Savannah Squares Historic District Tour
Explore Savannah’s iconic squares, history, and architectural beauty
What to Expect
Experience Savannah’s Historic District through a self-guided walking tour that blends architectural beauty with deeper cultural history. Move through the city’s iconic grid of squares and see how design, commerce, and community shaped Savannah from the 18th century onward.
Walk the cobbled lanes of Factors Walk, pass the Old Savannah Cotton Exchange, and explore the artistic heart of the Telfair museums. Along Bull and Jones Streets, you’ll encounter striking contrasts between elegant mansions, sacred landmarks, and everyday spaces.
Stops include Wright Square, the Owens–Thomas House & Slave Quarters, Davenport House, the Cathedral Basilica, Madison and Monterey Squares, and the green expanse of Forsyth Park.
Thoughtful narration brings forward both well-known and overlooked stories, offering an immersive look at the beauty and complexity woven into Savannah’s past.
Ready to go? Book below or download our app and purchase directly from your phone.
📍 Location: Savannah, GA
🚶♂️ Type: Walking tour
⏱ Duration: Approx. 2 hours (flexible)
✅ Includes: App download, GPS-triggered audio, No expiration
📶 Works Offline: Download ahead of time - no cell service required
🎧 Multiple Languages: English
Get Ready for Your Savannah Self-Guided Tour
Wander through Savannah’s Historic District on a self-guided walking tour that pairs elegant design with the layered realities of the city’s past.
Beneath the canopy of live oaks and along its famously ordered streets, you’ll discover how Savannah’s 18th-century plan shaped not just its beauty, but its identity.
Rather than lingering on surface charm alone, this walk reveals how Savannah’s homes, squares, and sacred spaces were shaped by ambition, inequality, endurance, and preservation.
From colonial foundations and the cotton economy to modern efforts to protect the city’s character, the tour brings forward stories that complicate and enrich the familiar scenery.
Explored at your own pace, Savannah unfolds as more than a picturesque backdrop.
Each stop offers insight into how architecture, memory, and community intersect—inviting you to see the city not just as it appears, but as it has been lived, challenged, and reimagined.
What You’ll See on Your Savannah Walking Tour
Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
Completed in the late 19th century, this soaring neo-Gothic cathedral commands attention with its twin spires, vivid stained glass, and richly detailed interior. Rebuilt after a 1898 fire, it stands as a testament to Savannah’s faith, artistry, and perseverance.
Chippewa Square
Famous for its pop-culture cameo, this historic square is also a peaceful retreat shaded by mature oaks. Its open lawns and surrounding architecture offer a glimpse into Savannah’s original urban vision.
Colonial Park Cemetery
Established in the 18th century, this atmospheric burial ground holds generations of Savannah’s early residents. Weathered markers and winding paths evoke the city’s colonial era and its many untold stories.
Davenport House Museum
This restored Federal-style residence illustrates life in Savannah during the early 1800s. Inside, period furnishings and interpretation reveal both refinement and the social structures that sustained it.
Factors Walk
Running beneath River Street, this elevated walkway passes former cotton warehouses and merchant offices. Its brick paths and hidden alleys speak to Savannah’s role in global trade and its complicated economic past.
First African Baptist Church
One of the nation’s oldest African American congregations, this church has long been a center of worship, resistance, and community leadership. Its history reflects endurance through enslavement, emancipation, and beyond.
Forsyth Park
Anchoring the southern end of the historic district, Forsyth Park is known for its iconic fountain and sweeping lawns. Locals and visitors alike gather here to enjoy Savannah’s relaxed outdoor rhythm.
Green–Meldrim House
This ornate Gothic Revival mansion once hosted General Sherman during the Civil War. Today, its ironwork, dramatic interiors, and layered history offer insight into antebellum power and wartime transformation.
Jepson Center for the Arts
A striking contemporary structure, the Jepson Center showcases modern art, photography, and design. Its clean lines provide a sharp and intentional contrast to Savannah’s historic streetscape.
Johnson Square
Savannah’s earliest square remains a civic focal point, framed by monuments and fountains. Laid out in 1733, it reflects the city’s enduring commitment to public space and order.
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
This elegant home introduces the life of the Girl Scouts’ founder and her ties to Savannah society. Tours explore Victorian domestic life alongside Low’s groundbreaking legacy.
Madison Square
Quiet and refined, Madison Square is surrounded by historic residences and shaded walkways. It’s an inviting place to pause and absorb Savannah’s architectural continuity.
Mercer–Williams House Museum
Known for its cultural notoriety, this grand home reveals layers of art, personality, and intrigue. Guided visits explore both its design and the stories that brought it lasting fame.
Monterey Square
Centered around a Civil War monument, this mid-19th-century square is framed by stately homes and towering oaks. Its symmetry and calm atmosphere make it a local favorite.
Owens–Thomas House & Slave Quarters
An architectural landmark of Regency style, this home also preserves one of the most intact urban slave quarters in the South. Together, they offer an unflinching look at wealth, labor, and inequality in Savannah’s past.
Savannah Theatre
Operating since the early 1800s, this historic theater continues to host live performances. Its ornate interior and long stage history reflect Savannah’s enduring cultural life.
Telfair Academy
Part of the Telfair Museums, this former mansion houses fine art in an elegant setting. The galleries blend American and European works within a beautifully preserved structure.
Temple Mickve Israel
Founded in the colonial era, this synagogue stands as a symbol of religious diversity and continuity. Its Gothic design and stained glass reflect centuries of Jewish life in Savannah.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum / William Scarbrough House
Once home to a prominent shipping magnate, this refined residence now explores Savannah’s maritime history. Ship models and exhibits connect the city to its seafaring roots.
Wright Square
Among Savannah’s original squares, Wright Square is shaded and contemplative, marked by memorials and early colonial history. It remains one of the district’s most quietly evocative spaces.
Jones Street
Celebrated for its understated elegance, Jones Street features brick sidewalks, historic row houses, and graceful ironwork. A walk here captures Savannah’s timeless residential charm.
Georgia State Railroad Museum
Located in a former rail complex, this museum displays restored locomotives and railcars. It highlights how transportation helped shape Savannah’s industrial and economic growth.
Massie Heritage Center
Focused on Savannah’s western wards, this museum preserves neighborhood histories through photographs and artifacts. Its exhibits emphasize education, civil rights, and local resilience.
Meeting Point
Your Savannah walking tour begins at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza.
Rousakis Riverfront Plaza is just across the street from 117 E River Street. When you arrive, open the Drives & Detours app and tap "Start Tour".
FAQs About Our Savannah Walking Tour
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Entrance to the Davenport House Museum costs the following:
Adults: $15
Students (18–21): $12
Children (6–17): $10
Children (5 and Under): Free
Seniors (With ID): $13.50
Military (With ID): $13.50
Historic Savannah Foundation Members: Free
Visit the Davenport House Museum website for more information.
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Entrance to the Green–Meldrim House costs the following:
Adults: $15
Seniors (65+): $13.50
Students (7+): $12
Children (Under 7): Free
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Entrance to the Jepson Center for the Arts is included in the Telfair Museums 3-Site Admission, which includes admission to the Telfair Academy and Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. Admission costs the following:
Adult: $30.00
Senior (65+): $27.00
Active Military (With ID): $27.00
Student (13–25, With ID): $20.00
Children (6–12): $10.00
Children (5 and Under): Free
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Entrance to the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace costs the following:
Adults (18+): $15
Senior Citizens (65+): $12
Students (5–21): $12
Military (With ID): $12
Children (Under 5): Free
Girl Scout Student (5–17): $10
Girl Scout Adult (18+): $10
Visit the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace website for more information.
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Entrance to the Mercer–Williams House Museum costs the following:
Adult: $14.95
Students and Active Military (With ID): $12.00
Children (6 and Under): Free
Visit the Mercer–Williams House Museum website for more information.
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Entrance to the Owens–Thomas House & Slave Quarters is included in the Telfair Museums 3-Site Admission, which includes admission to the Telfair Academy and Jepson Center for the Arts. Admission costs the following:
Adult: $30.00
Senior (65+): $27.00
Active Military (With ID): $27.00
Student (13–25, With ID): $20.00
Children (6–12): $10.00
Children (5 and Under): Free
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Entrance to the Telfair Academy is included in the Telfair Museums 3-Site Admission, which includes admission to the Jepson Center for the Arts and Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. Admission costs the following:
Adult: $30.00
Senior (65+): $27.00
Active Military (With ID): $27.00
Student (13–25, With ID): $20.00
Children (6–12): $10.00
Children (5 and Under): Free
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Tickets to the Savannah Theatre cost the following:
Adults: $47 + tax
Youth (17 and Under): $24 + tax
Adults (Premium Seating): $54 + tax
Active Military and Dependents: Free (call for details)
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Entrance to the Temple Mickve Israel costs the following:
Adults: $14.00
Children (Under 12): $5.00
Visit the Temple Mickve Israel website for more information.
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Entrance to the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum costs the following:
Adult: $17.50
Student (High School, or College With ID): $14.50
Senior (65+): $14.50
Military (Past or Present): $14.50
Child (5 and Under): Free
Family (up to 2 Adults and Three Children Under 18): $48.00
Visit the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum website for more information.
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Entrance to the Georgia State Railroad Museum costs the following:
Adult: $20
Child (3–12): $14
Visit the Ships of the Georgia State Railroad Museum website for more information.
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Entrance to the Massie Heritage Center costs the following:
Adult: $10
Senior: $8
Active Military: $8
Youth (5–17): $6
Family (up to 4 Guests): $25
Friends of Massie Members (With Card): Free
Georgia Educators (With ID): Free
Visit the Massie Heritage Center website for more information.
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Tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s within 24 hours or you had an issue during your tour, email support@drivesanddetours.com. We review all requests individually and will always do our best to make things right.
Our goal is to ensure every traveler has a great experience exploring with Drives & Detours.
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Drives & Detours self-guided tour of the Savannah Historic District covers about 2 miles and takes 90–120 minutes at a relaxed pace.
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Yes, downloading the Drives & Detours app will give you full access to the tour you have purchased, as well as many other self-guided tours.
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Download the tour before you go. Some areas have poor signal, which can make downloading the tour difficult. Once the tour is downloaded, it will work without any cell signal
The tour audio plays automatically as you approach each stop
Want to see more? Tap “View Stop” to see photos and bonus content
To return to the map, tap the small down arrow between the “previous” and “next” buttons
Follow the blue line and audio directions to stay on route
Use audio controls to pause, rewind, or skip—just like a podcast
Safety first: Keep your eyes on the road or sidewalk, follow traffic laws, and stay aware of your surroundings
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No—download your Savannah tour before you go, and you won't need a cell signal. Drives & Detours’ tours work without any cell signal once they are downloaded to your device.
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Once you have purchased your Savannah walking tour from Drives & Detours, you can use it whenever you want. You can always take the tour another day if the weather is bad on the day you plan to take it.
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Unfortunately, Dives & Detours cannot guarantee that the Savannah self-guided tour is accessible. People with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility impairments are very welcome, but we recommend checking the Visit Savannah website for detailed information.
Pro Tips for Your Drives & Detours Savannah Self-Guided Tour
Download before you go.
Enable location services—GPS triggers the audio.
Use earbuds, headphones, or your car speakers.
Pause and resume anytime. If you take a break, just reopen the app and head back toward your last stop.
Lost your way? Tap any pin on the map, then tap the right-turn-arrow icon to open your default maps app for turn-by-turn directions to that spot.
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