Location: Downtown
Top Things to do in Downtown
Top 10 Things to do in Downtown, Georgia (GA)
Charming Savannah is the picture of antebellum hospitality, thanks to period architecture and oak-lined streets. It’s tempting to spend your trip just relaxing on vast verandas and sipping mint juleps, but there are plenty of historical sites and museums to explore. Haunting (and possibly haunted) Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the hallmarks of the city, featuring beautiful obelisks, masses of flowers, and ivy-covered crypts. Dine on fresh seafood and creamy grits for a taste of Savannah home cooking.
Restaurants in Savannah
1. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9,384 reviews
The oldest Roman Catholic church in Georgia.
Reviewed By P5560OMamym
This enormous Cathedral is in the heart of historic Savannah and is an exotically prayerful & powerful landmark for which to visit, admire, study, film and light a candle.
2. Pulaski Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
City square with many monuments and historical markers.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Pulaski Square, which is bisected by Barnard Street and the intersecting side streets of Harris, Macon and Charlton, with West Jones Street forming the boundary, is one of the most interesting squares in Savannah, Georgia, a city of squares. Named after Casimir Pulaski, a Polish immigrant who came to Savannah to seek a better life and who died a hero in the Siege of Savannah in 1779, it is altogether mind-boggling that there isn't a single fountain in the park and the obligatory statue of Pulaski, an imposing bronze monument, was erected in Monterey Square in 1855. Go figure. But there are many magnificent homes on the streets surrounding Pulaski Square. In its time, it was the largest redevelopment project of the Historic Savannah Foundation, when it was said homes in the ward couldn't be sold for even $2,000 and the Georgia grey bricks used in their construction were worth more than the homes and the land they sat on. Today, the neighborhood is dominated by paired houses, row houses and center-halled, five-bay houses with Italianate, Greek Revival style of architecture. Most of them are two to four stories tall and have beautifully restored and manicured gardens. Due to the large number of these homes that were built in the early 1800s, they were sometimes referred to as "Savannah" style.
3. Colonial Park Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,730 reviews
The city's oldest cemetery, with family plots dating back to the 1700s.
Reviewed By trmdwelk - Centreville, United States
Not only is this a beautiful place to stroll but it is packed with history all around! Best of all, the city has placed many historic markers that share the story of the many important Americans who rest here and even if all you do is go from marker to marker, you'll have a great visit. But don't miss two important elements of this resting ground, the first of which are the many headstones that have been separated from their owners, posted along the back wall, which tell moving stories on their own. Second, look for the several headstones "humorously modified" by Union soldiers in 1864-65, like the man who died at 143 years of age - it's a fun sort of treasure hunt!
4. Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
Where writer Flannery O'Connor spent her childhood, during the Great Depression on Savannah's LaFayette Square. Off-hour, group, and private tours are available by request.
Reviewed By SarahG-AVLLit - Asheville, United States
If you're a literary tourist, this is a stop you don't want to miss! This is a unique opportunity to see an immaculately restored middle class home from the Depression era. The guides are well versed in the history of the home, its restoration, and the life and career of its most famous resident. We had a great time and were glad we made this stop!
5. Johnson Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
A city square lined by giant oak trees and an obelisk honoring Nathanael Greene, a New England-born general.
Reviewed By Z7475THjasonj - Bristol, United States
Really like how the city has all of these squares with giant live oaks in them. Really tranquil place to just sit and people watch or just have some peace and quiet. This particular square is not very large but it is right across from the pink house restaurant. The habersham family used to own it and it is an expensive restaurant now.
6. First African Baptist Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,145 reviews
First African Baptist Church was organized in 1773 under the leadership of Reverend George Leile and established and constituted in December of 1777 as a body organized believers. Under the leadership of the 3rd Pastor Reverend Andrew C. Marshall, the congregation obtained the property where the present sanctuary stands. Marshall also organized the first black Sunday school in North America and changed the name of the church from “First Colored Baptist” to “First African Baptist”. The sanctuary was completed in 1859 under the direction of the 4th Pastor Reverend William J. Campbell. The ceiling of the church is in the design of a “Nine Patch Quilt” which represented that the church was a safe house for slaves. Beneath the lower auditorium floor is another finished sub floor which is known as the “Underground Railroad”. There is 4ft of height between both floors. The holes in the floor are in the shape of an African prayer symbol known as a Congolese Cosmogram that served a purpose of ventilation. First African Baptist Church has been a place of leadership and service since its inception. Reverend Emmanuel King Love, 6th Pastor, led the movement to establish Savannah State University, formerly known as Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth. Rev. Love also played a big role in the establishment of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and Paine College in Augusta, GA. During the time of segregation the church served as the largest gathering place for blacks and whites to meet. Visitors from all walks of life have visited out sanctuary and left inspired. TOUR RATES: Adults = $7.00; Seniors = $6.00; Students = $6.00; Children Ages 5 & Under = FREE. TOUR HOURS OF OPERATION: Tuesday - Saturday = 11:00 a.m. & 2:00p.m. Sunday = 1:00p.m.
Reviewed By nonamezim - Homer, United States
If you want to understand the faith and history of the oldest black congregation in the US, and spend about an hour being amazed that enslaved Africans in their “free” time built their own church than this tour is for you. Plan ahead to check tour times, you can’t just walk in. Beautiful stained glass windows, gleaming southern pine floors and the archives documents dating to the 1700s are wonderful. The tour guides are most often church members and are passionate about their ancestors and informative of the various roles the church leadership played in our history including the Underground Railroad. This was the highlight of my time in Savannah.
7. Wright Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
The monument in the middle of this historic square honors railroad magnate W.W. Gordon.
Reviewed By Texasirishblonde - Belton, United States
Sitting on the corner of State St and Bull St- it has an interesting history. The square contains 2 monuments one dedicated to William Washington Gordon and one to Tomo-Chi-Chi. It also has been nicknamed The Hanging Square because the first hanging in Savannah took place here. Alice Riley an Irish indentured servant was accused of murdering her abusive master by slitting his throat. She was pregnant at the time so they held her in jail until the birth of her son and hanged her immediately after giving birth. Unfortunately, her son died soon after because no one would assume care of an infant whose mother committed a crime. Incidentally, the old jail sits on the corner of the square and now houses a CVS Pharmacy. The pharmacy is the only CVS that closes early due to repeated reports of paranormal activity. The "hanging tree" still sits in the square and its branches overhang the pathway.
8. Oglethorpe Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Town square named for Georgia's founder, James Oglethorpe.
Reviewed By TXMARTINS - Atlanta, United States
Charming large square with huge sweeping moss trees, a bubbly fountain and tons of benches. Surrounded by some stunning homes this is great place you will often find locals at. This fountain is known to be died green for St Patty’s.
9. Davenport House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 771 reviews
Federal-style home of master builder Isaiah Davenport restored to its early 19th century beauty. Owned and operated by Historic Savannah Foundation.
Reviewed By foundtrips - San Antonio, United States
An award-winning example of historic preservation and restoration. This federal style structure built in 1820, was one of the first projects that began the restoration movement in Savannah in the mid-1950s. The central spiral staircase is an architectural delight. This is a must-visit!
10. Chippewa Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 575 reviews
Many historic attractions are located at this city square, which is named for the Battle of Chippewa in the War of 1812.
Reviewed By TheExplorerFamily - Somerset, United States
This pretty square is located on Bull Street – right in the path of several of our tour destinations. It was laid out in 1815, and named for the Battle of Chippewa during the War of 1812. In the center there is a 9-foor Bronze Statue of James Edward Oglethorpe – the great soldier and philanthropist who founded the Colony of Georgia. The four Lions at the corners of the huge base hold the Coat of Arms of Oglethorpe, plus the great Seals of the Colony of Georgia, the State of Georgia and the City of Savannah. The Statue faces Southward symbolizing the warding off the threat of Spain's imperial ambitions to the young colony. The artist who created this impressive Memorial Statue, completed in 1910, was one of America’s foremost sculptors – Daniel Chester French (very famous for his collaboration with Henry Bacon to create the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC). The Square is shady and soothing, and most people visit it expecting to see the bench occupied by Forrest Gump in the movie of the same name with Tom Hanks as the actor. Of course the famous bench was only there for the movie, and can be seen in the Museum of History near the Visitor Center. Just like the other lovely Squares, this one is also worth visiting.
