Best Things to Do in Savannah, GA (2026 Travel Guide)
Savannah, Georgia is one of the most compelling cities in the American South — a place where 18th-century architecture, Spanish moss, Southern cuisine, and a genuinely spooky history converge in one of the most walkable urban landscapes in America. Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, Savannah was America’s first planned city, and its original grid of 22 historic squares remains almost entirely intact. Here are the 12 best things to do in Savannah, GA.
1. Walk the 22 Historic Squares
Savannah’s 22 surviving historic squares are the heart of the city — small public parks, each anchored by a monument or fountain and framed by centuries-old townhouses, churches, and live oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Walking between the squares along Bull Street from Forsyth Park to City Hall takes about 45 minutes at a slow pace and passes six of the most beautiful squares in the city.
Don’t miss: Chippewa Square (Forrest Gump), Colonial Park Cemetery (founded 1750), and Calhoun Square — the most ornate of the surviving squares.
Free — no admission required.
2. Visit Bonaventure Cemetery
Bonaventure Cemetery is a Victorian garden cemetery on the Wilmington River, widely considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in America. Its 160 acres of live oak trees, Spanish moss, and elaborate 19th-century monuments made it the setting for the iconic cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1994). Notable graves include poet Conrad Aiken, songwriter Johnny Mercer, and Confederate General Henry Rootes Jackson.
- Entry: Free
- Hours: Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Getting there: 4 miles east of the Historic District — rideshare or car required
- Allow: 60–90 minutes for a full walk
3. Take a Ghost Tour
Savannah is consistently ranked among the most haunted cities in America. The city’s history — 18th-century battles, yellow fever epidemics that killed thousands, and the fact that much of the city was literally built on top of colonial-era cemeteries — provides genuine historical context for its haunted reputation. Evening ghost tours depart nightly from the Historic District and range from family-friendly walking tours to adults-only pub crawls.
For a full breakdown of every ghost tour operator in Savannah, see our guide to Savannah’s best haunted tours.
4. Explore River Street
River Street is a 9-block waterfront strip along the Savannah River, built into the bluffs on which the original city was founded. The street-level buildings were 19th-century cotton warehouses — today they house restaurants, bars, galleries, fudge shops, and live music venues. The elevated Factors Walk above provides a second tier of shops connected by iron footbridges.
Best for: Evening walks, people-watching, live music (multiple bars with live acts from 9 p.m. on weekends), and watching container ships pass at close range on the river.
5. Tour the Mercer Williams House
The Mercer Williams House is the most famous residence in Savannah — an 1860 Italianate mansion on Monterey Square that became the setting for one of American literature’s most celebrated true crime stories. Guided 30-minute tours cover the history of the house, the Mercer family, and the events chronicled in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Tours run Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and cost $12.50 per person.
6. Eat at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room has served family-style Southern lunch at communal tables since 1943. For $25 per person, you get unlimited servings of fried chicken, biscuits, collard greens, black-eyed peas, sweet potato soufflé, squash casserole, and banana pudding — all passed family-style at tables shared with fellow diners. It’s cash-only and seats are first-come, first-served starting at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Southern Living named Mrs. Wilkes one of the 100 best restaurants in the South. The line outside on weekday mornings is a Savannah institution in itself.
7. Wormsloe Historic Site
The entrance road to Wormsloe is the most photographed sight in Georgia — 1.5 miles of 400 live oak trees forming a tunnel of Spanish moss and branches over a straight dirt road. Beyond the famous avenue, the site contains tabby ruins of Noble Jones’s 18th-century fortified estate and a living history area where costumed interpreters demonstrate colonial crafts. Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6–17.
8. Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Lafayette Square is one of the finest Gothic Revival interiors in the American South — painted ceilings, rose windows, Italian marble floors, and stained glass panels lit by natural light. Built in 1873 and restored after an 1898 fire, the cathedral is open to visitors daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at no charge. Photography is permitted outside of Mass times.
9. Explore SCAD — Savannah College of Art and Design
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has transformed dozens of historic buildings across the city into art galleries, performance spaces, and studios open to the public. The SCAD Museum of Art (601 Turner Blvd) is Savannah’s finest art museum — its permanent collection spans contemporary African, African American, and European art. Admission is $10 for adults, free for students and children under 5.
10. Day Trip to Tybee Island
Tybee Island is Savannah’s beach — 18 miles east of the Historic District on the Atlantic coast. The island has 5 miles of beach, a historic 1867 lighthouse, and a laid-back barrier island atmosphere completely different from the city. The drive takes 30 minutes, and parking is $3–$4 per hour at the main beach lots.
Best for: Families, anyone visiting in spring or fall when the beach is warm but crowds are lighter than peak summer.
11. Take a Dolphin Tour on the Savannah River
Savannah is home to one of the largest populations of bottlenose dolphins on the East Coast. Several boat tour operators offer 90-minute dolphin watching cruises from River Street and the City Marina, most departing daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets range from $25–$35 per adult. Dolphin sightings are virtually guaranteed from May through October.
12. Savannah Food and Wine Festival (November)
The Savannah Food and Wine Festival in November is the city’s largest culinary event — five days of tastings, cooking demonstrations, and dinners hosted by James Beard Award-winning chefs and local restaurateurs. Tickets range from $60 for individual tasting events to $250+ for headline dinners. The festival draws visitors from across the Southeast and sells out most events weeks in advance.
Best Things to Do in Savannah: Quick Reference
| Activity | Cost | Time Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Squares Walk | Free | 1–3 hours | Everyone |
| Bonaventure Cemetery | Free | 60–90 min | History, photography |
| Ghost Tour | $20–$35 | 90 min–2 hrs | Adults, couples |
| River Street | Free | 1–2 hours | Evening strolls |
| Mercer Williams House | $12.50 | 45 min | History buffs |
| Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room | $25 | 60–90 min | Food lovers |
| Wormsloe | $10 | 90 min–2 hrs | Photography |
| Tybee Island | Free + parking | Half day | Beach, families |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savannah most known for?
Savannah is most known for its 22 historic squares, Spanish moss-draped live oaks, antebellum architecture, and its reputation as one of the most haunted cities in America. It is also famous as the setting of John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and for its thriving Southern food scene.
How many days do you need in Savannah?
Two days is enough for the Historic District highlights — squares, Bonaventure Cemetery, River Street, one museum, and a ghost tour. Three to four days allows for Wormsloe, Tybee Island, SCAD galleries, and a full exploration of every historic square.
Is Savannah walkable?
Yes — Savannah’s Historic District is one of the most walkable downtowns in America. Most major attractions are within a 20-minute walk of each other. The free CAT Dot shuttle also circulates through the Historic District. You’ll need a car or rideshare for Bonaventure Cemetery, Wormsloe, and Tybee Island.
What is the best restaurant in Savannah?
The Grey (109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd), housed in a 1938 Art Deco Greyhound bus terminal, is widely considered Savannah’s finest restaurant and one of the best in the American South. For classic Southern food, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room offers the best value. For a historic atmosphere, The Olde Pink House in a 1771 mansion is the most Savannah experience possible.
