Savannah for First-Time Visitors

Savannah's Historic District covers 2.2 square miles, and is one of the largest in the country.  With Southern Hospitality everywhere you look, and General Oglethorpe's ingenious grid layout keeping everything orderly, you can confidently grab your walking shoes and get ready to explore!
Map of Savannah Hotels

3 Must-See Places in Savannah

And Their Proximity to Your Favorite Inn

Three main areas of the Historic District where visitors always want to go are:  City Market, River Street, and Forsyth Park.   Savannah's very walkable, so no matter where you stay, you can easily see all 3 places during your visit.  View our interactive map to get more perspective on the distances.

City Market Near Historic Inns of Savannah

City Market is one of the most-visited attractions in Savannah, GA, featuring artists working in their lofts and exhibiting works for sale. You'll also find restaurants, open-air cafés, jazz clubs, and shops.

Proximity to City Market
East Bay Inn - Walk 7 Minutes
Marshall House - Walk 8 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 12 Minutes
Olde Harbour Inn - Walk 13 Minutes
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 15 Minutes
The Gastonian - Walk 23 Minutes

City Market Near Historic Inns of Savannah

City Market is one of the most-visited attractions in Savannah, GA, featuring artists working in their lofts and exhibiting works for sale. You'll also find restaurants, open-air cafés, jazz clubs, and shops.

Proximity to City Market
East Bay Inn - Walk 7 Minutes
Marshall House - Walk 8 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 12 Minutes
Olde Harbour Inn - Walk 13 Minutes
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 15 Minutes
The Gastonian - Walk 23 Minutes

River Street Near Historic Inns of Savannah

River Street and the Old Cotton Exchange were the center of commerce in 1887—when cotton was king.  Where there once stood old cotton warehouses, you'll now find a multitude of bars, restaurants, and shops.

Proximity to River Street
Olde Harbour Inn - Located on River St.
East Bay Inn - Across the Street
Marshall House - Walk 7 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 10 Minutes
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 18 Minutes
The Gastonian - Walk 22 Minutes

River Street Near Historic Inns of Savannah

River Street and the Old Cotton Exchange were the center of commerce in 1887—when cotton was king.  Where there once stood old cotton warehouses, you'll now find a multitude of bars, restaurants, and shops.

Proximity to River Street
Olde Harbour Inn - Located on River St.
East Bay Inn - Across the Street
Marshall House - Walk 7 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 10 Minutes
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 18 Minutes
The Gastonian - Walk 22 Minutes

Forsyth Park Near Historic Inns of Savannah

This 26-acre park is especially beautiful in spring when the flowering trees and azaleas are in full bloom. The large ornate fountain dates to 1858. Joggers and walkers head here to make the mile loop around the perimeter of the park.

Proximity to Forsyth Park 
The Gastonian - Walk 4 Minutes
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 5 Minutes
Marshall House - Walk 16 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 18 Minutes
East Bay Inn - Walk 24 Minutes
Olde Harbour Inn - Walk 27 Minutes

Forsyth Park Near Historic Inns of Savannah

This 26-acre park is especially beautiful in spring when the flowering trees and azaleas are in full bloom. The large ornate fountain dates to 1858. Joggers and walkers head here to make the mile loop around the perimeter of the park.

Proximity to Forsyth Park 
The Gastonian - Walk 4 Minutes
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 5 Minutes
Marshall House - Walk 16 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 18 Minutes
East Bay Inn - Walk 24 Minutes
Olde Harbour Inn - Walk 27 Minutes

 

3 More Favorite Places to Visit in Savannah

When you're ready to branch out a little bit more, these top sites are also top favorites.

Colonial Cemetery

Colonial Park Cemetery is in the heart of Savannah's Historic District at 201 Abercorn Street. This 6-acre park-like cemetery has been closed to burials since 1853 and is the oldest intact municipal cemetery in Savannah. It served as the primary public cemetery from 1750 to 1853.

Proximity to Colonial Cemetery
Marshall House - Walk 6 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 6 Minutes
East Bay Inn - Walk 10 Minutes
Olde Harbour Inn - Walk 14 Minutes
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 9 Minutes
The Gastonian - Walk 10 Minutes

Colonial Cemetery

Colonial Park Cemetery is in the heart of Savannah's Historic District at 201 Abercorn Street. This 6-acre park-like cemetery has been closed to burials since 1853 and is the oldest intact municipal cemetery in Savannah. It served as the primary public cemetery from 1750 to 1853.

Proximity to Colonial Cemetery
Marshall House - Walk 6 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 6 Minutes
East Bay Inn - Walk 10 Minutes
Olde Harbour Inn - Walk 14 Minutes
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 9 Minutes
The Gastonian - Walk 10 Minutes

The Mercer House

The Mercer House was built in 1860 for the great-grandfather of songwriter Johnny Mercer. Purchased in 1969 and restored by Jim Williams, Mercer House is the principal subject of the book and film titled Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Still privately owned by the family, the Mercer-Williams House Museum is open for tours.

Proximity to The Mercer House
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 3 Minutes
The Gastonian - Walk 6 Minutes
Marshall House - Walk 15 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 17 Minutes
East Bay Inn - Walk 20 Minutes
Olde Harbour Inn - Walk 25 Minutes

The Mercer House

The Mercer House was built in 1860 for the great-grandfather of songwriter Johnny Mercer. Purchased in 1969 and restored by Jim Williams, Mercer House is the principal subject of the book and film titled Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Still privately owned by the family, the Mercer-Williams House Museum is open for tours.

Proximity to The Mercer House
Eliza Thompson House - Walk 3 Minutes
The Gastonian - Walk 6 Minutes
Marshall House - Walk 15 Minutes
Kehoe House - Walk 17 Minutes
East Bay Inn - Walk 20 Minutes
Olde Harbour Inn - Walk 25 Minutes

Savannah's Squares

Savannah was originally built around four open squares in 1733. Today, 22 of the 24 historic squares remain intact. If you've got your walking shoes on, it's entirely feasible to visit each one of the squares and monuments of Savannah in one day.  A good place to start is the 10-block stretch of Bull Street that begins at City Hall and ends at Forsyth Park.

5 of Our Favorite Squares

1.  ELLIS: featuring a Johnny Mercer statue
2.  REYNOLDS:  near The Olde Pink House
3.  CHIPPEWA: site of the "Forrest Gump" bench
4.  LAFAYETTE:  near Flannery O'Connor's childhood home
5.  MONTEREY:  near Temple Mickve Israel

Savannah's Squares

Savannah was originally built around four open squares in 1733. Today, 22 of the 24 historic squares remain intact. If you've got your walking shoes on, it's entirely feasible to visit each one of the squares and monuments of Savannah in one day.  A good place to start is the 10-block stretch of Bull Street that begins at City Hall and ends at Forsyth Park.

5 of Our Favorite Squares

1.  ELLIS: featuring a Johnny Mercer statue
2.  REYNOLDS:  near The Olde Pink House
3.  CHIPPEWA: site of the "Forrest Gump" bench
4.  LAFAYETTE:  near Flannery O'Connor's childhood home
5.  MONTEREY:  near Temple Mickve Israel

 

Is there more to see?  Oh yes!

As a guest of one of the Historic Inns of Savannah locations, you have full access to our Concierges and Guest Service Representatives who have a wealth of first-hand experience with the best things to do in Savannah.  If you have questions, just ask! 

Contact Us

 

Historic Inns of Savannah