Free things to do in Savannah

The Savannah Historic District is a place where you can spend a full two days walking around and sightseeing. There are many antebellum homes of historic significance, as well as the lovely squares. There is also the Riverfront and the free Ferry rides to Hutchinson Island. Also, spend some time watching the people and ships go by on the Riverfront.

For more information on sightseeing in the Historic District, see the sample 1-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day Itineraries.

The many landmarks in the Historic District include (in alpha order):

• Andrew Low House - Tours are available (Layfayette Square)

• Armstrong Mansion - (near Forsyth Park)

• Candler Oak 300 year old tree - corner of Drayton and East Gaston Streets

• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist -  (Near Lafayette Square) The history of the Cathedral dates back to the late 1700s when a group of Haitian and French immigrants established the first parish. This Cathedral has evolved throughout the years and was most recently fully restored in 2000.

• City Market (West side) - The City Market has been the commercial and social center of Savannah since the early 1700s. Now, it is a four-block area filled with fun things to do. If you don’t want to spend money, you can simply stroll around the area and people watch.

• Davenport House Museum -  (Columbia Square)Tours are available

• Dresser Palmer House - (Columbia Square)

• Forsyth Park (South end) - Forsyth Park is the largest park in downtown Savannah, spanning a 30-acre area. Take a photo in front of the famed fountain when you are there for a concert or a nice relaxing walk.

• Green-Meldrim House - (Madison Square) Tours are available

• Gingerbread House - (Bull Street & W. 36th Street) 1921 Bull Street - Most photographed house in Historic District

• Hamilton Turner House - (near Lafayette Square) Tours are available

• Hampton-Lillibridge House -  (Washington Square) Some call it the most haunted home in the US

• Harper Fowlkes House - (Orleans Square) Tours are available

• Historic Savannah Theater - (Chippewa Square)

• Isaiah Davenport House - (Columbia Square) Tours are available

• Juliette Gordon Lowe - (One Block South Wright Square) Tours are available

• Kehoe House - (Columbia Square) (Bed and Breakfast)

• Marshall House (hotel at 123 East Broughton Street)

• Mercer-Williams House - (Monterey Square) Tours are available

• Noble Hardee house - (Near Monterey Square)  Built in 1860 - 3 West Gordon Street

• Olde Pink House Restaurant - (Reynolds Square)

• Owens-Thomas House - (Oglethorpe Square) (1816 - 1819) Has beautiful gardens - Tours are available

• Pirates House (build 1794 - thought to be the oldest standing building in Georgia.)

• Riverfront at Rousakis Plaza

• Savannah Cotton Exchange

• Scottish Rite Temple - (Near Madison Square)

• Sorrel-Weed House  - (Madison Square) 6 West Harris Street - Tours are available

Friday evening Fireworks on the Riverfront (North end)

Every first Friday of every month except in January and July when the fireworks displays will be on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July at  Rousakis Plaza on River Street.

See the Itineraries for a suggested walking tour.

Free things to do outside the Historic District

Bonaventure Cemetery -  4.8 miles, 14 minutes via East President Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

• Bonaventure Cemetery is Savannah’s most famous cemetery with several famous figures buried there. Among those buried are poet Conrad Aiken, Academy Award winner Johnny Mercer, and Georgia’s first governor Edward Telfair. The beautiful landscape is said to be a “city of the dead.”