66 Best Sights in Savannah, Georgia

This museum preserves the legacy of the Central of Georgia Railway, an integral part of the industrial heritage of Savannah and of the South. A step into a different era, the museum is home to numerous railcars and boxcars, working diesel and steam locomotives, and a rare functioning railroad turntable. Around the corner is an iconic 125-foot-tall smokestack and the original quarters for workers and managers. Children of all ages will appreciate the expansive model-train exhibit, a fully operable rendition of a train traveling through the region. Ride on a historic diesel or steam locomotive.

In 1736, General James Oglethorpe, who founded the colony of Georgia, parceled out 1,500 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway on the condition that the owners would help defend the city. The northernmost tract, today known as the Isle of Hope, was bequeathed to Henry Parker, who became the first acting governor in 1752. In the 1840s, the island had become a popular community for summer homes and, by 1875, the terminus for the Savannah, Skidaway, and Seaboard railroads, three major transit routes that transported travelers from far up the east coast and across the South. Today, the horseshoe-shaped island provides sweeping views and cool breezes from almost any point along the bluff, as well as an array of beautiful, historic homes.

The oldest of James Oglethorpe's original squares was laid out in 1733 and named for South Carolina governor Robert Johnson. A monument marks the grave of Nathanael Greene, a hero of the Revolutionary War and close friend of George Washington. The square has always been a popular gathering place: Savannahians came here to welcome President Monroe in 1819, to greet the Marquis de Lafayette in 1825, and to cheer for Georgia's secession in 1861. Locals call this Bank Square because of the plethora of nearby banks—perfect if you need an ATM.

 This early-19th-century townhouse, attributed to William Jay, was designated in 1965 as Savannah's first National Historic Landmark. "Daisy" Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, was born here in 1860, and the house is now owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of America. Mrs. Low's paintings and other artwork are on display in the house, restored to the style of 1886, the year of Mrs. Low's marriage. Droves of Girl Scout troops make the regular pilgrimage to Savannah to see their founder's birthplace and earn merit badges. In addition to its value as a pilgrimage site for Girl Scouts, the home is a beautiful look into the lives of Savannahians during the Victorian era. Tickets sell fast, so book in advance if you want to tour the house on a specific day.

Named for the Marquis de Lafayette, who aided the Americans during the Revolutionary War, the square contains a graceful three-tier fountain donated by the Georgia chapter of the Colonial Dames of America. The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is located on this square, as are the Andrew Low House and the impressive and elegant Hamilton-Turner Inn. The childhood home of celebrated Southern author Flannery O'Connor also sits on this square.

Laid out in 1839 and named for President James Madison, this square is home to a statue depicting Sergeant William Jasper hoisting a flag, a tribute to his bravery during the Siege of Savannah. Though mortally wounded, Jasper rescued the colors of his regiment in the assault on the British lines, and his valor is celebrated each year with an annual memorial ceremony. A granite marker denotes the southern line of the British defense during the 1779 battle. The Green-Meldrim House, General Sherman's headquarters after capturing the city in 1864, is here.

Commemorating the victory of General Zachary Taylor's forces in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1846, this is the southernmost of Bull Street's squares. A monument honors General Casimir Pulaski, the Polish nobleman who lost his life in the Siege of Savannah during the Revolutionary War. On the square sits Temple Mickve Israel (one of the country's oldest Jewish congregations) and some of the city's most beautiful mansions, including the iconic Mercer Williams House.

Members of the "Greatest Generation" formed the famous World War II squadron called the Mighty Eighth in Savannah in 1942. Within a month, they answered the call to arms and shipped out to the United Kingdom as part of the Allied Forces. Flying in Royal Air Force planes, the Mighty Eighth was the largest Army Air Force unit during World War II and played a major role in defeating the Nazis. Exhibits at this museum begin with the prelude to World War II and the rise of Adolf Hitler, and continue through Desert Storm. You can see vintage aircraft, fly a simulated bombing mission with a B-17 crew, test your skills as a waist gunner, and view interviews with courageous World War II vets. The museum also has three theaters, a chapel, an art gallery, and a 7,000-volume library.

Tybee Island's North Beach is an all-in-one destination for beachgoers of every age. Located at the mouth of the Savannah River, the scene is generally low-key and is a great vantage point for viewing the cargo ships making their way to the Port of Savannah. A large, metered parking lot gives you convenient access to the beach, Fort Screven, and the adjacent Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum, a 178-step lighthouse with great views of the surrounding area. The North Beach Grill, located in the parking lot, is perfect for an ice-cold beverage or bite to eat. To get here from Highway 80, turn left on Campbell Street and follow the signs to the Tybee Island Lighthouse. The local police are notorious for parking tickets, so make sure not to let your meter run over. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguard; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; swimming; walking.

A few miles east of the Historic District, this wildlife preserve and educational center is one of the best family outings around. Home to a variety of animal habitats spread along a 2-mile path through pristine maritime forest, it feels more like a nature walk than a trip to the zoo as you're as likely to see wild otters and red-tailed hawks as you are the permanent residents. Several coastal habitats are represented, including the wetlands that are home to alligators, herons, and cranes. Bobcats, wolves, bison, armadillos, and assorted birds of prey live in large exhibits, and a butterfly garden flutters with colorful pollinators. Call or visit the website for reservations and/or additional information. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

 The oldest standing fort in Georgia was garrisoned in the War of 1812 and was the Confederate headquarters for the river batteries. Surrounded by a tidal moat, the brick fort guards Five Fathom Hole, the 18th-century deep-water port in the Savannah River. Inside you'll see exhibits that highlight the life of a soldier in the 19th century. Blacksmithing demonstrations, traditional music programs, and battle reenactments—including live cannon and musket firings—are among the attractions.

The culturally rich community surrounding this museum lived in relative isolation for nearly 100 years before modern development reached Skidaway Island. Residents of Pin Point are Gullah/Geechee descendants of first-generation freed slaves from Ossabaw Island. Founded in 1890 on the banks of Moon River, this fishing community has a deep connection to the water. Many residents once worked at the A. S. Varn & Son oyster and crab factory, which has been transformed into this interactive museum to honor the life, work, and history of the community.

 This history museum, named after the late Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert, the father of Savannah's modern-day civil rights movement and leader of the NAACP, has a series of engaging exhibits on segregation, from emancipation through the civil rights movement. The role of Black and white Savannahians in ending segregation in their city is well detailed and includes archival photographs and videos housed in this former Black-owned bank in what was once the heart of Savannah's Black business community. There's also a replica of a lunch counter where Black patrons were denied service.

Anglican cleric and theologian John Wesley is remembered here. He arrived in Savannah in 1736 at the behest of General James Oglethorpe to minister to the newly established colony. During his short stay, the future founder of the Methodist Church preached and wrote the first English hymnal in the city. His monument in Reynolds Square is shaded by greenery and surrounded by park benches. The landmark Planters Inn, formerly the John Wesley Hotel, is also located on the square. Ironically, though it was named after a man of the cloth, it was considered the best brothel in town at the turn of the 20th century.

From River Street's main pavilion you can watch a parade of freighters and pug-nosed tugs glide by along the river. River Street is the main venue for several of the city's grandest celebrations, including the First Friday Fireworks. The plaza is named for former Savannah mayor John Rousakis and fills with locals for Savannah's signature St. Patrick's Day festivities and Fourth of July celebration. Rousakis, like greater River Street, is flanked by an abundance of shops and restaurants and draws colorful street entertainers.

Once the private collection of Savannah businessman Don Cole, this assemblage of more than a thousand sculptures, artifacts, tribal costumes, carved masks, pottery, and other sacred objects from West and Central Africa is now on display for the general public in a beautifully restored yellow mansion. The museum has works and artifacts from more than 180 cultures and also hosts workshops and lectures relating to African history.

Adhering to the principle of learning through doing, the Savannah Children's Museum has open green spaces with several stations geared toward sensory play, including a water–sand play excavation station, sound station of percussion instruments, and an organic garden. The storybook nook is a partnership with the public library and encourages visiting youngsters to balance physical and mental recreation. One station includes costumes for stage performances.

This history museum houses exhibits on Savannah's cultural and military history. Inside you'll find much about the lives of early Native American settlers, including the development of tabby (crushed oyster shells with lime, sand, and water) for use in early construction. Subsequent historical periods are portrayed, including the Revolutionary and Civil War eras and the Industrial Revolution. More modern highlights include the city's countless Hollywood film appearances over the years, the most memorable of which might be Forrest Gump. The very bench that Tom Hanks sat on can be seen here.

In 1824, officials chartered a project to use African American and Irish laborers to dig a 16-mile canal between the Savannah and Ogeechee rivers—by hand. Although it was once used to float lumber and other commodities via a series of tidal locks, only the small portion between Highway 204 and the Ogeechee River remains open to the public. Take the tow path toward the river, and you might see hawks, owls, snakes, and other wildlife; just don't touch the crumbling bricks. Be sure to stop into the on-site museum to chat with Connie the Canoe Lady. If the museum is closed, you can leave the admission fee in the honor box; better yet, PayPal a donation to  [email protected].

Winding trails through maritime forest and along the Intracoastal Waterway invite hikers, naturalists, and wildlife seekers into a 588-acre world of natural beauty and history. Pack a picnic to explore saw palmettos and the old moonshine still, or reserve a camping spot to marvel at the night sky over the Skidaway Narrows. RV hookups, group shelter, and cabins available.

If your idea of a good beach day involves empty stretches of sand, unobstructed views, plenty of privacy, and the sound of crashing waves, then you should test the waters at the south end. As its name suggests, the south end is located at the southern tip of the island where Tybee's Back River meets the Atlantic Ocean.  Riptides and strong currents are prevalent here, so use extreme caution when swimming and obey all signage.

At low tide, the waters recede to expose a stunning system of sandbars that are great for shelling and spotting sea life. Check the tides to make sure you don't get stranded on the sandbars. This is one of Tybee's prettiest beaches, and is worshipped by locals for its seclusion. There are no restaurants in the immediate vicinity, so it's a good idea to bring a cooler packed with snacks and beverages. Parking is tough—just two very small metered lots. In high season, arrive on the early or the late side, when crowds are thinner. Amenities: parking (fee). Best for: sea kayaking; sunset; walking; windsurfing.

Built in 1852, this church is famous for its whimsical chimes and stained-glass windows. The extraordinary parish house is the revered Green-Meldrim House, the only remaining Gothic-style private home in the Historic District. An interesting bit of trivia: on Christmas 1864, after General Sherman moved into the Green-Meldrim House, his army chaplain conducted the church's Christmas service. Though the house is still an active parish house, tours are available on a limited basis. Contact the church to learn whether a house tour is available for your selected date.

 This unique Gothic-revival synagogue on Monterey Square houses the third-oldest Jewish congregation in the United States; its founding members settled in town only five months after the establishment of Savannah in 1733. The synagogue's permanent collection includes documents and letters (some from such notables as George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson) pertaining to early Jewish life in Savannah and Georgia, as well as a 15th-century Torah, the oldest Torah in North America.

 This 25-acre complex is home to the Savannah History Museum, the Georgia State Railroad Museum, and the Savannah Children's Museum, as well as Battlefield Memorial Park. This site offers an unbeatable introduction to the city and a full day of fun for the whole family. The battlefield was the site of the second-bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War, where on October 9, 1779, 800 of the 8,000 troops who fought lost their lives.

 Considered one of North America's most beautifully renovated lighthouses, the Tybee Light Station has been guiding Savannah River mariners since 1736. It's not the first lighthouse built on this site; the original was constructed on orders of General James Oglethorpe in 1732. You can walk up 178 steps for amazing views at the top. The lightkeeper's cottage houses a small theater showing a video about the lighthouse. The nearby museum is in a gun battery constructed for the Spanish-American War.

This is Tybee's "grand strand," the center of the summer beach action. Anchored by a 700-foot pier that is sometimes host to summer concerts, this stretch of shoreline is your best bet for people-watching and beach activities. Just off the sand at the bustling intersection of Tybrisa Street and Butler Avenue, a cluster of watering holes, souvenir shops, bike shacks, and oyster bars makes up Tybee's main business district. There are public restrooms at the Pier and at 15th and Tybrisa Streets. The pier is popular for fishing and is also the gathering place for fireworks displays. There's metered street parking as well as two good-sized lots. Both fill up fast during the high season, so arrive early.

On the grounds of the former Modena Plantation, the University of Georgia runs this aquarium with revolving exhibits about the state's coastal wildlife and ecosystems. Kids love the touch tanks featuring creatures from tidal creeks, the ocean beaches, and the open waters of the continental shelf up-close. The sea turtles are especially popular. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the fresh air after visiting the aquarium, and don't miss the nearby nature trails and ADA-approved salt marsh boardwalk.

This statue at River Street and East Broad Ramp is a beloved symbol of Savannah's Southern hospitality. It commemorates Florence Martus, a sister to the lighthouse keeper, who waved to ships as they came into Savannah's port for more than 44 years. She would wave a white towel and, when young, always had her dog by her side. Late in her life, locals threw her a huge birthday party at Fort Pulaski with more than 5,000 guests. Despite having welcomed so many sailors to port, she died without ever having been wed.