Savannah Historic District Tour by The Wandering Historians

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Savannah Historic District

   We explore the oldest, and most architecturally significant areas of Georgia's first city and America's first planned city.

   Pass by without stopping

2. Johnson Square

   The city's largest square, often called Bank Square by locals, is where the colony was first organized in 1733 and became central to its culture and commerce as it still does today. Home to City Hall, the burials of Washington's 2nd in Command, Nathanael Greene, his son George Washington Greene, The Church of England and much more.

   10 minutes here

3. Savannah City Hall

   Erected in 1906, the former site of the 1799 City Exchange is where city government flows from today with its 22-carat gold dome.

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4. The South-east corner of Johnson Square is where The Church of England has been in various houses of worship since 1733 and is considered a masterwork in Classic Greek Revival.

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5. Wright Square

   One of Savannah's most charming of city squares and one of the original 4 squares laid out during Oglethorpe's founding period. Originally home to the first burying ground, courthouse, jail and eventual burial site of the Indian King, Tomochichi. Few squares have as much history.

   10 minutes here

6. Named for South Carolina Royal Governor Colonel William Bull, who assisted in the laying out of Savannah, this central axis is really the main artery of the walking life that Savannah is world reknowned for and features endless architectural styles, churches, shops, cafes and more and is comprised of the 5 city squares that makes up our tour route.

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7. Independent Presbyterian Church

   With its towering 119ft cast iron steeple as the highest point in the city, this 1819 architectural wonder built by John Holden Greene is one of the religious epicenters of Savannah, particularly its Scottish heritage. Woodrow Wilson married in the courtyard.

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8. Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum

   While this is a touring home business and we do not enter it, we do spend quality time at this location. This 1820 home built by prodigy architect, William Jay, first housed a U.S. Supreme Court Judge, but would become central to the grand family of The Gordons, daughter Juliette Low, arguably the most famous for her Girl Scouts of The USA. This family however is a great American tale of immigrants who became pioneers who became industrialists and military and the women's history level with Juliette Low in the mix, a dynamic family story of The American Dream realized.

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9. Originally built as an elite school for boys, The Chatham Boys Academy, with frieze work done by noted Gettysburg Battlefield and Bonaventure Cemetery sculptor, John Walz, is today home to our Board of Education for Chatham County.

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10. Chippewa Square

    Yet another city masterpiece with both Colonial & Victorian rowhouses, churches, inns, pubs, coffeehouses Savannah Theater and monument of Georgia's Founder, Oglethorpe done by Lincoln Memorial sculptor, Daniel Chester French.

    10 minutes here

11. Savannah's first boarding house was built and run by an industrious woman and remains one of Savannah's most beautiful and time-honored inns.

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12. This monolithic, stuccoed gem of 1830, is Savannah best survived and most intact religious structure. Not only where Union and Confederates prayed for the first time together after the war but includes a balcony setting once used by slaves and freedmen.

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13. Daniel Chester French may have done The Lincoln Memorial, but he called the statue of Oglethorpe in Savannah, "my life's finest work." As Oglethorpe himself was 6'11, the statue is often called lifesize but is actually over 9 feet in reality!

    5 minutes here

14. America's oldest continually operating theater even if multiple fires have altered the original appearance but this is where everyone from Oscar Wilde lectured, the Booth Family acted and where players like Cesar Romero first performed on stage as a child.

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15. Savannah's longest standing coffee house is a local favorite and when time allows, may permit a coffee and bathroom break.

    5 minutes here

16. With the London phonebooth outside as a major signifier, there's no mistaking the facade as a pub that would be found in any English town. Founded by a former chef of Kenny Rogers and always popular.

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17. Originally a Victorian stable for Arabian horses, this Moorish inspired building with stunning rounded glass corners and complete terra-cotta facade, is where Henry Ford first opened a showroom in 1905. Today, a popular cocktail bar.

    5 minutes here

18. Madison Square

    With every square, is a new wonder on the eyes, mind and spirit. Madison Square with its wonderful book seller, two tea houses and 2 of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture and Greek Revival in America with other monuments, its a square you'll get lost in and we'll help you! The Savannah College of Art & Design, America's largest private art school, was founded here in 1976 inside of The Chatham Artillery.

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19. The Old Sorrel-Weed House Museum & Tours

    While this is a touring home business and we do not enter it, we do spend quality time at this location. An early Cotton Boom masterpiece and often called The Finest Example of Greek Revival Architecture in America, this touring home has become a modern paranormal phenomenon if because in part, our company's founder, Shannon Scott, was the producer on the Ghost Hunter's episode that made it such a successful attraction! We discuss The Sorrel & Weed families who were empire level agrarian names of The Victorian Age.

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20. E Shaver Bookseller

    This classic English appearing bookseller and teahouse is one of the most popular stores in the entire city and connected to The Eliza Jewett Home who was one of Savannah's empire women.

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21. Green-Meldrim House

    While this is a touring home business and we do not enter it, we do spend quality time at this location. This 1853 Gothic Revival Home was built complete with gas powered jet air conditioning by New York architect, Robert Norris. Some credit owner, Charles Green with saving Savannah from Sherman's wrath by offering him his personal house to serve as his resident headquarters for the 8 weeks that General Sherman occupied the city.Visited by Harper's Weekly in December of 1865 where they illustrated Sherman and his Generals' roundtable style, where Sherman sent President Lincoln our fair city as a Christmas gift.

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22. Seargent William Jasper, a South Carolinian plantation owner, gave his life to the defense of Savannah during The American Revolutionary War and few monuments anywhere, demonstrate such heroism of the individual and the fight and love for freedom.

    5 minutes here

23. One of Savannah's most elite, local, force of guardsmen, of which they are still many proud members today, were once housed in barracks here as The Chatham Artillery. In 1976, two educators from Atlanta, founded what would become America's largest private art school going on to restore over 100 building in Savannah with campuses extending as far away as Lacoste, France.

    5 minutes here

24. With its original brick and asphalt brick streets, this largely residential street is Savannah's most desirable and routinely called The Most Beautiful Street in Savannah, the whole east to west Jones Street corridor is perhaps the best example of rowhouses on one block, and exemplary of what it is to live inside of communal Savannah. Homes ranging from 1847 to moderne takes on the old styles.

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25. Monterey Square

    Among locals, and tourists, Monterey Square usually takes the prize as the city's most beautiful, serene and European. Home to towering rowhouses, some Barbados style, this is where Poland's greatest hero, Count Casimir Pulaski was laid to rest in 1779, where Jeff Davis hid out during The Civil War, and where famous preservation names like Lee & Emma Adler resided until their recent deaths. No tour would be complete without The Mercer House famed to Midnight In The Garden of Good & Evil. Also stopping by The Temple Mickve Israel

    10 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Bonaventure, Historic Savannah, Low Country & Private with Shannon Scott Tours

Know before you go

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Traveler reviews

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