One day in Savannah

Start your day at Forsyth Park, the crown jewel of Savannah's green spaces. The park covers 30 acres in the southern end of the Historic District and is anchored by its famous cast-iron fountain — one of the most photographed landmarks in the South. Arrive by 8 a.m. when the light is soft and the crowds are thin.

If you're visiting on a Saturday, you're in luck — the Forsyth Park Farmers Market sets up under the oaks from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's one of the best farmers markets in Georgia, with local vendors selling biscuits, hot coffee, honey, jam, and fresh produce. Grab breakfast here and eat on the fountain plaza benches.

Spend 45–60 minutes in the park: walk the perimeter, admire the Spanish-moss draped live oaks, visit the fountain up close, and peek into the fragrant garden in the southern section designed for the visually impaired. When you're ready, head north toward the Historic District squares — the day's main act is about to begin.

Savannah's 22 historic squares are the heart of what makes this city unlike anywhere else in America. Each one is a shaded green oasis ringed by Federal and Greek Revival townhouses, churches, and monuments. Walking all 22 would take the whole day; the smart move for a one-day itinerary is the hop-on hop-off trolley.

Pick up the trolley on Bull Street near Forsyth Park (there's a stop right at the park entrance). A day pass covers the full loop past squares including Monterey, Chippewa, Madison, Lafayette, and Johnson — each one with its own story and photo opportunities. Hop off at:

• Chippewa Square — where the bench scenes for Forrest Gump were filmed (the bench itself is in a museum, but the square is still wonderful).
• Johnson Square — the oldest and largest square in Savannah, near the First Baptist Church and the city's original commercial center.
• Ellis Square / City Market — a great mid-morning stop for a coffee or a browse through the galleries before the food tour begins.

The trolley day pass is the best single-ticket value for covering this much ground efficiently. You can book it below along with a dedicated Savannah trolley tours overview.

By midday you've earned a real meal. Head to City Market or the surrounding blocks of the Historic District for lunch — this is Savannah, so shrimp & grits is the obvious call if you haven't had it yet. The stretch of Broughton Street (Savannah's main shopping corridor) has plenty of casual lunch spots within easy walking distance of City Market.

After lunch, join a guided food tour for the early afternoon session. Even if you just ate, a food tour is more about storytelling and grazing than sitting down to a full meal — think tastings of pralines, fried green tomatoes, local cocktails, and house-made biscuits while a guide narrates the culinary history of Lowcountry cooking. The best Savannah food tours run 2.5–3 hours and typically end near River Street, which sets you up perfectly for the next stop.

From River Street, if the timing works, hop aboard a sightseeing riverboat cruise for 60–90 minutes on the Savannah River. You'll see the working port, the Talmadge Bridge, and the cotton warehouses from the water — a completely different perspective on the city you've been walking all day. The riverboat cruise landing is right on the River Street waterfront, so no transport needed between stops.

Savannah is consistently ranked among the most haunted cities in America, and its ghost tours are genuinely excellent — not just tourist kitsch. As the sun goes down over the squares, the Spanish moss takes on a different character, and the stories your guide tells about Savannah's yellow-fever epidemics, duels, unmarked burial grounds, and colonial-era hauntings land with a lot more impact in the dark.

Most ghost tour groups meet in the Historic District at dusk — roughly 8–9 p.m. depending on the season. Tours last about 90 minutes and cover squares, cemeteries, and atmospheric back streets you likely didn't see during the day. Small groups make for a more intimate experience; tours cap around 20 people.

This is the finale that makes a one-day visit feel complete. You've seen the park at sunrise, cruised the river in the afternoon, and now you're hearing ghost stories under the oaks at midnight. Savannah delivers. Book the ghost tour below alongside any other experiences you want to lock in for the day — all come with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.