Trolley Tour: Historic Overview of Savannah

Listen to your guide recount more than 270 years of American history. Enjoy the narration as you ride through one of the largest National Urban Historic Landmarked Districts in the United States. Ride on cobblestone streets and in the shade of moss-draped oaks. See stately mansions, beautiful squares, and romantic views of the river.

Learn about the Old South on this easy-going, fun tour of Savannah.
When people reach Chippewa Square, they usually feel like something’s missing from the iconic landmark. Known by locals and tourists alike as the “Forrest Gump” square, Chippewa Square doesn’t actually have a bench like in the movie, but it’s certainly famous nonetheless! Just a stone’s throw from the famous-yet-benchless square is the Savannah Theatre, which opened in 1818. This theatre is the oldest one in the country and still produces shows nightly
Savannah has no shortage of spooky stories to tell and haunted houses to tour. The Sorrel Weed House is one of the most haunted houses in the country, so it’s only fitting that it appears on our list of stops, especially for the Grave Encounters Tour. The home is also a beautiful example of the architecture and design the Antebellum period was known for.
Arguably one of the most important sights in Savannah, Forsyth Park’s picturesque flowers, foliage, and fountain. Snap a photo of Savannah’s iconic fountain (the one that turns green around St. Patrick’s Day!)
The Massie Heritage Center is the oldest school in continuous operation in Georgia. Opened in 1856, the center offers a “Nineteenth Century Classroom,” where students experience a school day as if they were in the late-1800s. For everyone else visiting the Massie Center, there are plenty of artifacts to learn about and exhibits to check out.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is known for its part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade as well as its ranking as a popular wedding venue location. The cathedral is located on a corner of Abercorn Street and overlooks Lafayette Square. If there isn’t a ceremony or mass taking place, visitors are allowed to tour the cathedral, stand beneath the stunning stained-glass windows, and wander the pews.
The Pirates’ House opened in 1753…to real-life pirates! The inn was used by travelers and sailors, looking to rest on solid ground after roaming the seas. Although no pirates frequent the establishment now, the building serves as a restaurant, so it’s still full of boisterous, happy guests.
With its adjoining slave quarters, carriage house, and fragrant gardens were built in 1819. Guests are invited to tour the grounds to learn about the complicated, unfortunate relationship between those with and without power. The rooms are outfitted with period furniture and decorations and a few interactive exhibits.
Just a few blocks from the Owens-Thomas House sits the other two parts of the Telfair Museum family: the Jepson Center and Telfair Academy. The Jepson Center is Savannah’s art museum, a breathtakingly modern building home to both permanent collections and temporary exhibits. (Children can play in the Artzeum and and engage with the pieces in the interactive Techspace.) The Telfair Academy is another art museum, except this one has rooms decorated in 19th century décor as well as 19th and 20th century American and European art
Reynolds Square is the epitome of Savannah’s squares. This particular block of land is filled with moss-covered live oaks and holds a statue of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. However, the square is actually named after Georgia’s first governor, John Reynolds. Nearby you’ll find the deliciously famous Leopold’s Ice Cream, The Ole Pink House, and the Lucas Theatre. Eat some food, indulge in some ice cream, catch a show after your tour.
This open-air market mimics the one that stood in its place back in the 1800s. Nowadays, passersby are driving cars rather than horse-and-buggy, but the experience of wandering the aisles and checking out local vendors is quite similar!
The Exchange Bell is believed to be the oldest in Georgia, says the year 1802 imprinted on it. The bell was used to signal the end of the day or a cause for celebration, the closing time of shops and to alert citizens of fires
Another iconic building in Savannah is City Hall. The building opened in 1905, but its unique gold dome was originally copper. Located right off Bay Street and Factors Walk, City Hall is also a stone’s throw from plenty of other popular places in downtown, such as City Market and Ellis Square.
Franklin Square (designed in 1790 and named after Benjamin Franklin) is adjacent to City Market and Ellis Square and just a few blocks up from Bay Street and River Street.