Brimming with Southern hospitality from every corner of its many squares, there is nothing more indicative of Savannah’s generosity than the friendliness of its residents and its free attractions. Together, these sites offer a thorough view into the area’s history, culture, economic significance, and transformation – at no charge.
Whether you choose to walk, weave or ride the waterways through the Hostess City, you are bound to find ways to stay entertained and informed without spending a single penny. Here are the best things to do in Savannah for free.
1. Travel through time walking Savannah’s historic district
The cast metal and marble monuments that serve as the focal point of the city’s squares could be considered mile markers along Savannah’s historical roadmap. From the granite boulder marking the resting place of Savannah’s earliest settler, Yamacraw Chief Tomochichi, to the bronze figures of Haitian soldiers honoring the revolutionary volunteers who fought the British at the Siege of Savannah, each statue pays tribute to a brave leader or troop who has shaped the city’s story.
If you weave your way through the streets starting from Johnson Square, the oldest square in America’s first planned city, to the Civil War Memorial at Forsyth Park, you’ll pass symbols marking about two centuries’ worth of events. Catch vestiges of Savannah’s early settlement by founder James Oglethorpe, colonial red-brick paving along Jones Street, and the Green-Meldrim House that served as a sanctuary for Union General William Sherman during the Civil War.
2. Learn through the landmarks of the old town by free trolley
Hop onto one of the garish grape-purple and green trolleys that twist through about 20 notable spots across the historic district. Visitors can hop off at any of the stops located at or within walking distance of some of the city’s major cultural attractions, including the birthplace of Juliet Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts; the Girl Scouts’ first headquarters; the Savannah College of Art and Design, which owns more than 100 of the city’s buildings; and the First Baptist Church, one of few edifices in the city to survive its many fires because, unlike others, the building was made of concrete.
3. Promenade the riverfront boardwalk
Savannah is surrounded by swampy, coastal marshlands, so heat and humidity prevail during most parts of the year. However, every now and then, one can catch a breeze along the riverwalk while gazing at the galleries and shops that line the way. Clothing and beauty boutiques, restaurants, specialty food stores, and markets abut the waterfront leading all the way up to the Plant River District, a restored 1912 power plant that now whirs to life with concerts, dining, and nightlife in the evenings. Strolling along the riverfront, you’ll pass landmarks of 20th-century history: the African American monument and the bust of Civil Rights leader and Nobel Laureate Martin Luther King, Jr.
4. Celebrate African cultures at the Savannah African Art Museum
One of the few museums in town to offer free admission, this gallery features a collection of art and artifacts from West and Central Africa across 28 countries and 180 cultural and ethnic groups, including those that have influenced the history, culture, and flavors of Savannah. The Savannah African Art Museum celebrates the people and traditions of those regions, showcasing wooden figures carved by the Lobi culture, thrones and sculptures from Cameroon, and Mukenga masks woven from textiles and inlaid with beadwork.
5. Float the Savannah River on a ferry named after famous women
Bob along the Savannah River from the downtown riverwalk to Hutchinson Island. From the ferry, you’ll catch views of Savannah’s riverside, which glitters at night once the city is illuminated and reflected in the waters. Like the trolley, the Savannah Belles Ferry shuttles commuters to three popular spots for free: City Hall Landing, Trade Center Landing, and the Waving Girl Statue.
6. Tour Savannah’s historic places of worship
The milk-white towers of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist hover above most of historic Savannah, making this Catholic church one of the most iconic sites in the city. Its blue spires topped with gold crosses are visible from many parts of downtown, beckoning visitors as it once did immigrants fleeing Haiti and France. Visitors can walk inside the basilica for free to view the grandeur of the lavishly decorated vaulted ceilings, marble pillars, and stained-glass windows.
7. Experience a feast for the senses at Savannah Botanical Gardens
Vibrant blossoms burst open amidst the natural and formal arrangements at Savannah Botanical Gardens. The public areas of the garden are free to access, so sit back on a butterfly bench and breathe in the fragrance of English roses. Look for ferns creeping along cobbled pathways and check out the herbs and produce flourishing in the vegetable garden.
8. Pay your respects at Bonaventure Cemetery
Glossy granite gravestones shine in the mid-afternoon sun at Bonaventure Cemetery. With garlands of Spanish moss drooping from the live oak trees and ornately designed mausoleums, this burial ground has become a scenic and revered garden of remembrance. Visitors can walk or drive through for free to see the intricate carvings and burial chambers enshrined behind patinated gates.
9. Soak up the sun at Tybee Island beaches
The golden sands at Tybee Island, just a 20-minute drive from Savannah, are a perfect place to plant your toes, catch some rays, and frolic in the waves. The island has three public oceanfront beaches and two riverfront beaches, allowing beachgoers to choose a vibe to their liking. These freely accessible waterfronts are popular hangouts for locals and visitors from afar, especially in the summer months.
10. Go bird-watching at Skidaway Island State Park
Get out into nature to explore Georgia’s maritime forests, salt marshlands, and intracoastal waterways at Skidaway Island State Park, located just 15 miles south of Savannah. The park offers expansive views on walking trails, some with boardwalks, as well as camping areas in an unspoiled habitat. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting herons, egrets, painted buntings, and woodpeckers amid a variety of other wildlife.
This article was first published on Oct 21, 2021, and updated on Jun 24, 2024.
