Best things to do in Savannah

Soak up the southern charm and rich cultural heritage of Georgia’s coast in Savannah Historic District. The district, named a National Historic Site in 1966, comprises a grid of tree-lined blocks dotted with 18th- and 19th-century architecture, classic storefronts, and picturesque green spaces. A well-known area for shopping and dining, the district also serves as the area’s cultural hub, known for its art and music. Have a cup of coffee on one of the many Spanish moss-covered terraces, or pay a visit to the Old Colonial Cemetery. Take advantage of the free hop-on-hop-off streetcar for a relaxing ride around the city center.

Georgia's oldest Catholic church, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist sits in the downtown district of Savannah, an area steeped in rich history and culture. Completed in 1876, this Gothic-style building features two twin spires, making it an easily recognizable landmark on the city's skyline. Walk inside to see the famous stained glass windows made by renowned Tyrolean glassmakers of Austria, which were installed in 1904. Bring your camera to snap a few photos of the wall murals, painted by local artist Christopher Murphy and a team of assistants. For updated information about daily services, check the mass schedule on the cathedral's website.

Discover some of Savannah's scariest legends as you attempt to contact the dead with paranormal equipment on a guided ghost and vampire tour. Your guide will take you strolling through the city that was literally built on its dead, while revealing gruesome details of sinister deeds, haunted buildings, and the city's most wicked characters. You can finish off the spine-tingling journey with a nightcap at one of Savannah's haunted bars. To see the most of the city, opt for a tour that combines walking with a trolley ride. The duration of these tours is flexible, but they usually last between 90 minutes and 3 hours.

Created in the 19th century as part of a beautification project, Forsyth Park contains walking paths, play areas, tennis courts, and a cafe. City planners began this park in the 1840s on a small piece of land designated for public use. Using this plot as the core of their design, they then expanded the park's grounds with land donated by Georgia governor John Forsyth. Named in recognition of Forsyth's contribution to the development of the city, the park now spans over 12 hectares (30 acres) and serves as the focal point of residential areas radiating from this public space. Today it's popular for its free concerts and farmers' market.

One of the country's oldest plantations, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens dates back to 1676, when locals Thomas and Ann Drayton built a house and a small formal garden on this site. The family owned the rice plantation for the next 15 generations, utilizing slave labor to build a network of irrigation dams and dikes. Today, the estate operates as a museum, offering an interpretive program designed to teach visitors about the history of both slave and free black workers at this site. Explore the plantation's natural setting by taking a marsh boat tour or strolling through the gardens, where you can see centenarian cypress trees and camellias dating from the 1840s.

If the stones of Bonaventure Cemetery could talk, they would narrate some of Savannah's most dramatic stories. Located on a scenic bluff overlooking the Wilmington River, the cemetery shot to fame in 1994 when it became a setting for a movie directed by Clint Eastwood. A quiet place of oaks, lawn sculptures, and dripping Spanish moss, the cemetery attracts visitors with its eerie feel, which inspired writer John Berendt to call it "the garden of good and evil." As you stroll through the cemetery, look for the graves of poet Conrad Aiken, actress Edythe Chapman, and songwriter Johnny Mercer.

In 1985, the A.S. Varn & Son Oyster and Crab Factory in Pin Point closed its doors for good. It marked the end of an era for the tiny fishing community tucked quietly away on the banks of the Moon River just south of Savannah, Georgia. For nearly one hundred years, Pin Point was isolated and self-sustained, a Gullah/Geechee enclave founded by first-generation freedmen where family, religion, and work were deeply connected to the water.

Today, the factory buildings have been reopened as Pin Point Heritage Museum, operated by Coastal Heritage Society, celebrating the life, work, and history of this Gullah/Geechee community that calls Pin Point home.

Pin Point Heritage Museum is open to the public 9am-5pm, Thursday-Saturday. Groups of 10 or more may book a tour of the museum any day of the week. For booking information, please contact our events coordinator Sara Boon at sboon@chsgeorgia.org.

GUIDED TOURS for walk-in visitors are offered Thursday-Saturday at 10:30, 12:00, 1:30, and 3:30.

Enjoy a riverfront stroll under the shade of magnificent live oaks along Historic River Street. Located in the heart of Savannah’s historic district, the street features an alluring mix of 19th-century architecture, picturesque plazas, and trendy boutiques and eateries, all lining the beautiful Savannah River. Peruse the fine art galleries and antique shops housed inside restored cotton warehouses before retiring for a riverside meal at a local bistro. See the city from the water by catching a river cruise in the harbor. If you have a sweet tooth, stop by the well-known River Street Sweets to try the world-famous pralines or fresh saltwater taffy.

Middleton Place once housed several generations of the Middleton family, including Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Now the plantation, which was built in 1755, has been named a National Historic Landmark and serves as a museum. Perhaps most impressively, the plantation is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America, where the staff takes care to ensure that there is always something in bloom year round. Enjoy U.S. history amid these tranquil gardens. Take a tour of the house, get a glimpse of colonial life by visiting the stable yards, or ask about guided kayak tours or horseback riding to see the grounds from a different angle.

Shannon Scott Tours offer a chance to discover one of the South's most notable Victorian cemeteries, the final resting place of many legendary poets, actors, songwriters, industrialists, and others. Exploring with your personal storyteller and historian, you'll learn all about famous historical characters, secret societies, and the "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" connection. Morning and afternoon options are available, so you'll easily fit this activity into your schedule. These tours tend to sell out fast, so be sure to book online to ensure your spot.

Follow the instinct of your taste buds on a food tour through Savannah's finger-licking culinary heritage. Just a walk or bus ride away, some of the city's best restaurants offer yummy delicacies--exploring with a local guide will also ensure you learn about the region's turbulent past. You'll discover the city and its residents through the food they eat, getting a taste of local classics like shrimp, grits, and pork belly sliders. The food tours are generally suited for all ages, though they may be a bit tedious for the youngest of kids--drinking tours cater to visitors over 21 years of age.