Experience the best sights of the Historic District in this walking tour of Savannah!
The historic district in Savannah, Georgia is easily explored with one full day in the city. We have visited this area in every season and love walking through the squares and past the harbor. What keeps us coming back to this area year after year are the oak tree-lined streets dripping in Spanish moss, delicious southern-style food offerings, and the slower pace of the city.
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and has its share of some of the darker parts of our country’s history. This is a great town for ghost stories, along with St. Augustine, Florida and Charleston, South Carolina. But this area that was once steeped in historical battles is now filled with parks, cobblestone streets, and wide open spaces. Follow along on our one day walking tour of Savannah!
Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Savannah's Historic District
Even though the entire historic district is only two square miles in size, this walking tour of Savannah covers about 3 ½ miles and takes a good portion of the day depending on stops. You will reach your step goal with this one day itinerary but don’t fret, there are plenty of places to stop, sit, sip, eat, and relax. Savannah is nicknamed the “Hostess City of the South”, and the picturesque historic downtown is easily walkable.
If you don’t want to spend the day walking through Savannah, another great way to see the city is with the hop-on hop-off trolley. We have done these tours in St. Augustine and in Key West, and they are a great way to see the best sights if you have mobility issues, if you are traveling with children who can’t walk very far, or if you would prefer a guided tour.
Start your walking tour at Forsyth Park
Forsyth Park is a huge 30-acre green space serving as the ultimate gathering spot for both locals and visitors. Offering wide open fields, meandering paved pathways, tennis and basketball courts, fragrant gardens, and even an amphitheater, the park is surrounded by towering live oaks and marks the beginning of Savannah’s historic district. While strolling through the park we encountered musicians, artisans, and exercise enthusiasts running, walking, and even doing yoga in the park.
Tip: There is a convenient parking garage called the Liberty Parking Deck located at 301 W. Liberty Street. This is the perfect starting and ending point to this walking tour of Savannah, right in the middle of all of the best sights.
The fountain at Forsyth Park is one of the most photographed places in Savannah. Installed in 1858 in the northern section of the park and modeled after fountains found in Paris, this is the famous fountain that is dyed green during the city’s over-the-top St. Paddy’s Day celebrations.
Unfortunately when we visited the fountain was under repair. But honestly, we saw so many other beautifully ornate fountains on our walking tour that we weren’t too bummed!
We happened upon several “picnic pop-ups”, where the Savannah Picnic Company sets up an elaborate picnic based on the guests’ preference- all you have to do is show up. They offer services from the typical basket and blanket picnic to a romantic full-service luxury picnic for two. And if you are boating for the day, they can drop off all the provisions you will need for a day on the boat delivered right to your dock.
Enjoy brunch at Collins Quarter
One of the things we love about visiting Savannah is that it sits in the “low country”, where things start a little later and the pace is a little slower. Because of this most restaurants don’t open very early, and some close between lunch and dinner.
Enjoying a good brunch is a great way to start your day, filling up before beginning your walking tour of Savannah. Collins Quarter is located under the gorgeous old oak trees in Forsyth Park. This is just one of many unique restaurants in Savannah serving up absolutely delicious food in a cool setting!
Start walking north to Madison Square
Way back in 1733, the founder of the colony of Georgia General Oglethorpe was designing the layout of Savannah. He wanted a city that was easy to navigate and gave locals places to enjoy outdoors, but still allowing areas for the military to practice. The idea was to create a grid pattern with squares made for public use. There were originally 24 town squares in Savannah, of which 22 still remain.
One of the most iconic and enjoyed parts of Savannah, these squares often house elaborate fountains, memorials, grassy areas, and lush gardens. Madison Square is one such section of the historic district that is picturesque, showcasing large memorials from the Revolutionary War.
If you are a lover of the paranormal, stop by the Sorrel-Weed House on your walking tour of Savannah. Sitting unassumingly on the corner of Madison Square is one of the most haunted houses in Savannah! One of the largest houses in Savannah, the Sorrel-Weed house is a common stop amongst Savannah ghost tours and has been featured on multiple ghost-hunter TV shows.
Continue on to Lafayette Square
Designed to honor the Marquis de Lafayette (any Hamilton fans know this name), Lafayette Square is probably most famous for the buildings that surround it. The Andrew Low House is on the southwest corner of the square, built for the father of the founder of the Girl Scouts.
The Hamilton Turner Inn in the square is one of the finest Bed & Breakfasts in Savannah. And you absolutely can’t miss the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist neighboring the square.
Stop at the The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
The Cathedral of St. John is absolutely stunning and is a must-see landmark while on a Savannah walking tour. The most impressive building in Savannah from an architecture standpoint, the cathedral was the first building in Georgia constructed of brick. Built in 1859 and it is complete with 81 stained glass windows, 16 gargoyles, and stands 214 feet tall. At certain times during the day you can walk into the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and check it out.
If you fancy a drink, head to Peregrin
The Peregrin rooftop lounge is, by far, our favorite rooftop bar we have visited. The views of Savannah’s historic district are unparalleled. The Peregrin is located on the rooftop of the Perry Lane Hotel on Perry Street, follow Abercorn north a few blocks after the Cathedral.
Browse the upcoming shows at the Savannah Theater
After soaking in the views at the Peregrin, walk the two blocks towards Chippewa Square and make a stop at the Historic Savannah Theater. Famous names such as Oscar Wilde and Edwin Boothe (John Wilkes’ older brother) have performed here.
Opened in 1818, the theater was remodeled to an Art Deco style after a fire in 1948. Today, shows such as Mamma Mia, Elf: The Musical, and Grease are performed here and create a night to remember!
Check out Chippewa Square
If you have seen the movie Forrest Gump, you might recognize Chippewa Square. This is the setting where a good portion of the movie was filmed, with Forrest sitting on that familiar bench waiting for his bus. Chippewa Square is located just past the theater in the center of the downtown historic district.
The bench became such a popular tourist attraction due to the film that crowds started to block traffic, and has since been moved to the Savannah History Museum. Replicas however are still seen at the popular Bubba Gump restaurants. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Grab a bite to eat
From Chippewa Square, it is time to head towards the waterfront. Don’t miss a stop by The Olde Pink House which serves classic southern-style food in a mansion that was built in 1771. This is a very popular establishment and reservations are highly recommended.
Note: The restaurants located on River Street can be crowded and overpriced. We recommend eating before heading to River Street, or right after at the City Market.
Cool off with ice cream at Leopold's
Leopold’s Ice Cream prides itself on being “A Savannah Tradition”. Our cousin lived in Savannah attending SCAD and said she and friends visited Leopold’s more times than she can count. There is almost always a line, including when we visited in winter and it was 45 degrees outside. The line goes quickly and the ice cream is most definitely worth the wait.
Continue walking north to the Historic River Street Waterfront
Time to burn off some of those deep-fried calories! No one said southern food was healthy, but it sure is good. The historic River Street in Savannah boasts more than 70 shops, art galleries, restaurants, pubs and hotels along the waterfront.
This is the perfect place to shop for kitschy souvenirs and old-time candies, and is a great place to stay in Savannah’s historic district. Known as the “main strip” in the city, this row of antique cotton warehouses and old brick buildings is now a thriving tourist attraction.
Begin your trip to River Street at the Waving Girl Statue in Morrell Park. The statue was built as a tribute to Florence Martus, a Savannah local who greeted ships from 1887 to 1931 entering Savannah by waving a cloth from her family’s lighthouse on Cockspur Island. Continue meandering along the cobblestone street alongside a working harbor, ducking in and out of shops as you please.
Tip: Savannah has a law that allows open containers of alcohol to be consumed within the historic district, most notably while walking along River Street. You will notice bars offering “to-go” or “takeaway” drinks, and as long as your beverage is in a 16-ounce plastic container, you are good to go.
Head west to Savannah's City Market
The Savannah City Market is an open-air market that has been operating since the 1700’s. A large courtyard settled between two town squares, this section of the historic district houses bistros and cafes, bars and restaurants, art galleries and local shops. More often than not bands and musicians are playing in the center of the market. This is a great spot to hop on a trolley or horse-drawn carriage ride through town.
The City Market is the perfect place to sit for a while, listen to some music, and end your walking tour of Savannah. You’ve earned yourself a cold drink and some rest!
Note: If you parked in the Liberty Parking Deck, it is just a ten minute walk from the City Market back to your car.
How to Get to Savannah, Georgia
If you are flying to Savannah, the best airport to fly into is the Savannah/Hilton Head Island International Airport, conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Savannah’s historic downtown. Alternatively, the Jacksonville International Airport is two hours south of Savannah and serves more airlines.
Savannah is also relatively close to some other major cities by car. It is a 3.5 hour drive from Atlanta, two hours from another one of our favorite southern stops: Charleston, South Carolina, and about four hours from Orlando.
Where to Stay in Savannah
We recommend staying right in the heart of the historic district. From here you can walk to almost everything we have listed, making finding a parking spot a non-issue. Here are some highly rated hotel options:
For the more adventurous who prefer staying in the outdoors, a great place for RV or tent campers is at the nearby Fort McAllister State Park. We found this park extremely clean and quiet, with amazing sunset views and wildlife in abundance. There were deer padding through our campsite every day! There is also a great spot to launch your kayak or canoe onto Redbird Creek, and boat docks that are perfect for fishing.
The Best Time to Visit Savannah
The best time to visit Savannah is in the spring and early summer, March through June. With little humidity and flowering trees, shrubs, and plants blooming throughout the abundant parks, this is when the city really shines.
However since Savannah has a sub-tropical climate, visitors can enjoy walking through the historic district year-round. The winter months bring cooler weather with highs in the low-to-mid 60’s. Summer can be pretty warm, but there are plenty of lakes and beaches to cool off in the area!
Tip: Avoid booking a trip to Savannah during St. Patrick’s Day weekend in March, unless you love crowds. The city is flooded with party-goers and parades for the holiday and you won’t get a true feel or vibe of Savannah. We will say though, if joining in on the luck of the Irish is on your bucket list, Savannah does it big!
If You Have More Time
This one day itinerary was designed for visitors to see the most beautiful and well-known spots in the historic district. If you have a weekend or longer in the city, be sure to continue exploring the activities and other landscapes that Savannah has to offer!
Visit Tybee Island
Tybee Island (pronounced “Tie-bee”) is a barrier island off the coast of Georgia, just 20 minutes from downtown Savannah. Over three miles of wide sandy beaches and calm coastal waters create the perfect setting for a beach day or a family vacation.
Fishing piers, marinas for launching boats, kayaks and paddleboards, bike paths, parks and picnic pavilions dot the island. Tybee Island is a great place to stay if you prefer the beach life!
Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse sits along the coastline of Tybee Island and is one of the few light stations where visitors can climb to the top. The Tybee Island Lighthouse dates back to 1773, with the surrounding area and grounds encompassing a history from much earlier when indigenous peoples and pirates roamed the island. Take the 178 steps to the top for panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and to watch massive cargo ships navigating the waters of the Savannah River.
Peruse the artwork at the SCAD Museum of Art
The Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) is a private art school in Savannah, with classrooms set in over 70 different historic buildings throughout the town. The SCAD Museum of Art displays contemporary pieces of art from emerging and established international artists, set inside a brick structure from 1853.
Along with rotating art galleries and exhibits, the museum features a small theater for film screenings and lectures from visiting artists as well as a café.
Enjoy a Savannah sunset riverboat cruise
While a boat tour any time of day is always a good idea, a sunset cruise on a riverboat is something not to be missed. Let the Savannah River Queen or the Georgia Queen take you out on a two hour cruise while you enjoy views from the top of the rooftop deck. This cruise has a full bar and grill, and operates every evening from April to October.
Stop for a Quick Photo at the Gingerbread House
A short stop on your way into town, the Gingerbread House is one of the most famous homes in the historic district. Built in 1899 the house provides an excellent example of “Steamboat Gothic” architecture. Available as a short term luxury vacation rental as well as for elevated, intimate weddings, the house is located at 1921 Bull Street.
Note: There is a similar gingerbread house we have visited in Mount Dora, FL, also falling into the Steamboat Gothic category.
Whether you have one day, a weekend, or more to spend in Savannah, this walking tour of the historic district is a great place to begin your travels. Be sure to sign up below so you can continue to follow along with our journeys, we love sharing these itineraries with you!
More great one-day city itineraries:
Happy Travels!
I keep seeing some Savannah content lately, maybe it’s a sign to book a trip there? I’ve been meaning to visit for a long time, so will save your itinerary. Thanks for mentioning certain weekends to avoid, as I didn’t realise St. Paddy’s Day was so big in Savannah.
You definitely need to book a trip there! 🙂
I recognise a lot of places in Savannah thanks to Forrest Gump! I’d love to visit one day to enjoy the icecream! And visit all the beautiful old buildings.
I have heard really good things about Savannah. If I ever make it across the pond in the near future it is defo going on the list of places to see! Thanks a lot for your really helpful guide
Savannah is one of the top cities in the south of the States that I’d love to see with my own eyes one day. It must feel so unique to walk around the parks and the streets of Savannah, as well as to enjoy the sunset in the riverboat cruise