Savannah attractions

Mature oak trees and a central fountain are charming features of Columbia Square, one of Savannah’s more peaceful historic squares. Beautiful preserved buildings and luxurious bed-and-breakfasts lure visitors to this neck of the woods, and the square offers plenty of park benches for people-watching or picnics. Shaded paths offer a place to relax during a wider exploration of the Savannah Historic District.

Constructed as a family home in 1820, Savannah’s Davenport House Museum is one of the city’s notable buildings. Listed on the US National Register of Historic Landmarks and restored to its original 19th-century glory, this house-turned-museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Savannah’s storied past.

While you might not have heard of Wormsloe State Historic Site, chances are you’ve seen its famous allée of oaks in movies such as Roots and The Color Purple. Come for the photo opp, but stay to explore the 18th-century tabby ruins and learn about early settler life. The site also includes a small museum and a 7-mile (11.2-kilometer) nature trail along a classic Lowcountry marsh.

Dating from 1819, the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters offer a glimpse into the lifestyles of Savannah’s early 19th-century residents, from wealthy landowners to the enslaved people who worked for them. Now a National Historic Landmark, the mansion is one of America’s best-preserved examples of Regency architecture, and visitors can admire the residence, slave quarters, carriage house, and garden. Guided tours focus on the art and architecture, as well as the historical relationships between Georgia’s free and enslaved people.

Get a comprehensive introduction to Savannah’s history at the Massie Heritage Center. Georgia’s oldest public school building is now home to interactive exhibits that bring the stories of Savannah over the centuries to life. With educational opportunities for kids, occasional special events from lectures, and guided walking tours.

If sampling Southern food classics in a historic mansion sounds like your kind of evening, make a reservation at the Olde Pink House. Located in Savannah’s historic district, this Colonial-mansion-turned-restaurant offers the chance to combine an elegant dining experience with a glimpse into local history. Didn’t plan ahead? Go for a drink in the cellar tavern instead, which often features live music.

One of Savannah's 22 historic squares, Reynolds Square was one of the city's first six squares and a center point for the colonial government. Built in 1734, it was renamed from Lower New Square to honor the first Royal Governor of Georgia, John Reynolds. The leafy square contains a bronze statue of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

Once a popular hangout for sailors and pirates, the Pirates’ House is now a historic restaurant with a rich seafaring history. Built in 1794, the structure is known as the oldest—and allegedly most haunted—building in Savannah. It garnered fame when it was featured in Robert Louis Stevenson's 1881 adventure novel Treasure Island.

One of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the US, the Historic Savannah Theatre is a buzzing performing arts venue with a schedule full of live theater, music performances, and special holiday shows. With its convenient location on Chippewa Square in the heart of the Savannah Historic District, the theater is a destination for visitors looking to discover the city’s thriving arts and culture scene.

Learn about the quirky history of prohibition at the American Prohibition Museum in Savannah. Explore this controversial moment in America's past with exhibits on everything from gangsters and bootleggers to politicians and flappers. Costumed docents, wax figures, and an on-site cocktail bar round out the experience.

One of three museums that make up Savannah’s Telfair Museum of Art, the Telfair Academy stands in a stately mansion in the city’s Historic District and houses fine art, period rooms, and exhibition galleries. Visitors come to admire the artworks and elegant architecture of the 19th-century house.

Founded in 1773, the First African Baptist Church was one of the first organized African Baptist churches, housing the first black Sunday School in North America. During segregation, it was a gathering place for blacks and whites to meet and held graduation ceremonies for black students who were barred from walking with their class.

This cobbled, riverfront section of the Savannah Historic District is a row of red-brick buildings connected to the city’s cotton-trading past. The upper level of Factors Walk is home to shops, restaurants, and hotels, while the lower level offers a glimpse into Savannah’s reputation for spooky after-dark locales.

Temple Mickve Israel is the only Gothic-style synagogue in North America, and it's also home to the third-oldest Jewish congregation in the US. Visit to see its impressive architecture, a stand-out in Savannah’s historic district. Established in 1733, the synagogue still hosts religious services, holidays, and community events.

The perfect starting point for exploring Savannah’s storied past, the Savannah History Museum tells of the city’s evolution from its 1733 founding to today. Housed in the historic Central of Georgia Railway passenger shed, the museum hosts exhibits, a short film, and relics such as the famous bench from the Forrest Gump movie, and one of the oldest cars—a 1902 Crestmobile.

A National Historic Landmark on the Savannah River, Old Fort Jackson is a museum that provides a glimpse into the life of a soldier with actors donning period garb and daily cannon firings. Dating back to 1808, the fort served as a protection point for Savannah over several historic conflicts, while today it provides educational programming. Some visitors spot the brick fortification from river cruises along the Savannah, which offer views of the landmark.

The Beach Institute African American Cultural Center was established in 1867 as Savannah’s first school built specifically for African-American students. Today, it serves as an African-American museum housing Black history exhibits and artwork by Black artists—with a focus on Savannah—and hosting programs for the public.