Historic Savannah Walking Tour: Oglethorpe's Squares & History

Two hours through squares, cemeteries and the stories that built Savannah

A guided walking tour of Savannah covers the city's layout, history and architecture through visits to Colonial Park Cemetery, Factors Walk and the Olde Pink House, with a professional local guide. The tour runs two hours and is wheelchair accessible; children from age 8 can join with an adult. This is a comprehensive introduction to how James Oglethorpe's square design created the rhythm of Savannah's community life.

The Experience

What makes Savannah's layout different from other cities is James Oglethorpe's vision of connected squares, and this tour walks you through that design to show how it shaped the city's culture and sense of place. A professional local guide leads the way, pointing out the architecture, religion and history embedded in the streets themselves—from the Olde Pink House to Factors Walk, where the city's commercial life once centered, down to Colonial Park Cemetery, where centuries of Savannah's past are literally in the ground. The two-hour route moves at a walking pace through the heart of the historic district.

You'll move through the squares that Oglethorpe laid out, each one revealing a different layer of Savannah's story. The guide draws on the city's culture and the people who built it to explain what you're standing in front of—not just the buildings, but the rhythm of life that the squares were designed to create. Colonial Park Cemetery is one of the stops; it's a working burial ground that holds centuries of the city's residents and tells its own version of Savannah's history.

The tour includes all taxes and fees, so there's nothing to add at the end. It's wheelchair accessible, and infants or small children can come along in a pram or stroller. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the walking, and children under 8 need to be with an adult. If you use public transportation to get to the starting point, options are available nearby.

What’s included

• Professional local guide leading the entire route.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges built into the price.
• two-hour comprehensive walking tour of Savannah's historic squares, cemeteries and key landmarks.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Noble Jones Tours, LLC

Is this one for you?Your guide reveals how Oglethorpe's squares shaped Savannah's culture, religion, and architecture—the physical blueprint of the city's history and rhythm of life.

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Top questions

What exactly is James Oglethorpe's square design, and why does it matter to Savannah?

Oglethorpe's vision created a series of connected public squares throughout Savannah, each one designed to foster community and give the city its distinctive layout. The squares are what set Savannah apart from other colonial cities, and the tour explains how this design continues to shape the way people experience the city today.

Will I see the inside of any buildings, or is this just walking past them?

This is a walking tour through the streets and squares, so you'll be viewing the exteriors and the spaces around them. The guide explains the architecture and history from outside; you won't be entering buildings as part of the tour.

How much walking is involved, and will my kids be able to keep up?

The tour covers two hours of walking through the historic district at a moderate pace. Children from age 8 can join with an adult; younger children can come in a pram or stroller. You'll need a moderate level of fitness, and comfortable shoes are a good idea.

What's included in the price, and do I need to tip the guide?

The tour price covers the professional guide, all taxes and fees, and the two-hour historical walking experience. Gratuities are not included, so you can tip the guide if you'd like to.

Is the tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you need them to reach the starting point.