Savannah Historic District
Oak trees draped in Spanish moss shade 22 garden squares in Georgia’s oldest city.
Savannah guide: the historic squares, Forsyth Park, River Street, Bonaventure Cemetery, historic houses, ghost tours, food and tips for walking the city.
Savannah: what to expect
Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, Savannah was laid out on a grid around public squares, and 22 of them survive today, each shaded by live oaks hung with Spanish moss. The plan makes the historic district one of the most walkable in the country and one of the largest protected historic districts in the United States.
At the southern end, Forsyth Park is crowned by a white fountain from 1858, and side streets are lined with antebellum mansions, many open for tours, such as the Owens-Thomas House and the Mercer-Williams House. Down by the river, cobbled River Street runs along old cotton warehouses that now hold shops and restaurants.
A short drive east, Bonaventure Cemetery is a haunting landscape of moss-covered oaks and old tombs. Savannah is also known for its ghost tours and for letting people walk with a drink in a to-go cup inside the historic district.
Southern cooking is a highlight: shrimp and grits, fried chicken and pralines from shops on River Street.
Savannah: top things to do
- 1A slow walk through the historic squares
- 2The fountain in Forsyth Park
- 3Bonaventure Cemetery under the oaks
- 4River Street at sunset
Savannah: best time to visit
March–May and October–November; summer is hot and humid.
Savannah: insider tips
- Park once and explore on foot or by the free DOT shuttle.
- Book a historic house tour or a guided walk to learn the stories behind the squares.
- Bring insect repellent for evenings near the river and in the cemetery.
Fees, passes and parking
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Entrance | Free |
- Federal park passes such as America the Beautiful are not valid here.
- Downtown parking is expensive and hard to find; book a garage in advance with a parking app or leave the car at the hotel.
Gas and fast charging nearby
139 gas stations within 20 km
- 0.6 km BP
- 0.6 km Parkers Gas Station open 24 hours
- 0.7 km Gas station
- 0.7 km Chevron open 24 hours
- 1.0 km Parker's
- 1.1 km Enmark
- 6.2 km Tesla Supercharger Fast chargers (Supercharger)
- 9.8 km EV charging station Fast chargers
- 10.2 km Georgia Power Fast chargers (Georgia Power)
- 10.6 km Mercedes-Benz Fast chargers (Mercedes-Benz)
OpenStreetMap data, Oct 28, 2026.
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