Savannah Slavery to Freedom Tour: Gullah Geechee History

Walk the sites where West African slaves arrived, were held and were sold, then hear how they fought for freedom.

Savannah Slavery to Freedom is a guided history tour led by Sistah Patt, a Gullah Geechee storyteller, across the city's landmarks tied to slavery and emancipation. Over two to two and a half hours, the tour visits River Street (where slaves were forced to build warehouses), Johnson Square (where they were auctioned), the Second African Baptist Church, the African American Monument and Laurel Grove Cemetery. The guide speaks English and the tour is wheelchair accessible with advance notice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Savannah's slavery history

• Learn about West African tribes
• Visit River Street warehouses
• See slave auction site at Johnson Square
• Travel past Second African Baptist Church

The experience

River Street is where the tour begins: the waterfront where West African slaves first arrived in Savannah and were made to labor building the warehouses that still line the water. From there, the route moves through the city's core, stopping at Johnson Square to learn where enslaved people were sold, then passing the Second African Baptist Church as the guide narrates the journey toward freedom. Each location carries a specific history the tour does not skip over.

Sistah Patt leads the entire experience. She is a Gullah Geechee truth-teller (a keeper of the cultural and historical knowledge of the West African diaspora in the Lowcountry), and the tour is built around her narration and the stories she carries. This is not a recording or a script read by someone unfamiliar with the material. It is a person who knows these histories speaking them aloud as you stand in the places where they happened.

The tour runs two to two and a half hours depending on weather and traffic. It covers four major sites: River Street, Johnson Square, the African American Monument and Laurel Grove Cemetery, with a stop at the Second African Baptist Church along the way. You move between them by vehicle, so the pace is set by the guide and the group, not by how far your legs will carry you. Wheelchair accessibility is available with 24 hours' advance notice.

What’s included

• The tour includes the narration and guidance of Sistah Patt throughout.
• visits to River Street, Johnson Square, the African American Monument, the Second African Baptist Church and Laurel Grove Cemetery.
• and transportation by vehicle between the sites.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs Wednesday to Saturday at 10:30, from US$ 69.55 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesWednesday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:30Another day? ›

GroupUp to 32

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line Savannah

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the narration directly as it happens. This tour suits anyone who wants to hear Savannah's slavery and freedom history from someone who carries that knowledge, not from a script or a recording, but from a storyteller who knows the untold stories.

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★

536 verified traveler reviews

5 ★497

4 ★23

3 ★9

2 ★3

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): 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 exactly happened at River Street that the tour explains?

River Street is where West African slaves first arrived in Savannah and were forced to labor building the warehouses that still stand along the waterfront. The tour traces this history and explains the role the river played in the slave trade.

Who is Sistah Patt and why does she lead this tour?

Sistah Patt is a Gullah Geechee storyteller and truth-teller: a keeper of the cultural and historical knowledge of West African people in the Lowcountry. She leads the tour because she carries the stories and histories that are central to understanding Savannah's past.

How long does the Savannah Slavery to Freedom tour take?

The tour runs two to two and a half hours, depending on weather and traffic. The group travels by vehicle between the four main sites.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. You will need to request an ADA accessible vehicle at least 24 hours in advance when you book.

What is Laurel Grove Cemetery and why is it part of the tour?

Laurel Grove Cemetery is one of the significant locations on the tour that offers a poignant connection to Savannah's shared history. The tour visits it as part of the journey through the city's landmarks tied to slavery and freedom.