Have a question? Give us a call (912) 499-0777
There are tons of things to do in Savannah, Georgia — but one of the best activities to enjoy during all times of year is exploring the history museums, art museums, and house museums in Savannah that offer insight into the rich history, culture, and other unique aspects of Savannah, GA.
Below, we've listed some of the most popular museums in Savannah, Georgia. We guarantee you'll find at least one that will spark your interest and warrant a visit during your trip to Savannah!
The Mercer-Williams House Museum is one of the most-visited house museums in Savannah. Construction on this home started in 1860, but due to the Civil War, construction was not completed until 1868. Although no one from the Mercer Family ever lived in the mansion, this home is best known as the location where the notorious murder (allegedly) occurred in the famous book and movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
You can tour the Mercer-Williams House Museum for just $12.50 during your trip to Savannah. It's located on the southwest block of Monterrey Square.
Savannah may have an open container policy now — but that wasn't always the case. In fact, from 1920 – 1933, alcohol consumption was illegal in the United States. This period became known as the Prohibition Era, and you can learn all about it at the American Prohibition Museum in Savannah — the only prohibition museum in the country! South Key is happy to provide their guests with discounted tickets, contact us to learn more!
This museum will teach you about bootlegging, moonshine, and how prohibition impacted the culture in America. You'll also be able to visit the speakeasy inside the museum, one of the best bars in Savannah, where you can sample period-accurate cocktails. Tickets start at $16 a person, but there are more ticket packages to choose from.
The SCAD Museum of Art is a part of the Savannah College of Art and Design — one of the top art schools in the country. The SCAD Museum of Art features contemporary art galleries from both established international artists and up-and-coming artists, like SCAD students.
This art museum features its own permanent collection of modern art, as well as several rotating exhibits. Tickets are just $10 per person, and children under 14 are free.
The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters Museum was built in 1819 and is one of Savannah's most famous historic sites. This home was owned by Richard Richardson, a slave trader, and had a long and storied history of being owned by those who engaged in the slave trade. This home has been named a National Historic Landmark and has operated as a historic house museum since 1954.
Visitors can learn about the sad history of slavery while also admiring the home's beautiful architecture, art, and decor during a visit to the Owens-Thomas Museum. This house is one of the three Telfair Museums — you can learn more about the other two museums, the Telfair Academy and the Jepson Center, later in this post.
The Georgia State Railroad Museum, located in the historic Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities, is the perfect museum for transportation and train enthusiasts. This Savannah train museum features the most complete antebellum-style railroad of its style in the world and several other exhibits, including a guided tour by train and old passenger cars.
This Savannah Railroad museum is the perfect hands-on, interactive museum to visit if you're traveling with kids. Tickets are $15 for adults, and tickets for kids between the ages of 2–12 are just $8.
Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the three museums in the Telfair Museums. Though the historic building was constructed in 1819 for the children and grandchildren of Georgia Governor Edward Telfair, it opened to the public as an art museum in 1886. Telfair Academy is the oldest public art museum in the southern United States, and it was the first art museum founded by a woman — a monumental accomplishment of the time.
At this beautiful museum, you'll see the Bird Girl statue from the famous novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and other artwork from the 19th and 20th centuries. Tickets are $20 for adults, but there are some discounts available.
Find your perfect getaway with unparalleled luxury in Savannah! Choose from our premier rental properties and secure your spot!
The Savannah History Museum, conveniently located in the Savannah Visitor Center, is a small museum that costs just $10 per adult and details the city's history from its inception in 1733 to today.
The biggest draw at this museum is the bench that Tom Hanks sat on in Forrest Gump, one of the best movies filmed in Savannah. The bench formerly sat in Chippewa Square, but it was later moved to the museum for safekeeping. You can also find an exhibit featuring notable women in Savannah, like Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, and jazz memorabilia from Savannah's Jazz Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, racial discrimination and segregation are deeply rooted in Savannah's history. However, the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum is a great museum to visit if you'd like to learn about the desegregation movement in Savannah, with interactive exhibits, historic photos, and documentaries detailing the compelling and peaceful methods that Savannah's Civil Rights leaders used during the Civil Rights Movement to gain equality.
The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and tickets cost just $10 for adults, with discounts for seniors and students.
The Savannah Children's Museum is located just across from the Georgia State Railroad Museum and features a dozen interactive exhibits geared towards fostering children's imaginations.
You'll find a sensory garden, an exploration maze, a reading nook, and other fun stations that encourage kids to learn, explore, and play. Tickets to the Savannah Children's Museum cost $10 per person. It is important to note that this museum is primarily outside, so you'll want to visit on a day with nice weather during the best time of year to visit Savannah — fall, winter, or spring.
Jepson Center for the Arts is the last of the three Telfair Museums. It is focused on linking the history of the Owen-Thomas House and Telfair Academy to the promising future of art and architecture. This modern building opened in 2006 and is filled with beautiful art, hands-on activities, and educational opportunities to encourage learning for children and adults.
The Jepson Center for the Arts is also home to the Telfair Children's Art Museum — an engaging and immersive art museum for kids that is included in your ticket price.
If you have more time, here are some other awesome museums in Historic Savannah to consider exploring during your time in the city:
As you can see, there are quite literally dozens of museums to explore in Savannah, Georgia. Whether you want to admire the gorgeous architecture in historic homes, learn more about the city's centuries of rich history, or admire contemporary art, you can do all that (and more!) at these museums.
If you're planning on visiting Savannah soon and are looking for a place to stay, we invite you to book one of our charming vacation rentals in Savannah's Historic District. From our rentals, you'll be just a short walk away from many popular museums in Downtown Savannah!
Subscribe now for the latest Savannah rental opportunities! Get exclusive updates on listings and special deals. Don't miss out – find your perfect space in this historic city!
