51 Best Things to Do in Savannah GA (2026 Guide)
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Savannah sits along the Georgia coastline, about 250 miles from Atlanta and less than two hours from Charleston. The town was founded by James Oglethorpe in 1733 and is built around a system of squares bordered by shady streets, a layout that still shapes the best things to do in Savannah, GA today. Savannah is a small, walkable town famous for its Southern hospitality, oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and ghost stories, with enough attractions and activities packed into one historic district that you can cover most of it on foot.
There is something quirky about Savannah that hits you as soon as you enter its domain. One moment you’re driving past gas stations and pine trees. The next, you’re under a canopy of oak trees draped in Spanish moss, walking past pink mansions and gates older than America itself. Ask directions from someone around here, and there is at least a fair chance that what you get in return is a ghost story, not entirely as a joke.
Not sure what to do in Savannah, GA? Start your trip at Forsyth Park, walk through the historic squares, then head to River Street for its riverfront and shopping. Incorporate Bonaventure Cemetery, a Lowcountry dinner, and an evening ghost tour into your trip, and build your travel itinerary template using the guide below, based upon the type of trip you are planning. I have visited Savannah more times than I can count, and this guide lists 51 fun things to do in Savannah, Georgia. I arranged them in order so you can plan your own trip instead of copying mine.
Savannah Trip Planner: Fun Things to Do in Savannah, GA by Trip Type
If you want | Choose |
A first stop that sums up Savannah | Forsyth Park |
A famous movie photo | Chippewa Square (the Forrest Gump bench spot) |
A night out | Ghost tour, then dinner in the Historic District |
A free afternoon | The 22 downtown squares and River Street |
A beach day | Tybee Island, 30 minutes east |
Southern food that lives up to the hype | Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room or The Olde Pink House |
Something no other city has | A Savannah Bananas game at Historic Grayson Stadium |
A quiet nature break | Skidaway Island State Park |
Quick Glance Table
Things to Do in Savannah, GA | Cost | Best for |
Forsyth Park | Free | Photos, picnics, morning walks |
Chippewa Square | Free | A five-minute film history stop |
Johnson Square | Free | A starting point for the square walk |
Wright Square | Free | A quiet bench and Tomochichi’s story |
Reynolds Square | Free | Pairing with dinner at The Olde Pink House |
Madison Square | Free | Pairing with the Green Meldrim House |
Monterey Square | Free | Midnight in the Garden fans |
Lafayette Square | Free | Cathedral photos |
Ellis Square | Free | Events and City Market access |
Colonial Park Cemetery | Free | A quick, walkable cemetery stop |
Bonaventure Cemetery | Free; car or rideshare needed | Photographers and history lovers |
Wormsloe State Historic Site | $12 adult | The Oak Avenue photo |
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist | Free, donation suggested | Architecture and a quiet break |
Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters | $30, covers 3 Telfair sites | The fullest picture of the city’s history |
Telfair Academy | Included in Telfair pass | Art lovers, the Bird Girl statue |
Jepson Center | Included in Telfair pass | Families with younger kids |
Davenport House Museum | Paid | Preservation history buffs |
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace | $15 | Girl Scout families |
Andrew Low House | Paid | Antebellum architecture fans |
Green-Meldrim House | Paid, limited hours | Civil War history |
River Street | Free to browse | Evening walks and shopping |
Factors Walk | Free | Photos at dusk |
Bay Street | Free | River views without the crowds |
City Market | Free to browse | Live music and a home base |
Broughton Street | Free to browse | Shopping and casual dining |
SCAD Museum of Art | $10 adult | Contemporary art |
SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion and Film | Paid | Fashion and film fans |
Savannah History Museum | Paid | A fast overview before you wander |
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum | Paid | Model ships and a quiet garden |
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force | Paid | WWII history buffs |
American Prohibition Museum | From about $17 to $57 | Roaring Twenties history |
Old Town Trolley Tours | About $45 to $52 for one day | A first-day overview |
Savannah Riverboat Cruises | From about $42 | River views, a sit-down evening |
Bonaventure Cemetery Tours | Free monthly, or paid private | Context you would miss alone |
Ghost and paranormal walking tours | Roughly $30 to $45 | Evening entertainment |
Savannah food walking tours | Roughly $85 to $105 | Sampling multiple restaurants |
Horse-drawn carriage tours | Paid | A slower, romantic pace |
Leopold’s Ice Cream | $4.50 to $9.20 Prices may vary; check before visiting | A classic treat |
The Grey | Reservations essential | A special occasion dinner |
The Olde Pink House | $32 to $48 entrees | Fine dining in a historic mansion |
Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room | About $35, cash only | Family-style Southern lunch |
Savannah Bee Company | Free to browse | A sweet break from walking |
Old Savannah Distillery | Often included with trolley tickets | A quick casual stop |
Skidaway Island State Park | Standard $10 per car | Hiking and birdwatching |
Kayaking the marshes near Savannah | Paid | Seeing the Lowcountry by water |
Savannah Bananas at Historic Grayson Stadium | Tickets are very hard to get | Baseball fans, something no other city has |
Savannah Theatre | Paid by show | Live music and comedy |
Moon River Brewing Co. | Free to visit, paid drinks | Craft beer and ghost stories |
Tybee Island | Free beach access | A half day at the beach |
Fort Pulaski National Monument | Paid | Civil War history on the way to Tybee |
Isle of Hope and Pin Point Heritage Museum | Free to walk, paid museum | Gullah Geechee history |
Why Savannah, GA Attractions Work So Well for a Weekend Trip
Savannah was established in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, who laid it out in a grid pattern with a series of squares in the city center. Twenty-two of the original squares remain today, and you can walk through the Savannah Historic District in an afternoon, which is exactly why so many people search for things to do in Savannah this weekend rather than planning something longer. This is one reason the city consistently ranks among the best US travel destinations for a weekend getaway. Whether you want free activities in Savannah, GA, or places to see in Savannah, GA, that fill a whole afternoon, you will not need a car for most of them. You walk from one square to the next beneath the oaks and their Spanish moss.
We often find travelers coming to Savannah by road from Houston, Austin, Atlanta, and other cities in Texas and the southern United States. BoletoXpress offers routes to downtown Savannah without renting a vehicle.
What are the best things to see in Savannah, GA, starting with the historic squares?
Savannah’s squares are small parks, each with a monument, fountain, or shaded bench, surrounded by some of the nation’s best-preserved buildings, and they’re among the most photographed sights in Savannah and some of the best things to see in Savannah, GA. It would take me half a day to roam around these alone.
Square or Landmark | Named for or featured monument | One fact that makes it worth the stop | Pairs well with |
Forsyth Park | Georgia Governor John Forsyth | 1858 fountain, completed, ready to enjoy | Jones Street walk |
Chippewa Square | James Oglethorpe | Forrest Gump filming location | Savannah Theatre |
Johnson Square | General Nathanael Greene | Oldest and largest of the 22 squares | River Street |
Wright Square | Royal Governor James Wright | Tomochichi’s boulder monument | A rest stop mid-walk |
Reynolds Square | John Wesley | The Olde Pink House sits on its edge | Dinner reservations |
Madison Square | William Jasper | Faces the Green-Meldrim House | A Sherman history stop |
Monterey Square | Casimir Pulaski | Mercer-Williams House and the 1981 murder | Telfair Academy |
Lafayette Square | Marquis de Lafayette | Cathedral spires directly behind it | Hamilton Turner Inn |
Ellis Square | Founder Henry Ellis | Rebuilt from a former parking garage | City Market |
Colonial Park Cemetery | Colonial-era Savannah | Altered Civil War-era headstones | A ghost tour stop |
Bonaventure Cemetery | The old Bonaventure Plantation | Little Gracie’s statue | Wormsloe on the same drive |
Wormsloe State Historic Site | Colonist Noble Jones | Oak avenue planted early 1900s | Skidaway Island |
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist | St. John the Baptist | Bavarian stained glass, dedicated 1876 | Lafayette Square |
1. Forsyth Park
The 30-acre Forsyth Park sits on the southern edge of the area, and locals say the easiest way to access it is from the north edge on Gaston Street. You will drop off right at the fountain and not have to walk around the whole park before getting there. The fountain was erected in 1858 and resembles the fountains of the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
It is fully operational after a comprehensive $650,000 restoration project completed in December 2025, so you can enjoy it without scaffolding or construction. If you see it operating, take a closer look, since the water turns green each St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to the fountain, there is a fragrant garden for the blind, two playgrounds, and a splash pad that operates in the summer months. To take a picture of the famous fountain without a lot of people, arrive right when the sun comes up.
Timing is key to catching the Forsyth Park Fountain’s “greening.” This official city tradition began in 1985, when city officials and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee began using safe, food-grade dye to turn the water green days before the holiday. While fountain dyeing is a newer ritual, the broader St. Patrick’s Day Parade has a deep history in Savannah, dating back to 1824. Today, it is recognized as one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the world. Both the state tourism office and Savannah’s city government recognize its immense scale, ranking it the third-largest parade celebration in the nation, right behind New York City and Chicago.
2. Chippewa Square
Everybody knows Chippewa Square from the movie Forrest Gump. However, there is a little secret. This bench was only a prop, and it disappeared from the square. If you want to see the bench, go to the Savannah History Museum, half a block from here. You will be able to see a statue of James Oglethorpe, looking to the south as if he were guarding from an attack by the Spaniards, which never occurred, as well as the historic Savannah Theatre.
3. Johnson Square
Johnson Square is the biggest and oldest of all the squares, and it certainly looks it, since it was Savannah’s main trading spot back then. Expect City Hall, churches, and street bustle rather than the cozy atmosphere of other squares. A statue of General Nathanael Greene, who led forces during the Revolutionary War, stands in the square’s center. We recommend starting your square exploration with Johnson Square at the intersection of Bull Street.
4. Wright Square
Locals call Wright Square Courthouse Square because a courthouse has stood adjacent to it since Oglethorpe designed it. The courthouse has since become the post office. Find the boulder at the corner, not in the middle like in many other squares, named after Tomochichi, the chief of Yamacraw who helped Oglethorpe establish Georgia in 1733. If your legs are tired, then this is the square for you.
5. Reynolds Square
Reynolds Square is one of the older squares, and it offers two things at once because the Olde Pink House restaurant sits adjacent to the east end of the square in a structure built in 1771. If you have dinner reservations there, then be sure to visit during golden hour. The Pink House really glows during that time of the day.
6. Madison Square
A monument commemorating William Jasper, an American Revolutionary soldier, stands at the center of the square. Jasper died while trying to protect a flag that had fallen to the ground during the siege of Savannah. Some of the neighborhood’s most beautiful homes surround the square.
Keep this in mind: you can visit Madison Square and the Green-Meldrim House in one trip.
7. Monterey Square
Monterey Square commemorates Casimir Pulaski and is adjacent to the Mercer-Williams House, where the story “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” was set. As a Bibliophile, I was so amazed to know that the actual murder the book is based upon took place in this very house in 1981. The first floor is open for tours at $14.95. There is no booking system; it is first-come, first-served.
The homicide inspired John Berendt’s 1994 novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which topped the New York Times bestseller list for 216 weeks. Clint Eastwood directed the 1997 movie adaptation, filming it almost entirely in this square and at Bonaventure Cemetery, which is why they remain popular today.
8. Lafayette Square
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has twin towers behind Lafayette Square, and it is one of Savannah’s most photographed backdrops for a good reason. You can explore Hamilton Turner Inn adjacent to it, built in 1873 as Savannah’s first building equipped with electricity. This place is also famous as the venue where Joe Odom held wild parties described in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
9. Ellis Square
This spot has one of the most incredible glow-up stories in the entire city! For years, it was a parking garage until Savannah demolished it and rebuilt what you see today, featuring everything from farmers’ markets to concerts and a summer splash fountain for the children. Walking through Ellis Square to enter City Market, there is no way you could know it was a parking garage.
10. Colonial Park Cemetery
While Bonaventure is outside Savannah’s downtown, Colonial Park Cemetery is conveniently located in the center of downtown, between Abercorn and Oglethorpe Streets. No special trip is needed to visit. You can drop by on your way between squares. Victims of yellow fever epidemics and Revolutionary War heroes are buried here. If you look closely at some of the oldest tombstones, you will see that some dates have obviously been changed, which any ghost tour guide mentions because of rumors that Union Army vandals destroyed the stones.
11. Bonaventure Cemetery
This cemetery on the Wilmington River is where you go to experience Savannah in postcard form: moss-covered trees bending over rows of statues set out over 160 acres. The gates are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, with admission and parking being free; a surprise for those who think such a picturesque place should charge visitors to enter.
Some celebrities rest in the Savannah cemeteries, including Johnny Mercer and Conrad Aiken. Still, the one who attracts visitors’ curiosity is Little Gracie, a little girl six years of age who passed away from pneumonia just two days before Easter in the 1880s. Bonaventure Historical Society offers free guided tours during the second weekend of every month from 1 p.m. Still, if that time doesn’t fit your schedule, some private tour companies offer paid tours on foot and even in golf carts. Bonaventure Plantation is about three miles from the historic downtown area, which means it’s the only place on this list where you will definitely need a vehicle to get there.
12. Wormsloe State Historic Site
The draw here is a 1.5-mile road lined with more than 400 live oaks planted in the early 1900s, leading toward the tabby ruins of colonist Noble Jones’s 1700s estate. That’s where the surprise lies for many first-time visitors. No opulent mansion is present at the end of that much-photographed avenue of oaks, only the ruins, a small museum, and a nature path. If you’re content with only the picture of the oak tunnel, you can get a pretty good shot from outside the gates for nothing. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $5.75 for youth, and $3.25 for children under 6; open daily 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you visit between April and October, bring bug spray; the maritime forest here is genuinely buggy, and it will ruin an otherwise peaceful walk.
13. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
This is the oldest Catholic cathedral in Georgia, dedicated in 1876, and the first thing you’ll notice when you come here is the blue-and-white spires, visible even from the bridge on your way to Savannah. Take a look around inside and admire the Italian marble altars and the stained glass from Bavaria, things that people who just drive past don’t really know about. Entry is free, with a suggested donation, and you can visit on weekdays unless Mass is in progress, in which case you won’t be allowed in.
Which historic house museums are worth touring in Savannah?
If you want more than a walk past the outside of a mansion, these house museums let you go inside. Three of them share one ticket.
House | Built | Style | What you actually see inside |
Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters | 1819 | Regency | Slave quarters toured before the mansion |
Telfair Academy | Opened 1886 | Neoclassical | The Bird Girl statue |
Jepson Center | Opened 2006 | Modern | The Telfair Children’s Art Museum |
Davenport House Museum | 1820 | Federal | The building that started Savannah preservation |
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace | 1821 | Regency | The Girl Scouts founder’s childhood rooms |
Andrew Low House | Italianate | Original period antiques throughout | |
Green-Meldrim House | 1853 | Gothic Revival | The room where Sherman wrote his telegram to Lincoln |
14. Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
If you’re visiting only one historic home in Savannah, choose Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. Built in 1819 in the Regency style, the building features a one-hour guided tour that starts in the slave quarters and moves to the mansion. It lets you see the disparity between poor and rich life in Savannah as it was intended to be seen, without sugarcoating the building’s history. Tours run every 15 minutes, with the last scheduled for 4 p.m., and your $30 ticket grants you access to the Telfair Academy and Jepson Center for one week, working much like a mini Savannah City Pass for art lovers.
15. Telfair Academy
Founded in 1886, it is the South’s oldest public art museum. It attracts many visitors because of a sculpture known as the “Bird Girl,” which is featured on the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Previously, the sculpture stood at Bonaventure Cemetery but had to be removed because people frequently visited to take pictures.
16. Jepson Center
It houses Telfair’s modern art collection, but there’s one catch: many families visit without even having it in mind when planning their museum visit, even though it’s one of the better family activities to do in Savannah once you’re inside. The Telfair Children’s Art Museum was the most interactive one for me. The pass to Jepson, Telfair Academy, and Owens-Thomas costs you around $30 for adults; those aged 13 to 25 pay $20; active military members with ID pay $27; children aged 6 to 12 pay $10; and those aged 5 and below visit for free.
17. Davenport House Museum
This 1820 merchant’s house has an interesting history. It was slated for demolition in the 1950s to make way for a parking area. A team of ladies stopped it and not only saved the building, but also started a preservation movement that would go on to preserve the whole district. Simply put, half the buildings listed here wouldn’t be around otherwise.
18. Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
The Girl Scout founder grew up in this building, which is why you will usually find entire scouting parties visiting this place almost like on a pilgrimage. Tours at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace cost $15 per adult and take about 45 to 50 minutes, but allow an hour if you want to browse the museum gift shop. One thing to know: the Wednesday schedule is limited, so if it is your only free day, make arrangements in advance. The prices may vary; please check before visiting:
- $10 Registered Girl Scout (Adults and Students)
- $15 Adult
- $12 Senior
- $12 Military
- $12 Student 5-21
- Free Child 4 & Under
19. Andrew Low House
The Italian-style villa, completed in 1849, was Juliette Gordon Low’s home after her marriage. The period furniture in this house is preserved to such an extent that it made me wonder whether the house is still in use. This is unlike some other museum homes in the area.
20. Green-Meldrim House
General Sherman established his command post at this house in the Gothic style at Madison Square in the final stages of his March to the Sea campaign. Visit the very room where General Sherman drafted the message to give the city of Savannah to President Lincoln as a Christmas present in December 1864. That is an odd thing to consider, but that one room, Green-Meldrim House, helped preserve Savannah rather than destroy it, unlike Atlanta.
What should you do along the Savannah riverfront and downtown districts?
Spot | Best time to go | What makes it different from the others |
River Street | Evening | Cargo ships passing a few feet away |
Factors Walk | Dusk, when the gas lamps come on | The old iron bridges between warehouses |
Bay Street | Any time you want river views without crowds | One level above River Street |
City Market | Evening for live music | Entrance to the American Prohibition Museum |
Broughton Street | Daytime shopping hours | Savannah’s main retail strip |
21. River Street
This cobblestone path easily ranks among the most famous streets in the US, following the Savannah River and running through former cotton warehouses, now occupied by retail stores, candy shops, and restaurants. The stones on the ground aren’t just for decoration; they’re the original ones. Therefore, avoid wearing sandals while walking down this street, since it could hurt your feet. Savannah consistently ranks among the top four busiest container ports in the United States (typically fourth after Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York/New Jersey), so you will definitely be able to see huge cargo ships sail right before your eyes.
There’s another piece of information that you should have before setting foot here with a drink in your hands. In Savannah, you can have open containers within the Historic District all the way to Jones Street, as long as you carry your drink in a plastic cup no larger than 16 ounces. Savannah is one of the few cities that allows this, which helps keep River Street vibrant late into the night and makes it a standout when exploring drinking cities in the US.
22. Factors Walk
The old metal bridges run from the top warehouses down to the counting houses, which cotton brokers called factors occupied. Taking the walk under them in the evenings, when the gaslights come on, is really atmospheric. Most trolley tours pay just five minutes’ attention to this place.
23. Bay Street
Don’t like the crowds on River Street but want that river view? Just go one block north to Bay Street. You get the same scenery, but with more space to take pictures. Bay Street has the old cotton exchange buildings lining its sides, which gives it an elevated feel compared to River Street.
24. City Market
History tells us that City Market originated in 1755, when it became the first place where people could engage in social and commercial activities in the city. Today, City Market’s courtyard offers plenty to do, including visiting galleries and restaurants and listening to music almost every night. The market is located between Franklin Square and Ellis Square.
25. Broughton Street
This is the heart of Savannah shopping, a main street between the river and the squares lined with boutiques, recognizable brand names, and coffee shops. We recommend saving room in your stomach. The famous ice cream parlor Leopold’s is also on this street.
What are the best Savannah museums?
From art to war history, these Savannah museums cover a lot of ground for a small downtown.
Museum | Time needed | Signature holding or exhibit |
SCAD Museum of Art | 1 to 2 hours | 1853 building with original brick walls |
SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion and Film | 45 minutes to 1 hour | Rotating designer exhibitions |
Savannah History Museum | 45 minutes | The actual Forrest Gump bench prop |
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum | 1 hour | Model ship collection and garden |
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force | 2 hours minimum | Restored WWII aircraft |
American Prohibition Museum | 1 hour | A working speakeasy at the end of the tour |
26. SCAD Museum of Art
The museum is operated by the Savannah College of Art and Design from an old building dating back to 1853, and its interiors retain the original bricks, painted Savannah gray. If you love museums that don’t look like new buildings, this one will definitely impress you. The museum hosts over twenty exhibitions annually. The prices may vary; check current prices before visiting:
- General Admission (Adults): $10.00
- Seniors & Military Personnel: $8.00
- Non-SCAD College Students (with ID): $5.00
- SCAD Alumni: $5.00
- Children (Under 14): FREE
- SCAD Students, Faculty, & Staff: FREE
- Family Pass (Groups of 3 or more): $20.00 total
27. SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
SCAD FASH is a sister museum to SCAD MOA that is dedicated to fashion and design history. Exhibits change often and feature works by top-notch designers. The museum is small, so you can expect to spend no more than 45 minutes to an hour there.
28. Savannah History Museum
This museum is located in an old train station, and it captures the history of Savannah through 275 years in one tour, and yes, the Forrest Gump bench from the film is real and exists here because it was never placed in Chippewa Square anyway. If Savannah’s history feels overwhelming to take in on foot, start here.
29. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
Unfortunately, this one is often overlooked; that’s a pity, because the building dates to 1819 and has a really big garden. As a recommendation, after you’ve completed the tour, spend at least ten minutes in the garden while you wait in line for lunch elsewhere.
30. National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
It’s only a few minutes out of town, but give yourself at least two hours for this one because the planes, displays, and research library of the Eighth Air Force take some time to see. This would be a good stop for a whole day trip if you’re planning one.
31. American Prohibition Museum
This is the only museum in the United States focused on the Prohibition era, and it is located inside City Market. Not only do you get to view various placards, but you are also led into a 1920s setting by costumed guides who explain the whole scenario, including streets, a speakeasy, and even a police station. Adult admission ranges from $17.57 to $20.00, while children under 3 or 4 pay a lower fee or nothing. Looking for a drink or VIP access with your tour? $29.92 to add a speakeasy cocktail, $42.00 for a costumed guided tour, or $58.90 for a full VIP mixology experience.
What tours are worth taking in Savannah?
Whether you want Savannah trolley tours, Savannah walking tours, Savannah ghost tours, or a food tour that samples several restaurants in one afternoon, here’s what’s actually worth booking.
Tour | Duration | Schedule | Pairs well with |
Old Town Trolley Tours | All day, hop-on hop-off | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., not on St. Patrick’s Day | Distillery tasting included |
Savannah Riverboat Cruises | 90 minutes to 2 hours | Daily, evening dinner option | A sunset timed booking |
Bonaventure Cemetery Tours | About 1 hour | Free tour 2nd weekend monthly | Wormsloe same day |
Ghost and paranormal walking tours | 1.5 to 2 hours | Evenings | Dinner beforehand |
Savannah food walking tours | 2 to 3 hours | Daytime | Skip breakfast that day |
Horse-drawn carriage tours | 30 to 45 minutes | Daytime and evening | A proposal or anniversary |
32. Old Town Trolley Tours
This is a good option for your first day in Savannah. Trolleys depart from the Savannah Visitor Center, the city’s main tourist information center Savannah GA relies on for maps and trip planning, and sixteen other pickup locations around the city, running every twenty minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., so you can get off wherever you want instead of following someone else’s schedule. One date to avoid, however, is March 17 because the entire downtown area shuts down for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the trolley does not operate that day. Daily passes range from $45 to $52, and prices may vary by season, pass length (one or two days), and any special events or promotions.
33. Savannah Riverboat Cruises
The Georgia Queen and the Savannah River Queen are paddle wheel boats that offer guided tours, brunch cruises, and dinner cruises with entertainment along the Savannah River. One true tip I should share: people come for the sights and views, not the food, so eat before you board.
Savannah Riverboat Cruise prices vary widely, from the low to mid-$90s for adults on regular nights (higher on Saturdays/holidays or specialty sailings; children 5–12 are discounted, and under 5 are free). Confirm current rates and any taxes/fees directly, as they fluctuate by date and package.
Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise: $42.00
Riverboat Sunset Cruise: $55.00
Sightseeing Lunch Cruise: $63.00
Monday Gospel Dinner Cruise: $78.00
Sunday Brunch Sightseeing Cruise: $78.00
Buffet Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $93.00
Riverboat Cruise & City Tour Combo: $81.00
34. Bonaventure Cemetery Tours
Here’s an instance when a tour guide is worth every penny. You will be taken directly to Little Gracie’s sculpture and to the graves people come to visit, not left to search the 160 acres for graves. If you time it right, you can take a free tour conducted by the Bonaventure Historical Society on the second weekend of each month at 1 p.m. If that timing doesn’t work for you, private companies also offer paid tours, either on foot or by golf cart.
35. Ghost and paranormal walking tours
Savannah has a reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the United States, often drawing visitors looking for scary, cheap Halloween destinations during the fall. Choices abound, from guided walking tours in the squares and Colonial Park Cemetery to the Savannah Hearse Ghost Tour, where your guide drives you through the city in a real hearse and shares the dark history behind the tales. Expect prices around $30-$45 per person for adults for most walking tours. In my opinion, the difference comes down to your guide, not the tour you choose.
36. Savannah food walking tours
Savannah food tours are the easiest way to taste the Lowcountry in one afternoon. Small group tours usually visit four to six locations, blending local history with Lowcountry classics, and they’re a great way to sample several restaurants where you will have to make tough choices anyway. Expect to spend around $85 to $105 per person, and don’t eat breakfast, since guides aren’t lying when they say they’re full after the second stop.
37. Horse-drawn carriage tours
They move at a walking pace, which works really well for Savannah’s compact downtown. If you have a special occasion, like an anniversary, this is your move. It goes through the Reynolds, Chippewa, and Madison Squares.
Where should you eat and drink in Savannah?
Name | Type | Neighborhood | Signature dish or draw | Price band |
Leopold’s Ice Cream | Ice cream | Broughton Street | Tutti frutti | $ |
The Grey | New Southern | Downtown | Chef Mashama Bailey’s tasting menu | $$$$ |
The Olde Pink House | Southern fine dining | Reynolds Square | She-crab soup | $$$ |
Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room | Southern family style | Jones Street | Daily changing fried chicken | $$ |
Savannah Bee Company | Honey and gifts | Downtown | Honey butter tasting | $ |
Price bands are per person, average: $ under $15, $$ $15 to $35, $$$ $35 to $60, $$$$ over $60.
Another reason The Lady & Sons by Paula Deen deserves recognition is that it is more than a place to eat. Paula Deen worked with her two sons, Jamie and Bobby, at this restaurant on West Congress Street in Savannah for 36 years, since it opened its doors in 1996. This is the restaurant that first-time visitors specifically ask about when they visit Savannah. The Lady & Sons closed its doors forever on July 31, 2025, so you won’t find it open if you go looking. It’s still worth knowing about, since so many first-time visitors ask about it by name.
38. Leopold's Ice Cream
These three brothers from Greece named George, Peter, and Basil Leopold established this parlor in 1919 on the corner of Gwinnett and Habersham Streets. Famed lyricist Johnny Mercer grew up a block away from Leopold’s and worked at the shop as a boy. Later, he was a faithful customer when he was home from Hollywood. He even told Peter that he would write a song about Leopold’s famous Tutti Frutti ice cream, which had become a Leopold’s hallmark and Savannah favorite. Prices may vary, but you’ll want to come early in the day or late in the evening; check the latest prices before you visit.
- Kiddie Scoop: $4.50
- Single Scoop (In a Cup): $6.25
- Single Scoop (In a Waffle Cone): $8.10
- Double Scoop: $9.20
39. The Grey
Chef Mashama Bailey owns this restaurant, which operates from the restored 1938 Greyhound bus station, and locals recommend it as the best dining spot in town. This isn’t a place you can just walk into. You have to make reservations months in advance.
40. The Olde Pink House
The Pink House, built in 1771 in the Georgian style and located on Reynolds Square, boasts excellent dishes such as she-crab soup and crispy scored flounder, and, to be frank, they all deserve its good reputation. This restaurant offers thirteen moods depending on the thirteen candlelit dining rooms it provides. Looking for a more informal dining place than the upper level? Choose the tavern on the ground floor. Entrees range from $32 to $48.
41. Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room
Founded in 1943, it is located at 451 Jones Street. Customers are served at communal tables, where they enjoy fried chicken and biscuits, along with daily specials such as macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. You really do not know what you will be having until you sit at the table. It is a cash-only establishment with a set menu. Prices are around $35 for adults and $17.50 for children under age 12. Just a heads-up, they are only open for lunch Monday through Friday, and people start lining up by 10 a.m. to eat at noon, so plan accordingly.
42. Savannah Bee Company
The downtown store offers honey tastings and mead flights in an air-conditioned environment; it is more than a gift shop if you take five more minutes. Honey butter tasting is worth the five minutes.
43. Old Savannah Distillery
This small downtown distillery offers tastings of its own moonshine and spirits, and most trolley and walking tours already build in a stop here. If you’re riding the Old Town Trolley, you’ve probably already got a taste of it included.
For those who want to go a step below the well-known spots, locals point newcomers to Gryphon Tea Room, a 1920s pharmacy converted into an upscale café mostly run by current and former SCAD students who can share the building’s full history. At the same time, you wait for your tea at Back in the Day Bakery, a little bit far from the city center by car or bicycle, but popular because of its biscuit sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies.
What outdoor spots are near Savannah?
These outdoor activities in Savannah, GA take you out of the historic district and into the maritime forest and salt marsh, and they’re some of the best activities to do in Savannah if you want a break from downtown.
Spot | Distance from downtown | Highlight |
Skidaway Island State Park | About 20 minutes | Giant Ground Sloth replica |
Kayaking the marshes near Savannah | 20 to 30 minutes depending on outfitter | Fiddler crabs and herons up close |
44. Skidaway Island State Park
I went out here on a quiet weekday morning and had most of the six miles of trail to myself. The park spans 588 acres about 20 minutes from downtown, and the trails cut through maritime forest and salt marsh the whole way. The hikes are a good experience; however, the interpretive center really attracts families. My children got excited about the giant ground sloth and reptile room, especially since it offers a break from hiking. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The parking fee increases from $5 to $10, and the annual pass goes from $50 to $70. It is the first parking fee price increase since 2009. Veterans would see a daily pass increase from $3.75 to $7.50 and an annual pass go from $37.50 to $52.50.
45. Kayaking the marshes near Savannah
Several outfitters offer guided tours along the creeks, tidal areas surrounding Skidaway Island and Isle of Hope, and this is the best way to see fiddler crabs, herons, and marsh grass, as well as gain an entirely new perspective on the Lowcountry.
What makes Savannah different from anywhere else you will visit?
These are the fun places to go in Savannah that you genuinely will not find anywhere else, the kind of attractions Savannah, GA locals send first-time visitors to when they ask about Savannah what to visit.
Spot | Established | Why it’s one of a kind |
Savannah Bananas at Historic Grayson Stadium | 1926 | One of the hardest tickets in American sports |
Savannah Theatre | 1818 | One of the oldest continuously operating theater sites in the country |
Moon River Brewing Co. | 1821 (as the City Hotel) | Reliably haunted, per most local ghost tour operators |
46. Savannah Bananas at Historic Grayson Stadium
Grayson Stadium opened its doors in 1926 and even hosted exhibition games where some of baseball’s most iconic names, such as Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Hank Aaron, took the field. This gives the stadium a rich baseball tradition before the Savannah Bananas arrived. The Savannah Bananas and their Banana Ball format now call Grayson Stadium home, and Savannah Bananas tickets are among the toughest to get in American sports. We recommend getting through the waitlist months before game day, not on game day.
47. Savannah Theatre
Located in Chippewa Square, this is one of the oldest theaters and has run continuously for decades; they perform musical revues and comedies almost every day, making it a good place to visit after dinner in the historic area since you will be nearby anyway.
48. Moon River Brewing Company
The brewery is also used as a starting point for several ghost tours. Said to be one of the most haunted locations downtown, this place is an excellent choice for both the start of your night (if you’re taking a tour that begins there) and the end of your tour.
Most tours include two buildings, regardless of the tour company. One of those buildings is Sorrel-Weed House located in Madison Square. It has been featured on television numerous times, and it is one of the few haunted houses in Savannah you can see at night. The other building is Marshall House, built in 1851 and used as a hospital during the Civil War and again during the 1876 yellow fever epidemic. It now operates as a hotel, and guests often ask about the haunting stories after booking rooms there.
What are the best day trips from Savannah?
If you have a second or third day, these are worth the short drive.
Destination | Distance | Drive time | Highlight |
Tybee Island | 18 miles | About 30 minutes | Climbable lighthouse |
Fort Pulaski National Monument | On the road to Tybee | About 20 minutes | Walls breached by Union rifled cannon in 1862 |
Isle of Hope and Pin Point Heritage Museum | About 10 miles | 15 to 20 minutes | Gullah Geechee cannery history |
49. Tybee Island
Tybee Island is about 18 miles and 30 minutes from the city center via US Highway 80, through the marshes and past Fort Pulaski, and it’s where most people head when they want things to do at Savannah beach. The island has its own functioning lighthouse, which you can climb up to, its own fishing pier, and such small-town charm as to feel like it really is a destination apart from the day beach visit. Beach access is free, but parking can fill up quickly on summer weekends.
50. Fort Pulaski National Monument
This brick fort, dating back to the mid-1800s, sits along the road leading to Tybee. The walls of this fortress were regarded as impregnable until the rifled cannons of the Union managed to penetrate them in 1862. There is literally no excuse not to visit it when you’re in Tybee for the day.
51. Isle of Hope and Pin Point Heritage Museum
The Pin Point Heritage Museum preserves the legacy of a Gullah Geechee community built by formerly enslaved people who worked at the oyster and crab processing plant here until the 1980s. This tiny museum draws direct parallels between the past and present through the food you’ve likely sampled throughout Savannah. The neighborhood surrounding Pin Point, called Isle of Hope, is one of the most beautiful and peaceful locations by the river not far from the city, with live oaks and 19th-century houses on a hill, worth the trip even without going to the museum.
When is the best time to visit Savannah?
Savannah is warm and humid for much of the year, and that changes what you can comfortably do outdoors.
Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Avg. rainfall |
January | 61°F | 40°F | 3.1 in |
February | 65°F | 43°F | 3.4 in |
March | 71°F | 49°F | 3.2 in |
April | 78°F | 55°F | 2.7 in |
May | 85°F | 63°F | 2.6 in |
June | 90°F | 71°F | 4.1 in |
July | 92°F | 74°F | 4.1 in |
August | 91°F | 73°F | 5.3 in |
September | 86°F | 69°F | 4.3 in |
October | 79°F | 59°F | 3.1 in |
November | 70°F | 48°F | 2.2 in |
December | 64°F | 43°F | 2.6 in |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991 to 2020 Climate Normals
July and August are the toughest months for a full day outdoors. Temperatures above 90°F show up on most days from June through September, so plan walking tours, Wormsloe, and Skidaway Island for the morning, and save the SCAD Museum of Art, Telfair sites, and American Prohibition Museum for the hottest part of the afternoon. Spring, roughly mid-February through May, and fall, October and November, are the most comfortable stretches, and also the most popular, so hotel rates climb during those windows. Savannah doesn’t get regular snow and rarely drops below freezing, so winter is workable if you don’t mind cooler evenings.
What's Savannah nightlife like after dark?
I always tell first-time visitors to save at least one evening for a ghost tour, since Savannah leans hard into its haunted reputation after dark. Follow it with dinner in the historic district and a stop at Savannah Theatre if there is a show that night. River Street and City Market both stay lively into the evening, and Moon River Brewing Co. is a solid stop if you want a beer with your ghost stories rather than after them.
What should couples do in Savannah?
For a couple visiting Savannah, I would build the day around The Olde Pink House for dinner, a slow walk through Forsyth Park and a few of the squares, and a horse-drawn carriage ride if you want something a little more romantic than walking. A riverboat sunset cruise is another good option if you would rather sit than walk.
What are the best things to do in Savannah, GA, on a rainy day?
Savannah has enough indoor options that rain does not have to ruin your trip. The SCAD Museum of Art, the three Telfair sites, the Savannah History Museum, and the American Prohibition Museum are all fully indoors, and City Market has covered walkways between shops. If you are planning Savannah family activities or want things to do in Savannah, GA, with kids, the Jepson Center’s Children’s Art Museum is built for exactly this kind of rainy day.
Old Town Trolley or a walking tour: which should you choose?
If your feet are tired or you only have one day, I’d suggest you take the trolley. It covers more ground and lets you hop off wherever something catches your eye. If you have two or more days and enjoy a slower pace, a walking tour digs deeper into individual squares and buildings than a trolley narration can. Many visitors do both: a trolley on day one for orientation, then a walking tour on day two for depth.
Bonaventure Cemetery: self-guided or a paid tour?
Walking Bonaventure on your own costs nothing and lets you wander at your own pace among the oaks and statues. A guided tour costs more but explains the symbolism on the headstones and points you toward the graves that matter, including Johnny Mercer’s. If you only have time for one cemetery visit, I would spend the extra money on a guide.
What are the best free things to do in Savannah, GA?
You can spend a full day in Savannah without paying for a single attraction. Walk the squares, browse River Street and City Market, visit Colonial Park Cemetery, and view the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Bonaventure Cemetery is free if you drive or rideshare out there yourself instead of booking a tour. Add a scoop from Leopold’s, and you have covered most of what makes Savannah worth visiting for well under $20.
How do you get around Savannah without a car?
Savannah’s historic district is compact and walkable, and most of the squares, museums, and restaurants on this list sit within it. The city also runs a free downtown shuttle that covers much of the same ground as the paid trolley routes. Bonaventure Cemetery, Skidaway Island, and the day trips to Tybee Island and Fort Pulaski are far enough out that you will want a car, rideshare, or a booked tour with transportation included.
If you are arriving from another city rather than flying in, BoletoXpress lists bus routes into Savannah from cities across the Southeast. Hence, it’s worth checking online bus tickets before you commit to renting a car for a trip built mostly around walking.
What is a good two-day itinerary of things to do in Savannah, GA?
Day 1
Start at Forsyth Park, then walk north through Madison, Chippewa, and Reynolds Squares toward River Street. Have lunch on or near the river, spend the afternoon at the SCAD Museum of Art or the Telfair sites, and finish with dinner and a ghost tour in the historic district.
Day 2
Drive or book a tour out to Bonaventure Cemetery in the morning, then head to Wormsloe State Historic Site for the oak avenue. In the afternoon, drive out Highway 80 to Tybee Island for a few hours at the beach, stopping at Fort Pulaski on the way if you have time.
If you are extending the trip into a third day, Skidaway Island State Park, Isle of Hope, and a Savannah Bananas game (if you managed to get tickets) fit best.
FAQ
What are the top 3 things to do in Savannah, GA?
Forsyth Park, River Street, and a guided tour of Bonaventure Cemetery cover history, the waterfront, and Savannah’s most famous atmosphere in one day.
Is Savannah walkable for tourists?
The historic district is very walkable, and most attractions in this guide sit within it. Bonaventure Cemetery, Skidaway Island, and the day trips to Tybee Island and Fort Pulaski are outside walking range and need a car, rideshare, or booked transportation.
What is Savannah most known for?
Savannah, GA tourism centers on its 22 historic squares, its oak trees draped in Spanish moss, its haunted reputation, and Lowcountry cooking.
What is there to do in Savannah, Georgia?
Plenty, and most of it sits in one walkable historic district. You can walk the 22 historic squares, tour Bonaventure Cemetery, ride a riverboat, join a ghost tour, and spend an afternoon on Tybee Island.
What are free things to do in Savannah, GA?
Walking the squares, River Street, City Market, Colonial Park Cemetery, and Bonaventure Cemetery (if you skip a paid tour) are all free.
How many days do you need in Savannah?
Two full days cover the historic district and one day trip. Three days let you add Tybee Island, Skidaway Island, or a Savannah Bananas game without rushing.
When is the best time to visit Savannah, GA?
Mid-February through May and October through November offer the most comfortable weather. July and August are hot and humid enough to push most outdoor plans to the morning.
Can you visit Savannah on a budget?
Yes. Walking the squares, River Street, City Market, and Colonial Park Cemetery costs nothing, and a scoop of ice cream from Leopold’s is one of the cheapest ways to taste something genuinely local.
How far is Tybee Island from Savannah?
About 18 miles, roughly a 30-minute drive along US Highway 80.
