Planning to visit Savannah, Georgia, soon, and wondering which can't-miss attractions you need to add to your itinerary? We've got you covered! These are some of the most popular attractions in Savannah that we recommend for first-time visitors to Georgia's oldest city. Let's dive right in!
Stroll through the largest park in Savannah's Historic District while wandering under the mossy oaks, admiring the colorful flowers, and snapping a picture of the Forsyth Park Fountain!
Admire the colorful stained glass, historic architecture, and detailed murals in this stunning is church and Savannah landmark that dates back to the 1870s.
Walk up and down River Street for endless shopping, dining, and entertainment options. You can even take a riverboat cruise on the Savannah River!
Make reservations at this popular restaurant, where the building's history and treasured antiques dating back to the 1700s draw in just as many tourists as the delicious Southern food and drinks!
Go shopping, visit museums, and check out local dining establishments and cocktail bars at this historic market that has been around since the 1700s.
Take a glimpse into the history and architecture of the early 1800s at this house museum that explores the relationship between the wealthy owners and the enslaved people who lived and worked here.
Go on a day trip from Savannah to Tybee Island, where you can enjoy a day of fun in the sun on the beach, try your hand at surfing or kayaking, or visit the island's historic lighthouse.
Snap a picture in front of the mossy, tree-lined pathway leading up to the former plantation house at Wormsloe State Historic Site while appreciating the property's rich history.
Visit two of Savannah's most famous cemeteries on a spooky ghost tour or an informative walking tour to learn about the notable historical figures laid to rest here.
Tour the historic home best known for the notorious murder described in detail in the famous book and film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
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Forsyth Park is a 30-acre park created in 1851 by John Forsyth, the Governor of Georgia. It has been a fixture in Downtown Savannah for more than 170 years!
This beautiful park is filled with live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, beautiful pink azaleas in the spring, a fragrant garden, the iconic Forsyth Park Fountain, and plenty of attractions, like tennis courts, basketball courts, and a kids' playground. Forsyth Park also hosts events, like farmers' markets, art festivals, and music festivals, that bring visitors and the local community together.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is the most famous of Savannah's many historic churches and one of the city's most notable landmarks. This stunning church is filled with colorful stained glass, historic architecture, detailed murals, a baptismal pool, and so much history dating back to the 1870s.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is free to visit. You can take a self-guided tour Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 11:30 AM or 1 PM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.
Looking for other historic churches to visit in Savannah? Be sure to visit First African Baptist Church, the oldest Black church in North America, and Temple Mickve Israel, home to the country's third-oldest Jewish congregation.
River Street, located on the Savannah River, is one of the top places in Savannah for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Savannah's Waterfront is home to popular Savannah restaurants, like Vic's on the River, places to listen to live music, like Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos, and spectacular rooftop bars, like Top Deck Bar and Rocks on the Roof, that offer stunning views of the Savannah skyline.
Be sure to visit the Plant Riverside District on the Savannah River for spectacular shopping, dining, and entertainment, or book a dinner or river cruise aboard The Georgia Queen with Savannah Riverboat Cruises to see the historic district from a unique perspective when visiting Savannah!
The Olde Pink House is one of the most famous restaurants in Savannah. Its fascinating history dates back to the 1700s. If you're only in Savannah for a short weekend trip and can only enjoy one dinner in the historic landmark district, this is the place to make reservations!
The Olde Pink House serves refined Southern food and specialty cocktails in a renovated historic home filled with treasured antiques. The food is just as exceptional as the charming ambiance! Since it is one of the most historic buildings in Savannah and is supposedly haunted, The Olde Pink House is also a popular stop on walking tours and ghost tours in Savannah, GA.
City Market is a shopping and dining hub in Savannah, filled with gift shops, art galleries, and local retailers. City Market (like most spots in this historic city!) has been around since the 1700s and was an open-air market where merchants and traders used to buy and sell goods.
Pop into the shops and galleries to find a souvenir to take home from City Market. If you want to grab a drink, visit Congress Street Up Speakeasy, an authentic speakeasy in the American Prohibition Museum (one of the top museums in Savannah!), or grab a slice of pizza at Vinnie Van Go-Go's, a local favorite.
Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is one of the three Telfair Museums in Savannah and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This house museum offers a glimpse into the architecture and art from the early 1800s, when the home was built, but also explores the complicated relationship between the wealthy owners and the enslaved people who lived and worked here.
Tickets are $30 per adult and include admission to the other Telfair Museums (Jepson Center and Telfair Academy). The museum is open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM.
Though a 30-minute drive from Downtown Savannah, Tybee Island is a must-visit attraction during a trip to Savannah, GA. This beautiful barrier island offers gorgeous beaches, plenty of dining and shopping options, and other fun things to do, like surfing, kayaking, and SUP.
Tybee Island is also home to some notable Georgia landmarks, like the Tybee Island Light Station — the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia. Be sure to visit Tybee Island Museum to learn more about the island's history, and check out Tybee Island Marine Science Center to learn more about the plants and animals native to Tybee Island and the Southeast USA.
Wormsloe State Historic Site is about a 15-minute drive from Historic Downtown Savannah, but this Savannah attraction is worth the drive for the pictures alone!
The mossy, tree-lined pathway leading up to the former plantation house at Wormsloe State Historic Site makes this spot one of the most photographed in Savannah! After snapping a picturesque photo (or two!), be sure to stop by the small museum to learn about the state's history or take a walk on the seven-mile interpretive nature trail.
Mercer Williams House Museum is one of the most unique attractions in Downtown Savannah. This historic home, built in the 1860s, is best known for being the site of a notorious murder described in detail in the famous book and film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. You can see the home from the outside for free or tour the inside for $12.50 per person.
Are you looking for more historic homes to tour? Visit the Sorrel Weed House, a haunted house next to Madison Square, the Andrew Low House, where Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, was born, or Green-Meldrim House, where General Sherman set up headquarters during the Civil War.
Savannah is known for its rich history dating back to the 1700s, well-preserved historic architecture, delicious southern food, and spooky ghost tours.
Savannah's Historic District is the city's top tourist attraction. This district encompasses most of Savannah's top historic sites, including River Street, Forsyth Park, City Market, The Olde Pink House, and other notable spots!
Jones Street is considered the prettiest street in Savannah. In fact, it is frequently regarded as one of the most beautiful streets in the United States!
A three-day weekend provides the perfect amount of time to experience Savannah's rich history, culinary scene, and beautiful architecture. However, a longer stay is recommended to make the most of the best day trips from Savannah, like Tybee Island, Hilton Head Island, and Charleston!