Touring advice

Question

Group of 4 adults in our 50s will be in Savannah 2-1/2 days next week. We are staying in the historic district and want to hit the highlights of the area. We will have our own car. We always like to get insights from guided tours. We also want to visit Wormsloe. There are an overwhelming number of tour options - bus, walking, ghost, boat, and combos of the above! Looks like there are many highly rated options, so we probably can’t go too wrong, but what would you recommend? We arrive on a Tuesday afternoon and have all day Wednesday and Thursday and then drive to Charleston on Friday whenever we choose to head out.

Answer

It’s fantastic that you’re spending 2-1/2 days in Savannah! The city offers a mix of history, beautiful architecture, and charming Southern ambiance, making it a great place to explore. With your own car, you’ll have flexibility, but guided tours are a great way to enhance your experience, especially since Savannah has so much to offer. Here’s a suggested itinerary with tour recommendations to help you make the most of your time in the historic district and beyond.

Since you’ll be in Savannah for just a few days, here’s how you might want to structure your time:

Tuesday afternoon: After you arrive, consider a quick introduction to Savannah by doing a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour. This will give you an overview of the city and allow you to get off at points of interest like the Savannah Historic District, Forsyth Park, and River Street. The benefit of the trolley is that it’s flexible—take the tour and stop at your leisure to explore the main attractions, including the beautiful squares and historic homes.
Wednesday (Full day): Start with a walking tour of the historic district in the morning. Walking tours are an excellent way to dive into Savannah’s history and architecture. Most walking tours will take you through the 22 historic squares and give you insights into the city’s past, including its colonial history and Civil War significance. The Colonial Park Cemetery and the Mercer-Williams House are must-see spots during these tours. For something a bit more unique, consider a ghost tour in the evening. Savannah is known for its haunted history, and many tours combine both history and ghost stories, such as the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour.
Thursday (Full day): Start with a trip to Wormsloe Historic Site, about a 20-minute drive from the historic district. This plantation is famous for its stunning oak-lined avenue, and you’ll get a sense of the area’s history as you explore the grounds. They offer excellent guided tours that delve into the history of the site and the family who lived there. After Wormsloe, head back to the city and take a riverboat cruise along the Savannah River. This will give you a different view of the city, and you’ll learn about its port history, which was central to Savannah’s development. In the evening, enjoy a dinner at one of Savannah’s famed seafood restaurants like The Grey or Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room.

Here are some other suggestions for your time in Savannah:

Combination Tours: If you’re interested in getting the most out of your time, some companies offer combination tours that include both walking and boat tours. This is a great option if you want to experience Savannah from multiple angles in one go. For example, the Savannah Tour Company offers a walking tour followed by a riverboat cruise.
Shopping and Exploring on Your Own: While tours are great, it’s also nice to spend some free time exploring on your own. Savannah has wonderful shops, galleries, and cafes. River Street is lined with boutiques and old warehouses, while Broughton Street offers more upscale shopping. You can also stroll through the charming Paris Market for unique finds.
Lunch or Dinner in the Historic District: Make sure to enjoy some authentic Southern food during your trip. Try the famous Low Country Boil or a classic shrimp and grits dish. The Grey and The Collins Quarter are excellent options for lunch or dinner.

As for whether you should extend your trip to three nights, it depends on how leisurely you want your experience to be. Two nights gives you plenty of time to see the main attractions, but if you’d like a bit more flexibility and time for relaxed exploration, extending your stay by one more night could allow you to take a day trip to the nearby Tybee Island, visit additional plantations, or enjoy more of Savannah’s unique neighborhoods.

In summary, for your 2-1/2 days, I’d recommend doing a mix of tours that include a walking tour of the historic district, a visit to Wormsloe, a ghost tour, and a riverboat cruise. If you have the time and desire, a third night would give you extra time to relax and explore the surrounding area, such as Tybee Island or the beautiful gardens and parks near the city. Enjoy your trip to Savannah—it’s a beautiful and fascinating city!