Savannah Historic District
Savannah’s Historic District is one of the largest and most beautiful National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States — 22 perfectly preserved public squares, grand antebellum mansions, cathedral oaks dripping with Spanish moss, and centuries of living history at every turn.
Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, Savannah was designed around a visionary grid of public squares — each one a shaded, park-like gathering place surrounded by churches, civic buildings, and elegant homes. Today, 22 of those original squares survive, making Savannah’s Historic District an unparalleled outdoor museum of American urban planning, architecture, and Southern history.
Walking the Historic District is unlike any experience in America. Bull Street, the district’s grand central spine, connects Forsyth Park to the riverfront through a procession of landmark squares. Spanish moss cascades from centuries-old live oaks. Federal, Regency, Greek Revival, and Italianate mansions stand shoulder to shoulder along cobblestone lanes. It is a city designed to be explored on foot — and every block reveals something extraordinary.
Savannah’s squares are the heart of the Historic District — each one with its own character, monuments, and surrounding architecture. Here are the most celebrated.
Forsyth Park
Savannah’s grand centerpiece — 30 acres of live oaks, the iconic 1858 fountain, a bandshell, and the city’s most beloved gathering place. A must-visit at golden hour.
Chippewa Square
Immortalized as the filming location of Forrest Gump’s famous bench scene. Anchored by a bronze statue of General Oglethorpe, Savannah’s founder.
Madison Square
One of Savannah’s most picturesque squares — home to the historic Green-Meldrim House and the stately DeSoto Hotel. Perfect for a quiet afternoon stroll.
Monterey Square
Home to the magnificent Mercer Williams House — made famous by “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” One of the most photographed spots in Savannah.
Lafayette Square
A charming square lined with grand townhomes and anchored by a statue of the Marquis de Lafayette. The stunning Cathedral of St. John the Baptist looms nearby.
Johnson Square
Savannah’s oldest and largest square, laid out in 1733. Anchored by a monument to General Nathanael Greene, it sits at the historic heart of the city.
Wright Square
Named for Georgia’s last royal governor, Wright Square features a large central monument and is surrounded by some of Savannah’s grandest civic architecture.
Columbia Square
An elegant square anchored by the famous Kehoe House — one of Savannah’s most celebrated boutique inns, set in an 1892 Renaissance Revival mansion.
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
One of the most stunning Gothic Revival cathedrals in the American South. The twin spires and breathtaking interior make it one of Savannah’s most visited landmarks.
Learn MoreMercer Williams House
Made famous by “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” this stunning Italianate mansion on Monterey Square is one of Savannah’s most iconic addresses.
Learn MoreOwens-Thomas House
A Regency-style architectural masterpiece built in 1819 — one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the United States. Now a museum open to visitors.
Learn MoreJuliette Gordon Low Birthplace
The childhood home of the founder of the Girl Scouts of America — a National Historic Landmark that draws visitors from around the world to Oglethorpe Avenue.
Learn MoreCity Hall & the Dome
Savannah’s gold-domed City Hall anchors the northern end of Bull Street. Built in 1905, it stands as one of the most elegant civic buildings in the American South.
Learn MoreColonial Park Cemetery
Savannah’s oldest and most haunted cemetery, established in 1750. Revolutionary War soldiers, yellow fever victims, and Savannah’s most prominent early citizens rest here.
Learn MoreSavannah History Museum
Housed in the restored 1860 Central of Georgia Railway passenger shed, the museum tells the full sweep of Savannah’s history from its founding through the 20th century.
Learn MoreSCAD Museum of Art
The Savannah College of Art and Design’s world-class museum occupies a restored 1853 Italianate railway building — showcasing contemporary art in a stunning historic setting.
Learn MoreForsyth Park
Savannah’s most beloved park — 30 acres of majestic live oaks, the famous 1858 fountain, a fragrant garden, a café, and a bandshell that hosts free outdoor concerts.
Learn MoreRiver Street & Factors Walk
The cobblestone waterfront promenade along the Savannah River — lined with galleries, restaurants, shops, and sweeping views of the working river and its massive container ships.
Learn MoreBroughton Street
Savannah’s main shopping and dining corridor — historic storefronts, boutiques, restaurants, and the city’s electric street-level energy. Perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll.
Learn MoreThe Starland District
Savannah’s creative neighborhood just south of Forsyth Park — independent galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, and the thriving arts scene cultivated by SCAD’s influence.
Learn MoreGray Line Savannah Tours
The city’s best sightseeing tour — covering the Historic District squares, grand mansions, and Savannah’s most celebrated streetscapes with expert local guides.
Book HereSavannah Dark History Tour
A 2-hour walking tour through the Historic District’s most dramatic stories — pirates, duels, the Civil War, yellow fever, and Savannah’s most notorious legends.
Book HereHearse Ghost Tour
Tour the haunted lanes of the Historic District in a genuine vintage hearse. Visit Colonial Park Cemetery and the city’s most spine-tingling locations after dark.
Book HereSavannah Movie Tour
Visit the filming locations of Forrest Gump, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and dozens of other films shot in Savannah’s unmistakably cinematic Historic District.
Book Here