Savannah Historic District Guide — 22 Squares, 290 Years of History

The Savannah Historic District isn't just a neighborhood — it's a 2.5-square-mile National Historic Landmark that feels like stepping into another century. Laid out in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, it's one of the largest urban historic districts in America, and it remains one of the most beautiful. With 22 parklike squares draped in Spanish moss, cobblestone streets lined with 18th and 19th-century architecture, and some of the best restaurants, ghost tours, and food experiences in the South, this is what people picture when they imagine Savannah.

We've walked these squares countless times, and we're here to help you make the most of your visit.

Quick Answer: What You Need to Know About Savannah's Historic District

• Size: 2.5 square miles, easily walkable
• Number of squares: 22 (originally 24, but Ellis Square was recently restored)
• Best squares to visit: Forsyth Park, Chippewa Square, Reynolds Square, Madison Square
• Must-do experiences: Walk the squares, take a ghost tour, eat at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room
• How much time you need: 2-3 days minimum to do it justice
• Best time to visit: Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November)

Why Is Savannah's Historic District Special?

General James Oglethorpe designed Savannah in 1733 with a revolutionary urban plan: a grid of residential wards built around public squares. The squares were meant to foster community, provide space for markets and gatherings, and create defensible positions in case of attack. That 290-year-old design still shapes the city today.

What makes the Historic District remarkable is that it was preserved rather than demolished. While most American cities bulldozed their historic cores in the mid-20th century, Savannah fought back. The Historic Savannah Foundation, founded in 1955, saved hundreds of buildings from the wrecking ball. The result is the largest urban historic district in the National Register — a living museum where people actually live, work, and dine in buildings that predate the Civil War.

The live oak trees draped in Spanish moss create a canopy over many of the squares, giving the district an ethereal, almost haunted quality (which makes sense, given Savannah's reputation as America's most haunted city). Walking from square to square, you pass historic homes, museums, churches, and some of the best restaurants in Georgia.

What Are the 22 Squares of Savannah?

The original Oglethorpe plan called for 24 squares. Today, 22 survive (Ellis Square was restored in 2010; Liberty and Elbert were lost to development). Each square has its own character, history, and landmarks. Here's a tour of the most essential ones:

Forsyth Park — The Crown Jewel

While technically not one of the original squares, Forsyth Park anchors the southern end of the Historic District and serves as Savannah's most iconic green space. The white cast-iron fountain at the park's north end — modeled after fountains in Paris — is the most photographed spot in Savannah.

What to see: The fountain (obviously), the Fragrant Garden for the Blind, the large open green where locals play frisbee and have picnics. On Saturday mornings, the Forsyth Farmers Market sets up along the south side.

Nearby dining: The Collins Quarter has a second location with a patio overlooking Forsyth Park — perfect for coffee and brunch with a view.

Chippewa Square — The Forrest Gump Bench

Chippewa Square became internationally famous when it stood in for the bus stop scene in Forrest Gump. The bench prop is long gone (it's in a museum), but visitors still flock here for photos. The square features a bronze statue of General James Oglethorpe, Savannah's founder.

What to see: The Oglethorpe statue, the Philbrick-Eastman House (one of Savannah's most photographed homes), and the historic Savannah Theatre.

Nearby dining: Zunzi's, a Savannah legend serving South African-inspired sandwiches, is just a few blocks away on York Street.

Reynolds Square — The Olde Pink House

Reynolds Square sits on Abercorn Street and is home to one of Savannah's most iconic buildings: The Olde Pink House, a 1771 Georgian mansion that now serves upscale Southern cuisine. The square also features the Lucas Theatre for the Arts and the John Wesley Monument.

What to see: The Olde Pink House (you can dine there or just admire it from the square), the Lucas Theatre's Art Deco marquee, and plenty of benches for people-watching.

Nearby dining: The Olde Pink House for fine dining, or The Pirates' House just a block east for a more casual (and famously haunted) meal.

Madison Square — The Grey and Sorrel-Weed House

Madison Square is one of the most architecturally significant squares, surrounded by stunning 19th-century buildings. The Grey, Savannah's James Beard Award-winning restaurant, occupies a restored 1938 Greyhound Bus Terminal just off the square. The haunted Sorrel-Weed House, featured on Ghost Hunters, also sits on Madison Square.

What to see: The Sergeant William Jasper Monument, the Green-Meldrim House (Sherman's headquarters during the Civil War), and the stunning architecture surrounding the square.

Nearby dining: The Grey is the obvious choice for world-class Port City Southern cuisine. If you can't get a reservation, The Grey Market next door serves a more casual menu.

Monterey Square — Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Monterey Square became famous as the setting for much of John Berendt's bestselling book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The Mercer-Williams House, where the book's central events took place, occupies the entire west side of the square.

What to see: The Mercer-Williams House (you can tour the main floor), the Casimir Pulaski Monument in the center of the square, and Temple Mickve Israel (the third-oldest Jewish congregation in America).

Nearby dining: Clary's Cafe, the diner featured in Midnight, is just two blocks north on Abercorn Street.

Where Should You Eat in the Historic District?

The Savannah restaurant scene is one of the best in the South, and most of the top spots cluster within the Historic District. Here's a quick breakdown by meal type:

Breakfast & Brunch

• The Collins Quarter — Australian-inspired café with the best coffee in Savannah
• Clary's Cafe — Classic diner breakfast, featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
• Goose Feathers Cafe — European-style bakery on Ellis Square
• B. Matthew's Eatery — Southern brunch with legendary shrimp and grits

For a complete guide to morning meals, read our dedicated best breakfast in Savannah post.

Lunch

• Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room — The most iconic meal in Savannah: family-style Southern comfort food at communal tables
• Zunzi's — South African-inspired sandwiches with a cult following
• Crystal Beer Parlor — Savannah's oldest restaurant (since 1933), famous for crab stew

Fine Dining

• The Grey — James Beard Award-winning, the best fine dining in Savannah
• The Olde Pink House — Upscale Southern cuisine in a 1771 mansion
• Elizabeth on 37th — Elegant Southern cooking in a Victorian mansion
• Husk Savannah — Sean Brock's Lowcountry masterpiece with a daily-changing menu

For a deeper dive into upscale dining, check out our fine dining guide.

Casual Dinner

• The Public Kitchen & Bar — Farm-to-table Southern comfort food
• Treylor Park — Creative coastal comfort food with killer pickle chips
• The Pirates' House — Historic (1753), fun, and surprisingly good Southern fare

For comprehensive dining coverage, explore our complete guide to the best restaurants in Savannah.

What Are the Best Things to Do in the Historic District?

Beyond walking the squares and eating your way through Savannah's restaurant scene, here are the must-do experiences:

Take a Ghost Tour

Savannah is widely considered America's most haunted city, and a ghost tour is one of the best ways to experience the Historic District after dark. Our top picks:

• Genteel & Bard — 5.0-star rating, theatrical guides with headset audio
• Ghost City Tours — Multiple tour options including family-friendly and adults-only
• Creepy Crawl Pub Tour — Ghost stories plus Savannah's bar scene

Book a Food Tour

A food tour is the smartest way to experience Savannah's culinary scene, especially early in your trip. You'll discover hidden gems you'd never find on your own. Savannah Taste Experience (4.9 stars) is our top pick.

Visit Historic Homes and Museums

• Mercer-Williams House — The setting of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
• Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters — One of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America
• Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace — Founder of the Girl Scouts, meticulously preserved Victorian home
• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist — Stunning French Gothic cathedral with twin spires

Explore Colonial Park Cemetery

Established in 1750, Colonial Park Cemetery is Savannah's oldest surviving cemetery and holds over 9,000 graves. It's free to visit during daylight hours and featured on many ghost tours at night. The mass grave from the 1820 yellow fever epidemic is particularly haunting.

Walk River Street

River Street runs along the Savannah River and features cobblestone streets, shops, bars, and waterfront dining. It's touristy, yes — but the views of the river and passing cargo ships are spectacular. Walk it during the day for the atmosphere, then head back into the Historic District proper for dinner.

Day Trip to Tybee Island

Just 20 minutes from downtown, Tybee Island offers beaches, dolphin tours, and a completely different vibe from the Historic District. It's the perfect half-day or full-day excursion.

How Should You Navigate the Historic District?

The Historic District is flat, compact, and walkable. Most of the major squares are within a 15-20 minute walk of each other. Comfortable shoes are essential — cobblestone streets and uneven brick sidewalks make heels impractical.

Parking: Use the parking garages on Bryan Street or State Street. Street meters are enforced aggressively. If your hotel is in the Historic District, walk everywhere and skip the car entirely.

Rideshare: Uber and Lyft work well in Savannah, though surge pricing can hit hard on weekend evenings.

Trolley tours: Old Town Trolley offers hop-on, hop-off tours covering the major sights. They're useful for getting oriented on your first day, though serious walkers will find the district more rewarding on foot.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Savannah's Historic District?

Best weather: Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer mild temperatures and the most comfortable walking conditions. The squares are stunning when the azaleas bloom in spring.

Avoid if possible: July and August are brutally hot and humid. Summer visitors should embrace early morning walks before the heat sets in.

Peak tourist season: Spring is Savannah's busiest time. St. Patrick's Day (mid-March) brings massive crowds — book everything months in advance if visiting then.

Best for fewer crowds: Late January through early March and late November through early December offer pleasant weather with smaller crowds.

What Should You Know Before Visiting?

Open container laws: Savannah allows you to walk around the Historic District with an alcoholic beverage in a plastic cup (16 oz max). Most bars will give you a to-go cup. This is legal and common — embrace it.

Dress code: Savannah leans toward "Southern elegant" for upscale dining, but it's not stuffy. Smart casual works at most restaurants. Shorts and flip-flops are fine during the day but feel out of place at fine dining spots.

Tipping: 18-20% is standard for good service. Many restaurants add automatic gratuity for large groups.

Mosquitoes: Savannah is coastal and humid. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, especially near the squares. Bring bug spray if you're sensitive.

How Many Days Should You Spend in the Historic District?

We recommend 3-4 days to truly experience Savannah without rushing:

• Day 1: Walk the major squares, lunch at Mrs. Wilkes', ghost tour at night
• Day 2: Food tour, explore museums and historic homes, dinner at The Grey or The Olde Pink House
• Day 3: Tybee Island day trip for dolphin tours and beach time
• Day 4: Revisit favorite spots, shop on Broughton Street, brunch at The Collins Quarter

With less time, prioritize the squares, one great meal, and a ghost tour. That's the essential Savannah trifecta.

Savannah Historic District: The Bottom Line

The Savannah Historic District isn't just a collection of old buildings — it's a living, breathing neighborhood where 290 years of history meets some of the best dining, nightlife, and cultural experiences in the American South. From the Spanish moss-draped squares to the world-class restaurants, from the haunted history to the culinary tours, this is one of the most beautiful and walkable historic districts in the country.

Walk slowly. Eat well. Take your time with the squares — they're the soul of the city. And remember: Savannah rewards those who linger.

Book Your Historic District Stay

Stay within the Historic District and you can walk to everything — restaurants, tours, squares, and attractions. No car needed.

→ Find Hotels in the Historic District

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Ready to explore Savannah? Check out our guides to the best restaurants, top ghost tours, food tours, and boat tours to plan the perfect Historic District adventure.

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