Savannah Historic District Walking Tour & City Market

Walk Savannah's squares with someone who actually grew up here

You walk four historic squares (Madison, Chippewa, Forsyth, and City Market) with a local guide who covers Revolutionary War sites, African American history, Civil War monuments, and the people who shaped the city. A cafe break is included, and the tour wraps before lunch, leaving your afternoon open. Wheelchair accessible, suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. City Marketpassing by
2. Chippewa Square20m
3. Madison Square25m

Explore Savannah's historic landmarks

• Hear about Mary Telfair and Telfair Museum
• See Haitian monument and First African Baptist Church
• Stroll through Savannah's City Market neighborhood
• Learn history of City Market and African American contributions
• View Nathanael Greene monument and hear his widow's story
• View railroad magnate and Native American chief monuments
• Take break at local cafe
• Hear about James Oglethorpe, Savannah's founder
• View Jasper monument, Sorrel-Weed and Green-Meldrim Houses
• Enjoy view of favorite square and learn about Casimir Pulaski

The experience

You land in Savannah with a free morning and no idea where to start. The Historic District is right there, but it's a lot of ground to cover alone, and you'll miss half the story. This walking tour cuts through that. A guide who was born and raised in Savannah takes you through Madison Square, Chippewa Square, and City Market in one morning: hitting the major squares, the monuments, the buildings that actually shaped the place. You're not wandering. You're moving with purpose, and someone who knows the city is telling you what matters.

The tour covers a lot of ground thematically. You'll hear about Mary Telfair and the museum that bears her name, then move into the harder histories: the First African Baptist Church and the oldest Black Baptist congregation in America, the Haitian regiment who fought in the Revolution, the enslaved and free Black people who built Savannah's economy before the Civil War. There's Nathanael Greene, the war hero whose widow's choices altered US economic history. There's James Oglethorpe, who founded both Savannah and Georgia. The monuments to Casimir Pulaski, William Jasper, and others tell their own stories. It's not a surface skim. It's the actual layers of the city, stacked one on top of another. You stop at a local cafe partway through for a break and refreshments, which matters when you're walking squares in the Georgia heat.

The whole thing runs in the morning, right after breakfast, so you're done before lunch and have the rest of your day free. The guide is local, not someone reading from a script they learned last month. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and the pace works for all fitness levels. If you're new to Savannah and want the real story instead of the postcard version, this is the fastest way to get it.

What’s included

Your morning includes a local guide, entry to the Historic District squares (Madison Square, Chippewa Square, Forsyth Square, and City Market), stops at historic sites including the Telfair Museum area, First African Baptist Church, and Civil War monuments, a brief break at a local cafe with restroom access and the chance to pick up refreshments, and all the history and context you need to understand Savannah's role in the Revolution, African American heritage, and Civil War era.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (under 10): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Bonnie Blue Walking Tours of Savannah

Is this one for you?Book this if you're new to Savannah and want the real history (not just the pretty squares, but the people and events that actually built the city) covered in one morning by someone who knows it firsthand.

Traveler reviews

4.90★★★★★★★★★★

263 verified traveler reviews

5 ★246

4 ★12

3 ★2

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (under 10): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What squares does the tour visit?

Madison Square, Chippewa Square, Forsyth Square, and City Market are the main stops. You'll also see monuments and historic buildings at each location.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options nearby are also wheelchair accessible. Note any accessibility needs in the Special Requirements field when booking.

What topics does the guide cover?

The tour covers historic homes, African American history, important women in Savannah's past, the Civil War, and the American Revolution.

Is there a break during the tour?

Yes. There's a brief stop at a local cafe where you can use the restroom and pick up refreshments.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the season and weather forecast.

Who is the guide?

A local guide who was born and raised in Savannah leads the tour.