Things to Do in Savannah: What’s Worth Your Time

Savannah offers you plenty of things to do whether you’re interested in history, architecture, museums, food, or shopping. You can walk through historic squares, tour fascinating museums, explore the riverfront, or look for some of the city’s more unusual attractions. Here are the things I’d put on your Savannah list, including a few places you might otherwise miss.

I have visited Savannah, Georgia four times. I would gladly visit again as it is one of my favorite cities in the U.S.A. Historical, gothic and mysterious looking.

Savannah’s River Street

Originally published September 17, 2026— Last updated

River Street is as the name implies right on the Savannah River. This cobblestone street is a hub for activity. There are usually markets on the weekend along the river. Lots of shopping, restaurants and bars are found on the street.

Today you can still walk on the cobblestone streets or take a riverboat cruise. The old cotton warehouses are now boutique shops, art galleries and restaurants.

Georgia Queen River Cruise

You can’t miss the huge Georgia Queen on the River. We decided, on a whim, to take the afternoon cruise and just went to the ticket office to get tickets for that afternoon.

It’s a relaxing way to see the city from a new angle and a great excuse to sit back with a cold drink and let someone else do the navigating.

Some popular cruises include:

• Buffet Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment
• Riverboat Cruise and City Tour
• Sightseeing Lunch Cruises

City Market

Less than a half mile walk from River Street is Savannah’s City Market. This open-air market was originally built in the 1700’s. Today this several block section of the city is home to restaurants, shops, and bars.

Staying true to its roots as a gathering place, City Market is a popular place to listen to live music and for people to hang out.

Originally City Market extended to Barnard Street. Unfortunately, one of the main buildings in City Market was destroyed for a parking garage. Since then the parking garage was relocated below ground and Ellis Square is now adjacent to City Market.

Savannah Squares

Savannah is designed on a grid around 22 city squares. Each square is park like with trees, bushes, flowers, and benches. Some of them have fountains or statues.

Forsyth Park

This beautiful park covers 30 acres and often hosts farmers markets. It is also home to Savannah’s oldest tree- the Candler Oak.

One of the most photographed spots in Savannah, Forsyth park is anchored with a multi-tiered beautiful fountain. The fountain is considered a Beaux-Arts/Neoclassical Design and was inspired by those seen in Paris. The park was donated to the city in the mid 1800’s. We loved walking around the park to see the local market and the pretty houses facing the park.

Where is the Fountain?

The fountain is on the north end of the park. If you’re here just to see the fountain and don’t want the extra steps, the quickest way to see it is from East Gaston Street. There is a sidewalk leading directly to the fountain from there.

If you really want to see the fountain I recommend visiting early on in your trip just in case you have to come back. One time we visited the fountain was drained and we had to visit a few days later to take photos in front of the fountain.

The last time we were in Savannah it took us three trips to the park before we could see the fountain due to rainy weather and a wedding. The Forsyth Park fountain is such a pretty fountain it was worth the extra trips. Water nymphs, tritons, and swans sculptures are at the base of the fountain.

The basketball and tennis courts are on the Park Avenue side of the park. When we visited the local market was in the middle of the park. The playground is near Drayton and East Hall Street.

Dead of Night Ghost Tour

If you’re in Savannah there are lots of ghost tours to choose from. We wanted an adults only tour, so we chose The Dead of Night Tour with Ghost City Tour of Savannah . Our tour guide was an interesting guy and we really enjoyed learning more about the history of Savannah and it’s haunted past. We’ve taken three ghost tours in Savannah and this one was our favorite one so far.

Historic Houses

There are over a hundred historic Savannah houses. Some are open to the public. If you like architecture or exploring historic houses, Savannah is such an interesting place to visit. Many of the houses have tours to give you insight on how daily life was.

Some well-known historic houses include:

• Sorrell-Weed House
• Owens Thomas House & Slave Quarters
• Mercer Williams House
• Olde Pirate House Tavern
• Davenport House Museum

Prohibition Museum

This was a very interesting museum. Lots of interactive exhibits to explain how the prohibition affected every day life, the political implications of it and how it ended. There is even a cool speakeasy at the end of the museum. You can grab a drink and watch a short film on the prohibition.

Jepson Center & Telfair’s Children’s Art Museum

We visited the Owens-Thomas House and as part of our ticket price we could also visit the Telfair Museums, which includes The Academy and the Jepson Center.

If I was not given a ticket to visit the Jepson Center it wasn’t on my list to visit. However, the Jepson Center was such an unexpected fun immersive experience. I wish I could have spent more time there.

Cross Streets: York and Barnard Street. You can walk to the Telfair Academy Museum from here too.

Telfair Academy Museum

The Academy Museum admission is included in the ticket price for the Owens-Thomas House.

If you want to see the famous ‘Bird Girl’ statue featured in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil you can no longer see the statue at the Bonaventure Cemetery. You can view the statue as well as many other pieces of art at the Telfair Academy Museum.

Cross Streets: Barnard & State Street

Bonaventure Cemetery

Visit for the history and architecture. Explore Savannah’s Bonaventure Cemetery, known for its elaborate graves, historic monuments, and winding paths beneath towering live oaks.

Wormsloe Historic Park

Walk the oak-lined avenue, explore the historic site, and learn about life on Wormsloe’s former colonial estate through exhibits and trails. One of the best choices if you want an atmospheric historic site outside downtown.

Where to Next? Savannah Guides