Things to Do in Savannah

The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, a Roman Catholic establishment, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. The colonial charter of the city originally prohibited Roman Catholics from settling here for fear they would be more loyal to the Spanish authorities, but after the American Revolution, the prohibition on Roman Catholics began to fade. 

French Catholic immigrants escaping slave rebellions in Haiti established Savannah’s first parish just before the end of the 18th century. As the number of Catholics continued to increase in Savannah, a second church was dedicated in 1839 and construction on the new Cathedral of St John the Baptist began in 1873. It was completed in 1896 as the spires were added. 

Although the cathedral was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in 1898, it was painstakingly rebuilt and rededicated in 1900, when it also received new murals and decorations. Restoration and renovations continued on throughout the reign of several bishops, and among the most significant elements that remain today are the stained glass windows.

Factors Walk in downtown Savannah is paved with the rest of the world. If you’re not sure exactly what that means, consider the cobbles that form the streets of uneven Factors Walk; brought to Savannah as ballast on ships and discarded here on shore, the stones came from China, India, Europe, and anywhere engaged with the agricultural trade that boomed in the 1700s. This rundown, funky, and some would say, real, stretch of Savannah is arguably its most authentic, as it shows the grungy underbelly of Savannah’s plantation past. After all, plantation life in Colonial Georgia was more than just mansions and fountains; it was schlepping crates full of Georgia cotton onto ships that were bound for England, and spending the few pence you earned for the job in a seedy riverfront grog shop. When strolling Factors Walk today, where steep stairways and narrow alleyways lead from the river up to Bay Street, there’s a dingy, historic, and industrial charm that’s free of the tourist gloss. One of the best ways to hear the Factors Walk stories is on a walking tour of downtown, lest you think it’s just souvenir shops in a poorly maintained part of town.

Though Savannah once served as the southern border of the original American colonies, Chippewa Square is named for an event on the northern border with Canada. In the Battle of Chippewa, in 1814, American forces emerged victorious over the British near Niagara Falls, and when Chippewa Square was built in 1815, it was named for the momentous American victory that took place on the northern border. Today, when visiting the historic Savannah square, you’ll find a statue of James Oglethorpe, the famous founder of Georgia, that faces south with sword drawn in the direction of Spanish Florida. You’ll also find legions of Forrest Gump fans who have come in search of the “the bench,” and while Chippewa Square was the site of filming for the popular 1994 movie, the bench itself was only a prop that has since been moved to a museum. Nevertheless, to admire the backdrop, the bench was placed on the north side of the square, facing out towards Bull Street, and it’s amazingly become the most famous aspect of this 200-year old square. On the streets surrounding Chippewa Square, you’ll also find the Philbrick Eastman House—one of Savannah’s most well known homes—as well as historic Savannah Theater that’s the oldest theater in America.

Yes, the Olde Pink House has amazing food, but there’s so much more to this grandiose house than simply the food on your plate. For one thing the building dates to 1771, and the land it sits on was once a land grant from the British Royal Crown. It was built as a mansion for James Habersham, one of the founders of modern Savannah, and a cotton factor who would eventually become one of the richest men in the South.  Throughout the enormous, multi-storied mansion, you’ll find 18th century English antiques and Venetian chandeliers, and paintings of Georgia’s original founder, James Edward Oglethorpe. Downstairs, away from the fancy white linens, crystal, and polished silver spoons, is a wood-floored tavern that’s dimly lit and widely regarded as haunted. It’s here, some say, that James Habersham hung himself in 1799, though despite the somewhat grisly past, the tavern retains a romantic feel, and you can envision the officers and Civil War generals that gathered right here in these halls. For one lucky couple, there’s a single table inside the wine cellar that’s reserved for special occasions, though regardless of where you choose to dine, the southern comfort food is some of the best you’ll find in Savannah today.

This site served as Savannah’s main cemetery for more than a century following its establishment in 1750. With three subsequent expansions, six acres and over 9,000 graves, burials were cut off in 1853, and the site is now recognized as the oldest intact municipal cemetery in the city.

When the site first opened, it was intended to serve as the burial ground for Christ Church Parish, but after its expansion, the cemetery was opened to all denominations. Since interments were closed prior to the start of the Civil War, no Confederate soldiers were buried here. There are, however, some burials of note; over 700 victims of the 1820 Yellow Fever epidemic are here, along with many victims of Savannah’s dueling era. Declaration of Independence signer Button Gwinnett is buried here, as well as Archibald Bulloch, the first president of Georgia, and James Habersham, an 18th-century acting royal Governor of the Province.

Not surprisingly, Colonial Park Cemetery is home to a number of interesting ghost stories and legends. Paranormal enthusiasts have dubbed it “Paranormal Central,” with one of the most famous ghost stories involving Rene Asche Rondolier, a disfigured orphan who was accused of murdering girls. It is said that he was dragged to the swamp and lynched, and some locals believe he still haunts the cemetery, calling it Rene’s playground. Some local paranormal experts dispute the validity of this ghost story due to a lack of historical records. 

Other ghost stories revolve around Savannah’s voodoo culture. Although many have moved out of the city, years ago it was not uncommon for morning visitors to find remnants from a previous night’s ceremony. Soil was used from the graves, and some were actually robbed for use in these rituals. The small park adjacent to the cemetery is the location believed to be the site of Savannah’s dueling grounds. 

The historic Pirates’ House is thought to be the oldest standing building in the entire state and today serves as a restaurant. The site was built on land originally slated for a neighborhood botanical garden in the Savannah Historic District, which never did pan out.

A small gardening building called the Herb House was added to the plot in 1734 and was later transformed into an inn and tavern for visiting seamen about 20 years later. The Pirates’ House became the scourge of the neighborhood, earning a poor reputation for drunken sailors that went missing here. The city was full of underground tunnels, with Pirates’ House being right at the entrance to one, and it was generally agreed that if a drunken sailor wandered off, he would likely never be found again. 

For some literary history, take a look at the walls of the Captain’s Room and the Treasure Room, which hold rare early edition pages of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. The current owners allege that one of Stevenson’s characters, Captain Flint, died in the upstairs bedroom and still haunts the house. Since Flint is a fictional character, there is no historical proof that any of this is true.

In 1948, Pirates’ House transformed the house into the restaurant and museum that it is today, with 15 dining rooms.

Set on Savannah’s Chippewa Square, the Historic Savannah Theater is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in America. Built in December, 1818, the theater has been damaged by fire and storms in the centuries since it’s been built, and is now renovated with an art-deco façade and state of the art lighting and sound.  Of the thousands of performers to have graced the stage, notable amongst them are Oscar Wilde and the baseball player Ty Cobb, who performed here back in 1911 in a showing of The College Widow. Today, not only is the Historic Savannah Theater a popular stop on walking tours, but it’s still one of the classiest and enjoyable nights out you can find in downtown Savannah. Shows run 4-6 days per week, and range from live theater to musical performances and special shows for the holidays. If you do decide to attend a live show at the Historic Savannah Theater, you might feel as if you’ve stepped back in time from the moment you walk inside.

The Mercer-Williams House Museum is a historic building and museum located in the Savannah Historic District’s Monterey Square. Construction began in 1860 but was delayed by the American Civil War, and was finally completed around 1868.

The building was used as the Savannah Shriners Alee Temple for a number of years and then remained vacant until 1968 when Jim Williams purchased it. Williams was one of Savannah’s earliest restorationists and embarked on a two-year project to restore the Mercer House.

Today, the Mercer-Williams House is owned by Williams’ sister, Dorothy Kingery, who kindly opened it for the public to enjoy. The site houses Williams’ private collection of 18th- and 19th-century furniture, 18th-century English and American portraits, drawings from the 17th century and a large collection of Chinese export porcelain. 

Reynolds Square is part of the Historic District and was designed back in 1733 to include four open squares, surrounded by four residential and four civil blocks. This layout of a square and its accompanying blocks is known as a “ward.” 

Lucas Theater is one of the square's most important buildings, built in 1921 for Savannah native Colonel Arthur Lucas. The space originally held vaudeville performances and screened silent movies and has today re-emerged as one of Savannah’s most romantic buildings. 

The square was also once home to a filature, which housed silkworms, which are believed to have thrived in the area, producing silk and supplanting imports to England from China by way of Italy. This idea didn't pan out, however, as Georgia's humid climate kept the cocoons from maturing properly. The filature was then converted into a meeting space, serving as the city hall until around 1845.

Two historic homes in the area have survived the times: the 1798 Habersham House, today known as the Pink House and serving as a restaurant, and the Oliver Sturgis House, dating back to 1813. In Reynolds Square, look for a bronze statue of John Wesley, who founded the first Sunday school in America while in the region on a mission. The location of the statue is believed to have been where Wesley’s home once stood. 

Grand antebellum homes and historic plazas lined with live oaks are just some of the sights that define Savannah’s Historic District. Considered the heart of the city, the Historic District is not only the centerpiece of a Savannah vacation but also where to find the highest concentration of bars, restaurants, and historic attractions.

 

Savannah’s Historic District encompasses more than 20 city squares laid out in a distinctive grid pattern by General James E. Oglethorpe, founder of the British Colony of Georgia in 1733. Today, it’s the largest National Historic Landmark District in the United States, attracting millions of visitors on an annual basis. The area also remains easily walkable—it’s flat and full of benches so you can sit and rest under the oaks draped with Spanish moss.

 

Many visitors opt for a walking tour to fully appreciate the area: niche tours focus on its eclectic architecture, rich culinary traditions, and important contributions to black history. Or, make your own tour by strolling through the area and popping into cafes, restaurants, shops, and bars for a taste of Southern hospitality.

 

The boundaries of the Savannah Historic District are the Savannah River, E. Broad Street, Gwinnett Street, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Savannah Visitor Center is located in the restored Central of Georgia railroad station located at 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and has plenty of information to get your exploration of the area started.

 

The Historic District is active all day, every day. The only real consideration with when to visit is the weather—summer is notoriously hot and humid, especially during the middle of the day. The city hosts special events every season, from Christmas on the River to one of the largest Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country, so check the official calendar to time your visit for something out of the ordinary.

 

It’s impossible to miss the Historic District while in Savannah. Some of the attractions you might come across include River Street, Forsyth Fountain, Oglethorpe Square, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and more.

Dating back to the 18th century, Savannah City Market has long been the commercial and social center of historic downtown Savannah, Georgia. The market is known locally as the “art and soul” of Savannah, a nod to the numerous art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants that make it such an important part of Savannah's social fabric. 

Set adjacent to Ellis Square in the city’s historic district, Savannah City Market is a vibrant destination for dining, sightseeing, shopping, and admiring local artworks. Many Old Savannah tours include a stop at the market, whether you want to visit on foot, by carriage, or by trolley. Along with the market, city tours typically include a visit to other top attractions such as River Street, Forsyth Park, Bonaventure Cemetery, and the American Prohibition Museum. 

Savannah City Market is located at 219 W Bryant Street in the North Historic District. While guided tours are an easy way to visit, there are numerous parking lots in the area and street parking is also available. Buses 11 and 14 stop nearby at W Broughton and Jefferson streets.

The retail shops at the Savannah City Market are open year-round. Summer weekends and days when the market hosts special events are typically the most crowded and liveliest times to visit. For low-key shopping, aim to visit on a weekday. January and February hours are slightly shorter. 

The market still stands on the site used by farmers and traders since the city’s founding. Originally the most popular destination for locals in search of groceries, the market survived two fires, a huge hurricane, and the Civil War. It fell into disrepair as the city spread out, but was revived by preservationists dedicated to Savannah's history, and today is a destination for locals and travelers alike in search of arts and culture.

It is virtually impossible for Savannah visitors to miss River Street. A broad waterfront promenade lined with shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, River Street is one of the main arteries of the historic city. The street also features a pedestrian-only path, perfect for leisurely strolls with unbeatable Savannah River views.

The best way to experience River Street is by foot, letting you easily and leisurely stop into its many inviting shops, bars, and restaurants. Some guided walking tours of Savannah’s historic district include River Street on their route, providing insight into the street’s history as a cotton warehouse district and highlighting other historic landmarks, such as the Waving Girl statue. Additionally look for River Street on the itinerary of Savannah ghost tours, which reveal spookier aspects of the street’s history, or on hop-on hop-off trolley tours, which let you stay on the thoroughfare as long as you’d like before continuing through downtown Savannah. For the most spectacular views, book a helicopter tour that flies over the Savannah River, River Street, and more.

River Street is located below the level of the rest of Savannah’s downtown, and is accessible by a series of stairways and ramps from East Bay Street. Though you can drive to River Street, parking is very limited; it is recommended to park elsewhere, or take the city’s free downtown area shuttle, which drops off within two blocks of River Street. River Street runs for nine blocks, roughly the length of Savannah’s historic district.

River Street is open year-round. Savannah’s summer months are notoriously hot and humid, so if you’re planning to spend much time walking around, aim for a spring or fall visit. If bars and clubs are on your radar, be sure to check out River Street at night—it’s a popular nightlife location.

River Street is one of the oldest continuously used areas in all of Georgia. In fact, it is the site where James Oglethorpe first landed and established the Savannah colony in 1733.

Forsyth Park, in the middle of historical downtown Savannah, has been a key city landmark since the mid-1800s. Named after the 33rd governor of Georgia, John Forsyth, who donated 20 acres (8 hectares) of land, the park is known for the large Parisian-style fountain located at the north end and the Spanish moss dripping from the oak trees.

No trip to Savannah is complete without a stroll through Forsyth Park. The edges of the 30-acre (12-hectare) park are lined with historical Victorian-era mansions as well as memorials dedicated to the Confederacy and the Spanish-American War. Keep your camera at the ready to capture the park’s postcard-perfect beauty and its 300-year-old oaks.

Many city tours incorporate Forsyth Park into their itineraries. Tour Savannah on foot or via Segway to learn more about its history. For the more adventurous, helicopter tours soar over the city and provide stunning aerial views. Or book a hop-on hop-off bus tour for an easy and convenient way to see the city at your own pace.

Forsyth Park is located on the southern edge of Savannah’s historic district, about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Savannah riverfront. Walk or take advantage of the fare-free Forsyth Park shuttle, 7D.

Forsyth Park is lovely year-round. Popular times to visit are late afternoon and evening, and during the farmer’s market held every Saturday along Park Avenue. In summer, the park bustles with events such as the Savannah Jazz Festival and free outdoor movies.

In the middle of Forsyth Park stands a memorial dedicated to the soldiers who fought for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. The bronze sculpture was added to the park in 1879, fewer than 20 years after Southerners ran combat drills on the very lawns where Forsyth Park now stands.