Architecture Tours Of Savannah, GA

A view of historic houses along a street in Savannah's Historic District.

Much of Savannah’s charm rests upon the beauty of its historic architecture and the numerous squares of its city plan.

Savannah was famously spared the fate many other Georgia cities suffered during General Sherman’s March to the Sea, and has a rich variety of 19th-century architecture (plus a few 18th-century survivors of the devastating fires that plagued Savannah during its early growth).

Savannah’s landscape architecture and civic design, too – the squares and its extensive urban forest – are as distinctive and remarkable as its assortment of historic buildings.

Local tour guides offer numerous general history walking tours that provide an introduction to the city and its past, but if you have already taken a general tour, or have a special interest in architecture, an architecturally-focused walking tour provides a much more in-depth guide to Savannah’s buildings and landscape than a historical overview tour has time for.

A few of Savannah’s guide companies specialize exclusively in architectural tours – Savannah Rambles (Dirk Hardison) and Architectural Tours of Savannah (Jonathan Stalcup) – drawing upon their professional experience and academic knowledge of architecture and preservation in the city.

The rest of the architecture tours, though their focus is usually on a specific aspect or period of Savannah’s architecture or landscape, are offered by general tour companies.

!Tour times and availability may vary by season, and operators may withdraw or change specific tours without notice. Please check all details directly with the company or guide when planning your trip.

Overview Architecture Tours Of Savannah

Several tours provide a chronological overview of Savannah’s architectural history from its earliest surviving styles through to the present day.

“Savannah Architecture Ramble” (pet-friendly, 12 max) 2hrs or 5hrs. With Savannah Rambles. Former professional restorationist and architectural consultant Dirk Hardison offers two tours providing a general review of the city’s architecture and the people who shaped its landscape from the colonial era through to the preservation projects of more recent times, geographically focused around the area of the Bull Street squares.

The shorter tour (2 hours) is usually available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday-Saturday mornings. Adults $20, children/students (8-21) $10, young children (0-7) free. Reservations are recommended (either online or call 912-704-8170) but not required.

The longer tour (5 hours, break included) covers roughly twice the distance, and is available fall through spring on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. $60 per person. More details

Architecture Tour, 1hr30. With Architectural Tours of Savannah. SCAD architecture graduate Jonathan Stalcup offers a single, chronological overview tour of Savannah’s main architectural periods and styles, mostly within the more northerly portion of the Historic District.

Tours are available most mornings, $30 per person. Reservations are required, email [email protected] or call 912-604-6354. More details

Savannah’s Mansions & Residential Architecture

Much of Savannah’s notable architecture consists of its historic houses and mansions. You can expect these to be discussed on any general tour, but some center on this topic specifically.

Please note that unless otherwise specified, tours will not enter any of the homes seen, including those that are ordinarily open to the public. For details of visiting Savannah’s historic house museums, see here.

“The Historic Homes Walk” (pet-friendly) 1hr30. With The Savannah Walks, a general-interest tour company with several guides. This tour focuses on the history of Savannah’s Historic District mansions, their residents and preservation history, and includes a visit to the Harper-Fowlkes House (though please note that if you bring your dog on the rest of the tour, they may not be brought into the house).

Tours are available every morning. Adults $30, children (6-14) $12, young children (0-5) free. Admission to the Harper-Fowlkes House is included in the price. Reservations can be made online. More details

“Savannah Homes” 1hr30. With Private Walking Tours of Savannah, a general-interest tour company with multiple guides. This private-only tour examines Savannah’s historic residential architecture and how domestic styles changed with the growth and economic development of the city.

Morning and afternoon tours are available daily. $45 per person, 2 person minimum. Reservations are required, either online or call 912-509-2084. More details

Landscape Architecture: Squares & Gardens

The architecture of Savannah’s landscape – its system of 22 squares in particular, but also the effect produced by the Historic District’s many individual domestic gardens – contributes as much to the city’s appeal as does the architecture of its homes and public buildings.

A small number of tours specialize in this landscape history. Please note that unless otherwise specified, no private gardens are entered. The only way to pay a visit to Savannah’s notable privately-owned gardens (excepting those attached to historic house museums) is to attend either the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens or the North of Gaston Street Tour of Hidden Gardens, organized each year in spring.

“Gates and Gardens” (pet-friendly) 1hr30. With The Savannah Walks, a general-interest tour company with several guides. This tour focuses on the history of Savannah’s historic squares and private gardens.

Early afternoon tours are available daily. Adults $20, children (6-14) $9, young children (0-5) free. Reservations recommended, available online. More details

“Gardens & Historic Homes” 2hrs. With Noble Jones Tours, a general-interest tour company with several guides. This tour examines several of Savannah’s squares and their history, plus the gardens and ironwork of surrounding homes.

Tours are available Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday, usually in the early afternoon. Additional days may be available seasonally. Adults $30, children (8–14) $15, young children (0-7) free. Reservations are required, call 912-660-6468 or book online. More details

Savannah’s Neighborhoods & Period Architecture

Many of Savannah’s neighborhoods have their own distinct architecture, often tied to the history of their development. Today, these neighborhoods are often the target of preservation efforts.

Occasional current tours focus on this neighborhood history. Some additional public tours that venture outside of the Historic District may sometimes be offered, but for the most part, if you want an architectural tour of Savannah’s more outlying neighborhoods, it will have to be self-guided.

“Early Bird Preservation Tour” 1hr40-2hrs. The Davenport House Museum offers seasonally-available tours focused on the Savannah’s preservation history. April tours (Saturdays, 8am) discuss the Historic District’s East Side. May tours (Saturdays, 8am) explore the history of Savannah in the 1820s. $21 per person

More Savannah Tours

– Black history tours
– Boat tours
– Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil tours
– Carriage tours
– Civil War tours
– Food tours
– Ghost tours
– Bonaventure Cemetery tours
– Haunted pub crawls
– Helicopter tours
– Trolley, bike and Segway tours
– Walking tours