savannah tour of homes 2022

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Savannah Historic Homes & House Tours

Savannah has an unusually large number and variety of historic house museums for a city of its size. Most of them date from the early to mid 19th century and are restored to reflect that period.

Savannah’s historic homes can offer a closer look at the lives of its (mostly white and wealthy) residents in times past, an appreciation of the architecture and furnishings of a particular period, or even just something to do on a rainy day.

In the majority of these houses, guided tours only are available, though the gardens (where applicable) can be toured at your own pace. Allow about an hour or so for your visit to any of the homes.

See also: – Savannah’s must-see sights – Savannah’s events by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December – More attractions and things to do – Museums in Savannah – River Street

Andrew Low House

329 Abercorn Street. Official website

The Andrew Low House was built for one of Savannah’s wealthiest businessmen, the Scottish-born cotton factor Andrew Low. It was built in 1848-1849, the architect believed to be John S Norris.

The house is also associated with Juliette Gordon Low and the Girl Scouts story: Gordon Low lived here after her marriage to Andrew Low’s son William Mackay Low. Though they later divorced, Gordon Low remained in the house until her death; the adjacent carriage house served as the first meeting place for the Girl Scouts organization, which she founded in 1912.

The house (today owned by the Colonial Dames of Georgia) has numerous restored rooms showing how life would have been for a wealthy Savannah family in the 19th century, including a children’s playroom and, more unusually, one of the earliest indoor bathrooms.

The Andrew Low House also has one of the few surviving original gardens created in 19th-century Savannah. The design of the gardens dates from the mid century, shortly after the completion of the house.

→ See current hours and admission for the Andrew Low House

Davenport House

324 East State Street. Official website

The Davenport House Museum is one of the oldest of Savannah’s historic houses open to the public. It is also significant as one of the first major successes of the historic preservation movement in Savannah.

New England builder and architect Isaiah Davenport built this house for his family from around 1820, completing it a year or so later. A large and distinctive red brick structure, it is designed in the Federal style, popular from the last decades of the 18th century.

The Historic Savannah Foundation saved the house from destruction in the mid 20th century. Once serving as their headquarters, it opened as a museum in 1963. The house is restored to its appearance in the 1820s; the gardens have also been redeveloped.

Tours explore the life and household management of a thriving Savannah family in that period, and outline the strategies and achievements of the projects undertaken in Savannah over the past several decades to preserve the city’s historic heritage.

The Davenport House also offers several annual special events, some seasonal and others focusing on aspects of Savannah’s history and preservation. See upcoming events

→ See current hours and admission for the Davenport House Museum

Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home

207 East Charlton Street. Official website

This house is the former residence of Flannery O’Connor, one of the South’s most celebrated authors. O’Connor’s literary reputation rests on her four works – two novels, Wise Blood and The Violent Bear It Away , and two collections of short stories, A Good Man Is Hard To Find and Everything That Rises Must Converge , the latter published posthumously – bizarre and highly religiously-inflected works that drew upon her intense and lifelong engagement with Catholicism.

O’Connor lived in the house until the age of 13 (a third of her short life), after which her family moved to Atlanta. After traveling north for her education, O’Connor spent much of her remaining time on her mother’s Milledgeville, GA farm. She died aged 39, of lupus.

The Flannery O’Connor childhood home is one of Savannah’s more unique historic house museums. It is the only house museum that depicts life as it would have been during the Great Depression of the early 20th century. It also provides an insight into life for a more modest middle class family, in contrast to the homes of Savannah’s elite.

→ See current hours for the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home

Green-Meldrim House

14 West Macon Street. Official website

Amongst Savannah’s most popular historic houses is the Green-Meldrim House, on the west side of Madison Square. From this house, General William Sherman wrote his historic telegram presenting the City of Savannah to President Lincoln as a “Christmas present.” It is currently owned by the adjacent St John’s Episcopal Church.

The house was built for English merchant and one of the wealthiest businessman in Savannah, Charles Green, in the early 1850s, at that time one of the grandest houses in the city and reputedly, the single most expensive ever built to that date. It was designed by John S Norris, and is considered an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture.

Charles Green famously offered the use of his house to General Sherman during the Union army’s occupation of Savannah around the winter of 1864. Some said this was a gesture intended to spare his southern fellow-citizens the indignity of hosting the enemy. Others thought Green was motivated by the hope that the invading forces would not burn his fine new house, though he needn’t have worried: Sherman spared Savannah.

→ See current hours and admission for the Green-Meldrim House

Harper-Fowlkes House

230 Barnard Street. Official website

The Harper-Fowlkes House, a striking Greek Revival home on Savannah’s Orleans Square, was once owned by the influential Champion and McAlpin families. It stands today as testament to the preservation work of Alida Harper-Fowlkes.

The house was designed by Charles Cluskey in the Greek Revival style, constructed in 1842. The Harper-Fowlkes House is the last remaining of the large homes that once graced the formerly-fashionable Orleans Square, its imposing double-story columns a hint of the square’s lost grandeur.

The Harper-Fowlkes House was owned by various members of the Champion and McAlpin familes for much of its first century. Alida Harper (Alida Harper-Fowlkes after her marriage) bought the property in 1939. Though she was never very active in Savannah’s leading preservationist organization, the Historic Savannah Foundation, Harper became an influential force in the restoration of Savannah’s old houses and neighborhoods.

Harper substantially restored the historic Orleans Square home, later deeding it to the Society of the Cincinnati with the proviso that it would never be sold (the house is currently managed by the Coastal Heritage Society). Tours discuss the home’s architecture, artworks and antiques and Harper’s own preservation work.

→ See current hours and admission for the Harper-Fowlkes House

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

10 East Oglethorpe Avenue. Official website

Juliette Gordon Low is known nationwide as the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. The Birthplace, or Wayne-Gordon House as it is otherwise called, was her childhood home. It is one of Savannah’s key cultural sites.

Juliette Magill Gordon was born in 1860. The house, built around 1820 for the recent mayor of Savannah and later Supreme Court Justice James Moore Wayne, was bought from him by her grandfather, politician and railroad man William Washington Gordon I. Its design is attributed to William Jay.

Juliette Gordon Low (as she became known after her marriage to William Mackay Low in the 1880s) founded the Girl Scouts in 1912, inspired by the Boy Scouting/Girl Guiding organizations she had learned of during her travels in Britain.

The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is both a museum of the Girl Scouts organization and a historic home. It is restored to reflect the life of an upper class southern family in the late 19th century, also displaying many artifacts from Low’s life and the history of Girl Scouting.

→ See current hours and admission for the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

King-Tisdell Cottage

514 East Huntington Street. Official website

The King-Tisdell Cottage is a rare example of a visitable Savannah historic home formerly owned by and depicting the lives of the city’s African-American citizens.

The house was originally built in 1896 for the white woodmill owner WW Aimar, constructed in the delightful ‘gingerbread’ style then popular. The King-Tisdell Cottage is a beautiful example of this late-19th century architectural trend, characterized by the intricate, ornate woodword employed as decoration of the porches and other outer features of a dwelling.

In 1925, the house was bought by a young African-American couple, Eugene and Sarah King, both of them representative of the Black entrepreneurship that often thrived in early 20th-century Savannah. Eugene King was the owner of a laundry business; Sarah King would operate her own confectionery out of their home, then located at 516 Ott Street, out in Savannah’s southern addition.

More of a museum in a historic house than a historic house museum, its exhibits include: the experiences of enslavement and emancipation and of Black entrepreneurship in the city; the Gullah-Geechee culture of the sea islands and coast; the life of museum founder and Civil Rights activist WW Law; and the stories of the home’s former owners.

→ See current hours and admission for the King-Tisdell Cottage

Mercer-Williams House

429 Bull Street. Official website

The Mercer-Williams House, former residence of the preservationist and antiques dealer Jim Williams, is undoubtedly the most widely-known of Savannah’s historic homes.

The early history of the house was largely unremarkable. John S Norris designed the home in 1860, for Hugh Weedon Mercer. War interfered with its construction, however, and it was not completed until 1868, by which time Mercer had sold it to John Wilder.

In 1969, Williams bought the house, restoring the property and redesigning the interiors according to his own tastes and interests.

Always a controversial figure, Jim Williams became a notorious one when he shot and killed his lover in the old Mercer House. Soon after, the man, the events and the home would all be immortalized in John Berendt’s international best-seller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil , also made into a movie.

Tours of the Mercer-Williams House focus on the architecture and restoration of the house; Williams’s legacy as a historical preservationist; and the remaining antiques (most of the antiques with which Williams filled the house have now been sold). Discussion of both the shooting and “The Book” is minimal.

→ See current hours and admission for the Mercer-Williams House

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

124 Abercorn Street. Official website

The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is one of Savannah’s most outstanding antebellum houses, and also one of its most completely preserved. Enslaved people’s quarters and English-style parterre gardens can be seen, besides the architecture and antiques of the main house itself.

The Owens-Thomas House dates from the 1810s, built for wealthy cotton merchant and banker Richard Richardson and his family. It was William Jay’s first Savannah commission: Jay is one of the most notable architects to have worked in the city, and the Owens-Thomas House is considered his finest work.

The house was completed in 1819, but tragedy soon struck. By 1822, Richardson’s wife Frances and two of their children were dead, and Richardson had lost their home, ruined by a recession and bad investments.

→ See current hours and admission for the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

Savannah House Tours & Garden Tours

Several annual tours of private houses, gardens and other architecturally distinguished buildings, many of which are not usually open to the public, are conducted in Savannah.

In spring are the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens (recently suspended on account of the pandemic) and the North of Gaston Street Tour of Hidden Gardens .

Other home tours in Savannah and nearby include the winter Holiday Tour of Homes and Inns , and prior to the pandemic the Tybee Island Tour of Homes and the St Vincent’s Academy Fall Tour of Homes.

More Things To Do In Savannah & Nearby

– Guided tours of Savannah – Black history sites in Savannah – Kayak tours near Savannah – Boat tours from Savannah and nearby – Savannah museums – Beaches near Savannah – Art galleries in Savannah – Savannah events – Georgia food festivals – Hilton Head Island events – Ossabaw Island tours – Sapelo Island tours

© Melanie K Jones 2024

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This Is My South

A travel guide to the Southern USA

11 Historic Homes in Savannah You Can Actually Visit

February 10, 2020 By Caroline Eubanks Leave a Comment

Savannah , Georgia has one of the nation’s most carefully preserved historic districts. And it wouldn’t have been possible without some forward-thinking residents who saved historic homes from being bulldozed in the 1960s.

Some historic homes are managed independently while others are handled by the Historic Savannah Foundation . Like in Charleston , you can now visit many of these homes, which have been turned into museums, inns, and even restaurants.

Additional private homes are open on seasonal tours of homes. Visit Savannah has great information on historic homes.

A Note On Plantations:  These homes have a dark history that shouldn’t be ignored. Only you can decide whether this is something you’re interested in doing. Read  this post  for more perspectives on both sides of the debate.

This post contains affiliate links.

Savannah House Tours and Tickets

Each of these homes has its own ticketing process, but you can also purchase combination tickets to see more than one. For example, Old Town Trolley Tours has a package that includes admission to the Davenport House and the Andrew Low House. The Owens-Thomas House can be visited in conjunction with the Telfair Museums.

Historic Savannah House Museums

Harper-fowlkes house.

The Harper Fowlkes House is a Greek Revival historic home dating back to 1842. It was saved by preservationist Alida Harper Fowlkes, who bequeathed it to the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Georgia in 1985.

The home is known for its antiques, with items like 19th-century china, early portraiture from colonial Georgia , and Rococo sculptures. Fowlkes was herself an antiques dealer. The gardens are also stunning.

They operate tours on Monday and Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. They also allow you to make appointments. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for students, and free for those under 12. The Harper Fowlkes House is located at 230 Barnard Street, near Orleans Square.

Davenport House

The Davenport House Museum was one of Savannah ‘s first historic house museums and the Historic Savannah Foundation was created solely to save it from demolition. Built in 1820, the two-and-a-half-story brick structure was the home of Isaiah Davenport, his family, and his slaves.

In 1955, the home was nearly demolished to make room for a parking lot. The gardens have been partially restored to feature the plants of coastal Georgia that would have existed during the Davenports’ time.

Tours run Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. They last around 40 minutes and the garden is self-guided. It’s also a popular stop for a Savannah ghost tour .

Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for children, and free for those under 6. The house is located at 324 E. State Street, near Columbia Square.

Andrew Low House

The Andrew Low House was built in 1848 in the Italianate style for the self-made Scottish immigrant. He became Savannah’s wealthiest citizen through the cotton trade. Over the years, his lavish home hosted Robert E. Lee and the Earl of Roxbury.

The house was owned by his descendants until the death of his daughter-in-law, Juliette Gordon Low, who had a house nearby. The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia purchased it in 1928 and it opened to the public in 1950.

Tours are offered on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 to 4 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, AAA and AARP members, and Girl Scouts, and free for active military. The Andrew Low House is located at 329 Abercorn Street, around the corner from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Visit on the Garden & Historic Homes Tour , which stops by the Low, Mercer, and Green Houses.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace was the home of the founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low. She was born at the home in 1860 and lived here for most of her life growing up. She returned later in life when her husband died.

In 1912, she got the idea of the Girl Scouts of America here. Girl Scout troops from all over the world visit the home, which includes much of the house’s original furnishings. In 1953, the home was purchased by the GSA to operate as a museum. Exhibits include early uniforms from the troops.

Tours run around 40 minutes and cover Low’s life and areas of the home. Tickets are $12 for adults, seniors, students, and military, $10 for Girl Scouts, and free for children under 4.

Tours run every Monday to Saturday but tour times vary. The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is located at 10 East Oglethorpe Avenue, south of Wright Square.

Mercer-Williams House

The Mercer-Williams House was built in the Italianate style in the 1860s for General Hugh W. Mercer, the great-grandfather of acclaimed songwriter Johnny Mercer. But a few years later, it was sold to John Wilder.

In 1969, the most famous owner, Jim Williams bought the property. It was here that Williams murdered Danny Hansford, featured in “The Book” Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil . Williams painstakingly restored the home and furnished it with antiques he’d collected over the years.

The house then passed to his sister Dorothy Kingery, who continues to live in the home and support restoration efforts. Tours operate from around 10:30 am to 4:10 pm Monday to Saturday and 12 to 4 pm on Sunday.

Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $8 for students. The Mercer-Williams House is located at 429 Bull Street, right on Monterey Square.

Visit on the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Walking Tour of Savannah , which discusses the importance of the home in the book and subsequent movie.

Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home

Acclaimed author Flannery O’Connor lived in Savannah from 1925 to 1938 when she moved to Milledgeville . The  Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home  now operates as a museum on her life after her cousin, and neighbor, Katie later purchased the home.

It’s been restored to how it would have looked when the family lived here thanks to generous contributions from director Jerry Bruckheimer. The home also hosts lectures including past talks by authors Pat Conroy and Roxane Gay.

The home is open for tours Monday to Wednesday and Thursday to Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. Guided tours last 30 minutes and are $8 for adults, $6 for students and military, and free for children under 12. The Flannery O’Connor Home is located at 207 E Charlton Street, near Troup Square.

Green Meldrim House

The Green Meldrim House was built in the 1850s in the Gothic Revival style for English cotton merchant Charles Green. In 1864, Mr. Green invited General Sherman to use the home as Union headquarters during the occupation of Savannah during the Civil War.

It was passed to Green’s son in 1881 and in 1892, the house was purchased by Judge Peter W. Meldrim. His family continued to own it until 1943 when the Green Meldrim House to the neighboring St. John’s Episcopal Church. It now operates as their Parish House.

Tours are operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The Green Meldrim House is located at 14 W Macon Street, right on Madison Square.

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

The Owens-Thomas House was built in 1816 in the Regency style for merchant Richard Richardson and his family and slaves. The family suffered financially and sold it.

In 1824, Mary Maxwell operated it as a boarding house. It’s most well known for being where the Marquis de Lafayette gave a speech to the locals during his stay.

By 1830, it was the home of Mayor George Welshman Owens and later, granddaughter Margaret Gray Thomas. It became a museum in 1954.

It had the first indoor plumbing in the country, created by architect William Jay, who went on to create homes in Charleston and his native England.

Tours are offered from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday to Monday from 12 to 5 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $15 for students, and $5 for children.

The 45-minute tours visit the carriage house, slave quarters, and cellar. The Owens-Thomas House is located at 124 Abercorn Street, on Oglethorpe Square.

Visit the home with the combination Owens Thomas House & Slave Quarters and Telfair Museums Ticket .

Scarbrough House at The Ships of the Sea Museum

The Scarbrough House was built in 1819 for William Scarbrough, the owner of the steamship Savannah , the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Built in the Greek Revival style, it is one of the earliest examples of this type of architecture in the South.

In 1820, Scarbrough was in great debt and his house and furnishings were sold to a relative. By 1878, it became a school for African American children and continued until 1962. It was abandoned for a time before being restored by the Savannah Historic Foundation.

In 1995, it was acquired by the Ships of the Sea Museum and completely restored, including the portico and garden. Today the museum has pieces like models of the Wanderer and Titanic as well as maritime antiques.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for students, seniors, military, and AAA members. Children under 5 are free.

The Scarbrough House at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is located at 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just a few blocks from River Street.

Visit the William Scarbrough House with the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum Self-Guided Tour .

Sorrel-Weed House

The Sorrel-Weed House was built for French Haitian merchant Francis Sorrel in the 1830s in the Greek Revival style. The site was where the Battle of Savannah took place in 1779. The Sorrel family lived there through the Civil War and even hosted Robert E. Lee.

Local businessman Henry D. Weed purchased the house in 1862 and it remained in his family until 1914. The home opened to the public in 1940 and features antebellum antiques. It’s also been featured on the show Ghost Hunters for its dark history.

Architecture and ghost tours are offered daily, lasting sixty minutes, and vary based on the tour type. Tours are $10 for adults and $6 for children. The Sorrel-Weed House is located at 6 W Harris Street, north of Madison Square.

Telfair Academy

The Telfair Academy was built in 1819 as a Neoclassical mansion from architect William Jay, who worked on many Savannah homes. Alexander Telfair lived here until passing it on to his sister Mary, who turned it into an art museum.

Opened in 1886, it’s the oldest public art museum in the South and the first museum in the United States founded by a woman. The collection includes American and European works from the Telfair family. The most well-known piece is the Bird Girl, which graced the cover of  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil . 

Tours are offered from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday to Monday from 12 to 5 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $15 for students, and $5 for children. Telfair Academy is located at 121 Barnard Street, south of namesake Telfair Square.

Historic Savannah Restaurants

Some of Savannah’s historic homes and buildings have taken on a new life as restaurants.

The Pirate’s House

The Pirate’s House was built around 1753 on the site of the Trustee’s Garden, an early agricultural project. The building itself is said to be one of the oldest standing structures in the state and the oldest continuously operating restaurant.

It became a tavern and boarding house, hosting seafaring pirates and even Robert Louis Stevenson stayed here while working on  Treasure Island . 

The building fell into disrepair but was saved in 1945 by Mary Hillyer, wife of the Savannah Gas Company owner. In 1953, it opened as a tea room.

Today the popular restaurant has some of the best fried chicken anywhere, not to mention a stellar Southern food buffet. The Pirate’s House is located at 20 East Broad Street, right off River Street.

The Olde Pink House

The Olde Pink House is one of the most well-known restaurants in Savannah, set in a Colonial mansion. It was built in 1771 as the Habersham House for James Habersham Jr., who lived here until 1800. It later operated as a bank and then Union headquarters during the Civil War.

Preservationist Alida Harper Fowlkes not only restored ten homes but also operated The Georgian Tea Room in the basement of the Pink House in 1929.

In 1992, it became a restaurant serving traditional Southern food. The Olde Pink House is located at 23 Abercorn Street, right on Reynolds Square.

Historic Savannah Inns and Bed and Breakfasts

Many of these formerly private homes now operate as Savannah’s historic inns and bed and breakfasts .

The Hamilton-Turner Inn was built in 1873 for businessman Samuel Pugh Hamilton near Lafayette Square. In 1915, it was sold to Dr. Francis Turner and in the 1960s it was saved from demolition. Today the home has 17 rooms with clawfoot tubs.

Kehoe House, Historic Inns of Savannah Collection near Columbia Square is one of Savannah’s finest properties. Built in 1892 for William Kehoe, it was also saved from demolition before becoming an inn in 1990.

The Alida Hotel is a newly built boutique hotel overlooking River Street, named for Alida Harper Fowlkes. It has trendy rooms, a restaurant, and three bars.

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is the editor of this website, a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel.

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Decking Historic Halls

The Annual Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes 2022 is a unique event you don’t want to miss!

Every year in December, the  Savannah’s Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) holds its Annual Holiday Tour of Homes and Spring Tour of Homes. To celebrate this unique heritage and raise money for the continued preservation and enhancement of the community.

The Annual Holiday Tour of Homes is a self-guided walking tour where guests can walk through selected private residences and buildings. They all are located in Savannah’s Historic Landmark District. Each home varies in size, style, and period. Visitors can walk, drive or ride on the Old Town Trolley to each of the homes in the order they choose. Everyone who buys a ticket to the tour receives a Tour Card. A list of the address and an official Guidebook. Complete with information on each home and a map of the route.

Talk about Decking the Halls!

You can’t imagine how much time, effort, and MONEY goes into decorating these homes for the Holidays. Every inch is adorned with Holiday Cheer and cute surprises around every corner.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association

The DNA was organized in the 1970s. From downtown residents who wanted to protect and preserve Savannah’s Architectural Heritage. Also enhancing the quality of life for residents in the Historic Landmark District.

The Historic Landmark District is a two-mile square foot section of Savannah. That boasts thousands of incredible homes and architecturally significant buildings rich in Southern Tradition and Heritage. Despite centuries of war, demolition, and deterioration. General Oglethorpe’s Innovative City Plan has survived to become a thriving travel destination visited by millions of people each year. As a matter of fact, Savannah has beaten out cities such as Charleston, SC, Boston, MA, and New York City. NY, for the Travel + Leisure Award for Best Architecture and Cool Buildings. Therefore, it is no surprise. Those residents take such pride in preserving the elements that make the Hostess City such a great place to live and visit.

Explore historic homes a special Tour of Inns

The Annual Holiday Tour of homes also features another special Tour of Inns. Which takes place on the Sunday after the Tour of Homes. One of the great Inns in the 39th Annual Holiday Tour was the Catherine Ward House Inn. It is located just three blocks up the street from one of our Savannah vacation rentals . You walk up the steps to the Lovely Victorian Style Home. Where you are greeted by the Inn’s Owner, Leslie Larson. Who welcomes you with a smile and an “of course you can come in and take a look.” You enter the Inn’s Front Parlor, which is decorated so beautifully that it reminds you of a Christmas Card.

History of the Catherine Ward House

The rich history of the Catherine Ward House starts with it being built-in 1886. From Captain James Ward for his second wife, Catherine. They lived in the home together until James’ death in 1891, and Catherine continued to live in the house until she eventually passed in 1929. The house was sold many more times over the years and was eventually turned into rental units in the early 1960s. In the 1980s, a young man named Jim Williams (who you might remember from a little book called “The Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”) took an interest in preserving this impressive building. And in 1983, he encouraged the Historic Savannah Foundation to purchase the house.

The Foundation renovated the home, which was complete in 1986. The home was purchased from the Foundation in 1998 and underwent yet another massive renovation to transform its rooms into a Romantic Bed & Breakfast Inn. Leslie purchased the Inn in 2005 and has lived there ever since. ***Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Trivia – one of the last scenes in the movie is a shot of E. Waldburg Street and the Catherine Ward House; how COOL!

If you missed the Annual Holiday Tour of Homes, don’t worry, the Downtown Neighborhood Association will be holding its Spring Tour of Homes in March. For more information, visit the DNA Website . If you are ever in the neighborhood, stop by the Catherine Ward House Inn to see Leslie and Sonja. They might give you the VIP treatment when you say you are coming from Savannah Dream Vacations right down the street!

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Savannah Colonial Row House With Opulent Architecture

This historic, southern property in Savannah, Georgia boasts ornamental stonework outside, warm woodwork and textural, traditional spaces inside, from the living room to the spacious bedrooms.

Southern Colonial Row House With Black Trim and Intricate Traditional Molding

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Local Impact

The funds generated by the the Holiday Tour of Homes are donated back to the community in the form of grants that support the Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association's mission:

...to enhance the quality of life in the National Historic Landmark District, protect Savannah’s unique downtown environment, and advocate public policies which support these objectives.

Funds from the 2022 Holiday Tour provided food and services to the needy, sponsored educational and athletic activities for children, addressed domestic violence issues, and supported the history and culture of Savannah.

2023 Grant Awardees

Funds raised through the 2022 Holiday Tour of Homes supported...

Bike Walk Savannah   

Coastal Heritage Society  

Coastal Youth Choirs/Savannah Children's Choir, Inc.   

Emmaus House

Fight the War Within Foundation

First City Pride Center

Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club

Heads-Up Guidance Services, Inc.

Loop It Up Savannah Inc.

Mary's Place: Sexual Assault Center for the Coastal Empire

Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, Inc.

Empire, Inc.

Park Place Outreach, Inc.

SAFE Shelter Center for Domestic Violence Services, Inc.

Savannah Jewish Federation

Savannah Police Dept- Northwest Precinct

Savannah Repertory Theatre

Shelter from the Rain, Inc.

The Dive Savannah Foundation Inc.

Thomas Park Food Pantry

Union Mission, Inc.

Thank you for helping the DNA support our hardworking community and our beautiful city.

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An Isle of Hope Christmas Tour of Homes

Event details.

• Date: December 11, 2022 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• Categories: Christmas , Show On Calendar , Tour

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased the following ways:

• St. Thomas Thrift Store (M-F – 10:00AM – 2:00PM)
• Church Office (M-TH – 2:00-4:00PM)
• Sundays at St. Thomas  (10:30-11:15AM)
• CAST on November 18
• Available at the door on December 11.
• Payment Methods: Cash, Check or Venmo

For more information, click HERE.

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Christmas in Savannah: Get the Scoop From a Local!

• CHRISTMAS , PLANNING , THINGS TO DO
• 35 Comments
• by Erin Clarkson

December is such a magical time to visit Savannah. The Historic District looks like a scene straight out of a Dickens novel…and that’s not an exaggeration. If you’re planning to spend Christmas in Savannah, you’re going to want to read on to learn about the best activities and fun things to do during the month of December!

Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.

If you’re new around here, first of all… welcome !

My name is Erin, and I authored the  Savannah First-Timer’s Guide . It combines all of my most helpful Savannah tips from this site into one downloadable ebook.

Feel free to use this handy table of contents to skip to any section in this post that interests you…

Table of Contents

Savannah Georgia in December

If you’re wondering if December is a nice time to plan a trip to Savannah, it is! Between the mild weather and the year-round Southern charm, you’ll find yourself wanting to return year after year.

I’ve written a very detailed post describing the best time of year to visit Savannah , and December is a month that consistently earns high marks from me.

Savannah Weather in December

With highs in the upper 60s to low 70s (Fahrenheit), and lows in the mid-40s, you can expect a comfortable vacation.

It’s typically cool enough for a light jacket, but not so cold that you’d want to spend your entire vacation indoors by a fireplace. We do have an occasional cold front.

Now… if it’s a white Christmas you’re seeking, you won’t find that here.

It only snows in Savannah once every 10 years or so, and it’s a huge event when it happens. (And by huge event, I mean the entire city shuts down to enjoy it.)

The last time we had a memorable snowfall was in January of 2018, so I guess that means we aren’t due again for a while. We did a have big freeze over Christmas in 2022 (but no snow to accompany it).

What to Wear in Savannah in Winter

While it typically doesn’t get very chilly in Savannah, you’ll still want to come prepared in case of a rare cold snap. I always suggest bringing items for layering.

Sweaters and cardigans are great, but it’s usually a safe bet to leave your heavy winter coat at home. Bring gloves and a hat in case you need them for early morning or late evening strolls, and check the local weather before packing.

Keep in mind that there’s often a breeze blowing in off the water along River Street, so that area usually feels a few degrees cooler.

Related Reading: 11 Photos That Will Make You Fall in Love with River Street

Where to Stay in Savannah for Christmas

There are so many incredible places to stay in Savannah that it can be hard to choose a favorite!

However, there are a few hotels and B&Bs that stand out for their spectacular holiday decor.

You’ll feel festive staying at any of the locations listed below, but if you want to read about your options in depth and see additional photos of each place, check out these two posts:

• 5 Charming B&Bs in Savannah That Decorate for Christmas
• 7 Festive Hotels in Savannah That Decorate for the Holidays

Plant Riverside District & River Street Zone

JW Marriott Plant Riverside 400 W River Street, Savannah, GA 31401

The JW Marriott Plant Riverside is one of the newer hotels on River Street, and they make their presence known in a big way by hosting numerous Christmas events (which you’ll read more about below).

They’re consistently the first hotel in the city to put up Christmas decor and usually have everything fully decorated by mid-November.

Plant Riverside also hosts the annual Savannah Christmas Market , so I think it’s safe to say the area is quite festive!

River Street Inn 124 E Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401

This historic hotel is located along the center of River Street and is very convenient to restaurants, shops, and bars.

They recently completed an extensive interior renovation, but the exterior still looks like it did hundreds of years ago.

Historic District North Zone

The Marshall House 123 E Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

The Marshall House is located on Broughton Street — the main shopping street in Savannah — and it’s just two blocks away from the city’s official Christmas tree.

The hotel looks beautiful year-round, but it’s particularly festive during the holidays.

They install a unique Christmas tree in the lobby that looks like a pineapple. (Yes, really… a pineapple. It’s the symbol of Southern hospitality.)

They also hang garlands from the intricate wrought-iron balcony on the exterior of the hotel.

If you enjoy the spook factor, it’s considered one of the most haunted hotels in Savannah . (It’s haunted by friendly ghosts, of course!)

They begin decorating the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Historic District South Zone

Hamilton Turner Inn 330 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401

This elegant B&B has been voted one of the most romantic hotels in the U.S. It also tops the list for best service. Some even consider it one of the more haunted B&Bs in Savannah , if you’re into that kind of thing.

In addition to those accolades, their Christmas decorations are some of the most beautiful in the city. I’m a big fan of the oversized nutcrackers guarding their front door.

They begin decorating the week of Thanksgiving.

Forsyth Park Zone

Forsyth Park Inn 102 W Hall Street, Savannah, GA 31401

This cheery yellow Savannah bed and breakfast has a relaxing front porch overlooking Forsyth Park.

Since December is so mild, it’s nice to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa on the porch and then head across the street for a stroll through the park.

My Savannah First-Timer’s Guide includes a map detailing the different zones in Savannah and describes which ones are more touristy, romantic, residential, etc.

Related Reading: Where to Stay in Savannah: A Detailed Guide from a Local

Where to See Christmas Lights in Savannah GA

One thing to note about the holiday decor is that you won’t find many tacky yard displays and garish lights around the city — especially within the Historic District .

The decor is more traditional throughout the downtown area.

Homeowners often display an indoor Christmas tree and candles in the windows, and you’ll find wreaths and greenery on the exterior of the homes.

The squares are often decorated with classic greenery and red ribbons on the flickering lampposts. I always say the best way to see the decor is by going for a stroll.

However, if you prefer to enjoy the decor from the comfort of the Holiday Lights & Sights trolley, you can purchase tickets here . (* Link is only active in November and December )

The trolley is heated, and they’ll play Christmas music while you explore the Historic District.

The Historic District

The Historic District is the perfect spot for a stroll for anyone who loves understated Christmas lights. I suggest heading out around dusk so you can see the exterior decor and catch the trees all lit up inside the homes.

It’s so magical!

If you’re in need of a walking route, I suggest strolling along the streets directly north of Gaston Street. You’ll begin at the famous Forsyth Park fountain, and then head directly north to the intersection of Bull and Gaston.

From there, you can spend an hour or two exploring the five streets directly north of the park: Gaston, Gordon, Taylor, Jones, and Charlton.

Particular houses to note include the Armstrong-Kessler Mansion, Noble Hardee House, Mercer Williams House , Andrew Low House, and Hamilton-Turner Inn.

Forsyth Park and the beautiful squares are usually decorated with greenery and red ribbons. Those decorations go up in early to mid-December.

Here are a few of the squares that decorated early during the most recent Christmas season:

• Calhoun Square
• Crawford Square
• Franklin Square
• Lafayette Square
• Pulaski Square
• Telfair Square
• Troup Square
• Washington Square

I update the decorating schedule each year on my post about the best Christmas lights in Savannah .

River Street

River Street is another beautiful spot in the Historic District during the holiday season.

All of the lampposts are covered in greenery and red ribbons, and the Georgia Queen riverboat looks festive with holiday lights and greenery.

The newly developed west end of River Street is known as the Plant Riverside District .

They’ve created a Savannah holiday market similar to the Christmas markets you see in Europe — albeit on a much smaller scale.

The lighted displays in the Plant Riverside District are not as understated as what you’ll find in the rest of the Historic District.

Their Christmas trees have bright blue LED lights, for example, and their fountains resemble a mini-Vegas lighting display.

Plant Riverside is definitely the area that feels the most festive!

Broughton Street

All of Broughton Street is draped with holiday lights from one side to the other during the Christmas season, and you’ll find wreaths hanging from every lamppost.

It truly looks like a scene from a postcard.

The official city tree can be found at the intersection of Bull & Broughton Streets, next to Levy Jewelers.

The extravagant window displays at The Paris Market are definitely worth checking out!

Every year, I anxiously await the unveiling of their holiday window display to see if they’ve outdone themselves from the year prior.

If you’re curious, one of the most photographed spots on Broughton Street is the colorful Leopold’s Ice Cream shop with the SCAD sign in the background.

Insider Tip: City crews install the Christmas tree the day before Thanksgiving each year, and it takes them all day and into the night. The lighting ceremony takes place the day after Thanksgiving.

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a quiet and peaceful place to get into the Christmas spirit.

Church members hang wreaths on all of the massive columns, there’s usually greenery on the pews, and the cathedral is decorated with beautiful red trees made entirely of poinsettias.

If you’re looking for a place to attend Christmas mass, this is the spot! All are welcome.

They typically host a musical event called Christmas at the Cathedral where choir members sing seasonal favorites and are often joined by the handbell ensemble.

Insider Tip: The nativity scene (also known as the Crèche scene) is usually installed the first or second week in December. It takes a few days to complete it, and it’s 100% worth seeing in person.

City Market

City Market is an open-air shopping pavilion that’s popular with tourists. It looks very festive during the holidays!

The market consists of two large blocks, and you’ll find a Christmas tree in the center of each.

You’ll also spot garlands and wreaths throughout the area, as well as unique decorations in many of the stores. Savannah Candy Kitchen usually has two oversized nutcrackers standing guard at their entrance.

Are you beginning to sense how magical Christmas in Savannah is yet? Keep reading, because there’s so much more to experience!

Insider Tip: The decorations in City Market usually switch from fall-themed to Christmas mid-week during the week of Thanksgiving. (Which means if you’re visiting for Thanksgiving, you’ll find Christmas decor!) If you purchase tickets for the holiday trolley (* link active in November and December only ), make note that it stops for an extended period of time in City Market.

Related Reading: Where to Find All the Best Christmas Lights in Savannah

Savannah GA Christmas Events

There are a good number of Christmas events planned in Savannah, both in the Historic District and beyond.

I’ve written extensively about what Christmas events to expect on my Savannah in December post, but I’ll try to give you a quick summary of what to expect here, as well…

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Savannah’s Christmas parade is a little different from most cities, because ours happens on the water.

That’s right: Santa arrives by boat in Savannah!

You can line up anywhere along River Street to watch the parade of boats float by, but the Plant Riverside District and the Eastern Wharf District are two of the most crowded areas.

The 2023 event kicked off in the Eastern Wharf District and was sponsored by the Thompson Savannah . It’s a beautiful hotel located on the far eastern end of the riverfront.

The boats arrive all decked out in their holiday finest, with colorful lights and giant balloons. Many have holiday characters on board, too.

Sometimes there’s a fireworks show over the river to end the event — because it just wouldn’t be Christmas in Savannah without fireworks on the river!

Event Date: Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 7 p.m. [confirmed]

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights | Eastern Wharf Dock, 101 Port Street, Savannah, Georgia, 31401

Insider Tip: If you prefer to watch the parade from a rooftop bar, try one of these spots along the riverfront: Top Deck at The Cotton Sail, Bar Julian at the Thompson, Myrtle & Rose at Plant Riverside, or Rocks on the Roof at The Bohemian.

Christmas on the Ogeechee Lighted Boat Parade at Fort McAllister Marina in Richmond Hill is a similar lighted boat parade. The Grinch and Santa have both made appearances there in years past!

Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside

You can expect visits from Santa, live music, street performers, a vendor market, and more at Plant Riverside’s Christmas Market. Tickets aren’t required for any of these events.

• Tree Lighting Ceremony: This event features a live reading of The Night Before Christmas , musical performances, a tree lighting ceremony starring Santa.
• Santa Meet & Greet + Photos : Bring the kids to Plant Riverside to have their pictures taken with Santa. Santa’s helpers will be on hand, or you can snap shots with your own camera or cell phone. Santa is there daily (during selected times) from Thanksgiving week until Christmas Eve.
• Holiday Cookie Decorating: The little ones can decorate cookies with a little help from Plant Riverside’s pastry chefs.

I’ve written an entire post about the Savannah Christmas Market in the Plant Riverside District , and it includes lots of photos so you’ll know what to expect. (Spoiler alert: It’s very cute!) It’s one of the most festive areas in the entire city.

Event Dates: November 16, 2023 – January 1, 2024 – confirmed

Plant Riverside District | 400 W River Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Holiday Tour of Homes

One of the events I look forward to most each year is the Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes!

The Historic District is always decorated beautifully for Christmas, and this event offers an opportunity to peek into homes you wouldn’t normally be able to enter.

The Holiday Tour of Homes is hosted by the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA), and the proceeds raise money for nonprofits in the community.

Tickets go on sale each year beginning the first day in September. I suggest purchasing early since it often sells out.

Event Dates: December 9, 2023 – confirmed ( tickets sold out the morning of September 1st )

Holiday Tour of Homes | Savannah Historic District, Savannah, Georgia 31401

A Christmas Tradition

Head to the Historic Savannah Theatre to watch this glitzy 2-hour live performance, which celebrates seasonal favorite songs and dances.

When audience members get in on the festivities, that’s when everyone starts laughing. This event is always cheerful!

Ticket prices vary between $20 – $50.

Event Dates: November 23 – December 24, 2023 – confirmed

Historic Savannah Theatre | 222 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

December Nights & Holiday Lights Celebration

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm hosts a very popular light display on their grounds during the month of December.

Tickets should go on sale November 1, 2023 and cost approximately $15. Children 3 and under are free.

Event Dates: Every Friday & Saturday Night from November 24th to December 16th in 2023, and then they move to being open on a nightly basis from Sunday, December 17th to December 23rd – confirmed

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens | 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, Georgia 31419

Davenport House Tours by Candlelight

*Note: I’m not sure yet if they are offering this tour again in 2023.

For a few special nights in December, you’re able to tour the Davenport House by candlelight to see what it would’ve looked like back in the mid 1800s.

They offer light refreshments, music, and dancing, and interpreters are available to guide you through the historic home.

Tickets cost $15 in advance, $18 at the door.

Event Dates: December 26 – 29, 2023 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. – not confirmed

Davenport House Museum | 324 E State Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Holiday Open House in City Market

Explore the courtyard at City Market, which is lit by more than 500 luminaria. The event includes delicious treats, Christmas melodies, and a visit from Father Christmas.

City Market also hosts a Christmas for Kids Celebration the day after their open house.

There is no cost to attend either event.

Event Dates: Begins November 24, 2023 – confirmed

City Market | 219 West Bryan Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

You’ll find live music and local dance groups around the official Christmas tree on Broughton every Saturday in December for the whole family to enjoy.

It’s a fun gathering spot for the family and makes a nice place to sip hot chocolate when you need a break from shopping.

There is no cost to enjoy the entertainment.

I’m waiting to see if the construction mess on Broughton Street clears out in time for the even this year.

Event Dates: Typically held the first weekend after Thanksgiving | Saturdays in December 2023

Savannah Christmas Tree | Intersection of Bull & Broughton streets, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Remember, you can read about the above-listed activities and more in my December Events in Savannah post.

Savannah Souvenirs: Where to Buy Christmas Presents

Ready to do some shopping? Savannah is the perfect place to find presents for family and friends. There are so many unique shops where you can find a one-of-a-kind gifts.

The Paris Market & Brocante

This gorgeous store is a favorite for gifts year-round, but WOW is it spectacular during the holidays!

The shop is filled with beautiful ornaments, unique home decor items, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

You won’t have any trouble finding something special — even for those “hard to please” folks on your list.

One of my favorite gifts is their Savannah candle, which is exclusive to the store. It’s designed to evoke “memories of mystery, magic, and Spanish moss”.

They also offer some really unique jewelry pieces.

The owners travel the world to curate items specifically for the store. (Talk about a dream job!)

The Paris Market | 36 W Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Savannah Bee Company

This popular local store has all different kinds of honey and items made with honey: beauty products, beeswax candles, books…you name it!

The Tupelo Honey and Acacia Honey are two of my favorites. I also love their Raw Honeycomb.

They offer lots of holiday gift sets, and Oprah recently included their Book of Honey on her “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list.

Savannah Bee Company | 104 W Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Byrd Cookie Co.

You can’t go wrong with a gift of food! Head to Byrd Cookie Co. for some of the sweetest treats in town.

The Key Lime Coolers are their most popular option and are my personal favorite. I also love the Salted Carmel Cookies (the perfect combination of salty and sweet), the Cupcake Cookies and the Georgia Peach flavor.

Their cheese biscuits and jalapeño biscuits are also delicious.

OK…pretty much everything they sell is delicious!

They offer gift tins and holiday cookie jars, or big spenders can opt for a “Cookie of the Month” subscription. Their stores always look really merry during the Christmas season.

They have a location in the Plant Riverside District, another great shop in City Market, a smaller store on River Street, and their flagship store is located on Waters Avenue.

Byrd Cookie Company | 213 West Julian Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Cozy Restaurants in Savannah

If you’re looking for restaurants that get into the holiday spirit, there are a few I recommend. These are cozy spots that usually have pretty holiday decorations.

Six Pence Pub

Six Pence is an authentic British Pub, which makes it an ideal spot to cozy up with a drink.

The menu consists of both British and American comfort foods, and the dark wooden interior makes for an inviting atmosphere during the winter months.

For the holiday season, they add a Christmas tree to the famous red telephone booth by their front door and hang festive glass ornaments in the windows. Their must-try dish is the Shepherd’s Pie!

Six Pence Pub | 245 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

The Olde Pink House

This restaurant is a favorite year-round, but it looks even more beautiful during the holiday season. I always suggest making reservations well in advance for this popular spot.

They serve lots of Southern-style dishes and are known for their Fried Green Tomatoes, yummy BLT Salad, and Crispy Scored Flounder (their signature dish). Their decadent Praline Basket is a popular dessert option.

The Olde Pink House | 23 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant

The restaurant at 17Hundred90 Inn is a very warm and toasty spot for a winter meal.

The ambiance is rather romantic, with low wood-beamed ceilings and chandeliers throughout the dining area.

I recently wrote a post about the haunted aspect of 17Hundred90 Inn , which includes a few shots of the restaurant.

17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant | 307 E President Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Where to Grab a Toasty Drink

What could be better than a cup of hot tea or a frothy cappuccino on a cold winter’s day? Here are a couple places I recommend…

Gryphon Tea Room

This SCAD-owned establishment is located in the historic Scottish Rite building, which once served as an apothecary.

You’ll love the cozy atmosphere of the tea room, with its Tiffany-style lamps, intricate stained-glass details, and dark mahogany bookcases.

Their sandwiches and soups are just the right size so you’ll leave feeling full, but not stuffed.

They offer traditional tea service, so it’s an ideal spot for true tea fanatics. Visit for high tea in the afternoon and enjoy a tiered platter full of scones and delicious treats, plus a steaming pot of tea.

Gryphon Tea Room | 337 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Artillery Bar

If you’re looking for unique craft cocktails in an elegant, inviting setting, look no further than Artillery Bar.

The building was originally constructed in 1896 to house artillery for the Georgia Hussars, and the details on it are incredible.

The stunning exterior is decorated with intricate gold columns set against a white marble background, while the interior has exposed brick walls and a beautiful marble bar.

Now…you won’t find inexpensive drinks at Artillery, but you will be served delicious craft cocktails with complete attention to detail in a drop-dead gorgeous setting!

Artillery Bar | 307 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Savannah Food Tours

December is a nice time to try a food tour in Savannah.

You can go for a stroll through the Historic District to see the decor, then stop in restaurants along the way to sample some of their most popular Southern-style dishes.

Here are a few I recommend:

• Famous and Secret East Side Food Tour
• Savannah Culinary & Cultural Walking Tour
• Southern Flavors Walking Desserts Tour

Obviously there are lots of things to do in Savannah in December!

It’s the perfect place to get into the holiday spirit. If you plan to do the Holiday Lights & Sights Trolley Tour, don’t forget to purchase your tickets here ( *link active in November and December only )!

Savannah Vacation Planner

If you’re ready to start planning your trip and found this post helpful, I’ve created some additional resources to help you out.

• Free Resources Library  – When you sign up for my email list, you’ll get a checklist of “50 Things To Do On Foot in the Historic District (No Car Necessary)” and other helpful printables.
• Savannah First-Timer’s Guide  – My ebook combines my most helpful Savannah travel tips from this website in one handy downloadable guide.

When you purchase my ebook, you’ll also gain access to a private Facebook group where you can ask questions about your trip and get advice from others who have recently visited.

Be sure to bookmark this post or save it on Pinterest , since I update it every year with new information.

Related Reading

In case you were too busy reading through this post to click the related links, you might want to circle back to a few of these topics…

• Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in Savannah
• Get the Inside Scoop on the Savannah Christmas Market
• Savannah Georgia in December: Weather, Events, and More!
• Restaurants Open Christmas Day in Savannah (Verified List!)

I should also note that most students attending the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) tend to head home for the holidays, which means the city isn’t too crowded during December.

Do you have any questions for me about Christmas in Savannah? Let me know in the comments below!

Love this post? Pin it now to save for later!

35 Comments on Christmas in Savannah: Get the Scoop From a Local!

I love Savannah but have never visited at Christmas time! I will have to make sure I get down there next time I am home (I’m from GA)!

I live in Atlanta, GA and will definitely be making a quick road trip down to Savannah to enjoy some of the Christmas decor and fun you’ve mentioned! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

Wow! Savannah is gorgeous during the holidays. The 6 Pence Pub look absolutely magical.

This post just gets you in love with the Christmas mood in Savannah. Savannah is such a beautiful place, but have not visited during Christmas. Would love to now after seeing these pics.

How dreamy! That cookie bar definitely got my attention, too!

What a fun festive city during Christmas. Your site has totally convinced me that I need to visit Savannah during all seasons!

Savannah looks so magical during Christmastime! I visited last November and some parts of the city were already decorating and I could tell it is a lovely city during December. I’ll have to visit again during the holidays in the future. 🙂

What are the best dates in Dec to come to see the Boat tour Gingerbread house tour fireworks

The boat tour will be the last weekend of November during 2021 (Saturday, November 27th at 7 pm, to be exact) and the Gingerbread tour runs from December 10, 2021 through Christmas day.

Hello Erin and thanks for your wonderful insights! Can you give me an idea when the events that you have recommended that have date to be determined dates might be released? Also, do you know if the Boat Parade in Richmond Hills is the same date as the Boat Parade in Savannah, that one is before our arrival so hoping to see a Boat Parade during our stay. And last but not least do you know if any fireworks are planned for River street over the water?

Hi Theresa! I just updated Savannah Theatre to add their Christmas show dates, but the rest still haven’t been announced. I’m on the email list for Plant Riverside and I follow the Botanical Gardens and Richmond Hill on Facebook, so I’ll post as soon as any of them post their schedules. Last year the boat parades for Savannah and Richmond Hill fell on different days, so hopefully they’ll do the same this year. And yes, fireworks are planned for over the river in Savannah this year!

Wow! I had no idea that Savannah was such a wonderful Christmas destination! Thanks for all your detailed planning information. Hopefully someday I can experience it!

Savannah is a beautiful city any time of year, so I can only imagine how great it is during the holidays! I would love to come and do the Gingerbread Trail one year!

Savannah looks very Christmassy in your photos. Love it!

Thanks for the great ideas. We will be there for New Year’s Eve. Any suggestions for New Year’s Eve dinner, dancing? Thanks

Most of the action will probably be in the Plant Riverside District. I’d suggest making your dinner reservations as soon as possible! You could try Vic’s on the River, Stone & Webster Chophouse, or Repeal 33. Those are all close to the river and near the celebrations. I’m not into dancing much myself, but I’d suggest Electric Moon or Club One. Enjoy your trip!

Considering a visit to Savannah Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after. Are there many restaurants, bars, shops open 12/24-12/26?

Yes, it’s a very busy time for the city (lots of tourists), so many restaurants, shops, and bars stay open.

Do you know if and when they are having the annual lighted Christmas parade. It is usually the first Saturday in December but have not seen any thing set for the lighted parade this year 2021 down Riverstreet and down Broughton to City Market. Please advise thanks

I believe it’s scheduled for the same day as the DNA’s Holiday Tour of Homes, which is the second Saturday of the month. I’ll update the post above if I get confirmation of that.

Madison Square is decorated for Christmas too! Plus you can do some shopping at E. Shaver Bookseller, the SCAD Gift Shop, and Saints & Shamrocks Giftshop all off this square. There are even several choices of food/beverage along Madison Square if you need a refreshment break. I work at St. John’s Episcopal (325 Bull St) and am always impressed with Madison Square.

Thanks, Heather! I have it listed on my post about the best lights and decor in Savannah. (It’s where I keep a running list of all the squares and try to note when they’re decorated: https://savannahfirsttimer.com/savannah-ga-christmas-lights/ ) E.Shaver is one of my favorite spots to buy Christmas gifts!

We will be in Savannah for Christmas this year. I would like to make reservations for our Christmas Day meal. It will be just the two of us. What are your recommendations?

17Hundred90 Inn has a great restaurant. It’s a cozy little spot that always looks nice for the holidays, and they’re usually open for Christmas. I’d suggest trying to get reservations there.

I definitely want to visit Savannah at Christmas next year! I would love to go on the historic homes tour. This article is a great resource!

Reading this has made us want to plan our family pre-Christmas trip to Savannah this year. Where can we find dates of events for 2022? Thank you!

Hi Michele! Most of the places start sending out info around mid-summertime. I’m on the mailing list/PR list for many of the companies, and I always update this post once the info starts coming in. Sorry that’s not much help for you now, but the best I can say is to check back in a couple months. If it’s any help, I can at least confirm that most places tend to stick to fairly similar timelines for the events each year.

Excellent post, very narrative which makes us want to book a trip for December 2022, however you left out very precious info, at least for my family, pet friendly attractions! We travel everywhere with our fur baby and wouldn’t want to leave her locked in a room while we enjoy the outdoors. Can you please provide some advise? Thank you

Here are some of the most pet-friendly restaurants: https://savannahfirsttimer.com/dog-friendly-restaurants-savannah/ Hope that helps!

How is the Catherine Ward B&B what are pros and cons.coming 1st week in December. Thank you

The Catherine Ward B&B is fantastic. They are excellent hosts and it’s a pretty B&B. I’ve never been inside it during the holidays, so I don’t know what type of Christmas decor they put on display. (Maybe I’ll walk over there this year to see.) The only con I can think of is that it’s a bit of a walk to get to River Street and areas further north from there, but not too bad if the weather is nice. A leisurely stroll to River Street would take 20 minutes or maybe a little longer. The B&B is only one block away from the pickup point for the free DOT shuttles, though, so you can hop on those to get to areas further north. Overall, it’s a great choice! Enjoy!

Thanks for all the information.

After “The Movie”, we would travel to Savannah yearly, usually for the Historic Society Tour of Homes and Gardens. After a few years, it got so darned crowded that we stopped.

My wife and I are going to spend Christmas and a couple of days afterwards in town and I’m looking for restaurant recommendations. Nothing fancy, just good solid Southern fare.

How about Crystal Beer Parlor? It’s historic, the food is solid, and they have plenty of Southern-style options. Their shrimp and grits are fantastic!

This article was SO helpful! We are looking at coming down the last weekend of December through New years! Is the town still decorated and festive during the New years weekend? Would love any info on this!

I’m glad it was helpful. Yes, the city stays decorated! Since the squares and Forsyth Park (plus many of the historic homes) are decorated with real greenery, sometimes that greenery is looking a little worse for wear by the end of the month — aka: getting a little brown around the edges. Definitely plan to stroll through the Historic District (Jones Street is a must), visit the Cathedral, shop along Broughton and Whitaker Streets, and grab some hot chocolate at the Savannah Christmas Market. The holiday trolley only runs for a month (from Thanksgiving to Christmas day), so it won’t be running when you’re in town.

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THE 10 BEST Savannah Tours & Excursions

Savannah tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Ghost & Vampire Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• Chinese (Traditional)
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

2. 90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

3. Savannah Land & Sea Combo: City Sightseeing Trolley Tour with Riverboat Cruise

4. Savannah's Ghost City "Dead of Night" Walking Night Tour

5. Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

6. Savannah to Tybee Island with Dolphin Cruise

7. Savannah Ghost Trolley Tour with Dinner at the Pirate's House

8. We Shall Overcome: A Savannah Black History Experience

9. Narrated Historic Savannah Sightseeing Trolley Tour

10. Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour

11. Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

12. Savannah First Squares Culinary & Cultural Walking Food Tour

13. "Savannah for Morons" Comedy Trolley Tour

14. Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Savannah

15. Historical Bike Tour of Savannah and Keep Bikes After Tour

16. 2-Hour Bonaventure Cemetery Walking Tour

17. Bonaventure Cemetery Walking Tour with Transportation

18. Historic Savannah Theatre 3 Hour Investigation

19. Golf Cart Tours of Bonaventure Cemetery Savannah Georgia

20. Haunted Savannah Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

21. Private Tour of Savannah's Historic/Victorian Districts & Bonaventure Cemetery

22. Savannah Ghost Night Time Trolley Tour

23. Narrated Harbor Luncheon Riverboat Cruise

24. 1-Hour Bonaventure Cemetery Golf Cart Guided Tour in Savannah

25. Heart of Savannah History Walking Tour - 2hr

26. Genteel and Bard's Savannah Dark History and Ghost Encounter Walking Tour

27. Historic Homes of Savannah Guided Walking Tour

28. Savannah Supernatural Haunted Walking Tour

29. 2 Hours Dolphin Eco Tour

30. Wormsloe Historic Site & Bonaventure Cemetery Tour from Savannah

What travelers are saying.

• Maggie S 4 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles BEST experience!!! So fun! The BEST experience!!! So fun and entertaining!!!!! Such a good mix of history, humor, dancing and lap dances! This tour made our trip to Savannah! Read more Review of: "Savannah for Morons" Comedy Trolley Tour Written April 29, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
• Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour
• Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour
• Savannah's Ghost City "Dead of Night" Walking Night Tour
• Savannah Land & Sea Combo: City Sightseeing Trolley Tour with Riverboat Cruise
• Savannah Bonaventure Dash Tours
• Outside Savannah
• Free Savannah Tours
• Nightly Spirits
• My City Savannah Tour
• The Savannah Ghostwalker Tour and Ghost Hunt
• Genteel & Bard Savannah
• Tammy Tours
• Savannah History & Haunts
• Capturing Savannah - Photography Tours
• Noble Jones Tours
• Shannon Scott Tours
• Architectural Tours of Savannah
• GUY IN THE KILT! Savannah Ghost Tours and Pub Crawls
• Footprints of Savannah Walking Tours
• Afterlife Tours
• Blue Orb Savannah Ghost Tours
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• Savannah Ghosts Paranormal Investigation Tour
• Savannah Cruzers

Explore Gothic revivalist architecture of the Green-Meldrim House and St John’s Church

May brings warmer weather and a special double tour to Savannah. Tucked into the tree-covered west side of Madison Square is St. John’s Church and the Green-Meldrim House. Both are independently open for tours, but on Wednesdays in May, visitors will be able to get a special tour of both.

The tour will guide people through both Gothic Revivalist buildings with special attention to the unique architectural details, the history, and the symbolism, followed by refreshments of cheese straws, Benne wafer cookies, lemon blueberry poundcake, and pimento cheese sandwiches.

This is a step in a new direction for the Green-Meldrim House. The historic home was purchased by St. John’s Church in 1943, and while it is used as a parish house and rectory, it was eventually opened as a house museum.

Jamie Credle, who is no stranger to Savannah’s historic house museums, having previously worked with the Davenport House, took over as executive director in July of last year. A few months later, the house museum reached nonprofit status, and Sherry Holtzclaw stepped up as president of the Keepers of Historic Green-Meldrim House.

“I'd say [the idea to start the nonprofit] came out of the vestry, which is the group that runs the church,” said Holtzclaw. “Seeing that our volunteer base was shrinking as people were getting older, more young people are working and don't have the time to volunteer, and it's a lot of upkeep to keep this house heated and cooled and in repair, as well as to lead tours, it was just getting to be a big job that we needed some help with.”

Holtzclaw said she has been a member of St. John’s for around 30 years and has volunteered at the house for approximately 20 years in various roles.

Both Holtzclaw and Credle are excited to expand resident and visitor appreciation of the Green-Meldrim House and St. John’s Church as well as what all the historic house museum can offer.

“It's an evolutionary process,” said Credle. “The Keepers have a wealth of understanding of collections and research, but I think that the whole point was to get in lockstep together with what we think the future can be.”

New docents will be leading the tours

After several months of recruiting and training new docents to build upon the core of docents, Credle said it was the perfect time to try a new tour.

“One of our goals for the year is to be open five days a week. We're open four now, but we also wanted to do something imaginative or different than your typical tour. A lot of people would love to see the church, and we've got our docents so this combo tour seemed like filling a need.”

Credle said she hopes the 75-minute tour will leave people with a new appreciation for Madison Square and gothic revival architecture.

“Though it seems sort of old to us, this was cutting-edge architecturally. We talk about mid-century modern in the 20th century. Well, this was mid-century modern in the 19th century. It was a stunning thing to see both this house and the church together, two different architects, two different functions for spaces, but a cutting-edge square here.”

“Plus, they were being built at the same time,” said Holtzclaw. “Charles Green [the original owner of the Green-Meldrim House] knew some of the people that were in on the planning of the church. So there probably was some interaction and collaboration when all this was happening.”

While the house is stunning from its bright pink exterior to the black, white, and wood-grained interior, Holtzclaw said the church is equally impressive.

“One of the first things you notice when you go in the church, besides the architecture and the steep ceiling, is the stained-glass windows and how beautiful they are. They’re very old. They're from 1886 and made in England. They feature prominently in the church. Also, up at the altar, there are some very interesting pieces up there. We'll talk about not only the architecture but some of the symbolism.”

It’s important to note that, for anyone with mobility issues, there is a ramp into the church, but there is no ramp or elevator in the Green-Meldrim House.

For those who fall in love with the tours and want to help in the future, Credle said they are looking for more docents, front-door greeters, and gift shop volunteers. The museum also has a youth guide program.

“We're training teenagers this summer to be tour guides. It’s a wonderful skill. It could be after their daytime job if they have that.”

Anyone interested need only reach out to the museum through its website.

Tours are each Wednesday in May starting on the first and ending on the 29th. There will be two tours each afternoon at 1 and 2:30 p.m. except on May 8th at 2 and 4 p.m. Entry is $25 per person and will need to be purchased prior to the event at GreenMeldrimHouse.org.

More new things are on the way for the Green-Meldrim House. Credle said the museum is also planning for new tours and a lecture series in the fall. It will be interesting to see the evolution of the museum with the Keepers of Historic Green-Meldrim House and the museum’s new executive director at the helm.

If You Go >>

What: Green-Meldrim House and St. John’s Church combo tours

When: May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29

Where: 14 W. Macon St.

Tickets: $25

Info: GreenMeldrimHouse.org