely. This is among such things to do in Savannah, GA that you will not forget after the trip.
Cost: ~$35/person, cash only | Hours: Mon-Fri 11 AM-2 PM | Address: 107 W Jones St
13. Dine at The Olde Pink House
The building is a 1771 Reynolds Square mansion that is among the most beautiful restaurant locations in the South. There is the famous crispy scored flounder and fried green tomatoes. It is said to be haunted by ghosts and this gives it a very nice touch.
You need to book your table two months before season time. Go to the basement tavern to have a more casual atmosphere with live piano music. This is the answer, in case you are in search of fun things to do in Savannah, GA for adults that involve fine dining.
Address: 23 Abercorn St (Reynolds Square) | Best For: Date nights, special occasions
14. Get Ice Cream at Leopold’s
Leopold’s has been in operation since 1919 and is located on 212 E. Broughton Street and it serves ice cream using family recipes. Fan favorites include Butter Pecan, Tutti Frutti and Rum Bisque. Weekends there are to be expected, and they are rapid.
It is just one of those savannah things to do that is good with all people, be it with children, on a date or just sightseeing. A single scoop will suffice to grasp the hype.
15. Experience The Grey Restaurant
The Grey is a restaurant that runs on James Beard Award winning Chef Mashama Bailey and is housed in a refurbished 1938 bus station of the Greyhound brand on 109 MLK Jr. Boulevard. The foie gras and grits is sufficient to reserve. It is among the most recognized restaurants in the whole South.
Bookings are made weeks before hand, therefore, book early. It is a savannah georgia attractions vacation spot that is a major food attraction to serious food lovers.
16. Take a Food Tour
A food tour is your move in case you want to sample the Savannah food scene without making a six-sit down meal commitment. Savannah Taste Experience is priced between 47 and 80 dollars per capita to spend two to three hours on guided tours. You are going to strike places you would never strike.
Other good alternatives are Zunzi (sandwiches in South Africa), Crystal Beer Parlor (since 1933), Collins Quarter (best brunch in the city) and Elizabeth on 37th (upscale Southern in a 1901 mansion). The Savannah food activities would be enough to occupy a trip.
17. Take a Ghost Tour
Savannah is a city that has been largely considered as one of the most haunted cities in America. The diffusion of yellow fever, the Civil War hospitals and unmarked graves have left behind them several centuries of history creating a city of ghost stories.
The name Genteel and Bard is often listed as one of the creepiest tours in the world. They have wireless audio receivers so that you can hear every word even on busy streets.
The walking and trolley tours cost between $20 and 35 and the haunted pub races cost between 25 and 36. When you are asking yourself what is there to do in Savannah Georgia at night, a ghost tour is the blatant suggestion.
Cost: $20-$50 depending on type | Top Pick: Genteel & Bard (~$35) | Best For: Couples, adults, history buffs
18. Visit the Most Haunted Locations
The Sorrel-Weed House in Harris Street has one of the darkest histories in the city. There were also two violent deaths and filmed here and the opening scene of Forrest Gump was also shot at this rooftop. Moon River Brewing Company occupies an old building which was the old yellow hospital and is now a functioning brewery.
Marshall House in Broughton Street is the oldest in operation within the city (1851). The USA Today identified it as the second best haunted hotel in America. In case you would like to sleep in a room with ghosts, reserve a room in the fourth floor. These are things to see in Savannah GA that cannot be viewed by the weak hearted.
19. Explore City Market and the Prohibition Museum
City Market is a four block open air marketplace that has been running since the 1700s. Inside, the American Prohibition Museum is the only Prohibition era museum in the country with 13 galleries and over 1,000 artifacts.
City Market is a four-block open air market place and it has been in operation since 1700s. The American Prohibition Museum located indoors is the sole nationwide Prohibition era museum that contains 13 galleries and more than 1,000 artifacts.
The Congress Street Up Speakeasy that is located within is the best part with the 1920s bar functioning and serving the Chatham Artillery Punch and cocktail classes. It is among the more unique things to do in Savannah GA.
Cost: Fee to sample market; museum approximately 15 dollars; Time Out & Best For: History, cocktails, nightlife
20. Cruise the Savannah River
Among the things to do listed as the savannah best things to do, one of the attractions is a river boat cruise in Georgia Queen paddlewheel. The prices of the sightseeing cruise are approximately 30 USD, brunch cruise costs 45-65 USD, and dinner cruise costs 55-85 USD. Book the sunset option. It is the most attended and easily sold.
21. Take a Day Trip to Tybee Island
The Tybee Island is located on the East 18 miles of downtown and a 25minutes drive. It is a relaxed barrier island in Savannah and among the top things to do near Savannah GA. Add to it a visit to Fort Pulaski by the way. The most popular stretch is South Beach around the pier. The North Beach by the lighthouse is less active.
The Crab Shack is a place to be visited waterfront restaurant having an alligator lagoon in the premises. Come on weekends early to park. It is among the most best things to do in Savannah GA when the weather is favorable.
22. Climb Tybee Island Lighthouse
The oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia is dated 1736. It has 178 steps to climb to have a panoramic view of the island, Atlantic and marshes. Open every day except on Tuesdays between 9 AM and 5:30 PM. About $12 for adults.
23. Sit on the Forrest Gump Bench
The most popular scene in Forrest Gump was the bench scene which was shot at Chippeawa Square, one of the Crown Jewel of Bull Street squares. The bench was even a movie prop. It is currently exhibited in Savannah History Museum at 303 MLK Jr. Boulevard (price of about 10 dollars). The Savannah Theatre on the opposite side of the square is of 1818.
One of such savannah tourist attractions is the Chippewa Square which does not fail even when you are not a movie buff.
24. Walk Through Colonial Park Cemetery
Savannah has the oldest existing cemetery (1750 to 1853) located directly in the Historic District at 201 Abercorn Street. More than 600 of the victims of Yellow Fever of 1820 are buried here.
During the Civil war, it was also reported that union soldiers had changed headstones dates in order to play a joke on them. This is the grave of Button Gwinnett, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Walk and free in the squares. It is a fast stop that will provide genuine depth to whatever one will want to see in Savannah walking tour.
25. Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
Peak Savannah romance is a carriage ride at sunset through the Historic District. The majority of tours can take 45-60 minutes and cost between 25-40 dollars per person. Ghosts and local history are told by guides. It is difficult to beat this one in case you are setting up things to do in Savannah GA for adults with a partner.
26. Have Drinks on a Rooftop Bar
Peregrin in Perry Lane Hotel is the one that can enjoy the best skyline in the city. The Bohemian Hotel is overlooking the river with Rocks on the Roof. Another favorite is Top Deck at the Cotton Sail. These are the things to do in the savannah ga that will make date nights memorable.
27. Walk Around With a Drink (Open Container Laws)
Savannah is one of the rare few cities in US whereby people can drink in the historic district. The orders: 16 ounces limit, plastic or paper cup, one beverage at a time, do not cross the zone between River Street and Jones Street. As you leave, Bars gives you a to go cup. Locals call it a traveler.
This is one law that alters the whole experience of the city exploration. It is among those that make savannah ga things to do with adults so distinctively fun in comparison with practically any other destination.
28. Go on a Bar Crawl
The Drag Queen Pub Crawl is popular ($36), Pedal pub bike bar tours are popular ($35 to $36) and haunted pub crawls are popular ($25 to $36). In the case of cocktail bars, there is Alley cat Lounge, Repeal 33, and Congress Street Up Speakeasy that seem like a secret.
In case you like walks and nightlife, visit things to do in nyc is another place where you can bar hop by walking. This city is way above its weight in terms of things to do savannah GA after dark.
29. Take a Sunset Riverboat Cruise for Date Night
The most popular booking in Savannah is sunset cruises in Georgia Queen. Live music, great food, and golden hour on the river. Book in the spring and fall when they are selling themselves. A river boat tour at sunset, a picnic at Forsyth Park or take a walk along the Jones Street (the most beautiful street in Savannah) are all ideal moments to date.
30. Visit the Savannah History Museum
The real Forrest Gump bench prop is also located in this museum housed on the inside of a refurbished railway depot at 303 MLK Jr. Boulevard. The museum will exhibit all aspects of the Revolutionary War to the music history of Savannah including the memorabilia of Johnny Mercer.
Tickets are about $10 for adults. It is the good rainy day choice and provides the background to the savannah Georgia attractions that you will walk through.
31. Walk Down Jones Street
The Jones Street is commonly referred to as the prettiest street in Savannah that has row houses, gas lanterns and live oaks all in perfect conditions. The distance between the Monterey and Pulaski Squares is a short one and takes approximately 15 minutes to cross. It is also in this street that there is the Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room.
It is among the sites that should be seen in Savannah and it takes beautiful pictures irrespective of the time of the day. Completely free.
32. Ride the Free Savannah Belles Ferry
The Savannah Belles Ferry services run on a fully free route between downtown and Hutchinson Island. It is approximately a five minutes crossing that provides river front views. It is among the most intelligent of the free activities in Savannah and a convenient method to view the city in a new perspective.
33. Browse Broughton Street Shops
The Savannah shopping street is Broughton Street. There will be a combination of national brands and local boutiques such as E. Shaver Booksellers (12 rooms of books with resident cats), Byrd Cookie Company (free samples since 1924), and Shops CAD where there is student made art.
Ice Cream Leopold is also at this street.It is an excellent savannah what to do choice that is a low key afternoon.
34. Explore the First African Baptist Church
First African Baptist Church is among the oldest Black congregations in North America that was formed in 1773. The 23 Montgomery Street building is a 1859 structure fully constructed by slaves.
An example of such holes can be holes that were drilled in the floor which were in the shape of a diamond and were thought to be air holes where the enslaved people hid as a component of the Underground Railroad.
Tours are highly touching and complimentary. It is among those must see in Savannah GA places that receive very little attention.
35. Visit the Graveface Museum
When your list of must-do in your savannah is more towards the weird and wonderful, you can go to the Graveface Museum at 510 MLK Jr. Boulevard. True crime attractions, haunted items, antique pinballs and strange things in the world. About $20 admission. Not for kids.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Savannah Trip
Best Time to Visit
April to May is the best: azaleas get in blossom, it is 60-80 degrees and the humidity has not come in yet. Another high season is the months of September to November when few people are around. Avoid August (brutal heat).
The lowest rates of hotels are in January and February. In case you want to visit Savannah Georgia on St. Patrick day, you should book a long time before. It takes place in the country as the second biggest celebration after NYC.
Getting Around
The walking environment is very good (walkability rating of 90). Free DOT buses are north-south. The Savannah Belles Ferry is free, and it takes the Hutchinson Island.
Automobile shall be required to Wormsloe, Bonaventure, Fort Pulaski and Tybee Island. Parking is metered on the street; it costs 15- 25 a day in garages. The CAT bus is just 5 dollars to the downtown, leaving the airport.
How Many Days You Need
I would suggest a minimum of two or three days. That includes the Historic District, a ghost tour, Bonaventure, Wormsloe, two to three great restaurants and Tybee Island. The four days would be ideal with the addition of a food tour and additional museums.
Even one full day can give you an opportunity to see the must do things in Savannah GA such as the squares, Forsyth Park, River Street and dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is Savannah GA most known for?
The city of Savannah is credited to having 22 historic squares, antebellum styles, Southern foods, ghost tours, and being associated with the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It is a city that is unlike any other Southern city due to its open container laws and walkable Historic District. It is a must see destination in the East Coast which is a savannah.
Can you walk around Savannah with alcohol?
Yes. In the historic district, Savannah permits open containers. It should be in a plastic or paper cup (not a glass) 16 ounces is the maximum, once in every instance. The area is located between River Street and Jones Street. Go cups are served automatically in bars.
Is Savannah worth visiting?
Yes. The history, food scene, ghost tours, as well as the sheer beauty of the city, present a fantastic travel experience in the East Coast. Savannah Georgia has plenty of sightseeing to offer on a one-day or a whole week basis.
How far is Tybee Island from Savannah?
Tybee Island is 18 miles east of downtown Savannah, which is a 25-minute drive. It may take 60 to 45 minutes during high summer weekends. It is among the most things to do around Savannah GA and it is a dream half-day trip.
What food is Savannah known for?
Shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, pralines, she crab soup, Lowcountry boil, fried chicken, sweet tea and banana pudding. To have the full experience, visit a food tour. Eating your way around the city is always featured in the Savannah top things to do list.
How many squares are in Savannah?
The historic district of Savannah has 22 historic squares. Originally 24 were planned. The Ellis square was torn down to build a parking garage in the 1930s but was built back in 2010. The best things to see in Savannah GA does not require any fee and takes no more than an hour.
Is Savannah safe for tourists?
Tourist core (Historic District, River Street, Forsyth Park) is normally secure. Always stay in the popular places at night. Take rideshare to transport to the outside of the district at night. The vast majority of visitors do not have any problems with things to do in Savannah, in case they explore it safely.
Do you need a car in Savannah?
Not in the case of the Historic District with a walkability score of 90. Wormsloe, Bonaventure Cemetery, Fort Pulaski and Tybee Island require a car or rideshare. When your to do in Savannah GA list does not go out of the core, forget the rental altogether.
What should you not miss in Savannah?
The ultimate Savannah GA sightseeing list includes: walking the squares of the Historic District, dining at Mrs. Wilkes or The Olde Pink house, Forsyth park, ghost tour, and Leopold ice cream. Add Wormsloe and Bonaventure Cemetery with additional time. That is the top 10 things to do in Savannah Georgia.
Is Savannah or Charleston better?
Different experiences. Savannah is smaller, more walkable and more relaxed on the open container laws and eccentric ghost culture. Charleston boasts of a more extensive restaurant network and access to the beach that is closer to the downtown. The things to do in Savannah, Georgia can be more of a focus and can be easily visited within a brief stay during a first time visit.
What movies were filmed in Savannah?
Forrest Gump (bench scene on Chippewa Square), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, The Generals daughter, Baywatch and Lady and the Tramp. Movie lovers can really enjoy visiting movie locations in Savannah, GA which are one of the more unique activities.
Final Thoughts
Savannah is one of such cities. It is something that surpasses expectations whether you have come in search of history, the food, the ghost stories or simply to relax and spend a few days here. I would wish that this guide will aid you in planning a trip that will not hurry you by covering the best things to do in Savannah GA.
Now it is your turn. Bookmark this page, spread the word to your travel crew and begin planning out your itinerary. In case you have been there and believe I have left behind one of his hidden treasures, leave it in the comments. It is possible to see more savannah things around every corner.
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Caroline Tate writes about travel the way she actually does it. Sometimes planned, sometimes not, always curious. She believes good trips don’t need big budgets, just a bit of nerve and a willingness to get lost. Currently based in Austin, usually dreaming about somewhere else.