Savannah’s Historic Landmark District is a downtown historic area with 22 green squares and more than 1,600 historically and architecturally significant structures spread across 2.5 square miles.
Visiting the Savannah Historic District from Rincon means planning a regional outing around the squares, streets, and visitor sites you want to include; a Savannah day trip from Rincon takes that planning into account.
- Location: Downtown Savannah.
- Scale: 2.5 square miles, with 22 green squares.
- History: The district’s street grid and squares grew from Savannah’s plan of 1733.
Getting from Rincon to the Historic District
Plan your connection into downtown Savannah before choosing stops in the Historic District. Rincon Inn and Suites is in Rincon, so treat the visit as a regional outing rather than a walk to a local attraction.
Once in downtown Savannah, the free DOT Express Shuttle connects downtown with Forsyth Park, with stops linking municipal parking garages, visitor centers, and ferry landings. Chatham Area Transit (CAT) also runs local buses.
Its Route 3 West Chatham serves Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and the Joe Murray Rivers, Jr. Intermodal Transit Center downtown; CAT describes it as regular fixed-route service, not a direct airport shuttle. Plan the drive and other route details as part of your journey.
If you’re arriving by Amtrak, CAT directs passengers to check Route 29 W. Gwinnett for travel to and from the downtown transit center. Getting around Rincon, Georgia covers local transport.
Where to begin your visit
The Historic District’s squares offer a way to orient yourself among its streets and buildings. Savannah’s original plan, laid out in 1733, included 24 squares; 22 survive, and those squares remain part of the district’s defining street pattern.
For a visit focused on the area’s history, choose a museum, historic house, church, or cemetery to anchor your route, then allow time for the surrounding streets and squares. The Savannah History Museum is at 303 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Boulevard. Other visitor sites include the Telfair Academy, Jepson Center, Owens-Thomas House, Andrew Low House, Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, First African Baptist Church, and Colonial Park Cemetery.
Walking, parking, and accessibility
The district covers 2.5 square miles, so pick a starting point and group nearby stops rather than trying to cover every square and site in one stretch. The free DOT Express Shuttle links downtown with Forsyth Park and connects with municipal parking garages, visitor centers, and ferry landings.
City-owned garages, city-operated lots, and on-street accessible parking spaces require payment. On-street parking is free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. If a physical disability prevents you from using a parking meter, the City of Savannah’s Department of Mobility and Parking Services handles requests for case-by-case assistance at 912-651-6470.
The Savannah Belles Ferry connects downtown with the Savannah Convention Center, stopping at City Hall, Waving Girl, and Trade Center landings. The ferry is ADA-accessible and allows bicycles. Weather or river traffic may interrupt service.
Hours, tours, and admission
Hours, tours, and admission vary by site, so choose stops that fit the day’s schedule and check the official site before you go. The options below give you a starting point for comparing opening patterns and ticket costs.
Savannah History Museum
The Savannah History Museum is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 per adult and $8 per child ages 3–12. It closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Telfair museums
The Telfair Academy, Jepson Center, and Owens-Thomas House are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. One $30 adult ticket covers all three museums and remains valid for seven days.
Historic houses and church tours
The Andrew Low House is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.; adult admission is $15. First African Baptist Church offers a history tour Monday through Saturday at 1 p.m., with admission of $15.
Cathedral and cemetery
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is open Monday through Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Entry is free, with a suggested $3 donation. Colonial Park Cemetery is free to visit; its hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through March and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March through November.
FAQs
How many squares are in Savannah’s Historic District?
The district has 22 surviving squares from the 24 in Savannah’s original plan.
Can you get around downtown Savannah without a car?
The free DOT Express Shuttle links downtown and Forsyth Park, while CAT operates local bus service. Savannah Belles Ferry connects downtown with the Savannah Convention Center.
Are there free places to visit in the Historic District?
Colonial Park Cemetery is free to visit, and entry to the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is free with a suggested donation.