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Savannah Historic Homes & House Tours

Savannah has an unusually large number and variety of historic house museums for a city of its size. Most of them date from the early to mid 19th century and are restored to reflect that period.

Savannah’s historic homes can offer a closer look at the lives of its (mostly white and wealthy) residents in times past, an appreciation of the architecture and furnishings of a particular period, or even just something to do on a rainy day.

In the majority of these houses, guided tours only are available, though the gardens (where applicable) can be toured at your own pace. Allow about an hour or so for your visit to any of the homes.

See also: – Savannah’s must-see sights – Savannah’s events by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December – More attractions and things to do – Museums in Savannah – River Street

Andrew Low House

329 Abercorn Street. Official website

The Andrew Low House was built for one of Savannah’s wealthiest businessmen, the Scottish-born cotton factor Andrew Low. It was built in 1848-1849, the architect believed to be John S Norris.

The house is also associated with Juliette Gordon Low and the Girl Scouts story: Gordon Low lived here after her marriage to Andrew Low’s son William Mackay Low. Though they later divorced, Gordon Low remained in the house until her death; the adjacent carriage house served as the first meeting place for the Girl Scouts organization, which she founded in 1912.

The house (today owned by the Colonial Dames of Georgia) has numerous restored rooms showing how life would have been for a wealthy Savannah family in the 19th century, including a children’s playroom and, more unusually, one of the earliest indoor bathrooms.

The Andrew Low House also has one of the few surviving original gardens created in 19th-century Savannah. The design of the gardens dates from the mid century, shortly after the completion of the house.

→ See current hours and admission for the Andrew Low House

Davenport House

324 East State Street. Official website

The Davenport House Museum is one of the oldest of Savannah’s historic houses open to the public. It is also significant as one of the first major successes of the historic preservation movement in Savannah.

New England builder and architect Isaiah Davenport built this house for his family from around 1820, completing it a year or so later. A large and distinctive red brick structure, it is designed in the Federal style, popular from the last decades of the 18th century.

The Historic Savannah Foundation saved the house from destruction in the mid 20th century. Once serving as their headquarters, it opened as a museum in 1963. The house is restored to its appearance in the 1820s; the gardens have also been redeveloped.

Tours explore the life and household management of a thriving Savannah family in that period, and outline the strategies and achievements of the projects undertaken in Savannah over the past several decades to preserve the city’s historic heritage.

The Davenport House also offers several annual special events, some seasonal and others focusing on aspects of Savannah’s history and preservation. See upcoming events

→ See current hours and admission for the Davenport House Museum

Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home

207 East Charlton Street. Official website

This house is the former residence of Flannery O’Connor, one of the South’s most celebrated authors. O’Connor’s literary reputation rests on her four works – two novels, Wise Blood and The Violent Bear It Away , and two collections of short stories, A Good Man Is Hard To Find and Everything That Rises Must Converge , the latter published posthumously – bizarre and highly religiously-inflected works that drew upon her intense and lifelong engagement with Catholicism.

O’Connor lived in the house until the age of 13 (a third of her short life), after which her family moved to Atlanta. After traveling north for her education, O’Connor spent much of her remaining time on her mother’s Milledgeville, GA farm. She died aged 39, of lupus.

The Flannery O’Connor childhood home is one of Savannah’s more unique historic house museums. It is the only house museum that depicts life as it would have been during the Great Depression of the early 20th century. It also provides an insight into life for a more modest middle class family, in contrast to the homes of Savannah’s elite.

→ See current hours for the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home

Green-Meldrim House

14 West Macon Street. Official website

Amongst Savannah’s most popular historic houses is the Green-Meldrim House, on the west side of Madison Square. From this house, General William Sherman wrote his historic telegram presenting the City of Savannah to President Lincoln as a “Christmas present.” It is currently owned by the adjacent St John’s Episcopal Church.

The house was built for English merchant and one of the wealthiest businessman in Savannah, Charles Green, in the early 1850s, at that time one of the grandest houses in the city and reputedly, the single most expensive ever built to that date. It was designed by John S Norris, and is considered an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture.

Charles Green famously offered the use of his house to General Sherman during the Union army’s occupation of Savannah around the winter of 1864. Some said this was a gesture intended to spare his southern fellow-citizens the indignity of hosting the enemy. Others thought Green was motivated by the hope that the invading forces would not burn his fine new house, though he needn’t have worried: Sherman spared Savannah.

→ See current hours and admission for the Green-Meldrim House

Harper-Fowlkes House

230 Barnard Street. Official website

The Harper-Fowlkes House, a striking Greek Revival home on Savannah’s Orleans Square, was once owned by the influential Champion and McAlpin families. It stands today as testament to the preservation work of Alida Harper-Fowlkes.

The house was designed by Charles Cluskey in the Greek Revival style, constructed in 1842. The Harper-Fowlkes House is the last remaining of the large homes that once graced the formerly-fashionable Orleans Square, its imposing double-story columns a hint of the square’s lost grandeur.

The Harper-Fowlkes House was owned by various members of the Champion and McAlpin familes for much of its first century. Alida Harper (Alida Harper-Fowlkes after her marriage) bought the property in 1939. Though she was never very active in Savannah’s leading preservationist organization, the Historic Savannah Foundation, Harper became an influential force in the restoration of Savannah’s old houses and neighborhoods.

Harper substantially restored the historic Orleans Square home, later deeding it to the Society of the Cincinnati with the proviso that it would never be sold (the house is currently managed by the Coastal Heritage Society). Tours discuss the home’s architecture, artworks and antiques and Harper’s own preservation work.

→ See current hours and admission for the Harper-Fowlkes House

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

10 East Oglethorpe Avenue. Official website

Juliette Gordon Low is known nationwide as the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. The Birthplace, or Wayne-Gordon House as it is otherwise called, was her childhood home. It is one of Savannah’s key cultural sites.

Juliette Magill Gordon was born in 1860. The house, built around 1820 for the recent mayor of Savannah and later Supreme Court Justice James Moore Wayne, was bought from him by her grandfather, politician and railroad man William Washington Gordon I. Its design is attributed to William Jay.

Juliette Gordon Low (as she became known after her marriage to William Mackay Low in the 1880s) founded the Girl Scouts in 1912, inspired by the Boy Scouting/Girl Guiding organizations she had learned of during her travels in Britain.

The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is both a museum of the Girl Scouts organization and a historic home. It is restored to reflect the life of an upper class southern family in the late 19th century, also displaying many artifacts from Low’s life and the history of Girl Scouting.

→ See current hours and admission for the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

King-Tisdell Cottage

514 East Huntington Street. Official website

The King-Tisdell Cottage is a rare example of a visitable Savannah historic home formerly owned by and depicting the lives of the city’s African-American citizens.

The house was originally built in 1896 for the white woodmill owner WW Aimar, constructed in the delightful ‘gingerbread’ style then popular. The King-Tisdell Cottage is a beautiful example of this late-19th century architectural trend, characterized by the intricate, ornate woodword employed as decoration of the porches and other outer features of a dwelling.

In 1925, the house was bought by a young African-American couple, Eugene and Sarah King, both of them representative of the Black entrepreneurship that often thrived in early 20th-century Savannah. Eugene King was the owner of a laundry business; Sarah King would operate her own confectionery out of their home, then located at 516 Ott Street, out in Savannah’s southern addition.

More of a museum in a historic house than a historic house museum, its exhibits include: the experiences of enslavement and emancipation and of Black entrepreneurship in the city; the Gullah-Geechee culture of the sea islands and coast; the life of museum founder and Civil Rights activist WW Law; and the stories of the home’s former owners.

→ See current hours and admission for the King-Tisdell Cottage

Mercer-Williams House

429 Bull Street. Official website

The Mercer-Williams House, former residence of the preservationist and antiques dealer Jim Williams, is undoubtedly the most widely-known of Savannah’s historic homes.

The early history of the house was largely unremarkable. John S Norris designed the home in 1860, for Hugh Weedon Mercer. War interfered with its construction, however, and it was not completed until 1868, by which time Mercer had sold it to John Wilder.

In 1969, Williams bought the house, restoring the property and redesigning the interiors according to his own tastes and interests.

Always a controversial figure, Jim Williams became a notorious one when he shot and killed his lover in the old Mercer House. Soon after, the man, the events and the home would all be immortalized in John Berendt’s international best-seller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil , also made into a movie.

Tours of the Mercer-Williams House focus on the architecture and restoration of the house; Williams’s legacy as a historical preservationist; and the remaining antiques (most of the antiques with which Williams filled the house have now been sold). Discussion of both the shooting and “The Book” is minimal.

→ See current hours and admission for the Mercer-Williams House

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

124 Abercorn Street. Official website

The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is one of Savannah’s most outstanding antebellum houses, and also one of its most completely preserved. Enslaved people’s quarters and English-style parterre gardens can be seen, besides the architecture and antiques of the main house itself.

The Owens-Thomas House dates from the 1810s, built for wealthy cotton merchant and banker Richard Richardson and his family. It was William Jay’s first Savannah commission: Jay is one of the most notable architects to have worked in the city, and the Owens-Thomas House is considered his finest work.

The house was completed in 1819, but tragedy soon struck. By 1822, Richardson’s wife Frances and two of their children were dead, and Richardson had lost their home, ruined by a recession and bad investments.

→ See current hours and admission for the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

Savannah House Tours & Garden Tours

Several annual tours of private houses, gardens and other architecturally distinguished buildings, many of which are not usually open to the public, are conducted in Savannah.

In spring are the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens (recently suspended on account of the pandemic) and the North of Gaston Street Tour of Hidden Gardens .

Other home tours in Savannah and nearby include the winter Holiday Tour of Homes and Inns , and prior to the pandemic the Tybee Island Tour of Homes and the St Vincent’s Academy Fall Tour of Homes.

More Things To Do In Savannah & Nearby

– Guided tours of Savannah – Black history sites in Savannah – Kayak tours near Savannah – Boat tours from Savannah and nearby – Savannah museums – Beaches near Savannah – Art galleries in Savannah – Savannah events – Georgia food festivals – Hilton Head Island events – Ossabaw Island tours – Sapelo Island tours

© Melanie K Jones 2024

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This Is My South

A travel guide to the Southern USA

11 Historic Homes in Savannah You Can Actually Visit

February 10, 2020 By Caroline Eubanks Leave a Comment

Savannah , Georgia has one of the nation’s most carefully preserved historic districts. And it wouldn’t have been possible without some forward-thinking residents who saved historic homes from being bulldozed in the 1960s.

Some historic homes are managed independently while others are handled by the Historic Savannah Foundation . Like in Charleston , you can now visit many of these homes, which have been turned into museums, inns, and even restaurants.

Additional private homes are open on seasonal tours of homes. Visit Savannah has great information on historic homes.

A Note On Plantations:  These homes have a dark history that shouldn’t be ignored. Only you can decide whether this is something you’re interested in doing. Read  this post  for more perspectives on both sides of the debate.

This post contains affiliate links.

Savannah House Tours and Tickets

Each of these homes has its own ticketing process, but you can also purchase combination tickets to see more than one. For example, Old Town Trolley Tours has a package that includes admission to the Davenport House and the Andrew Low House. The Owens-Thomas House can be visited in conjunction with the Telfair Museums.

Historic Savannah House Museums

Harper-fowlkes house.

The Harper Fowlkes House is a Greek Revival historic home dating back to 1842. It was saved by preservationist Alida Harper Fowlkes, who bequeathed it to the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Georgia in 1985.

The home is known for its antiques, with items like 19th-century china, early portraiture from colonial Georgia , and Rococo sculptures. Fowlkes was herself an antiques dealer. The gardens are also stunning.

They operate tours on Monday and Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. They also allow you to make appointments. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for students, and free for those under 12. The Harper Fowlkes House is located at 230 Barnard Street, near Orleans Square.

Davenport House

The Davenport House Museum was one of Savannah ‘s first historic house museums and the Historic Savannah Foundation was created solely to save it from demolition. Built in 1820, the two-and-a-half-story brick structure was the home of Isaiah Davenport, his family, and his slaves.

In 1955, the home was nearly demolished to make room for a parking lot. The gardens have been partially restored to feature the plants of coastal Georgia that would have existed during the Davenports’ time.

Tours run Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. They last around 40 minutes and the garden is self-guided. It’s also a popular stop for a Savannah ghost tour .

Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for children, and free for those under 6. The house is located at 324 E. State Street, near Columbia Square.

Andrew Low House

The Andrew Low House was built in 1848 in the Italianate style for the self-made Scottish immigrant. He became Savannah’s wealthiest citizen through the cotton trade. Over the years, his lavish home hosted Robert E. Lee and the Earl of Roxbury.

The house was owned by his descendants until the death of his daughter-in-law, Juliette Gordon Low, who had a house nearby. The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia purchased it in 1928 and it opened to the public in 1950.

Tours are offered on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 to 4 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, AAA and AARP members, and Girl Scouts, and free for active military. The Andrew Low House is located at 329 Abercorn Street, around the corner from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Visit on the Garden & Historic Homes Tour , which stops by the Low, Mercer, and Green Houses.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace was the home of the founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low. She was born at the home in 1860 and lived here for most of her life growing up. She returned later in life when her husband died.

In 1912, she got the idea of the Girl Scouts of America here. Girl Scout troops from all over the world visit the home, which includes much of the house’s original furnishings. In 1953, the home was purchased by the GSA to operate as a museum. Exhibits include early uniforms from the troops.

Tours run around 40 minutes and cover Low’s life and areas of the home. Tickets are $12 for adults, seniors, students, and military, $10 for Girl Scouts, and free for children under 4.

Tours run every Monday to Saturday but tour times vary. The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is located at 10 East Oglethorpe Avenue, south of Wright Square.

Mercer-Williams House

The Mercer-Williams House was built in the Italianate style in the 1860s for General Hugh W. Mercer, the great-grandfather of acclaimed songwriter Johnny Mercer. But a few years later, it was sold to John Wilder.

In 1969, the most famous owner, Jim Williams bought the property. It was here that Williams murdered Danny Hansford, featured in “The Book” Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil . Williams painstakingly restored the home and furnished it with antiques he’d collected over the years.

The house then passed to his sister Dorothy Kingery, who continues to live in the home and support restoration efforts. Tours operate from around 10:30 am to 4:10 pm Monday to Saturday and 12 to 4 pm on Sunday.

Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $8 for students. The Mercer-Williams House is located at 429 Bull Street, right on Monterey Square.

Visit on the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Walking Tour of Savannah , which discusses the importance of the home in the book and subsequent movie.

Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home

Acclaimed author Flannery O’Connor lived in Savannah from 1925 to 1938 when she moved to Milledgeville . The  Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home  now operates as a museum on her life after her cousin, and neighbor, Katie later purchased the home.

It’s been restored to how it would have looked when the family lived here thanks to generous contributions from director Jerry Bruckheimer. The home also hosts lectures including past talks by authors Pat Conroy and Roxane Gay.

The home is open for tours Monday to Wednesday and Thursday to Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. Guided tours last 30 minutes and are $8 for adults, $6 for students and military, and free for children under 12. The Flannery O’Connor Home is located at 207 E Charlton Street, near Troup Square.

Green Meldrim House

The Green Meldrim House was built in the 1850s in the Gothic Revival style for English cotton merchant Charles Green. In 1864, Mr. Green invited General Sherman to use the home as Union headquarters during the occupation of Savannah during the Civil War.

It was passed to Green’s son in 1881 and in 1892, the house was purchased by Judge Peter W. Meldrim. His family continued to own it until 1943 when the Green Meldrim House to the neighboring St. John’s Episcopal Church. It now operates as their Parish House.

Tours are operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The Green Meldrim House is located at 14 W Macon Street, right on Madison Square.

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

The Owens-Thomas House was built in 1816 in the Regency style for merchant Richard Richardson and his family and slaves. The family suffered financially and sold it.

In 1824, Mary Maxwell operated it as a boarding house. It’s most well known for being where the Marquis de Lafayette gave a speech to the locals during his stay.

By 1830, it was the home of Mayor George Welshman Owens and later, granddaughter Margaret Gray Thomas. It became a museum in 1954.

It had the first indoor plumbing in the country, created by architect William Jay, who went on to create homes in Charleston and his native England.

Tours are offered from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday to Monday from 12 to 5 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $15 for students, and $5 for children.

The 45-minute tours visit the carriage house, slave quarters, and cellar. The Owens-Thomas House is located at 124 Abercorn Street, on Oglethorpe Square.

Visit the home with the combination Owens Thomas House & Slave Quarters and Telfair Museums Ticket .

Scarbrough House at The Ships of the Sea Museum

The Scarbrough House was built in 1819 for William Scarbrough, the owner of the steamship Savannah , the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Built in the Greek Revival style, it is one of the earliest examples of this type of architecture in the South.

In 1820, Scarbrough was in great debt and his house and furnishings were sold to a relative. By 1878, it became a school for African American children and continued until 1962. It was abandoned for a time before being restored by the Savannah Historic Foundation.

In 1995, it was acquired by the Ships of the Sea Museum and completely restored, including the portico and garden. Today the museum has pieces like models of the Wanderer and Titanic as well as maritime antiques.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for students, seniors, military, and AAA members. Children under 5 are free.

The Scarbrough House at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is located at 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just a few blocks from River Street.

Visit the William Scarbrough House with the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum Self-Guided Tour .

Sorrel-Weed House

The Sorrel-Weed House was built for French Haitian merchant Francis Sorrel in the 1830s in the Greek Revival style. The site was where the Battle of Savannah took place in 1779. The Sorrel family lived there through the Civil War and even hosted Robert E. Lee.

Local businessman Henry D. Weed purchased the house in 1862 and it remained in his family until 1914. The home opened to the public in 1940 and features antebellum antiques. It’s also been featured on the show Ghost Hunters for its dark history.

Architecture and ghost tours are offered daily, lasting sixty minutes, and vary based on the tour type. Tours are $10 for adults and $6 for children. The Sorrel-Weed House is located at 6 W Harris Street, north of Madison Square.

Telfair Academy

The Telfair Academy was built in 1819 as a Neoclassical mansion from architect William Jay, who worked on many Savannah homes. Alexander Telfair lived here until passing it on to his sister Mary, who turned it into an art museum.

Opened in 1886, it’s the oldest public art museum in the South and the first museum in the United States founded by a woman. The collection includes American and European works from the Telfair family. The most well-known piece is the Bird Girl, which graced the cover of  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil . 

Tours are offered from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday to Monday from 12 to 5 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $15 for students, and $5 for children. Telfair Academy is located at 121 Barnard Street, south of namesake Telfair Square.

Historic Savannah Restaurants

Some of Savannah’s historic homes and buildings have taken on a new life as restaurants.

The Pirate’s House

The Pirate’s House was built around 1753 on the site of the Trustee’s Garden, an early agricultural project. The building itself is said to be one of the oldest standing structures in the state and the oldest continuously operating restaurant.

It became a tavern and boarding house, hosting seafaring pirates and even Robert Louis Stevenson stayed here while working on  Treasure Island . 

The building fell into disrepair but was saved in 1945 by Mary Hillyer, wife of the Savannah Gas Company owner. In 1953, it opened as a tea room.

Today the popular restaurant has some of the best fried chicken anywhere, not to mention a stellar Southern food buffet. The Pirate’s House is located at 20 East Broad Street, right off River Street.

The Olde Pink House

The Olde Pink House is one of the most well-known restaurants in Savannah, set in a Colonial mansion. It was built in 1771 as the Habersham House for James Habersham Jr., who lived here until 1800. It later operated as a bank and then Union headquarters during the Civil War.

Preservationist Alida Harper Fowlkes not only restored ten homes but also operated The Georgian Tea Room in the basement of the Pink House in 1929.

In 1992, it became a restaurant serving traditional Southern food. The Olde Pink House is located at 23 Abercorn Street, right on Reynolds Square.

Historic Savannah Inns and Bed and Breakfasts

Many of these formerly private homes now operate as Savannah’s historic inns and bed and breakfasts .

The Hamilton-Turner Inn was built in 1873 for businessman Samuel Pugh Hamilton near Lafayette Square. In 1915, it was sold to Dr. Francis Turner and in the 1960s it was saved from demolition. Today the home has 17 rooms with clawfoot tubs.

Kehoe House, Historic Inns of Savannah Collection near Columbia Square is one of Savannah’s finest properties. Built in 1892 for William Kehoe, it was also saved from demolition before becoming an inn in 1990.

The Alida Hotel is a newly built boutique hotel overlooking River Street, named for Alida Harper Fowlkes. It has trendy rooms, a restaurant, and three bars.

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is the editor of this website, a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel.

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Table of Contents

Savannah’s historical house museums are a treasure that all should experience when they visit Savannah. Below you’ll find our picks for the top house museums in the city.

Your Guide to Visiting the Top Historic House Museums in Savannah Georgia

Owens-Thomas House Museum & Slave Quarters

 Full admission is included with  TourPass Savannah

Built as a beautiful Regency style mansion in 1819, the Owens-Thomas House, along with its adjacent gardens, carriage house, and slave quarters, allows visitors to explore the complicated relationships between the most and least powerful people in the city of Savannah in the early 19th century.

History of the Richardson-Owens-Thomas House

In November 1816, work began on the new home of banker, shipping merchant, and slave trader Richard Richardson and his wife, Frances. The home was designed by English architect (and relative to Richardson by marriage) William Jay, but was constructed by builder John Retan and the team of free and enslaved men in his charge. The site also included a two-sided privy and a building located on the east end of the lot, which was divided into a carriage house and slave quarters.

The Richardsons moved into the home with their six children and nine enslaved men, women, and children in January 1819. Unfortunately for the Richardsons, the next three years saw steady decreases in their prosperity, including the financial Panic of 1819, a yellow fever epidemic, a fire that destroyed half the city, and the death of Frances and two of the children. By 1822, Richardson decided to sell the house and move to Louisiana, where he had family and business interests. He had been shipping enslaved people, mostly children, from Savannah to New Orleans for years.

By 1824, the Bank of the United States owned the house, which they leased to Mary Maxwell as a boarding house. The Marquis de Lafayette was a guest of Mrs. Maxwell when he visited Savannah in March 1825 as part of his whirlwind tour of the United States for the 50th anniversary of the American Revolution.

In 1830, George Welshman Owens, then mayor of Savannah, purchased the property at auction for $10,000. Owens, who was also a lawyer, planter, and politician, moved in with his wife, Sarah, and their six children in 1833. Over the years, Owens kept nine to 15 enslaved people on the property and held almost 400 men, women, and children in bondage on his plantations.

The last Owens descendant to live in the home was George Owens’ granddaughter, Margaret Gray Thomas. When Thomas passed away in 1951 with no direct heirs, she willed the house to the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences to be run as a house museum in honor of her grandfather, George Owens, and her father, Dr. James Gray Thomas. The site opened to the public in 1954.

Carriage House &  Orientation Gallery

The south half of this building originally housed horses and carriages on the first floor with a hay loft on the floor above. Beginning in November 2018, the first level of this building will house our Orientation Gallery. Exhibits in this space help put the story of the site into the larger context of local, regional, and national history. The site of the original hay loft now houses The Loft, a workspace for Telfair’s historical interpreters to study primary documents, examine archaeological artifacts, and research our sites’ history.

Slave Quarters

The north half of the building contains the original slave quarters for the site. This two-story structure was composed of three rooms on each level. Nine to 15 enslaved people, about half of whom were children, lived and worked on the site at any given time between 1819 and the end of the Civil War. Once the war ended, the space became servants’ quarters, housing many of the same people.

Now these these wonderfully preserved spaces offer new interactive exhibits to help visitors understand the day-to-day lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked in the space, as well as the most unique architectural feature of the house, the indoor plumbing.

Green Meldrim House

General William Tecumseh Sherman used the house as headquarters when the Federal army occupied Savannah during the Civil War, upon the invitation of Mr. Green. It was at this time (December, 1864) that General Sherman sent his famous telegram to President Lincoln offering him the City of Savannah as a Christmas gift. In 1976, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior.

Mr. Green was not possessed of great wealth when he arrived in Savannah. He became a cotton merchant and ship owner. By 1850, he had amassed a fortune sufficient to build the most elaborate house in Savannah at a cost of $93,000. According to Green family records, $40,000 of the cost of the building materials including flagstones, laths, planks and bricks, were brought from England as ballast on Mr. Green’s ships. Recent restorations have revealed that the bricks were actually made at a foundry in Macon, GA. The Green-Meldrim House is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture to be found in the South. The house was constructed in the early 1850’s as the residence of Mr. Charles Green, an Englishman who came to Savannah in 1833.

The architect for the house was Mr. John S. Norris of New York. Mr. Norris was in Savannah from 1846–1861 and during that time he designed not only the Green-Meldrim House but also the Custom House and numerous other fine residences. There are many unusual architectural features throughout the house. The front entrance has three sets of doors. The heavy outer double doors fold in and form a small closet on either side of the entrance. Of the other two sets, one has glass panels to give light and the third set is louvered for ventilation.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

  Full admission is included with  TourPass Savannah

The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is offering guided tours exploring the fascinating life and world-changing legacy of Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of the Girls Scouts, through stories, art, and artifacts held in her childhood home. Learn more about what you’ll see on the tour.  Please allow at least an hour for your visit, so you can fully enjoy the tour, garden, and museum store.

A tour of the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace provides an exciting look into the history of our remarkable founder and her home, as well as a glimpse into a movement that is still building girls into strong women of courage, confidence, and character over 100 years later.

During your visit to the Birthplace you will be guided on a journey through the life of Juliette Gordon Low. Original and period furnishings adorn seven spacious rooms with high ceilings. You will see unique architectural features, including elaborately carved millwork, decorative plaster ceilings, and the impressive staircase with its curved mahogany rail. Numerous works of art, including many pieces created by Daisy herself, are on display throughout the house.

You may browse the garden independently before or after your tour. Be sure to look for the monogrammed gates that are believed to be forged in part by Daisy herself.

Before you head back out into beautiful Savannah, you’ll want to visit the shop for great local gifts, items made by girls and women around the world, and Girl Scout merchandise.

Davenport House Museum

The Isaiah Davenport House is one of the best examples of Federal-Style architecture in Savannah. The simple but elegant exterior was constructed of English brick and brownstone and features an ornamental iron railing and handsome double entry stairway.

The interior of the home has been authentically restored and features beautiful woodwork, original plaster-work and a hanging staircase. Filled with furnishings of the period, visitors are able to get a glimpse of what life was like in Savannah in the 1820s.

The Isaiah Davenport House is one of the best examples of Federal-Style architecture in Savannah. The simple but elegant exterior was constructed of English brick and brownstone and features an ornamental iron railing and handsome double entry stairway. The interior of the home has been authentically restored and features beautiful woodwork, original plaster-work and a hanging staircase. Filled with furnishings of the period, visitors are able to get a glimpse of what life was like in Savannah in the 1820s.

A native of Rhode Island, Isaiah Davenport, arrived in Savannah before 1807 after completing his apprentice as a builder. He soon became known as one of Savannah’s most famous and prosperous builders and built a number of brick houses in the late Georgian and Federal styles, all with high basements made necessary by the dusty unpaved streets of Savannah.

Davenport’s heirs sold the Davenport house to planter William E. Baynard in 1840, and remained in the hands of that family until 1955. Unfortunately, the house was a run-down tenement building by the 1930’s and destined for destruction in 1955 to make way for a parking lot. The historic home was saved by seven Savannah society ladies who raised $22,500 to purchase the home. This effort was the first act of the Historic Savannah Foundation, which would be responsible for saving and preserving many of Savannah’s historic sites.

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Andrew Low House Museum

  Full admission is included with TourPass Savannah

The lovely brick Andrew Low House combines Grecian details with elements of the Italian Villa style and boasts one of Savannah’s most stunning ironwork balconies. A shuttered piazza overlooks a beautiful brick-walled garden in the rear of the home. The front garden remains much as it did when first planted, with two hourglass-shaped flowerbeds. Handsome inside as well as the out, the Andrew Low House features spacious rooms decorated with beautiful plaster cornices and carved woodwork.

New York architect, John Norris, designed and built this lovely home in 1848-1849 for Andrew Low, a wealthy cotton factor, who came to Savannah from Scotland when he was only 16 years old. He started working in his uncle’s cotton firm and later became a partner and later director of the Savannah operation. In 1843 he married Sarah Cecil Hunter. Unfortunately, Andrew’s wife and 4-year old son died before the house was complete. Five years later, Andrew married Mary Cowper Stiles, daughter of William Henry Stiles, United States Minister to Austria. During the Civil War, Andrew Low was imprisoned at Fort Warren in Boston harbor on suspicion of collaboration with the Confederacy.

The Andrew Low House was host to several important visitors over the years. One such visitor was English author, William Makepeace Thackery, who visited in 1853 and 1856 while on lecture tours.

Know that I write from the most comfortable quarters I have ever had in the United States. In a tranquil old city, wide stretched, tree-planted, with a few cows and carriages rolling through the sandy road, a red river with a tranquil little fleet of merchant men taking cargo, and tranquil ware-houses barricaded with packs of cotton; a famous good dinner, breakfast, etc. and leisure all morning to think and do and sleep and read as I like. The only place I stay in the United States where I can get these comforts — all free gratis — is in the house of my friend Andrew Low of the great house of A. Low and Co, Cotton Dealers, brokers. William Makepeace Thackery

In 1870, Robert E. Lee, former commander of the Army of Northern Virginia paid a visit to Savannah with his daughter, Agnes. The general left the train to face one of the largest crowds that ever assembled to welcome him. Cheer followed cheer. As soon as the crowd would permit, Lee was driven to the home of General Lawton, at the corner of York and Lincoln Streets. Later in the evening he was taken to the Andrew Low House, where he was to sleep.

The Lowes invited some of Lee’s old comrades to dinner on April 2. General Joseph E. Johnson, General Andrew Lawton and General J. F. Gilmer came to pay their respects. It was the first time Lee had seen Johnson since the war. Before leaving Savannah, Lee paid a visit to Joseph Johnston, who was then living at 105 E. Oglethorpe Avenue. At some point during his stay, Lee and Johnston were photographed together at Ryan’s, a local photography studio in downtown Savannah. The familiar picture shows them, “grizzled, old and feeble,” seated on opposite sides of a small table.

That spot of spots! That place of places!! That city of cities!!! Robert E. Lee to Savanahian Jack MacKay

Andrew Low’s son, William Mackay Low, married Juliette Gordon in 1886. Juliette, commonly known as Daisy, moved in the family home on Lafayette Square. It was here that the widowed Juliette founded the Girl Scouts of America. Daisy had become friends with General Robert Baden-Powell, former of the Boys Scouts of England. Baden-Powell and his sister, who had formed a society of “Girl Guides” in England, inspired Daisy to found a similar organization in the United States. She formed two such groups of girls in Savannah in 1912. Members of the Girl Guides, later known as the Girl Scouts, held their meetings in Daisy’s carriage house. Juliette Gordon Low died in 1927 and bequeathed the carriage house to the Savannah Girl Scouts. The National Society of the Colonial Dames in Georgia purchased the Andrew Low House in 1928. After painstaking restoration, the Colonial Dames used the home as their headquarters, and officially opened the home to the public in 1952.

Harper-Fowlkes House Museum

This Greek Revival mansion located in Savannah’s historic district was built in 1842, and graciously opens their doors for tours. The house is beautifully furnished with antiques, yet continues to retain the feel of a warm and inviting home.

The Harper-Fowlkes House has served as the headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Georgia since Alida Harper-Fowlkes bequeathed the house to the Society in 1985.

The exterior and interior architectural features of the home have intrigued students and travelers from all over the world. One of the featured treasures of the house is the elliptical opening viewed from the lower and upper levels of the entry and stairwell.

What to Expect: 

• Docent led tour of Greek Revival historic home.
• See fine furnishings and architectural features of the home.

Scarbrough House & Ships of the Sea Museum

The Museum is arranged for self-guided tours. Please expect to spend at least one hour on site to explore the galleries and gardens. For groups of 10 or more Ships of the Sea can provide a guided tour of the Museum with a reservation in advance. The Museum also offers many educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. All student programs include educational tours. The Museum offers classes on the art of scrimshaw, sailor’s valentines, and women pirates.

The Scarbrough House is the elegant setting for the Museum’s collection of ship models, paintings, and maritime antiques. It was built in 1819 for one of the principal owners of the  Savannah , the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Scarbrough’s architect, William Jay from Bath, England, created one of the earliest examples of domestic Greek Revival architecture in the South. Used as a public school from the 1870s – 1960s, the mansion was then abandoned for a brief period but later restored by Historic Savannah Foundation in the 1970s. After another period of vacancy, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum restored the house again in 1996-97, building a new roof based on a documented William Jay design, adding a new rear portico and enlarging the garden.

• Self-guided tour.
• May be closed for private events with short notice provided.

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TourPass provides access and full admission to the top tours and attractions. After purchasing a pass, you can simply select what you want to do, make reservations and present your pass upon arrival. It’s not all about savings, convenience and ease of use should also be considered. Users can save a considerable amount of money and time by using TourPass. 

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Absolutely and we encourage this scenario since purchasing in advance will allow you to fully research and plan your vacation.

After purchase, when your ready, simply activate your pass for when you’ll be visiting and begin making reservations for that future date (can be today, tomorrow or months away).

No it doesn’t. After purchase on the app you select the activation date for when you’re visiting when you’re ready. Then it will ask you to book your featured tours in advance now for when you’re visiting. You don’t have to make tour reservations in advance if you’re not ready.

We give you complimentary refund protection for 30-days after purchasing. If you’d like to extend refund protection up to 1 year, you can purchase Trip Protection during the purchase process. 

No worries. Visit this page on our site tourpass.com/aggregator – select the date you want to tour and it will show you all of the available times for that day prior to purchasing. Now you can confidently  purchase a pass and book those times.

After choosing a day pass and checking out on our site, you’ll instantly receive instructions to install the app. On the app you can: 

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Yes you can skip days. Once activated, you have a total of 10-days to use however many days you purchased. For example, a 2 day pass activated on Monday….take a break Tuesday and then tour again Wednesday….pass expires at midnight on Wednesday.

Most Feature Tours do and reservations are easily made post-purchase on the app. To ensure tour availability before purchasing, visit this page and search the date you want to tour: https://tourpass.com/aggregator 

Standard Tours do not require reservations. Simply arrive and present your pass upon entry. Everything is paid for with TourPass.

Tours are designed to be visited 1x for the entirety of your pass. If for instance you’d like to do the Hop on Hop Off Trolley (Savannah + St. Augustine), then you could check-in on a second day which would use another of your featured tours.

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Upcoming Events

• Jepson Center & Telfair Children's Art Museum
• Telfair Academy

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

Built in 1819, this mansion exemplifies the neoclassical styles popular in England during the Regency period. The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters allows visitors to explore the complicated relationships between the most and least powerful people in the city of Savannah in the early 19th century.

Our tours focus on the art, architecture, and history of the home through the lens of slavery. Visitors will experience an inclusive interpretation of not only the wealthy families that inhabited this home for a span of over 100 years, but of also the enslaved people who lived and labored here.

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters Tours

• Guided tours are given at 15-minute intervals. The last tour begins at 4:00pm.
• Tours typically last around 45 minutes to an hour.
• Tour groups consist of up to 12 people.
• Please check in onsite to get a tour time, even if you’ve purchased tickets at our other two sites.
• Daily tours at the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters fill up fast on a first-come, first-served basis.

*Due to the historic nature of the site, the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters contain the original staircases of the site with no elevator access.

• Jepson Center : 7 mins
• Telfair Academy : 7 mins

History of the Richardson-Owens-Thomas House

Shipping merchant and enslaver Richard Richardson commissioned this house around 1816, and his family moved in upon its completion in 1819. The home was designed by English architect (and relative to Richardson by marriage) William Jay but was constructed by builder John Retan and likely a team of free and enslaved men in his charge. The property also included a two-sided privy and a building located on the east end of the lot, which was divided into a carriage house and slave quarters.

The Richardsons only lived in the home for a few years before they saw a steady decrease in their prosperity. After the combination of the financial Panic of 1819, a yellow fever epidemic, a fire that destroyed half the city, and the death of Frances and two of the children, Richardson decided to sell the house and move to Louisiana, where he had family and business interests.

By 1824, the Bank of the United States owned the home, which they leased to Mary Maxwell as a boarding house. The Marquis de Lafayette was a guest of Mrs. Maxwell when he visited Savannah in March 1825 as part of his whirlwind tour of the United States for the 50th anniversary of the American Revolution.

In 1830, lawyer, landholder, and enslaver George Welshman Owens purchased the property at auction for $10,000. He lived here with his wife, Sarah, their six children, and up to fourteen enslaved laborers. Over the next 121 years, the home would continue to be owned by the Owens family until the last descendent, Margaret Gray Thomas, George Owens’s granddaughter, bequeathed the property upon her death in 1951 to the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences to be run as a house museum in honor of her grandfather, George Owens, and her father, Dr. James Gray Thomas. The site opened to the public in 1954.

Carriage House

Orientation gallery.

The south half of this building originally housed horses and carriages on the first floor with a hay loft on the floor above.

Slave Quarters

The north half of the building contains the original slave quarters for the site. This two-story structure was composed of three rooms on each level. About five to fourteen enslaved people, most of which were female and children or teenagers, lived and worked on the site at any given time. These individuals worked in domestic labor duties like cooking, cleaning, washing laundry, and raising children.

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Parterre Garden

The parterre style garden occupies the space between the main house and the carriage house. This area originally functioned as a work yard, which likely included a small kitchen garden, areas to dry laundry and clean rugs, and perhaps pens and coops for small livestock and chickens. It even contained a two-sided privy, or outhouse, in the northeast corner.

Originally, this space was a work yard. In 1956 it was transformed into an English parterre garden.

The Mansion

Public spaces.

When the Richardson or Owens families entertained, they did so in the public spaces of their home: the drawing room, front hall, and dining room. These spaces, designed in the finest Regency style and filled with American and English furniture and decorative arts, were intended to impress. They feature elaborate molding, faux finishes, curved walls, and decorative sidelights.

Entertaining spaces also allowed for transfers of information, both intentionally and circumstantially. Peter, the Owens family’s enslaved butler, doubtlessly listened closely as George Owens debated politics and policies that would affect the lives of himself and his family and friends.

Private Spaces

The bedrooms, library, and family dining room of the home were considered more private spaces utilized by the family and close friends, rather than entertaining spaces for formal events. These rooms allow for an in-depth exploration of how the economic elite and their enslaved servants interacted on a daily basis.

Second-floor bridge inside the house

The formal dining room

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Butler’s Pantry

Enslaved butlers managed not just the daily operations of upper-class homes, but also the enslaved staff that serviced them. In addition, enslaved butlers maintained the fine silver, china, and glassware used in entertaining. They would have stored valuable items in this space, which is complete with original cabinetry’s faux finishes, reproduced according to the results of paint analysis.

The basement, which retains many original components, contains the kitchen, scullery, a large cistern, and other workspaces. These wonderfully preserved spaces offer more interpretive text and material to help visitors understand the day-to-day lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked here.

Bathing Chamber at the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

Name Wall at the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

• Decorative Arts

The furniture and decorative objects from Telfair’s collection that are displayed at the Owens-Thomas House date largely from the early to mid-19th century. Most were produced in England or America. About one third of the objects descended in the Owens family, and many others were owned by wealthy Savannahians of the same period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When we open the site each day, tour slots are available for visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis. You must book a tour in-person at the ticket booth. If you would like to book a tour for later in the day, you are more than welcome to choose a later timeslot as long as we have enough available capacity for your group! We recommend showing up as early as possible if you have a large party or would like to reserve a particular tour time that day.

Unfortunately, we only reserve tour slots for the current day. However, if you have a large group consisting of 12 people or more (i.e., a Girl Scout Troop, school groups, a large family/travelling tour group, etc.), visit telfair.org/group-tours/ for more information and advanced booking options. Keeping in mind our limited capacity and staffing requirements, we request you make your reservation at least four weeks in advance.

We currently do not have an online booking system, and tours may only be booked in-person at the ticket booth. We apologize for any inconvenience!

Yes, all visitors must reserve their tour times in-person at the ticket booth. The line ensures that tour times are made available to all our visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Telfair Museums only offers a three-site pass to ensure that our visitors have the opportunity to experience all the museum has to offer at one combined price.

Our interior waiting area has limited capacity, so keep in mind that we are only able to allow one group in at a time. Approximately 5-10 minutes before your tour begins, a Historical Interpreter will welcome all visitors in the tour group to spend the remainder of their waiting time in the Orientation Gallery. This space houses displays of introductory information available to read while you wait, as well as benches that visitors may rest on indoors before their tour starts.

If your waiting time is 20 minutes or more, we have additional benches in the Courtyard and Garden on the property. You are more than welcome to visit another location during your waiting time, just be sure to return 5-10 minutes prior to your tour start time

We put out the sold-out notices as soon as we reach our capacity for the day, so if you haven’t already checked in at the ticket booth to receive your tour time, we unfortunately don’t have the capacity to accommodate you today. While we’d love to allow as many visitors as possible to experience this site, we have limited visitor entries each day to help preserve the historic integrity of the buildings themselves.

Guided tours typically last somewhere between 45-60 minutes.

Due to our buildings’ capacity limits and other logistical challenges, we currently only offer guided tours through the property which begin every 15 minutes. However, the other two Telfair Museum sites do not require a tour, so if you prefer a self-paced experience, we recommend visiting the Telfair Academy and Jepson Center!

While some of us would love to accommodate all kinds of furry friends, our sites only allow service dogs required for a disability.

We have paper transcripts of the audio tour available in Spanish, so just ask a Historical Interpreter and we’ll be happy to assist you! We are currently working on developing translations in additional languages, and we appreciate your patience while we expand our language accessibility.

The Orientation Gallery and Slave Quarters have ramped entrances, but the main building is unfortunately not ADA accessible. There are several flights of stairs within the house itself, but there are benches and chairs throughout where visitors who would like to opt out may sit and wait for their group. We apologize for the inconvenience!

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Stunning from the outside, breathtaking within, our history will inspire you. Come explore this beautiful 19th century home in the heart of Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District.

Experience History

Situated on one of the most beautiful sites in Savannah, and less than one block from the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, the Andrew Low House Museum is a nationally known 1840s historic home and garden. Come and experience our stories, our collections, and our home.

Discover a Savannah Gem

Imagine Savannah in the 1840s as an active and thriving seaport. A young Scottish immigrant named Andrew Low II became one of the most successful businessmen in Georgia. Juliette Gordon Low, Andrew’s daughter-in-law, lived here during the early years of the Girl Scouts. Now, a historic gem, the home along with its furnishings and its garden, is a must-see destination on any trip to Savannah.

Discover the Stories

Hear the stories of the Low family and learn about the enslaved men and women who lived and labored at the site. Discover the fascinating life of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts and a multi-talented woman who shaped the future of young women around the world.

Explore the Home, Garden & Collections

Enjoy seeing one of the finest collections of 19th century silver, porcelain, furnishings, and art in the South. Relax in the shade of the Courtyard Garden and take a walk through the colorful Formal Garden.

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WITH ANDREW LOW HOUSE MUSEUM

Historic Homes

Savannah has charmed visitors for centuries with her history, architecture and famous hospitality. With this tour, you will:

• Explore the rich architectural heritage that spans two centuries
• Take a tour of the Harper-Fowlkes Mansion!
• More than a discussion on architecture, this enchanting walk through the heart of the Historic District focuses on Savannah’s majestic mansions and their residents.
• Learn about Savannah’s ongoing historic preservation movement and hear of the contributions of residents dedicated to protect and conserve our rich history.
• This tour features a visit to one of Savannah’s most beautiful historic homes.

One of the places you’ll see on this tour is the Owens-Thomas House, widely regarded as the premiere example of regency architecture in the United States, and learn about the achievements of architect William Jay. You’ll also see the Green Meldrim House, where Gen. William T. Sherman was a “guest” during the Civil War. Other house highlights includes discussions on the development of domestic dwellings in Savannah, from colonial times to the present, featuring fine examples of architecture that span two centuries.

Discover why Savannah is the Hostess City of the South. Book your Historic Homes Tour  today!

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The Mercer-Williams House in Savannah Georgia

The Mercer Williams House sits on Monterey Square in historic Savannah. This home was made famous by the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Book

Visit Savannah's Monterey Square , and you can't help but notice the stunning home resting just across the way at 429 Bull Street, the Mercer Williams House. It's grandeur, and sophisticated elegance will take you back in time. And when you look past the scandal and rumors that have surrounded the home for decades, you will see the amazing architecture and stunning details, as well as the fascinating history.

Mercer Williams House Architecture

Originally just the Mercer House, it was designed by John S. Norris, a New York architect, for General Hugh W. Mercer, great-grandfather of songwriter, Johnny Mercer. Norris is also known for designing the Savannah Custom House, the Andrew Low House, and the Green-Meldrim House.

The construction of the home began in 1860, but like most things in Savannah, it was interrupted by the Civil War. Construction was eventually completed in 1868, for the new owner, John Wilder. It's a shame that no member of the Mercer family ever had the chance to live in the Mercer house.

The three-story Italianate home, inspired by the farmhouses in northern Italy, is red-brick with a lovely courtyard and a carriage house. Taking up an entire city block, it's iron railing surrounds three sides of the home with a brick wall on the fourth side. With forty windows, eight iron balconies, and a classical portico, the Mercer Williams House is an example of classical architectural detail.

The Mercer Williams House in the 20th Century

During a period of time in the twentieth century, the house was home to the Savannah's Shriners Alee Temple. After the Shriners' tenure, the house rested in a vacant state for nearly ten years before it finally found a new owner in 1969.

Jim Williams was a well-respected antiques dealer and preservationist, who had a deep appreciation for Savannah's history and architecture. Williams bought and restored over 50 houses in Savannah over thirty-five years. He purchased the Mercer House for $55,000. He spent two years renovating the Mercer Williams House, as it had fallen into disrepair from years of neglect.

Williams then decided to make the house his permanent residence and converted the carriage house for his antique restoration business. And the salacious history begins to write itself.

The Infamous Jim Williams

Williams was also known to throw wildly extravagant parties with a cast of fascinating characters always in attendance. But in 1981, the jovial and often nights clandestine, atmosphere came to a screeching halt. Jim's assistant and lover, Danny Hansford, was shot and killed.

Danny Hansford was a former prostitute and had a checkered past. Williams was charged with Danny's murder and tried four times for the crime. The first trial ended with life in prison sentencing. The judgment was later overturned upon the discovery of contradicting police reports. By the time they got to the third trial, it had ended in a hung jury. Two years later, trial number four, found Williams was acquitted.

Six months later, after years of investigations, court dates, and finally, a not guilty verdict, Jim Williams died in his palatial home of heart failure. Allegedly, he collapsed near the spot where Danny had been shot and killed. To this day, nobody has been charged with Hansford's murder.

It's a Great Story

Jim Williams' decadent life in Savannah inspired John Berendt to write his 1994 retelling, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, a nonfiction novel adapted for the screen and directed by Clint Eastwood.

Though the book took a few liberties with timeline and characters, it made the Mercer Williams House and Savannah, a new destination for tourists. Berendt's captivating nonfiction novel was a finalist for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction.

Inside the Mercer Williams House

When you enter the Mercer Williams House it becomes obvious that a home of this scale would have nothing less than a scandalous history. The interior of the home is a look into old world craftsmanship and design details of centuries past. Lovers of antiques and amateur collectors may find some of the extravagant pieces intimidating, if not inspiring.

On the first floor, you will find a George I 18th-century cabinet holding a collection of 19th century glazed porcelain. There are also Fabergé eggs and Brussels tapestries from the 1700s. And the mahogany dining room table is breathtaking.

As you move to the upstairs dressing room you will find nine Henrietta Johnston pastels dated back to the early 1700s, and an intricately carved mahogany four-poster bed. Mahogany definitely has a place in the home, the 1770 mahogany sofa is its own work of art.

But what many find to alone be worth the price of admission is a piece that Williams could be heard boasting about; the 19th-century Yusupov Dagger used to castrate and assassinate Rasputin. The dagger is mounted in silver gilt and turquoise. Truly one of Williams’ favorite pieces in his collection.

Other Historic Homes

• 432 Abercorn
• The Andrew Low House
• The Davenport House
• The Gordon Low Birthplace
• The Green-Meldrim House
• The Harper-Fowlkes House
• The Mercer-Williams House
• The Owens-Thomas House
• The Scarbough House
• The Sorrel Weed House
• The Willink House

Our Savannah Tours

• Historic Church Tour
• Bonaventure Cemetery Tour
• Colonial Park Cemetery Tour
• Stories of old Savannah

Visiting the Mercer-Williams House

Today, the Mercer Williams House is owned by Jim's sister, Dorothy Williams Kingery. Jim Williams left the house and all of its contents to his mother. He left his sister, Dorothy, $10.00 and the rights to a game he invented called “Psycho Dice.” But when their mother died, she willed Jim’s house to Dorothy and Dorothy has graciously opened it up for tours that are offered daily.

We highly recommend taking a tour of the grand estate. The interior furnishings and architecture should be experienced in person.

For more information on tour tickets and visiting the Mercer Williams House, please visit their website or call them.

Do you want to learn more about Savannah?

Gallivanter offers the widest variety of highly-rated tours in Savannah. Make sure to book one for your trip to Savannah!

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Tour a Stunning Historic Savannah Home Filled With Contemporary Art

The Savannah College of Art and Design's guest house Smithfield Cottage in downtown Savannah, Georgia is a gorgeous showplace for SCAD artwork and a design scheme that blends historic preservation and contemporary style.

Historic Smithfield Cottage

Part of the Savannah College of Art and Design 's revitalization of downtown Savannah began with the university's founding in 1978 by president Paula Wallace (learn more about SCAD's history and Wallace's role in founding the arts college at SCADstory , the new interactive exhibition at SCAD that debuted in spring 2019 to commemorate the school's 40th anniversary) and SCAD's effort to reclaim historic buildings. The meticulously restored 1888 Victorian mansion in the Queen Anne-style Smithfield Cottage in downtown Savannah is a guest house for SCAD visitors (actress Salma Hayek and designer Derek Lam have stayed at Smithfield while in town), and is a billboard for SCAD's creative side. The home is filled with artwork by SCAD alums. Paula Wallace and her designer husband, SCAD grad and the university's chief operating officer Glenn Wallace have integrated Asian elements and historic touches at Smithfield to create a sublime blend of the contemporary and the timeless in this beautiful space.

More photos after this Ad

Don't Strive for Perfection

One of the most interesting aspects of SCAD's Smithfield Cottage guest house design is how it embraces the imperfect. Found objects, unconventional artwork and unexpected details like this long table accessorized with multicolored metal chairs mean the house never feels stuffy or too formal.

Back Porch View

Related pages.

• This Savannah Row House Is an Absolute Stunner
• 2018 HGTV's Ultimate House Hunt
• A Sale of Two Cities
• HGTV's Ultimate House Hunt 2020
• Tour a Dreamy Coastal Savannah Mansion Filled...

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Discover the best that Southern USA has to offer! Hidden gems, vibrant cities and more!

15 Best Tours In Savannah GA Worth The Spend

November 23, 2021 //  by  Southern Trippers

Are you looking for the best tours in Savannah? You are in the right place. In this article, we will walk you through the best-guided tours in Savannah, Georgia’s sightseeing tours, and Savannah day tours. We have done the research so we can show you which are worth the money. 

Planning your trip to Savannah last minute?

Make sure to book ahead! Hotels and tours often sell out the closer you get to your trip. Here are our top picks for Savannah!

Top Experiences And Tours In Savannah:

• Ghosts And Graveyards Tour With Low House Entry (Our pick!)
• Old Town Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour (Less walking and lots of fun)
• Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise (Likely to sell out!)
• First Squares Food Tour (3 hours long so lots of food)

Top Hotels In Savannah:

• The Thunderbird Inn (Affordable and historic)
• Marriott Savannah Riverfront (Waterfront views)
• River Street Inn (Great location)
• Mansion On Forsyth Park (Luxury!)

Savannah Georgia is a beautiful city, one of our favorites. Not only is there so much to do but it’s also a city with so many great photo spots which is perfect for us. 

This city is rich in heritage, has some incredible architecture, a thriving pub and restaurant scene, and is beautiful to photograph. Savannah has also appeared on our TV screens on many occasions most notably in Forest Gump. 

It’s also one of the most haunted cities in the states so of course, we have included some of the best ghost tours in Savannah here for you. If you love the spooky and unusual you will love this city. 

When we tell you there is something for everyone in Savannah we are not kidding. From history to fun we have found guided tours on just about everything. 

Savannah tours are in our mind the best way to see the city. Savannah city tours are certainly the best way to see all the hidden gems quickly and efficiently. Savannah city tours are an easy way to spend less time getting to know more about the city you are in. 

The Savannah guided tours we have chosen are all different and appeal to a variety of tastes and budgets. They are also all well received and run by locals or knowledgeable guides.  

So whether you want to see the sights , sample the food , go ghost hunting, or just enjoy the city, one of these guided tours of Savannah will be for you. 

So are you ready to see what tours in Savannah we have chosen for you? Grab yourself a coffee and let’s explore Savannah together.

Southern Food Tour

If you are the kind of person who likes a long lingering lunch then how about the 2-hour Southern Food Tour . You visit four different venues and discover what makes southern cuisine so tasty. 

In each restaurant, you will try classic southern comfort food with each offering something different from the next. You will definitely have enough food to fill you up believe us. 

It takes place in Savannah’s historic downtown so also expect to hear about the history and local tales from your experienced guide. 

This tour will fill your belly and introduce you to what southern hospitality is all about.  It’s the best food tour in Savannah

The tour starts in the downtown area and finishes in River Street at a local boutique candy shop which is an added bonus.

Book Now 2-hour Southern Food Tour

History and Sightseeing Trolley Tour

270 years in 90 minutes. Yes, that is what the History and Sightseeing Trolley Tour is all about.  The guides are also costumed which really adds to the experience. 

Sit back and listen to the tales of the city as you drive down cobblestone streets lined with stately mansions. You will travel under moss-draped oaks synonymous with this city. 

Expect to see beautiful squares, the romantic riverfront, historic artifacts, and some beautiful architecture. And don’t forget to take a long deep breath because the flowers and trees in this city smell amazing. 

This is one of the best trolley tours in Savannah. The tour runs every 20 minutes from 9 am to 4 pm 7 days a week. 

Book Now History and Sightseeing Trolley Tour

Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour

If you like the creepy darker side of life then how about the Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour . I can tell you from experience this tour is amazing. 

Onboard one of the iconic trollies, you will explore tales of murder, mayhem, and ghostly encounters on the shadowy streets of nighttime Savannah  

The Trolley of the Doomed as it is known is a 75-minute spooky experience around nighttime Savannah. What makes this tour unique is that you get exclusive nighttime entry into River Street’s Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery. 

Now, of course, no one guarantees any supernatural experience however in the most haunted town in American don’t be surprised if you see something unexplained or unusual. 

If you love a good spooky adventure then this one is definitely for you. It’s the scariest ghost tour in savannah and we know you will love it.

Bo ok Now Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour

Riverboat: Dinner Cruise with Entertainment

Fancy making a night of it? The Riverboat: Dinner Cruise with Entertainment will be perfect for you. 

It’s a 2-hour cruise with live entertainment down the scenic Savannah River. Food, music, and incredible views we are not sure it gets much better. 

And it all happens in the splendor of the beautifully appointed ballrooms of a Savannah Riverboat. You can sit indoors or on the deck, we feel the deck is best because the views are just amazing. 

After dinner get your dancing shoes on and boogie away to tunes through the decades. Or just go to the top deck to enjoy the views.  

The menu changes so check before you book and make sure they can also accommodate any food preference. 

A great way to round of a perfect vacation. This is one of the best tours in Savannah.

Book Now Riverboat: Dinner Cruise with Entertainment

 Hop-On Hop-Off Historic Trolley Tour

Fancy exploring a little more on your own then how about the Hop-On Hop-Off Historic Trolley Tour. The tour includes everything you find on the more static tours but you can get on and off as you please. This means you can spend more time at the sights you want to see more of. 

Some areas visited are the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Temple Mickve Israel, Sorrel Weed House, and Juliette Gordon Low Home. In fact, there are 15 trolly stops so you can really make a day of it. 

It’s like sightseeing at your own pace but with a guide to give you all the information. This is one of the best tours in Savannah’s historic district.

The trolley runs from 9 until 4.30 each day and leaves every 15 -20 minutes so you will be never waiting long to jump back on. 

Book Now Hop-On Hop-Off Historic Trolley Tour

Cocktail Class at American Prohibition Museum

Want to experience an authentic speakeasy then perhaps a Cocktail Class at American Prohibition Museum is perfect for you. Not only will you learn about cocktail history but you will get to make your own unique blend. 

The award-winning bartenders will help you create 2 of your own cocktails with the liquors of your choosing. And you get to experience this in the 1920’s speakeasy atmosphere. 

As well as making your own two cocktails you will get to sample three classics and see the bartenders make proper Prohibition-era cocktails using authentic bar equipment. 

You will also learn a little about the fascination prohibition-era and how it shaped American and this city. This is one of the tours of Savannah you don’t want to miss.

Book Now Cocktail Class at American Prohibition Museum

Historic Savannah Walking Tour

If you want a tour of the city but prefer to do it on foot then the Historic Savannah Walking Tour will be perfect for you. This 90-minute walking tour will take you on a historical and cultural journey. 

The tour mixes Colonial history and vibrant modern-day culture to give you a really good feel for where this city has been and where it is going. Your knowledgeable guide will also show you all the best shopping and eating establishments. 

This tour beautifully mixes the city’s history, art, and culture giving you all the insider tips, tricks, and know-how. Want to know where the hidden gems are you will learn about them on this tour. 

The tour begins in the heart of the historic district and finishes at one of Savannah’s picturesque beaches. This is the best walking tour in Savannah.

Book Now Historic Savannah Walking Tour

Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl with Sing-a-Longs

Partying with a drag queen just seems like the most fun ever. If like us you are up for a fun experience then the Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl with Sing-a-Long s might be right up your street. 

Experience the fabulous, unique, and outrageous side of life with your very own pub crawl drag queen. 

There will be dancing, singing drinking and lots of laughs. Your world-class drag queen will skillfully guide you around the best bars and clubs until you can party no more. 

Your 2-hour experience starts at the award-winning lounge, El Rocko Lounge and then you and your fellow crawlers get to follow your guide through the vibrant streets of Savannah. 

You’ll get VIP treatment at all the places you visit and will be whisked to the front of the queue as only a queen can. Looking for the best pub crawl in Savannah, this is it.

This just sounds like the best fun ever. 

Book Now Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl with Sing-a-Longs

Champagne and Shopping Guided Tour

If shopping is more your thing then perhaps the Champagne and Shopping Guided Tour will be right up your street. Here you get to sip and shop yourself around Savannah. 

The local guide will take you around the city’s finest boutiques, some of them off the beaten track and real hidden gems. 

Your tour starts at The Grove where you will enjoy a champagne pop in a souvenir tumbler. You will then go to 6-7 local shops and one restaurant to hear from the owners personally about their recommendations. 

There are about 3-4 places you can fill your glass up on the way and small plate appetizers are served before you leave. You will also get a 10-20% discount at each shop.

You will also be Instagram photo-worthy stops along the way and learn about this interesting city. 

The tour ends at the rooftop bar at the Peregrin Rooftop Lounge, which offers beautiful views of the city. If you love shopping then this is one of the best tours in Savannah for you.

Book Champagne and Shopping Guided Tour

Movie History Van Tour

If you are a movie buff then the Movie History Van Tour is the one for you. You learn about the local locations for Forrest Gump, Something to Talk About, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Your knowledgeable guide will give the low down on Savannah’s movie history and all the behind-the-scenes gossip you could want. 

Savannah has a close connection with Hollywood and you will learn all about it on this tour as well as taking in some city sights.  

You will learn about local film productions and how Savannah has made it onto the silver screen. Love movies this is one of the best tours in Savannah for you.  

Book Now Movie History Van Tour

Historic Downtown Savannah: Guided Segway Tour

Fancy doing a downtown tour a little differently? How about a Historic Downtown Savannah: Guided Segway Tour ?

This 60-90 minute tour will take you past picturesque streets and squares, antebellum mansions, and movie locations in historic Savannah.

The guide narrates to you through an individual radio receiver so you won’t miss a thing. You will also visit some historical Revolutionary and Civil War historical sights and see some haunted homes and cemeteries. 

You do get training and fitted with safety equipment so don’t worry about that. Riding along on one of these certainly puts a different spin on the city. 

The 90-minute tour option includes a visit to either the Harper Fowlkes House or the Webb Military Museum.  

It really is an effortless way to see the city and one of the Savannah sightseeing tours that offer something different. one of the really fun guided tours of Savannah.

Book Now Historic Downtown Savannah: Guided Segway Tour

Comedy Trolley Tour

We wanted to include the Comedy Trolley Tour in here because often these tours can be a bit repetitive and this one really is different . 

Savannah for Morons as it’s called is more of a 90-minute high-end whirlwind trip than a sightseeing tour. It is zany, weird, and hilarious. 

Your hosts, the infamous Moron Twins will entertain you all the way. Think of this more like a comedy show on wheels, rather than showing you the sights they roast the sights. 

Don’t get us wrong you will learn things but you will learn them with a huge smile on your face. Oh, and there is a short stop at a local distillery mid-way through this tour. 

Laugh your way along this historical and cultural tour of Savannah. This is the best trolley tour in Savannah.

Book Now Comedy Trolley Tour

Haunted Pub Crawl

Does life get much better than a Haunted Pub Crawl ? We don’t think so and this one will send chills down your spine. 

You will learn about the city’s darker hauntings at venues like Tondee’s Tavern, 17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant, and McDonough’s Restaurant and Lounge. All with a cold beverage in your hand. 

Your guide will share spooky stories while taking you around some of the most historic and haunted bars in Savannah.  Who knows what spirits you might encounter!  

This is one of the best ghost tours in Savannah .

Book Now Haunted Pub Crawl

Tybee Island Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

If you fancy getting away from it all for a day and taking in some nature then this Tybee Island Dolphin Watching Boat Tou r is for you. This really is a great activity if you want something a little different.  

You will see wild bottlenose dolphins playing in the waves around Tybee Island. Head out to the Tybee Island waterways to see scenic wildlife and historic lighthouses and eat barefoot at the crab shack. Oh and don’t miss the alligator pond. 

The captain will point out birdlife and the estuaries and marshes that provide delicious shrimp, fish, and crab to the restaurants. You will also swing by Fort Pulaski and the smallest lighthouse in Georgia. 

Please note food is not included on this tour so make sure you bring cash so you can experience the Crab Shack its well worth it. This is one of the guided tours of Savannah that will leave you with great memories. One of the great Savannah day tours.

Book Now Tybee Island Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Victorian Cemeteries Van Tour

If you want to participate in some of Savannah’s spooky history but don’t fancy a ghost tour then how about the Victorian Cemeteries Van Tour ? It takes place in the day so there is nothing to fear on this one. 

Your guide will tell you tales of famous people buried in the graveyards, you’ll learn about the fascinating Savannah history and visit the Laurel Grove and Bonaventure Cemetery. 

While visiting cemeteries might seem strange the cemeteries here are beautiful and somewhat iconic not only in their architecture but in who they house. This picture is of the Bonaventure Cemetery so you can see how beautiful it is.

You will see the famous graves of Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken, Gracie Watson, and many more.

One of the best tours in Savannah. We know you will love it.

Book Now Victorian Cemeteries Van Tour

As you can see when it comes to Savannah tours there are so many to choose from. We have listed what we feel are the best tours in Savannah but of course, there are lots more.

Whichever of these tours of Savannah you choose we know you will have a great time and we can’t wait to hear all about it. Have fun touring Savannah.

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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10 Best Tours in Savannah

By Paul Oswell

Compact, but so full of history, Savannah is a near-perfect city to tour. Most of it is eminently walkable, and there's a cinematic ambience surrounding the 18th century squares and evocative architecture, much of draped in Spanish moss. You can easily explore all of these in as much detail as you like. Then, of course there are food tours to show off the city's culinary scene , socially conscious tours to show off its complicated past, and after dark, ghost tours to show off its spooky secrets. Without further delay, these are our picks for the very best tours in Savannah, Georgia.

Architectural Savannah Arrow

Architectural Savannah, which has been around since 2005, starts its 90-minute walking tours in Oglethorpe Square. There are several memorable houses, including the oldest cottage in Savannah and the wonderful Kehoe House (now a bed and breakfast). The standout, though, is the Owens-Thomas House. Anyone who wants to understand how Savannah developed and learn more about its main architectural styles will love these tours. The buildings reflect changing demographics and politics, and the guide brings charisma and zeal to the subject matter.

Bonaventure Don: History in Headstones Arrow

History in Headstones is a one-man operation and the passion project of Don, the guide, who embraces a conversational style over lectures. Fans of "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil" will love just being in this cemetery , which features heavily in the novel (and movie). Don’s expertise is also memorable; he brings to life the city’s history through the graves of its most famous residents, from Savannah’s founding through the Civil War and beyond.

Savannah Taste Experience: First Squares Food Tour Arrow

Among the plethora of food-focused tours in Savannah, First Squares Food Tour is one of the longest-running, with an emphasis on fun and variety rather than nerdy facts. The three-hour jaunt takes in a selection of some of downtown Savannah’s favorite eats, with quirkier dishes and a focus on international flavors. Half-a-dozen stops include items like shrimp and grits, a Southern classic, British savory pies, pork belly sliders, and gourmet raw honey.

Ghost City Tours: Beyond Good and Evil Tour Arrow

Savannah claims to be the most haunted city in America , so it is the perfect place for a ghost tour. Its brutal history and Southern Gothic atmosphere make for a perfect storm of weird and macabre. Of the dozens of ghost tours here, Beyond Good & Evil is one of the best established. Along a 90-minute walk, you'll learn all sorts of striking tales, including ones about people being buried alive in a graveyard, a "killer boy giant," and a haunted house known simply as "The Dark Place." If nothing else, it’s hard to pass up the the chance to take a guided walk around Savannah’s beautiful squares on a lovely moonlit night.

Bonnie Blue Tours: Lightly Sauced Arrow

This drinks tour, which has been operating since the mid-2010s, is a polished and professional operation with a natural, charismatic guide at the helm. It looks at Savannah's history through the lens of one of its most famous elements: drinks. Naturally, this is one of the more social tours; your group will plant down in restaurants and bars , and you're likely to feel an instant camaraderie with your fellow tourees as you sip madeira, mint juleps, and mead.

Savannah Riverboat Cruises Arrow

The city sprung up around the Savannah River, which still plays a large part in daily commercial life. Savannah Riverboat Cruises' two classic riverboats—The River Queen and the Georgia Queen, with capacities of 600 and 1,000 respectively—glide along the water for 90 minutes, visiting points of interest and serving up some tasty Southern treats. It's worth tuning into the cheery narration blaring from the speakers on the top deck and if you keep a sharp eye on the water, you might spot some dolphins.

Savannah Art Walk Arrow

Savannah Art Walk is a self-guided tour that takes place every Saturday. There’s a diverse range of art experiences and galleries, from smaller, independent places to larger outlets. The Tiffani Taylor Gallery, for instance, features the namesake artist's wonderfully vibrant works; the shopSCAD shows off dozens of works from students at the Savannah College of Art and Design . The final reception, at The Perry Lane Hotel , is a highlight, with drinks, a raffle, and more local art.

Savannah Bike Tours Arrow

Savannah Bike Tours meet on Habersham Street in the middle of the historic district, where you'll saddle up on a street cruiser. Dee, the tour guide, explains a few rules and safety points, and then it’s away you go to see the sights of downtown Savannah. This is a relaxed, easy tour that lends itself to all ages and abilities (you only cover about three miles over two hours), and because Savannah is a fairly flat city, there are no steep uphill climbs. The tour hits Savannah's most famous landmarks like Forsyth Park and mansions like the Hamilton Turner Inn .

40 Acres and a Mule Arrow

40 Acres and a Mule is a very specific tour that looks at the lives and politics of the white elites throughout Savannah history as well as the struggles of the slaves in the area. The company sprung from the long-held passion of the guide, Fritz, a playwright who has studied and written about this subject for many years. The 90 minutes of walking through Savannah's downtown squares is for people that want delve deeper into the city’s (and the nation’s) history than the usual superficial trolley-type tours will allow.

Old Savannah Tours Arrow

Old Savannah Tours runs hop-on-hop-off tours that meander through Savannah’s downtown historic district. The charismatic drivers are trained guides who deliver entertaining and educational histories of the city. There are a bunch of trolley tours of Savannah, but Old Savannah stands out for its use of local "characters" to bring some of the stops to life. As the trolley draws up to various buildings, actors emerge playing figures like William Jay, the young British architect who designed some of the first townhouses, and Savannah's most famous fictional resident, Forrest Gump.

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• FREE 2-Day Shuttle

360° Panoramic Tour of Historic Savannah

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 1.5 Hours
• Users Ages: All Ages

Explore Savannah’s Historic and Victorian Districts!

Whether the roof is opened or closed, enjoy a full panoramic view of the city’s beauty from side to side and above. The 360° view is amazing to drive by the many Church Steeples and under live oaks to experience the unobstructed sights of Historic Savannah. The 90-minute adventure starts from your Historic District hotel or the city’s visitors center and tells the colorful uninterrupted story of the city’s past. Gray Line’s synonymous tag line is “Sightseeing Everywhere” and what better way to see all of Savannah than from this panoramic tour vehicle!

• Chevron down What’s Included
• Fully Narrated Tour!
• You get unlimited shuttle service to Historic Savannah District for the day of the tour and also the 2nd day.
• Unlimited Shuttle service doesn’t include destinations beyond the Historic District.
• Chevron down What’s NOT Included
• Hop On – Hop Off Services.
• Parking fees at Savannah Visitors Center *(FREE 1st hour & $2.00 each hour following)
• Chevron down Please Note
• During the summer the temperature can soar above 100 degrees. Please come prepared with water, sunscreen, hat, etc..

Related Tours

• Most Popular Tour!!
• Users 3+ y/o
• Hour Glass 1.5 Hours

Explore Savannah Trolley Tour

This uninterrupted, fully narrated tour tells you all about Georgia’s first city in an open-air trolley. After the 90 minute tour, use our FREE shuttle service for unlimited drop-offs and pick-ups at our convenient trolley stops for 2 days!

• Hour Glass 3 Hours

Savannah Land & Sea Tour

Experience Savannah’s rich history by land and by sea. Enjoy views of the city on a 90 minute tour on an open-air trolley and glide down the river to catch stunning views of Savannah’s skyline and historic waterfront on a 90 minute Riverboat tour. FREE 2-Day Shuttle is included.

• Users 13+ y/o

The Savannah Underground: An Immersive Ghost Hunt

Prepare to experience a ghost tour like no other! Dive into the city’s dark past and end the tour in the exclusive Savannah Underground for a 40 minute immersive adventure that surrounds you with some of Savannah’s scariest history.

• Hour Glass 6 Hours

Bonaventure Cemetery & Wormsloe Historic Site

Enjoy a day trip to the coastal areas of Savannah beginning with a walking tour of Bonaventure Cemetery. We will stop for lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants before heading to Wormsloe Historic Site. We will end the trip with a stop a Byrd’s Cookie Company.

• Hour Glass 5-6 Hours

Savannah to Tybee Island with Dolphin Cruise

Join us for a drive out to Tybee Island where we will eat a delicious lunch, board a dolphin cruise, see our famous lighthouse, and enjoy some free time on the beach.

• EXTREME VALUE
• Hour Glass 2 Days

Historic Savannah 2-Day Shuttle

Enjoy unlimited shuttle service running 9am-5pm daily .

Needing to get to your lunch destination from your hotel? Call the shuttle and tell them where in the historic district to pick you up! Sightseeing, shopping, exploring and dining in the city just got easier.

$20 gets you 2 days of this incredible shuttle.

Purchase the perfect gift: a gift card with a value of your choosing!

Home Tour Cancelled

It is with deep regret that Savannah's Downtown Neighborhood Association has decided to not hold the Holiday Tour of Homes in 2024. We do not have the personnel to manage the event this year. It’s a huge undertaking as you can imagine, and we are all volunteers.  

Thank you for your support over the years. It was a pleasure hosting the tour because of your enthusiasm and participation.  

We hope to be back in 2025 and will post information on this website.

Board of Directors

Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association

Holiday Tour of Homes

Saturday, December 9, 2023 TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT Trolley tickets still available  

Join the Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association for the 48th Annual Holiday Tour of H omes on Saturday, December 9. Go behind the doors of eight private homes along with historic inns and museums with exquisite architecture, beautiful furnishings, and gracious holiday décor.  Different private homes are featured each year.  

This is a walking tour . Purchase of a trolley ticket, at an extra cost, will provide transportation to central locations but not directly to each tour stop.  

No refunds & no waitlist available.   

To have the best experience, please review the Important Tour Information section.

About the Tour

There are two sessions to choose from with staggered start and end times between 10:00 am to 5 p.m. Both sessions include the same homes, inns, and museums.  Proceeds for the tour directly support Downtown Neighborhood Association's charitable giving program. 

How to spend the ultimate long weekend in Savannah, Georgia

Jun 17, 2024 • 5 min read

Spend the perfect weekend in Savannah, Georgia, with this guide © Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

For those of us in greater Atlanta , Savannah is as close as we can get to the beach. It’s a four-ish hour drive from my home, making it the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. 

I like to take a half day on Fridays so that I can get to Savannah with plenty of time to check in and unwind before dinner. I’m usually in no hurry to depart on Sundays, so I'm able to make the most of my time.

Here are my recommendations on how to make the most of your weekend.

• When to arrive: I recommend starting the day no later than mid-afternoon, perhaps around 2pm. If you can swing it, Thursday night is even better! 
• How to get from the airport: Splurge on a rideshare to get into the city from the airport since the bus might take an hour or more. 
• Getting around town: You’ll most likely be getting around on foot. Taxis and rideshares can cover greater distances, like if you’re going to Tybee Island or south of Forsyth Park. 
• Where to stay: Savannah has everything from charming inns to luxury hotels. My favorites are the retro vibes of the Thunderbird Inn , the JW Marriott Plant Riverside District for its museum-esque lobby, and the Alida Hotel , named for a historic preservationist. I’ve also enjoyed a friend’s Airbnb, which lets me feel, at least temporarily, like a local.
• What to pack: The most important thing you’ll need is comfortable shoes, especially if you’ll be getting around on foot. A hat is also a good idea, especially during the summer months. I also like to carry a folding fan to keep me cool. The city is fairly laid-back, so you won’t need to adhere to a dress code unless a restaurant requires it.

Morning: Start your day with breakfast. Dottie’s Market has artisan foods to take with you, like specialty jams and sauces, but it’s the prepared dishes that make it a favorite. The bagel BLT will keep you full for hours. If all you need to get your day started is coffee and a pastry, head to the Coffee Fox down the street.

The shops on Broughton St open around 10am, so once you’ve had a bite to eat, check out the local boutiques like Clockwork Skateshop , Nourish , an organic bath products store, and secondhand threads at Glory Days Vintage . 

How to spend the day: Get a quick overview of the city and its history by joining Free Savannah Tours for a 90-minute walking tour. You’ll pay a small booking fee, and tips are encouraged, but you won’t find a cheaper tour in town, running at 9:30 and noon. 

Many of Savannah’s iconic homes now operate as museums, so step inside to see how the locals who once owned them lived. The Juliette Gordon Low house is a popular stop for Girl Scouts and grown-ups alike. The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is an important look at what life was like for both the wealthy merchant class and enslaved people in the 19th century. 

After a morning of tours, enjoy an outdoor lunch, picking up picnic supplies from Fancy Parker’s , an upscale outpost of the gas station chain in a historic service station. Grab fried chicken, sandwiches and a soda to enjoy in one of Savannah’s famous squares. Chippewa Sq, of 1994-movie  Forrest Gump fame, is a short walk away. 

Then head to the City Market, with abundant shops and restaurants. Don’t miss the American Prohibition Museum , which covers the history of the failed experiment and ends in the speakeasy, where you can enjoy a cocktail. 

Dinner: If you only have time for one restaurant in town, make it the Grey . Its many accolades are well-deserved, with a menu truly inspired by the region, including oysters and pork cooked in sorghum. If you’re looking for something more casual, Crystal Beer Parlor is a local favorite for its burgers and crab dip.

After dark: River St certainly has its charms, but if you’re not looking for the party crowds, pop into one of Savannah’s cocktail bars like Artillery or Alley Cat Lounge .

Morning: Operating year-round, the Forsyth Farmers Market in Forsyth Park is the best way to start the day. It opens at 9am, and you’ll find both produce sellers and prepared food vendors, so pick up a coffee and pastry to explore. When you’re all packed, make the 30-minute drive to Tybee Island , Savannah’s beach community, where you can get another caffeine fix at  Tybean . (If you don’t have a car to make the trek, get a hotel pool pass  and chill for the day at somewhere like the Thompson or the Alida.) 

How to spend the day: Pick up lunch from Finches Sandwiches & Sundries in Thunderbolt on your way. The Romaine Empire is a fave, best with a side of Old Bay-dusted tots to share. 

If you just want to lounge in the sand and surf, settle in for the afternoon. But if you’re looking to explore, wander to the historic pier, which has been featured in movies like The Last Song (2010) and Baywatch (2017) or hit the trails at Fort Pulaski . Take a tour of the 1773 Tybee Lighthouse or cool off with a cold one at Back River Brewery . 

Dinner: Before you head back downtown, enjoy a seafood feast at one of the island’s restaurants. Sea Wolf has quirky decor, tiki-style cocktails, and a menu of oysters and fancy hot dogs. The Crab Shack is a Tybee staple, with tables tucked amongst the trees where diners eat heaped portions of shrimp and crab. 

After dark: Back in Savannah, if you’re not too tired and sunburnt, join one of the after-hours ghost tours of the city, or belly up to the bar at the Original Pinkie Masters , one of Savannah’s oldest dive bars. 

Morning: For your last day in town, get an early start by heading to the Starland District for breakfast. Flora and Fauna serves biscuits, breakfast sandwiches and beautiful pastries, while Big Bon Bodega makes freshly baked bagels daily.

How to spend the day: Explore the district’s many shops and businesses like Two Tides Brewing, which has coffee in the morning and pints come afternoon. Pop into Superbloom  for jewelry and gifts and Graveface Records & Curiosities for records and offbeat knickknacks. Grab a slice from Starland Yard , an open-air food hall made of converted shipping containers.

When you’ve had your fill, head back to the hotel to check out, saying goodbye to the city – only until your next weekend visit.

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Visit Savannah Offers Four Lessons Guiding its 11-City Summer Mobile Tour Strategy

“We have a lot of giveaways across all 11 cities—everything from hotel stays to etched wine glasses or Savannah watercolor kits… This allowed [our small businesses] to have some representation with a minimum of 10 items. We covered the shipping costs; they just had to provide the items.”

–Lauren Cleland, VP-Strategic Marketing, Visit Savannah and Visit Tybee Island

Surprisingly Savannah: The Mobile Tour will make its way to 11 cities this summer.

Visit Savannah is taking Southern charm on the road. Two years since its debut award-winning experiential pop-up in New York City , the brand has taken learnings gathered to launch a mobile tour hitting 11 cities this summer . “Surprisingly Savannah: The Mobile Tour” kicked off in May in Cincinnati and will wrap back in Ohio on Aug. 13 in Cincinnati. At each stop, attendees can sample honey and pralines, create their own salt scrub, answer Savannah trivia for the chance to win prizes, and capture content in a photo booth.

“New York was our test. We said, ‘OK, we have a little bit of extra budget. Let’s try something riskier that we’ve not been able to do in the past.’ Our goal was to have 700 people come through, and then 3,000 came that day, so we considered that a wonderful success,” says Lauren Cleland, vp-strategic marketing at Visit Savannah and Visit Tybee Island. “The team discussed how we could increase the number of cities that we come into contact with. The mobile tour was a great way of amping up the experience that we already created.”

The learnings from that first year made all the difference, giving the organization the confidence to branch out with two more standalone pop-ups in 2023, each two days long in Chicago and Boston, and now a full-blown, multiregional, 12-week Surprisingly Savannah: The Mobile Tour. Here, Cleland breaks down the top four insights and improvements they focused on this year.

More on Hospitality:

• Seven Tourism-inspired Engagement Tactics Worth Exploring
• How Visit Savannah Broke a Single-day Foot Traffic Record in New York City

Using authentic décor to immerse attendees.

The original “Surprisingly Savannah” pop-up took place inside a white tent outfitted with big red doors, greenery, lit street lamps and cobblestone-patterned carpet. Cleland says there was a lot of white space, and the team saw the opportunity to upgrade the décor at the next two pop-ups by switching to tents that were clear, adding pops of color and creating a lush floral experience inside.

For the tour, even more design elements evocative of the Savannah setting were added. A white-and-purple branded trolley is the centerpiece of the footprint, and it serves two convenient purposes, which Cleland describes as “go mode,” where the trolley drives from city to city with a teardrop trailer attached, and “show mode,” where the team takes everything off the trolley to set up the “Surprisingly Savannah” experience. The trolley also becomes the backdrop for a cobblestone stage where live musicians perform in every city, and it features a retractable awning and windows that look like they’re reflecting the trees and environment of Savannah.

In addition to flowering pink dogwoods dispersed around the space, Savannah’s famous 30-acre Forsyth Park comes to life in the form of a photo booth (also a data capture opportunity) with the iconic fountain backdrop, potted plants, benches and a lamppost.

“We’re trying to create as many magical moments and lasting relationships as possible so that when they’re planning their next trip, there’s something making Savannah stick in their brain outside of just standard ads, because there are a million things vying for consumer attention, and that’s why we’ve done this so we can stick out from the crowd,” Cleland says.

Brand ambassadors are on hand to answer questions, distribute insider’s guides and pralines, and deliver the city’s quintessential Southern hospitality.

Partnering with local businesses and organizations.

Two inflatable tent structures host experiences tied to Savannah businesses. The first tent is home to Savannah Bee Company, where attendees can sample a variety of honeys. In the second, attendees can make their own salt scrub in three steps with Salacia Salts. “They have a custom bag with QR codes on it and CTAs, so we’re trying to drive quality traffic while also offering a quality giveaway,” Cleland says.

Visit Savannah aimed to integrate as many local boutiques as possible into the tour, and offered sponsorship opportunities at varying levels, like participating in just a few stops rather than all 11 cities, to fit the partners’ different business needs and goals.

“We have a lot of giveaways across all 11 cities—everything from hotel stays to etched wine glasses or Savannah watercolor kits,” she says. “While a lot of our small businesses couldn’t even begin to fathom producing enough items for an 11-city tour, this allowed them to have some representation with a minimum of 10 items. We covered the shipping costs; they just had to provide the items.”

The teardrop trailer serves as a visitor information center, where brand ambassadors answer questions and distribute insider’s guides and pralines from Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. At six of the tour stops, the Savannah Economic Development Authority takes over the trailer as a hub to recruit workforce for burgeoning industries in the city, talking about the Savannah lifestyle and job opportunities—a community partnership in addition to the tour’s leisure and tourism focus.

Adding extra layers of hospitality.

Savannah’s Forsyth Park comes to life in the form of a photo booth.

Southern hospitality is a quintessential aspect of the Savannah experience, and that welcoming vibe needed to come through at each tour stop. At the first pop-up in New York City, the team noticed attendees wanted to bring strollers inside the tented venue, but they weren’t allowed in due to limited space on the floor. The next year, the team added dedicated stroller parking with a QR code sign that took users to a web page listing kid-friendly activities in Savannah. They’re offering the same service on tour this year.

To accommodate passersby with pets, Visit Savannah has designated a dog-friendly area that provides treats and branded water bowls, along with signage that directs dog owners to a web page outlining the city’s pet-friendly elements. “Those were some of my favorite, what seemed like small changes that I think are actually quite impactful because they show that we care about the individuals,” Cleland says.

Popping up at established festivals and events.

Looking to increase throughput, Visit Savannah has positioned a few of its tour stops at popular festivals, events and open-air malls with high foot traffic. The mobile tour has a bigger footprint, about 40 feet by 70 feet, allowing for increased visibility and, the team hopes, longer dwell times.

Touching another side of Visit Savannah’s business—conventions and meetings—the trolley will be rolled onto the trade show floor of the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Cleveland, OH, for its final stop on the tour. Geared toward the association professionals and executives in attendance, the booth experience will promote Savannah as an expo and meeting destination.

During the tour, Visit Savannah is also taking part in parades, with the trolley joining the routes at the Nashville Pride Parade and the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

“We wanted to show a very dedicated, concerted effort to support the queer community because in Savannah, we are welcoming. We think y’all means all in Savannah, and so that is a big way of us showing that by being a part of Pride,” Cleland says. “We are trying to be seen everywhere, not just activations. We’re becoming parade people, and just having a blast with it all.” Agency:  Engage & Resonate.

More Scenes from Surprisingly Savannah: The Mobile Tour:

Photo credit: Engage & Resonate

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