Self-Guided Walking Tour in Savannah

A self-guided route through Savannah's Historic District: 9 stops over 6.3 km, from the Forsyth Park fountain north to River Street and back through the squares to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This page gives you the map, walking time for every leg, real prices and opening hours, and shorter versions when you have less time.

9 Stops6.3 km~3 hours walkingHalf a day with stops
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Savannah Walking Tour at a Glance

This route is built for anyone who wants to see the best of Savannah's Historic District on foot without booking a group or paying for interiors they don't care about. Every museum and mansion on the way is optional: the squares, the park, the waterfront and the cemetery are all free and open, and you decide in the moment which doors are worth the ticket.

StartForsyth Park
FinishCathedral of St. John the Baptist
Route typeA point-to-point walk, not a loop. It runs north from Forsyth Park up to River Street on the waterfront, then swings back south-east and south through the squares to finish at the Cathedral, so you cover the district in one sweep without doubling back.
Realistic timeAbout 2.7 hours of pure walking across the 6.3 km. Add outdoor stops at the squares, the park and River Street and you are closer to four hours; go inside two or three museums and it fills a full day.
DifficultyEasy. The 6.3 km run over flat, paved sidewalks with live oak shade almost the whole way. The only real effort is the steep stone stairs down to River Street, and even those can be skipped by using the ramps.
Cost to followThe walk itself is free. Paid interiors are optional: the Savannah History Museum ($10), the Mercer Williams House ($15), the SCAD Museum of Art ($15) and the Telfair Academy ($20). The park, squares, River Street, cemetery and cathedral cost nothing.
Best for:

First-time visitors who want Savannah's parks, literary history, art and antebellum architecture in one flat, shaded walk, with the freedom to skip any interior.

The Route

Free Walking Tour Map of Savannah

9 stops6.3 kmabout 3 hours
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The 9 stops along this route

  1. Forsyth Park in Savannah, stop 1 on the self-guided walking tour
    1Forsyth Park
  2. Mercer House in Savannah, stop 2 on the self-guided walking tour
    2Mercer House
  3. Savannah History Museum in Savannah, stop 3 on the self-guided walking tour
    3Savannah History Museum
  4. SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, stop 4 on the self-guided walking tour
    4SCAD Museum of Art
  5. River Street in Savannah, stop 5 on the self-guided walking tour
    5River Street
  6. Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences in Savannah, stop 6 on the self-guided walking tour
    6Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences
  7. Chippewa Square in Savannah, stop 7 on the self-guided walking tour
    7Chippewa Square
  8. Colonial Park Cemetery in Savannah, stop 8 on the self-guided walking tour
    8Colonial Park Cemetery
  9. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, stop 9 on the self-guided walking tour
    9Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
  10. That's the complete route.

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Your Savannah Walking Tour, Stop by Stop

  1. 1

    Forsyth Park

    Forsyth Park in Savannah, stop 1 on the self-guided walking tour

    Thirty acres of green space anchoring the southern end of the Historic District. The cast-iron fountain at the northern entrance, installed in 1858 and modeled after one in the Place de la Concorde in Paris, is the most photographed thing in Savannah. On St. Patrick's Day they dye the water green. Walk the full loop under live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Mornings are quiet and misty. By midday, SCAD students appear on every bench with laptops and sketchbooks. The Saturday farmers market at the south end (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) has better food stalls than most Savannah restaurants. Free and open 24/7.

    Hours
    Open 24/7
    Price
    Free
  2. 2

    Mercer House

    Mercer House in Savannah, stop 2 on the self-guided walking tour

    This 10,000-square-foot Italianate mansion on the southwestern corner of Monterey Square was completed in 1868 and became infamous as the site of the 1981 shooting that inspired John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The museum tour covers the ground floor and carriage house but not the upstairs rooms where the shooting happened. The carriage house has the most interesting artifacts. Read at least the first few chapters of the book before visiting. Without the backstory, this is just a nice mansion. With it, every room carries weight. Open Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

    Hours
    Mon-Sat: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sun: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Price
    USD 15
  3. 3

    Savannah History Museum

    Savannah History Museum in Savannah, stop 3 on the self-guided walking tour

    Housed in a restored 1860 Central of Georgia Railway passenger shed, this museum covers the city's story from its 1733 founding through the Civil War and beyond. The building sits on the site of the 1779 Siege of Savannah, one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. The most popular artifact is the actual fiberglass bench used in the filming of Forrest Gump on Chippewa Square. The museum is small. You can see everything in 45 minutes. A restored locomotive and cotton gin sit in the main hall. Admission is $10. Open daily 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Decent introduction if you visit before walking the squares.

    Hours
    Daily: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Price
    10 USD
  4. 4

    SCAD Museum of Art

    SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, stop 4 on the self-guided walking tour

    The Savannah College of Art and Design turned a 19th-century railroad depot into a contemporary art museum, and it is the most forward-looking cultural space in the city. The 82,000-square-foot building occupies the 1853 Central of Georgia Railway complex, the oldest surviving antebellum railroad structure in the country. An 86-foot glass tower marks the entrance. Rotating exhibitions change regularly and feature emerging artists. The permanent collection holds over 4,500 pieces. The Andre Leon Talley Gallery, named for the late Vogue editor, is a standout. Open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday noon to 5:00 PM. Closed Tuesday.

    Hours
    Mon: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Tue: Closed | Wed-Sat: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sun: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
    Price
    USD 15
  5. 5

    River Street

    River Street in Savannah, stop 5 on the self-guided walking tour

    This waterfront district runs two miles along the Savannah River, sitting about 40 feet below Bay Street on the bluff above. The cobblestones underfoot are original ballast stones from 18th-century European ships. The former cotton warehouses lining the south side now hold restaurants, bars, and shops. During the day, you can watch container ships glide past from the riverfront promenade. At night, especially on weekends, it gets loud and tourist-heavy. Take the steep stone staircases up to Factors Walk instead of the main ramps. The iron catwalks between Bay Street and River Street are eerie and largely empty, a shortcut most visitors miss entirely. Free and open 24/7.

    Hours
    Always open
    Price
    Free
  6. 6

    Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences

    Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences in Savannah, stop 6 on the self-guided walking tour

    The oldest public art museum in the American South, opened in 1886 in an 1819 Regency-style mansion designed by English architect William Jay. The facade is fronted by five nine-foot statues representing masters of the arts. The period rooms on the ground floor, furnished to look as they did in the Telfair era, are as interesting as the paintings. The Octagon Room and Dining Room give you a feel for how Savannah's elite lived before the Civil War. The Bird Girl statue from the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil now lives here, moved from Bonaventure Cemetery when the crowds got too large. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed Monday.

    Hours
    Mon: Closed | Tue-Sun: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Price
    USD 20
  7. 7

    Chippewa Square

    Chippewa Square in Savannah, stop 7 on the self-guided walking tour

    This is where Forrest Gump sat on his bench and talked about life. The 1994 film shot that scene on the north side of this square, though the bench was a prop and now lives at the Savannah History Museum. The square itself, laid out in 1815, centers on the James Oglethorpe Monument sculpted by Daniel Chester French, the same artist who later created the Lincoln Memorial statue. The Savannah Theatre on the west side dates to 1818 and is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the country. Chippewa is the middle square on Bull Street's run of five, and walking south from here leads to Madison Square and Monterey Square. Free and open 24/7.

    Hours
    Open 24/7
    Price
    Free
  8. 8

    Colonial Park Cemetery

    Colonial Park Cemetery in Savannah, stop 8 on the self-guided walking tour

    Savannah's oldest intact cemetery, operating from 1750 to 1853, holding approximately 9,000 graves across six acres. Victims of the 1820 yellow fever epidemic are buried here. During the Civil War, Union soldiers reportedly altered dates on some headstones as a prank, and you can still spot the obviously wrong years carved into the stone. Unlike Bonaventure Cemetery, which requires a drive, Colonial Park is walkable from anywhere in the Historic District. The eastern wall along Habersham Street has the most weathered and oldest markers. Open daily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free. Late afternoon is the most atmospheric time, when the light filters through the oaks and the crowds thin out.

    Hours
    Daily: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Price
    Free
  9. 9

    Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

    Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, stop 9 on the self-guided walking tour

    The most impressive building interior in Savannah. This French Gothic cathedral features twin spires reaching 214 feet and houses 81 stained glass windows imported from Austria. The original cathedral was completed in 1876, but a fire in 1898 gutted the interior. It was rebuilt and reopened by 1900. Walk through the front doors and the colored light from the stained glass fills the nave, especially on sunny mornings between 10:00 and 11:00 AM when the east-facing windows are hit directly. The cathedral is a block east of the Mercer Williams House and fits naturally into any Historic District stroll. Open daily 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Free entry. It is an active parish, so check Mass times if you want to visit outside of services.

    Hours
    Daily: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
    Price
    Free

How Long Does This Walking Tour Really Take?

The 6.3 km of walking take about 2.7 hours on their own. Realistically you'll spend more like half a day: the squares and River Street pull you in, and the SCAD Museum and Telfair Academy each deserve close to an hour if you go inside. Give it a full day if you want to eat Lowcountry food and linger.

The route covers 6.3 km and takes about 2.7 hours of walking. Add time for stops. The SCAD Museum deserves 45 minutes to an hour. The Telfair Academy needs about an hour. River Street can absorb as much time as you give it, especially if you stop for food. Budget a full day if you want to linger in the squares, eat Lowcountry food, and explore at the slow pace Savannah rewards.

Full Route, Shorter Walk or Two-Day Version?

The full route is nine stops from Forsyth Park to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. If your day is shorter or you'd rather split it, here are three ways to walk it, all using the same numbered stops and per-leg times.

The Complete Walk

All 9 stops, park to cathedral

Stops 1 to 9, Forsyth Park to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 6.3 km, about 2.7 hours walking plus stops

The full arc: the Forsyth Park fountain, the Mercer Williams House, two museums, the River Street waterfront, the Telfair Academy, Chippewa Square, Colonial Park Cemetery and the cathedral. Best when you have most of a day and want the complete sweep of the district.

The Short Loop

Squares and history without the river detour

Stops 1 to 3, then straight to 6 to 9, skipping the long legs out to River Street, roughly 4 km, about 1.5 hours walking

Cuts the two 1.1 km legs to and from River Street (the longest stretches on the route) and keeps the park, the Mercer Williams House, the History Museum, the Telfair Academy, Chippewa Square, the cemetery and the cathedral. Ideal on a hot afternoon or a half day when the waterfront isn't a priority.

The Two-Day Split

River and museums, then squares and landmarks

Day one: stops 1 to 5, park to River Street. Day two: stops 6 to 9, Telfair Academy to the cathedral, each about 1.5 hours

A relaxed way to do it. Day one climbs from the park through the museums to the waterfront; day two picks up at the Telfair Academy and finishes through the squares, cemetery and cathedral. Splitting at River Street gives each half a natural start and end and leaves plenty of room for meals.

You can walk it in reverse, starting at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and ending at Forsyth Park. Doing it as written is better though: starting at the park's fountain means you tackle the open, sunnier stretches early and finish inside the cool, glowing cathedral, a strong last stop rather than a first one.

Is This Savannah Walking Tour Right for You?

Savannah rewards a slow, flat walk under live oaks, but a few things are worth knowing before you set out so you can adapt the route to your day and your group.

A good fit if you…

  • Anyone comfortable with a flat 6.3 km spread across a half day, on paved, well-shaded sidewalks
  • Fans of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, who get the Mercer Williams House, the Bird Girl statue and the atmosphere in one walk
  • Art and history travelers who want museums and antebellum architecture without committing to every interior
  • Visitors who like open, unhurried city walking, and appreciate Georgia's open-container rule in the Historic District

Adapt the route if you…

  • You're walking in summer: start at Forsyth Park by 9:00 AM, since the humidity from June through September gets heavy by midday
  • You have limited time: use the Short Loop and skip the two long legs out to River Street
  • You want to avoid stairs: take the ramps down to River Street instead of the steep stone staircases
  • You're traveling with kids: lean on the free stops, the fountain, the squares and the cobblestones, and keep museum time short

Tickets & Skip-the-Line in Savannah

Most of this route is free and open, so there's little to book ahead. A handful of interiors charge admission. Here's what each costs and when it's open, so you can plan which doors are worth your time.

Mercer HouseAdmission is $15 for the ground-floor and carriage-house tour. Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Savannah History MuseumAdmission is $10, the only fixed ticket you really can't avoid on the walk. Open daily 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can see everything in about 45 minutes.
SCAD Museum of ArtAdmission is $15. Open Monday and Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday noon to 5:00 PM, closed Tuesday. Check exhibitions before you go. official ticket site ↗
Telfair Academy of Arts and SciencesAdmission is $20, the priciest interior on the route and home to the Bird Girl statue. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Monday.
Everything elseForsyth Park, River Street, Chippewa Square, Colonial Park Cemetery and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist are all free and open to the public, no ticket needed.
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Tips for Walking in Savannah

  • Georgia's open-container law applies in the Historic District. You can carry drinks in plastic cups on the street, and most bars will provide a to-go cup if you ask. This changes the pace of the whole walk.
  • Start at Forsyth Park by 9:00 AM to beat the heat in summer. Savannah's humidity can be brutal from June through September. The live oak canopy helps, but mornings are significantly more comfortable.
  • The Saturday farmers market at the south end of Forsyth Park (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) is worth timing your visit around. Arrive by 9:30 before the best baked goods sell out.
  • Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist between 10:00 and 11:00 AM on a clear day. The morning sun hits the east-facing stained glass windows directly and the interior glows with color.
  • If you have extra time, take a car or rideshare to Bonaventure Cemetery, about 15 minutes southeast of downtown. It is the atmospheric cemetery from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and it is free.

Why Walk This Route?

Savannah was designed for walking. James Oglethorpe laid out the city on a grid of tree-shaded squares in 1733, and twenty-two of those squares survive today, each functioning as a small park ringed by antebellum townhouses and churches. Spanish moss hangs from live oaks that arch over every street. The pace here is slow, the architecture is extraordinarily preserved, and there is a persistent Southern Gothic undertone to the whole place.

This self-guided walking tour covers 9 stops across 6.3 km in roughly 2.7 hours. It starts at the iconic Forsyth Park fountain, moves through the Mercer Williams House made famous by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, loops past museums and galleries, hits the cobblestone waterfront of River Street, and returns through the Historic District's squares and cemeteries to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The route gives you the full arc of Savannah: its parks, its history, its ghosts, and its architecture.

Common Questions

Is this walking tour safe to do at night?

The Historic District is generally safe and well-lit. Forsyth Park, the squares along Bull Street, and River Street are busy with pedestrians into the late evening. The area around Colonial Park Cemetery is quieter after dark. Use normal city awareness.

Can I do this walk with kids?

Yes. The route is flat, paved, and shaded by live oaks the entire way. Kids will enjoy the fountain at Forsyth Park, the bench story at the Savannah History Museum, and the cobblestones on River Street. The cemetery might bore younger children, but the cathedral's stained glass tends to captivate all ages.

Where should I eat along this route?

River Street has waterfront restaurants serving shrimp and grits and she-crab soup. For something better, walk to Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room on Jones Street (lunch only, cash only, expect a line) for family-style Southern food. The area around City Market, between stops 5 and 6, has solid options for lunch. Budget $15 to $25 per person for a sit-down Lowcountry meal.

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