Savannah Historic District Walking Tour by The Wandering Historians
by Bonaventure, Historic Savannah, Low Country & Private with Shannon Scott Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$73Overview
The Savannah Historic District Walking Tour by The Wandering Historians lasts two hours and covers the oldest and most architecturally significant parts of Savannah, America’s first planned city. A professional historian guide narrates the story of Savannah’s early settlers, including Native Americans, Europeans, Africans, and the city’s architects, religions, notable families, and historical events. The tour begins at Bank Square, the city’s largest square and original colony center founded in 1733, where City Hall and the graves of Revolutionary War figures Nathanael Greene and his son are located. It continues to the 1906 building with a 22-carat gold dome, replacing the 1799 City Exchange, and then to the Greek Revival Church of England sanctuary on the southeast corner of Johnson Square. The tour visits one of the original four squares, known for its connection to Indian King Tomochichi, and follows Bull Street, the main thoroughfare linking five city squares lined with churches, shops, and cafes. Participants stop outside the 1820 William Jay-designed home associated with the Gordon family and Juliette Low, founder of the Girl Scouts. The guide points out religious sites with notable steeples, including one with a 119-foot cast iron steeple where Woodrow Wilson was married, and the former Chatham Boys Academy, now the Board of Education. The route highlights Colonial and Victorian architecture, the Savannah Theater, historic inns, and a large stuccoed church where Union and Confederate soldiers prayed together. The statue of James Oglethorpe by Daniel Chester French, America’s oldest theater, and Savannah’s longest-standing coffee house are included, with an optional coffee and restroom break if time allows. The tour passes a pub marked by a London phone booth, a Moorish-style former Arabian horse stable turned cocktail bar, and Madison Square, featuring Gothic and Greek Revival buildings and the Savannah College of Art & Design campus. Notable homes visited from outside include the Sorrel-Weed House, linked to local paranormal stories; the Eliza Jewett Home, connected to a well-known bookseller and teahouse; and a Gothic Revival house associated with General Sherman’s occupation of Savannah. Monuments include the statue of Revolutionary War hero Sergeant William Jasper and the Chatham Artillery barracks, now part of the Savannah College of Art & Design’s history. The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, with its Victorian-era tea room known as Solomon’s Drugstore, is also featured. The tour shows Jones Street for its well-preserved residential architecture. Monterey Square is visited, home to the burial site of Count Casimir Pulaski, the Mercer House linked to Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, and Temple Mickve Israel, which holds America’s oldest Torah. The tour ends with stops outside the Mercer House museum, the Colonel Hardee Mansion once housing a notable antiques dealer, and the 1917 mansion of hotelier Richard Kessler, featured in the film Cape Fear. Throughout the tour, history is shared through stories told from the perspectives of historical characters, covering architecture, war, and local families.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Savannah Historic District
The tour explores the oldest and architecturally significant sections of Savannah, known as Georgia's first city and America's first planned city.
Bank Square
This is the city's largest square, often called Bank Square by locals. Founded in 1733, it served as the colony's organizing center and remains important today. Key sites include City Hall, the graves of Nathanael Greene and his son George Washington Greene, and the Church of England.
10 min
1906 City Exchange Building
Built in 1906 on the site of the 1799 City Exchange, this building features a 22-carat gold dome and currently houses city government functions.
Church of England at Johnson Square
Located at the southeast corner of Johnson Square, this church has been a place of worship since 1733 and is a classic example of Greek Revival architecture.
Historic City Square
One of Savannah’s original four squares from Oglethorpe's founding, this square was home to the first burying ground, courthouse, jail, and the burial site of Indian King Tomochichi.
10 min
Bull Street
Named after South Carolina Royal Governor Colonel William Bull, this main walking artery connects five city squares and features diverse architectural styles, churches, shops, and cafes.
William Jay House
An 1820 home designed by architect William Jay, originally housing a U.S. Supreme Court Judge and later the Gordon family, including Juliette Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.
Scots Presbyterian Church
Built in 1819 by John Holden Greene, this church has a 119-foot cast iron steeple, the tallest point in Savannah, and is tied to the city's Scottish heritage. Woodrow Wilson married in its courtyard.
Chatham Boys Academy
Originally an elite school for boys, this building features frieze work by John Walz and now serves as the Board of Education for Chatham County.
Colonial and Victorian Rowhouses
The tour passes a section with Colonial and Victorian rowhouses, churches, inns, pubs, the Savannah Theater, and a monument to Georgia's founder, Oglethorpe.
10 min
Historic Boarding House
Savannah’s first boarding house, run by a local woman, remains one of the city’s oldest and most preserved inns.
Large 1830 Church
This stuccoed religious building is Savannah’s best-preserved from 1830. It is notable for being a place where Union and Confederate soldiers prayed together and for a balcony once used by slaves and freedmen.
Oglethorpe Statue
Created by Daniel Chester French, this statue is over 9 feet tall, representing Georgia’s founder, whom French called his finest work.
5 min
Savannah Theater
America’s oldest continuously operating theater, hosting figures such as Oscar Wilde and the Booth family, and featuring early performances by Cesar Romero.
Historic Coffee House
Savannah’s longest-standing coffee house, occasionally offering breaks for coffee and restrooms.
5 min
English-style Pub
Recognizable by its London phone booth, this pub was founded by a former Kenny Rogers chef and resembles typical English town pubs.
Moorish-style Building
Originally a Victorian stable for Arabian horses, this building has rounded glass corners and a terra-cotta facade. Henry Ford opened his first showroom here in 1905. It is now a cocktail bar.
5 min
Madison Square
Known for its book seller, two tea houses, Gothic Revival and Greek Revival architecture, monuments, and the Savannah College of Art & Design campus established in 1976.
Sorrel-Weed House
An early Cotton Boom Greek Revival home, linked to the Sorrel and Weed families, and known for its paranormal reputation from a Ghost Hunters episode produced by Shannon Scott.
Eliza Jewett Home and Bookstore
An English-style bookseller and teahouse popular in Savannah, connected to Eliza Jewett, a prominent local woman.
Gothic Revival Home
Built in 1853 with gas-powered jet air conditioning by architect Robert Norris. Owner Charles Green reportedly protected Savannah during Sherman's occupation by offering his home as headquarters.
Sergeant William Jasper Monument
This monument honors Sergeant William Jasper, a South Carolinian who died defending Savannah in the American Revolutionary War.
5 min
Chatham Artillery Barracks
Barracks once housing one of Savannah's most elite local guardsmen forces, The Chatham Artillery, with many proud members still today. In 1976, two educators from Atlanta founded what became America's largest private art school, which has restored over 100 buildings in Savannah and has campuses as far as Lacoste, France.
5 min
Scottish Rite Masonic Temple
This Roman-style building houses a Victorian tea room formerly known as Solomon’s Drugstore, noted for its authentic interior and food.
5 min
Jones Street
A mostly residential street with original brick and asphalt bricks, considered Savannah’s most beautiful street with rowhouses dating from 1847 to modern interpretations.
+ 6 more places this tour can include
Meeting point
We meet at The Casimir Pulaski Historical Marker which is central West side of square between The Pulaski Monument & The Mercer House
End point
Your guides are not limited to an area but generally stroll the Bull Street corridor of squares and you're never more than a 10-15 minute walk from the starting point.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Savannah Historic District Walking Tour by The Wandering Historians
by Bonaventure, Historic Savannah, Low Country & Private with Shannon Scott Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$73Overview
The Savannah Historic District Walking Tour by The Wandering Historians lasts two hours and covers the oldest and most architecturally significant parts of Savannah, America’s first planned city. A professional historian guide narrates the story of Savannah’s early settlers, including Native Americans, Europeans, Africans, and the city’s architects, religions, notable families, and historical events. The tour begins at Bank Square, the city’s largest square and original colony center founded in 1733, where City Hall and the graves of Revolutionary War figures Nathanael Greene and his son are located. It continues to the 1906 building with a 22-carat gold dome, replacing the 1799 City Exchange, and then to the Greek Revival Church of England sanctuary on the southeast corner of Johnson Square. The tour visits one of the original four squares, known for its connection to Indian King Tomochichi, and follows Bull Street, the main thoroughfare linking five city squares lined with churches, shops, and cafes. Participants stop outside the 1820 William Jay-designed home associated with the Gordon family and Juliette Low, founder of the Girl Scouts. The guide points out religious sites with notable steeples, including one with a 119-foot cast iron steeple where Woodrow Wilson was married, and the former Chatham Boys Academy, now the Board of Education. The route highlights Colonial and Victorian architecture, the Savannah Theater, historic inns, and a large stuccoed church where Union and Confederate soldiers prayed together. The statue of James Oglethorpe by Daniel Chester French, America’s oldest theater, and Savannah’s longest-standing coffee house are included, with an optional coffee and restroom break if time allows. The tour passes a pub marked by a London phone booth, a Moorish-style former Arabian horse stable turned cocktail bar, and Madison Square, featuring Gothic and Greek Revival buildings and the Savannah College of Art & Design campus. Notable homes visited from outside include the Sorrel-Weed House, linked to local paranormal stories; the Eliza Jewett Home, connected to a well-known bookseller and teahouse; and a Gothic Revival house associated with General Sherman’s occupation of Savannah. Monuments include the statue of Revolutionary War hero Sergeant William Jasper and the Chatham Artillery barracks, now part of the Savannah College of Art & Design’s history. The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, with its Victorian-era tea room known as Solomon’s Drugstore, is also featured. The tour shows Jones Street for its well-preserved residential architecture. Monterey Square is visited, home to the burial site of Count Casimir Pulaski, the Mercer House linked to Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, and Temple Mickve Israel, which holds America’s oldest Torah. The tour ends with stops outside the Mercer House museum, the Colonel Hardee Mansion once housing a notable antiques dealer, and the 1917 mansion of hotelier Richard Kessler, featured in the film Cape Fear. Throughout the tour, history is shared through stories told from the perspectives of historical characters, covering architecture, war, and local families.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Savannah Historic District
The tour explores the oldest and architecturally significant sections of Savannah, known as Georgia's first city and America's first planned city.
Bank Square
This is the city's largest square, often called Bank Square by locals. Founded in 1733, it served as the colony's organizing center and remains important today. Key sites include City Hall, the graves of Nathanael Greene and his son George Washington Greene, and the Church of England.
10 min
1906 City Exchange Building
Built in 1906 on the site of the 1799 City Exchange, this building features a 22-carat gold dome and currently houses city government functions.
Church of England at Johnson Square
Located at the southeast corner of Johnson Square, this church has been a place of worship since 1733 and is a classic example of Greek Revival architecture.
Historic City Square
One of Savannah’s original four squares from Oglethorpe's founding, this square was home to the first burying ground, courthouse, jail, and the burial site of Indian King Tomochichi.
10 min
Bull Street
Named after South Carolina Royal Governor Colonel William Bull, this main walking artery connects five city squares and features diverse architectural styles, churches, shops, and cafes.
William Jay House
An 1820 home designed by architect William Jay, originally housing a U.S. Supreme Court Judge and later the Gordon family, including Juliette Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.
Scots Presbyterian Church
Built in 1819 by John Holden Greene, this church has a 119-foot cast iron steeple, the tallest point in Savannah, and is tied to the city's Scottish heritage. Woodrow Wilson married in its courtyard.
Chatham Boys Academy
Originally an elite school for boys, this building features frieze work by John Walz and now serves as the Board of Education for Chatham County.
Colonial and Victorian Rowhouses
The tour passes a section with Colonial and Victorian rowhouses, churches, inns, pubs, the Savannah Theater, and a monument to Georgia's founder, Oglethorpe.
10 min
Historic Boarding House
Savannah’s first boarding house, run by a local woman, remains one of the city’s oldest and most preserved inns.
Large 1830 Church
This stuccoed religious building is Savannah’s best-preserved from 1830. It is notable for being a place where Union and Confederate soldiers prayed together and for a balcony once used by slaves and freedmen.
Oglethorpe Statue
Created by Daniel Chester French, this statue is over 9 feet tall, representing Georgia’s founder, whom French called his finest work.
5 min
Savannah Theater
America’s oldest continuously operating theater, hosting figures such as Oscar Wilde and the Booth family, and featuring early performances by Cesar Romero.
Historic Coffee House
Savannah’s longest-standing coffee house, occasionally offering breaks for coffee and restrooms.
5 min
English-style Pub
Recognizable by its London phone booth, this pub was founded by a former Kenny Rogers chef and resembles typical English town pubs.
Moorish-style Building
Originally a Victorian stable for Arabian horses, this building has rounded glass corners and a terra-cotta facade. Henry Ford opened his first showroom here in 1905. It is now a cocktail bar.
5 min
Madison Square
Known for its book seller, two tea houses, Gothic Revival and Greek Revival architecture, monuments, and the Savannah College of Art & Design campus established in 1976.
Sorrel-Weed House
An early Cotton Boom Greek Revival home, linked to the Sorrel and Weed families, and known for its paranormal reputation from a Ghost Hunters episode produced by Shannon Scott.
Eliza Jewett Home and Bookstore
An English-style bookseller and teahouse popular in Savannah, connected to Eliza Jewett, a prominent local woman.
Gothic Revival Home
Built in 1853 with gas-powered jet air conditioning by architect Robert Norris. Owner Charles Green reportedly protected Savannah during Sherman's occupation by offering his home as headquarters.
Sergeant William Jasper Monument
This monument honors Sergeant William Jasper, a South Carolinian who died defending Savannah in the American Revolutionary War.
5 min
Chatham Artillery Barracks
Barracks once housing one of Savannah's most elite local guardsmen forces, The Chatham Artillery, with many proud members still today. In 1976, two educators from Atlanta founded what became America's largest private art school, which has restored over 100 buildings in Savannah and has campuses as far as Lacoste, France.
5 min
Scottish Rite Masonic Temple
This Roman-style building houses a Victorian tea room formerly known as Solomon’s Drugstore, noted for its authentic interior and food.
5 min
Jones Street
A mostly residential street with original brick and asphalt bricks, considered Savannah’s most beautiful street with rowhouses dating from 1847 to modern interpretations.
+ 6 more places this tour can include
Meeting point
We meet at The Casimir Pulaski Historical Marker which is central West side of square between The Pulaski Monument & The Mercer House
End point
Your guides are not limited to an area but generally stroll the Bull Street corridor of squares and you're never more than a 10-15 minute walk from the starting point.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.