Thinking of spending time in the oldest city in Georgia? We recently spent a three day weekend there and learned about the city in 3 different and fun ways. Here are our recommendations below.
While in Savannah we took 3 very different tours. We’re more seasoned than first-time tourists, but we like to learn about the city each time. TripAdvisor is my go-to site whenever I want to find out recommendations on places to go when I’m there not just pre-planning for a trip. So, I looked up walking tours around the historical district and found Free Savannah Tours. The name captures your interest with the word “free” and they do indeed live up to their name. They take you on a tour without any surcharges or booking fees and at the conclusion, you pay them via gratuities. They are confident in their ability to provide you with an enjoyable, informative tour.
We walked through Wright Square also known as the “Hanging Square” since it is located adjacent to the courthouse and sentences were settled by hangings in the trees of the square. Well-to-do individuals hung on one side and slaves and the poor were hung on the other. If you visit Wright Square on any kind of tour – walking or ghost – you will hear the story of poor Alice Riley searching for her lost baby. She was the first woman put to death in the Georgia colony. Wright Square is also famously known for the burial site of Chief Tomochichi of the Yamacraw tribe. Their land was the site for the City of Savannah. When General James Oglethorpe founded the colony, he became friends with Tomochichi who helped negotiate a treaty for the land to become Savannah.
After Tomochichi died in 1737, he was laid to rest in Savannah at his request to be buried among his English friends. His grave was a pyramid of rocks located in the middle of Wright Square. Over the years the pyramid was destroyed and there was speculation about the actual site. In 1882, a monument to William Washington Gordon, founder of the Central of Georgia Railroad, was erected on what was thought to be Tomochichi’s grave. Upset by the lack of a marker for Tomochichi, Gordon’s daughter-in-law, Nellie, had a granite boulder installed in the square to mark his burial and there is now a marker as well to commemorate his life.
Around the corner, we walked to Chippewa Square which is located near the Historic Savannah Theatre, the oldest theatre in America and still operating. The famous bus stop scene from Forest Gump was filmed in the square. Across the street is the Stoddard-Lawton house, where apparently during the filming of the movie, a newspaper layout every morning on its step. Tom Hanks would get his coffee at the shop down the street, walk to the house and sit on the steps to read it. One morning, the owner opened her door and told him to leave her newspaper alone. He told her who he was, and she replied that she did not know him and he should get lost. Whether or not this is true, it’s still amusing.
The last leg of our tour, we stood across from one of the most haunted houses in America – the Sorrell Weed House – and listened to its ghost stories. Then, visited the courtyard in front of the Green-Meldrim House owned by Charles Green who hosted General Sherman during the Civil War. The house served as his headquarters during the Union occupation of Savannah. And, finally, we concluded our tour where we thanked our guide and did indeed give him a gratuity for a satisfying tour. It was worth the deal.
The second way to get around Savannah and have a lot of fun doing it is by pedicab. They run practically all day and night and you can hail one from most any main street. We like to take them in the evening since it’s so humid in the city and it’s cooler at night. We’ve taken two from two different visits. Used Savannah Pedicab this time and really enjoyed it. The guides are always knowledgeable and you get to ride all over the historic district while enjoying a breeze. People use them for weddings, groups, and all manner of special occasions. Our guide dropped us off at our inn when we were done which was much appreciated after walking all day. Definitely something fun to do to travel around faster and sight see.
Our last tour of the weekend was a golf cart one of Bonaventure Cemetery. Bonaventure is one of the jewels of Savannah and a must see place if you go. We’ve been several times over the past decade of visits and photographed it on countless occasions. Usually we walk, although this time I wanted to meet a volunteer I’d chatted with over the phone. I am a member of the Bonaventure Historical Society and had spoken with Bonnie Buckner (society volunteer) who also works with Savannah Cruzers. They offer golf cart and walking tours of Bonaventure. She met us at the cemetery and took us through the grounds along the pathways and the gorgeous scenery to see all of the key monuments. You’ll see Johnny Mercer’s family plot, little Gracie Watson’s monument, and the graves of numerous prominent Savannah families. The photographic opportunities are endless and you’ll most likely recognize quite a few well known graves and statues.
Wrapping up our weekend tours with Bonaventure Cemetery was the best conclusion to seeing the history of Savannah. We have a lot more to learn about the city and many places to see, but we do recommend these three organizations if you go to Savannah. Enjoy your time in the oldest city in Georgia!
You might enjoy our post Planters Inn of Savannah on Reynolds Square.
