In 1732, Englishman James Oglethorpe settled in Savannah. From that, the state of Georgia grew, forever cementing Savannah’s colonial legacy. One of the oldest cities in the US, Savannah is rich with culture, history, and family fun. This city has no shortage of activities and sites for your next visit.
1. Forsyth Park
One of the many attractions in the Savannah Historic District, Forsyth Park stands out with its iconic, vibrant landscape. The entire 30 acres of land gives Savannah its characteristic Southern charm. You can find many events here, such as concerts and farmers markets. Make sure to bring your camera because this is one for the scrapbooks.
2. Trolly Tours
Not staying for a long trip? The Trolly Tours are the best way to see Savannah’s greatest attractions in a day. On the Trolly, you’ll pass the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Juliette Gordon Low Home, and the Mansion of Forsyth Park, to name a few. The Trolly has 15 stops and comes back every 15 to 20 minutes, so don’t be afraid to get off and explore.
3. City Market
For restaurants and shops, visit the City Market, an open-air market in the center of restaurants, bars, and boutiques. By day, this is a great place to rest from touring the city. But when the sun goes down, the nightlife comes out.
4. The Owens-Thomas House
Known for its architecture and homage to the life of luxury, the Owens-Thomas House is one of the classic buildings in Savannah. Built in 1819, this home gives you a glimpse into Savannah’s rich history. Make sure to plan ahead first because their opening hours are irregular.
5. Telfair Museum of Art
If you're interested in fine art, the Telfair Museum is a treat. It is the oldest Southern art museum. Its exhibits include works from Kahlil Gibran, German impressionism, and the American French era.
Like many buildings in Savannah, the house has an interesting history. Built in 1819, it was home to the Telfair family until the last surviving member donated it in 1875. Since then, its additional gallery and rotunda have been added, transforming it into the museum we know today.
6. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Even if you aren’t religious, there is no denying that this cathedral is astonishing. With its stained glass windows and two spires that tower above the entrance, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a marvel to behold. See why hundreds of thousands of tourists around the country visit this beautiful place of worship annually.
7. Historic Savannah Theatre
You don’t have to be a movie buff to know the iconic “Life is like a box of chocolate” line from Forrest Gump. Outside the Historic Savannah Theatre sits the bench where Tom Hanks brought the character to life.
In historic Chippewa Square, the Savannah Theatre has distinguished itself as the oldest theater in the United States. And they still have shows to this day. After a packed itinerary of activities in the city, you can sit back and relax while watching their nightly performances.
8. Wormsloe Historic Site
This site is one of the oldest surviving places in Savannah. Centered on the last remains of the Wormsloe Plantation, it is one of the oldest surviving places in Savannah. Leading up to the Wormsloe estate, you’ll find a beautiful landscape of mossy oaks canopying over a walkway. It’s perfect for pictures or a midday picnic.
Passing the walkway, there’s an onsite museum, tours, and, on special occasions, costume reenactments.
9. The Savannah Waterfront
Even the waterfront has a story. Before being abandoned due to a Yellow Fever outbreak, many cotton processing warehouses lined River Street. Now, many of these buildings are filled with restaurants, bars, candy shops, galleries, and gift shops.
Across the street, you can watch cargo ships and tour boats passing by from the expansive open seating next to the river.
10. The Wilkes House (Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room)
The Wilkes House isn’t a historical monument, but it is still a Savannah staple. Although its atmosphere is casual, family-style dining, The Wilkes House, also called Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room, got some attention when President Obama visited it a few years ago.
Before that, the restaurant was known for its superb Southern cuisine, including fried chicken, buttered beans, collard greens, and other delicious Southern classics.
11. Bonaventure Cemetery
For a look into Savannah's creepy side, the Bonaventure Cemetery offers a beautiful yet haunting landscape. Entry is free, and if you plan your trip right, you can catch the guided tours every second Sunday of the month.
12. Old Fort Jackson Historic Site
Built in 1808, Fort Jackson is the oldest surviving brick fort in Georgia. In the colonial era, this large structure was once one of the strongest forts in the country. 50,000 tourists visit this great complex, which is entirely made out of dirt, each year. The fort allows for self-guided tours, during which you might be lucky to hear cannons fired.
13. Fort Pulaski National Monument
Another famous Savannah fort is Fort Pulaski. Built on an island between Savannah and Tybee Island, this was the site of a historic battle in the Civil War that led to the advancement of Union soldiers in the South. On the island, you can explore the terrain through walking trails and bike paths that run past other surviving structures around the fort.
14. Coastal Empire Brew Co.
The Coastal Empire Brew Co. gives the best local flavors for beer connoisseurs, like the Savannah Brown Ale and Tybee Island Blonde. The brewery provides 16 different beer taps with seating for sitting and down a cold one.
15. Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
This one’s a treat for any current or former Girl Scouts. See the life of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, in the house museum of her childhood home. The house, which the Girl Scouts of the USA now run, offers 40-minute tours Monday through Saturday. But get your tickets online beforehand because it's a popular attraction.
16. University of Georgia Aquarium
This marine animal experience is a great place to bring kids to learn about underwater wildlife and ancient beasts from the past. The aquarium is known to feature other engaging exhibits about prehistoric creatures, like mammoths and mastodons. Your next family aquarium adventure can be found near downtown on Skidaway Island.
17. Hearse Ghost Tours
Another way to experience the creepy side of historical Savannah is with the Hearse Ghost Tour. While riding in an actual hearse, you can drive around the city and discover its dark past. The best part is it comes straight to your hotel to get you.
18. Mercer-Williams House
The Mercer-Williams House is a historical double feature. Not only did it once house Johnny Mercer, the lyricist, but also Jim Williams, a man put on trial four times for the same murder. This record is so unprecedented in Georgia that it landed Williams as a character in John Berndt’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
19. Andrew Low House
Another family home of Juliette Gordon Low, this Low House focuses instead on the life of Andrew Low himself. This exquisite 1800s home was bought by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America after the death of Juliette Gordon Low and turned into a house museum, as many original Savannah homes are (as you may have noticed).
20. Tricentennial Park
Of course, that is not the last of the museums in this ever-educating city. Tricentennial Park holds four more: the Savannah History Museum, Battlefield Memorial Park, Georgia State Railroad Museum, and the Savannah Children’s Museum. If you’re visiting with kids and they’re getting bored with old relics in random houses, the Children’s Museum may hold their attention.
21. Leopold's
Or take them out for ice cream! Leopold's’ Ice Cream shop was opened in 1919, and they’ve been making the same delicious, homemade ice cream ever since. While you're there, consider trying their signature Tutti Frutti flavor.
22. Olde Pink House
One of Savannah’s well-known restaurants, many flock to the Olde Pink House for both its food and its legendary ghost lore. See if you can spot one while eating their upscale Southern cuisine. Ghosts or not, this restaurant is sure to amaze.
23. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
This museum is located in the home of William Scarborough, the owner of the first steamship to cross the Atlantic. It features a vast collection of ship memorabilia. Outside the house, you’ll find the largest privately owned garden in historic Savannah, decorated with quaint fountains.
24. Colonial Park Cemetery
In 1820, Savannah faced an epidemic of Yellow Fever. Many of their bodies were buried next to the area's early settlers in Colonial Park Cemetery. Here, you can hunt for ghosts while learning more about the city’s haunting history.
25. Fort McAllister State Park (Richmond Hill)
One more for the Civil War fanatics! Fort McAllister is a Confederate stronghold that eventually fell to the Union, a defeat that ushers the war another step closer to the United States. Now, this site can be used as a campground next to, you guessed it, a museum about the area.
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