10 Must Things to do in Savannah on Your First Visit

Last Updated on March 11, 2026

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Savannah is one of my absolute favorite cities in the United States. It’s a great mix of Southern charm, history and beautiful architecture. The city is insanely picturesque, but mysterious and full of dark secrets at the same time. It’s also one of the most haunted cities in America. And when you visit, there are many fun things to do in Savannah to experience it all.

I spent 3 days in Savannah as one of the stops on my road trip, as I was making my way from Boston all the way to Florida Keys. I think Savannah is a perfect weekend destination, if you are looking for a quick getaway. This is not a big city, so two or three days are enough to explore the Historic District, where most of the top attractions are. And it’s extremely walkable too.

I put together a list of top things to do in Savannah, which is perfect for a first-time visitor. There’s definitely more to see and do, but if you’ve never been before, this guide will give you a good introduction to this beautiful city and show you the best of Savannah. Just be prepared to fall in love.

Savannah is also very pet friendly! If you’re thinking of visiting with your dog, go for it! There are plenty of pet friendly hotels (like the wonderful East Bay Inn where I stayed with my Penny) and cafes. Lots of businesses put out water bowls and let you walk in with your dog.

Things to do in Savannah

Visit Forsyth Park

One of the reasons I enjoyed Savannah so much was that as far as cities go, this one is really green. It’s actually one of the greenest cities in the U.S. The streets are lined with trees; there are 22 squares and the biggest green space of them all: Forsyth Park.

The 30-acre park is a must visit in Savanah. There are many walking paths, places to sit, statues and of course plenty of oak trees draped in Spanish moss. There’s always lots of activity there with people running, biking, walking their dogs or simply enjoying this beautiful green space.

You can’t miss the Forsyth Fountain, which is one of the most photographed landmarks in Savannah. Although if you visit during the winter months, it might be turned off to prevent freezing in case temperatures drop. As you see on the photo below, it was not running when I visited Savannah in February.

The park is huge and the best way to enter is on the north side along Gaston Street. This is also where the fountain is.

Discover Savannah Squares

One of my favorite things to do in Savannah was strolling around the Historic Center and finding all the beautiful squares. Out of the original 24, 22 squares are still in the city, and you don’t have to work hard to find them, they are all over Savannah’s historic part. Many have a fountain and/or a statue in the center, plenty of benches to sit and relax, which is a perfect respite from the sun.

All the Savannah squares are beautiful and worth seeing, but these are definite favorites:

• Chippewa Square – best known from the Forrest Gump movie, Chippewa Square is one of the favorites. Don’t expect to find the famous bench there, as that was just a movie prop and you can see it in the Savannah History Museum.
• Monterey Square – this is where you will find the famous Mercer-Williams House, so naturally it was featured plenty in the “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”.
• Johnson Square – this is one of the original squares, so it’s one of the oldest. It’s also the biggest and a great place for people watching, as there’s a lot of activity there. The square has several fountains and is surrounded by a City Hall and churches.

Visit one of the historic homes

There are a lot of Historic Homes in Savannah and some of them are now museums open to visitors. Most of them you can only visit on a guided tour and here are some of the most interesting ones:

Mercer – Williams House

If you are a fan of Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil, visiting this house will most likely be on your list of things to do in Savannah.

Originally it was the house of Johnny Mercer, but it’s better known as the residence of Jim Williams, who was a well-known antique dealer in Savannah, who also played an active role in restoring a lot of great houses in the Historic District.

But the reason The Mercer – Williams House is well known, is the infamous murder that took place in it. In 1981, Jim Williams shot his assistant, which was later documented in the Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil book, followed by a movie.

The house is now owned by Williams’ sister, who turned it into a museum, and can be seen on a guided tour. Because the family still lives there, you only get to tour the ground floor of the house. What can be disappointing to many people is that the focus of the tour is not the murder, but more on the house, what’s in it and architecture.

Some guides will briefly mention the murder, while others won’t want to talk about it at all. So, I guess it depends on who you get as a guide. Either way, the tour focuses on the house, not what happened in it.

Tickets cost $14.95 and the 35-minute guided tours run every half hour or so. They don’t take any bookings in advance, it’s first come, first serve.

Mercer-Williams House is open to visitors Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and on Sundays 11.30 am – 5 pm.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

This expansive home was the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts and you can tour some of the rooms on a guided tour and learn more about her childhood and how she eventually founded Girl Scouts.

I visited Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace as part of the Ghosts and Gravestones tour, but the house tours run throughout the day every 30-40 minutes. Tickets are $15. Plan to spend about one hour at the house.

Anyone who’s ever been a Girl Scout, will find Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace especially interesting and meaningful.

Open every day 10 am -5 pm (but limited tours on Wednesday).

Owens – Thomas House & Slave Quarters

If you can visit only one house in Savannah, make it Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. And I say this as a huge fan of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Not only are the house and gardens beautiful, but the tour shows the lives of both the wealthy white people and the enslaved, telling the story without sugarcoating the sad history. The tour starts at the slave quarters before moving onto the beautifully preserved mansion, which shows stark contrast between the lives of both.

The one hour guided tours are the only way you can visit the house, and they have them every 15 minutes or so. The ticket costs $30 and since Owens-Thomas House is part of Telfair Museum Sites, the same ticket get you admission to Jepson Center and Telfair Academy.

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is open Tuesday-Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 10 am – 5 pm. Last tour starts at 4 pm.

Stroll down Jones Street

There’s no shortage of beautiful streets in the Historic Center, but Jones Street is regarded as the prettiest one in Savannah. And it’s hard to argue with that.

Stretching for about a mile, Jones Street is lined with beautiful historic homes, oak trees dripping in Spanish moss and cobblestone sidewalks. It’s quiet, residential neighborhood, perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Have a feast at Mrs Wilke’s House

And Jones Street is where you will find one of the most famous restaurants in Savannah: Mrs Wilke’s House. Known for Southern home cooking and communal type of dining, this place is one of Savannah’s institutions.

It opens at 11 am, but the line starts forming as early as 10 am, so if you don’t want a long wait, plan to get there early. Reservations are not accepted; it’s first come first served.

Once you get in, you take a seat at one of the tables for 10 and it’s time to dig in. Tables are filled with bowls of fried chicken, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, collard greens and much more. The food changes daily, so it’s always a surprise what you get served. One thing you can be sure of, you get your fill of some of the best Southern cuisine. If you plan on going, it’s probably best to skip breakfast that day!

There’s a fixed price of $35 per person ($17.50 for kids 12 and under), cash only.

Mrs Wilke’s House is open Monday-Friday from 11 am – 2pm. There are closed on some holidays, so check the website before going.

Walk along the River Street

This is a fun area to go for a walk, do some shopping, grab a bite to eat and enjoy people watching. River Street runs along the Savannah River, and it’s a very lively area.

The brick buildings lining the river were once used for storing cotton and other goods. Today, many of the cotton warehouse were turned into shops, restaurants and galleries.

Savannah is also the third busiest port in the USA, so you might also see some big ships going by.

Take a River Cruise

While strolling along the river, you can hop on a Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise.

I really enjoyed the 90-minute Harbor Sightseeing Cruise abord Georgia Queen. It’s always great to be on the water, especially on a hot day and it’s a perfect break from walking around the city. You can also choose to do it at the end of the day and enjoy a nice sunset cruise.

They also offer lunch and dinner cruises (although the food doesn’t get rave reviews).

Visit the Cathedral of St John the Baptist

If you enjoy seeing beautiful churches, this newly renovated French Gothic Cathedral should be on your Savannah itinerary. You can first see the Cathedral’s white and blue spires, as you cross the bridge entering Savannah, which are an integral part of the city’s landscape.

Be sure to step inside too, to see the beautiful stained-glass windows. The Cathedral is free to enter, but you are asked for a small donation when you visit.

Visit Bonaventure Cemetery

Visiting old cemeteries is something I really enjoy in my travels, so I couldn’t miss a beauty that is Bonaventure. Some might see such activity as creepy, but I find it really peaceful and beautiful. Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, spread around 160 acres, has to be among my favorites. Really old grave sites and tomb stones under the moss draped live Oaks make the cemetery a really spooky and picturesque place. If you enjoy photography, visiting Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the must things to do in Savannah.

Bonaventure cemetery is a final resting place for Johnny Mercer and other important Savannah figures. But the most visited grave site to be found there is that of Little Gracie. Gracie’s father was a popular fixture in Savannah, as he managed Pulaski Hotel, one of the fanciest in town. His little daughter was often seen entertaining and charming the guests and was adored by them. Sadly, when she was 6, she got sick with pneumonia and died 2 days before Easter. It’s believed that Gracie’s spirit lives on and can be seen throughout Savannah.

HOW TO GET TO BENAVENTURE CEMETERY

Bonaventure Cemetery is the only place on this Savannah guide, that you can’t really walk to. It’s located about 3 miles outside of the Historic Center, so you will need a car (or an Uber) to get there. The cemetery is pretty big, and you can pick up a map at the visitor’s center to help you navigate it.

You can also book a tour like this Bonaventure Cemetery Golf Cart Guided Tour or Bonaventure Cemetery & Wormsloe State Historic Site Tour. You’ll still need to get to the cemetery, but once there, you’ll meet your guide and learn all about the history and the notable Savannah residents.

Go on a Ghost tour

If you want to know what to do in Savannah at night, the answer is take a ghost tour.

Savannah is considered to be one of the most haunted cities in America, so booking one of the spooky tours is one of the fun things to do. And there are a lot to choose from. From walking or trolley tours, cemetery visits to pub crawls and adult only tours, there’s something for everyone.

• Ghosts and Gravestones Tour with Low House Entry
• Adults-Only Dead of Night Walking Tour
• Ghosts, Asylums, Voodoo, and Horror Walking Tour
• Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour

Best Tours in Savannah

There are a lot of great tours you can book in Savannah, that will help you explore the city’s history and character. From walking history tours, trolley tours to spooky experiences and cemetery tours. Below are some of the top rated and most frequently booked tours in Savannah:

Narrated Historic Savannah Sightseeing Trolley Tour– this is a great tour for anyone who needs a break from walking or has mobility issues. It’s a great overview of the city and a way to get your bearings in a new place. You can then return to the places that spiked your interest. If you plan on booking this tour, I recommend doing it on your very first day. A trolley tour is also one of the things to do in Savannah on a rainy day.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Tour – a must for any fan of the book/movie. You visit a lot of locations, that play a key role in the story.

Bonaventure Cemetery Golf Cart Guided Tour – a great way to visit and learn more about the cemetery and some of the Savannah residents who rest there.

Ghosts and Gravestones Tour with Low House Entry – one of the most popular ghost tours in Savannah. It’s an 80-minute trolley tour with several stops at some of the spookiest locations.

Where to stay in Savannah

Best area to stay in Savannah is the Historic District. From there you are just a short walk away from most of the top attractions.

Having said that, not all hotels in the Historic district have parking, so double check if you are arriving by car.

Here are a few recommendations on where to stay in Savannah, especially on a short visit:

The East Bay Inn – I stayed in this beautiful boutique hotel and cannot recommend it enough. It’s in a perfect location, right near the River Street and within a short walk to most of the attractions. Rooms are beautiful and spacious, and they have several that are pet friendly (no breed and weight restrictions). The hospitality was amazing, and my dog was treated like royalty and even got a goodie bag at check in. Breakfast is included in your rate and there’s parking on site, which you’ll appreciate if you’re arriving by car.

Marshall House – if you’ve ever wanted to stay in a haunted hotel, this is your chance. Built in 1851, Marshall House is believed to be among one of the most haunted places in Savannah. Besides that, it’s one of the best hotels in the city, right in the heart of the Historic Center. Daily breakfast is included and in the evening, you’re invited to enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Hamilton Turner Inn – beautiful B&B right off Lafayette Square. Built in 1873, it was the first house to have electricity. Those who read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil might recall that Hamilton Turner Inn was where the lavish parties thrown by Joe Odom took place.

Best time to visit Savannah

March – June is the peak season in Savannah. The weather is perfect and everything is in bloom. March 17 is the busiest day in season in Savannah, that holds the biggest St Patrick’s Day Parade. If your visit coincided with St Patrick’s, make your hotel reservations way in advance (and prepare to pay more for your room!).

July and August (and even September) can get really hot, muggy and buggy. On the upside, you’ll have a higher chance of scoring good deals on hotels.

Fall is another great time to visit, when the oppressive heat ends, and pleasant weather starts again.

January and February are winter months in Savannah and what’s considered low season. That’s not to say it won’t be nice. I visited beginning of February, and it was 70 F and sunny most of the time. You will also be able to find better deals both on flights and accommodations.

How to get to Savannah

Getting to Savannah by car

Savannah can easily be reached by car. If you’re traveling anywhere along the East Coast, Historic District is about 20 minutes off of I 95 (via I-16).

Just double check, that the hotel you book has parking on site (which is not always the case in the Historic Center).

Getting to Savannah by airplane

You can also fly into Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport, which is about 12 miles away from the city center. From there you can hop in an Uber to get to the Historic Center.

If you enjoyed this article, you can download it via the GPSmyCity app – it will give you access to the guide, you will be able to use, even if you’re offline. Download it here.

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