Things to Do in Savannah

Things to Do in Savannah

Savannah’s most worthwhile activities are those that engage with the city on its own terms — the squares, the architecture, the cemetery, and the water. Most of what makes Savannah special is free or very cheap, and the best orientation is a slow walk through the historic grid rather than a rush through ticketed attractions. We cover both the free experiences and the paid ones below.

Walking the Historic Squares

The single most rewarding free activity in Savannah is walking Bull Street from Forsyth Park north to the riverfront, passing through Johnson, Wright, Chippewa, Madison, and Monterey Squares. Each square has its own character and history; interpretive plaques are placed throughout.

Allow at least two hours for the full Bull Street walk; half a day if you want to explore the side streets and the squares east and west of Bull. The Savannah Visitor Center at 301 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd provides free printed maps and is a useful first stop.

A few specific squares to prioritize:

Chippewa Square — Bull St and W Perry St. The bench scenes from the film Forrest Gump were shot here (the original bench is at the Savannah History Museum; a replica is in the square). The Footprints of Savannah walking tour departs from here.

Madison Square — Bull St and W Macon St. The Green-Meldrim House (14 W Macon St) on the square’s south side was General Sherman’s headquarters after the capture of Savannah in December 1864. Tours of the house run on certain weekday mornings; approximately $10 as of 2026.

Monterey Square — Bull St and W Gordon St. The most visually striking square on Bull Street, anchored by the Pulaski Monument at its center and surrounded by well-preserved Italianate and Greek Revival townhouses.

Forsyth Park

Forsyth Park at the south end of the historic district (Gaston St at Whitaker St) is the largest and most active public space in Savannah. The 1858 cast-iron fountain at the park’s north end is one of the most photographed objects in Georgia. The park’s perimeter walk is approximately one mile; the interior paths wind through magnolia trees and past a Confederate memorial. Free at all times.

The Saturday Forsyth Farmers Market (approximately 9 a.m.–1 p.m.) is one of the better urban markets in the region, with local produce, prepared food, artisan goods, and strong coffee options.

Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery at 330 Bonaventure Rd sits approximately 3 miles east of the historic district on a bluff above the Wilmington River. It is a Victorian-era garden cemetery established in 1846 on the grounds of an 18th-century plantation, and it is one of the most atmospheric places in the American South.

The cemetery is free to enter and open daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Self-guided walking maps are available from the office at the entrance. The main allée of live oaks draped in moss is extraordinary, particularly in low morning light. The cemetery gained wide attention from John Berendt’s 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (the “Bird Girl” statue photographed for the book cover is now held at the Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center).

The grounds cover over 160 acres; a full walk takes approximately 90 minutes. The boat dock at the cemetery’s eastern edge overlooks the Wilmington River — a quiet spot largely unknown to day visitors.

Telfair Museums

The Telfair Museums operate three distinct properties:

Owens-Thomas House (124 Abercorn St) is the most important architecturally — a Regency-style mansion completed in 1819 by architect William Jay, with original furnishings and one of the most complete surviving urban slave quarters in the country (now interpreted as part of the house tours). Tours approximately $25 adults for all three properties as of 2026.

Telfair Academy (121 Barnard St) is the core museum, in the 1818 Telfair family mansion, with American and European paintings and sculpture.

Jepson Center (207 W York St) is the contemporary art wing, housing the Sylvia Shaw Judson “Bird Girl” sculpture.

SCAD Museum of Art and the Starland District

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has an outsized influence on Savannah’s cultural life; approximately 15,000 students attend, giving the city an arts energy well beyond its size of 150,000.

The SCAD Museum of Art at 601 Turner Blvd occupies a beautifully converted 1853 Central of Georgia Railroad building. The contemporary art program is well-curated and changes frequently. Admission approximately $10 adults, free under 13 as of 2026. Open Tuesday–Saturday, check website for hours.

The Starland District, approximately 8 blocks south of Forsyth Park, is a SCAD-adjacent neighborhood with independent coffee shops, galleries, design studios, and the Cotton & Rye restaurant. It is the most lived-in and least touristy part of central Savannah.

Ghost Tours

Savannah has a well-established reputation as a haunted city, and ghost tours are a genuine local industry. The quality varies considerably; the better-reviewed operators lead tours that weave legitimate history into the ghost narrative rather than leaning entirely on theater.

Savannah Haunted History Tours run nightly from various starting points; approximately $30 per person as of 2026.

Cobblestone Tours run a range of ghost, history, and pub crawl formats; group walking tours approximately $25–$35 as of 2026.

Book any tour online in advance during spring and fall peak season.

Day Trip: Tybee Island

Tybee Island sits 18 miles east of downtown Savannah via US-80 — approximately 30 minutes by car. It is a small barrier island with a 3-mile beach, a lighthouse (circa 1736, open for tours approximately $12 adults as of 2026), and a casual seafood shack culture entirely different in tone from historic Savannah. The beach is wide and uncrowded outside summer weekends. The Back River side of the island has calmer water and is preferred for families with young children. Day trip logistics: drive or take the Savannah Explorer Bus (fare approximately $5 each way as of 2026) from downtown.