One of the biggest perks of living in a city with such a rich history is that we have more than our fair share of incredible museums! To help you decide which museums in Savannah are “must visits,” I’ve divvied them up by type below and have listed my top choices in each category.
Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.
If you’re new around here, first of all … allow me to extend a warm welcome!
My name is Erin, and I authored the Savannah First-Timer’s Guide.
It combines my top Savannah travel tips from this website into one handy downloadable ebook.
You might also be interested in…
➡️ 25 Epic Things To Do in Savannah (Tips From a Local!)
To make the most of your trip, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- From May through September, Savannah is extremely hot and humid (here is the average weather in Savannah by month). For that reason, I suggest doing your outdoor exploration during the morning hours and scheduling indoor museum visits during the hottest part of the day. That way you can take advantage of the air conditioning.
- Museums make an ideal rainy day activity in Savannah. I’ve noted whether each location is indoor or outdoor so you can factor that into your plans.
- If you purchase a ticket to any of the Telfair museums (Owens Thomas House and Slave Quarters, Telfair Academy, or Jepson Center), that ticket grants entry into all three museums. They allow a few days to use it, so you don’t have to visit them all in one day.
Ok … ready to learn about the different Savannah museum options? Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents (Skip to Any Section)
Savannah Museums Map
Here’s a helpful map so you can see where each of the museums is located. Click on any icon to pull up additional details about the museum.
Use the + or – sign in the bottom left hand corner of the map to zoom in and out. Click on each icon to pull up additional information.
Black History Museums in Savannah
I always recommend stopping in at least one museum that focuses on Black history, and there are plenty of incredible options in Savannah!
Here are a few favorites…
Pin Point Heritage Museum
Location: Outskirts of Savannah
Address: 9924 Pin Point Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406
Admission Fee: Approximately $10 | Discounts for Children
Hours: Thursday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: 75% indoor | 25% outdoor
Parking: Free parking available on site
Purchase Tickets: Coastal Heritage Society (select “shop” in the top menu)
Since it’s located on the outskirts of the city, visitors sometimes refer to Pin Point as a bit of a hidden gem. However, I consider it one of Savannah’s top must-visit landmarks, and that’s why I’m including it first!
In fact, it’s one of the top 10 places I recommend in my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide and one of my all-time favorite museums in Savannah.
Pin Point was established in 1896 by the descendants of enslaved men and women. Those landowners made their living shucking oysters and canning crabs at the A.S. Varn and Son Oyster Factory.
The business closed down in the 1980s, and a few decades later the building was converted into a museum to share “de story of de peepul.”
You’ll be shown around the property by actual descendants of the original landowners, and they’ll discuss the history and philosophies of the Gullah Geechee people.
Why It’s Worth Visiting…
While it’s interesting to learn about the oyster factory and what life was like for its employees, my favorite part of the tour is learning about the spirit and resilience of the Pin Point community.
It’s a tour that always leaves me feeling uplifted, so hopefully it will do the same for you.
I often think the world would be a better place if more of us would live by the principles taught within the Pin Point community… respect the wisdom of our elders, have a spiritual connection to the land, look out for one another, develop a strong work ethic, etc.
Owens Thomas House and Slave Quarters
Location: Landmark Historic District
Address: 124 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Adults $25 | Discounts for Children, Seniors, Active Military, and Students
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Primarily indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Purchase at the door
NOTE: Ticket fee also includes entrance into Jepson Center and Telfair Academy
The Owens Thomas House and Slave Quarters was built in the early 1800s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was home to some of Savannah’s wealthiest families and even served as temporary quarters for the Marquis de Lafayette when he visited the city in 1825.
The home featured indoor plumbing during a time period when most U.S. homes didn’t even have hot water or flushable toilets, and there’s a unique indoor bridge on the uppermost level.
Parts of the home have been restored, but in many areas the details have simply been preserved to allow a true glimpse into the past.
For example, in the quarters where enslaved families resided, you can see remnants of the original haint-blue ceilings that were created from a mixture of indigo, buttermilk, and lime.
Why It’s Worth Visiting…
This is one of the most in-depth home tours you can take to view the stark contrast in living conditions between Savannah’s elite and the enslaved laborers who tended to their daily needs.
The most moving part of the tour takes place when you stand before a wall of hundreds of wooden boards — each one representing a human being who was shipped to Savannah as ‘goods and chattel’.
Many boards have simple names like “Darkey” and “Chance” burned into the surface, but there are also blank boards representing the individuals whose names were never recovered from slave ship manifests.
Related Reading: Black History Tours in Savannah: Which Ones are Best?
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
Location: Landmark Historic District
Address: 460 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Adults $10 | Discounts for Seniors and Students
Hours: Thursday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: There are a few marked spaces in the dirt lot to the left of the entrance, as well as metered street parking.
Purchase Tickets: Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum houses three stories of exhibits dedicated to educating the public about discrimination as it pertained specifically to the city of Savannah.
It also highlights those who fought for equity in the city, including the museum’s namesake, Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert, as well as local Civil Rights icon, Westley Wallace Law.
Even though slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865, cities and states throughout the South passed measures to ensure Black citizens remained suppressed for at least another 100 years.
Those measures included discriminatory practices such as:
- Redlining predominantly Black neighborhoods to restrict property ownership
- Suppressing and restricting voter rights
- Segregating public schools, restaurants, hospitals, and transportation
- Prohibiting interracial relationships
This period of time in US history is commonly referred to as the Jim Crow era. It’s when organizations like the KKK were formed and when sundown towns dotted many parts of the nation.
Upon entering the museum, you’ll watch an approximate 15-minute video that provides an overview of the people and incidents that shaped Savannah’s desegregation movement and helped to dismantle Jim Crow laws.
For example, one exhibit brings life to the famous sit-in at Levy’s department store, while another explains how a highly effective 18-month-long boycott of Broughton Street businesses was carried out.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
Savannah is part of the Deep South and has seen significant racial divide through the years, yet the city’s desegregation movement was one of the most peaceful in the nation!
In a 1964 speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. even described Savannah as “the most desegregated city south of the Mason-Dixon line.”
The museum’s exhibits showcase many of the hurdles local citizens faced, as well as the peaceful methods Savannah’s Civil Rights leaders used to overcome those obstacles.
As the current political climate regresses further into ideologies reminiscent of the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights Museum might be one of the most important museums you can visit in Savannah.
Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.
John Lewis, Civil Rights legend whose Time Magazine cover photo hangs in the entrance to the museum
⭐ Insider Tip: Don’t miss the interactive lunch counter exhibit on the second floor of the building! Press the black button (located on the countertop) to hear how Black visitors were treated at lunch counters throughout the South, and then press the white button to hear how white visitors were treated.
Unique Museums
Savannah is a quirky city, and some of our museums reflect that quirkiness. Here are a few favorites…
Prohibition Museum Savannah
Location: Landmark Historic District | City Market
Address: 209 W Saint Julian Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: From $15 – $35
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Prohibition Tickets
Want to pose with Al Capone and his gangster buddies, see how moonshine was made, have drinks in a speakeasy, or learn to dance the Charleston?
You can do all of the above, and more, at American Prohibition Museum!
You’ll find Prohibition-era information scattered amongst unique displays throughout the space, making it easy to get an education while also being entertained.
For example, did you know NASCAR got its start from bootleggers who were trying to escape the police?
Or that the KKK had its “second rising” during Prohibition?
Were you aware that organized crime flourished and homicide rates more than doubled in many major cities during the ban on alcohol?
Why It’s Worth Visiting
The museum does a good job showing what life was like in the United States during the “dry” years, and the exhibits are very well designed.
The wax figures are some of the more lifelike characters I’ve seen, and — since you’re able to pose right next to them — they make for some very memorable photos!
If you stick around to have a drink in the speakeasy towards the end, you’ll discover a fun little twist.
(I won’t spoil it for you!)
Savannah is the wickedest city in the world!
~ Evangelist Billy Sunday, speaking on liquor consumption in the city of Savannah
🌟 I have to give a quick shoutout to the museum for its accessibility factor. You’ll find plenty of room to maneuver around the exhibits, they have an elevator available to access the different levels of the building, and they even offer cleverly designed educational cards that translate the exhibits into multiple languages.
⭐ Insider Tip: If you’re interested, you can also sign up for a class where you’ll learn how to make cocktails from the expert bartenders in the museum’s speakeasy, Congress Street Up. Purchase cocktail class tickets here. **NOTE: Alcohol is not served in the speakeasy on Sundays.
Graveface Museum
Location: Landmark Historic District | Factors Walk
Address: 410 E Lower Factors Walk, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Approximately $20
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Graveface Tickets
What started as a passion project by Ryan Graveface and Chloe Manon is now a one-of-a-kind museum in Savannah! This unique Savannah “murder museum” has one of the best collections of true crime memorabilia in the country.
Ryan has been collecting serial killer memorabilia for decades and has even interviewed death row inmates to gather their stories. He has an extensive collection of John Wayne Gacy art and letters, and many are on display throughout the museum.
Each room in the museum has a different theme — including exhibits on cults, sideshows, secret societies, and witchcraft. One room even features a vintage pinball arcade! (Trust me, that comes in handy when you’re trying to escape a downpour in Savannah or have older teens who are in need of some entertainment.)
Why It’s Worth Visiting
Savannah is filled with unique, independent businesses you won’t find anywhere else, and Graveface Museum is a prime example of that.
Ryan and Chloe’s deep love for oddities shows in everything they create! If they happen to be in the museum when you’re there (and they often are), don’t be surprised to have them chat enthusiastically with you about all sorts of offbeat topics.
Make sure you check out the hoodoo exhibit, which is located inside a wall on the first floor of the museum. It’s easy to miss but is unique and worth seeing.
Make Note: In case it’s not obvious when you walk through the gaping mouth of Satan to enter the museum, Graveface isn’t suitable for all ages. Many of the topics are disturbing, so keep that in mind when planning your visit. Their newest exhibit focuses on Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan.
SCAD Story
Location: Landmark Historic District
Address: 342 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Suggested $5 donation
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: SCADstory Tickets
SCADstory is an immersive 4D experience that takes you through the history of the city’s local art school, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Like most everything the school touches, it’s quite an elaborate production!
The experience is short, clocking in at less than 30 minutes, but it’s a fun little diversion. You can always count on an art school to have really cool visual displays.
Why It’s Worth Visiting…
If you have kids who are planning to attend SCAD — or if you’re trying to convince your kids to attend SCAD so you’ll have an excuse to move to Savannah — SCADstory is worth a visit.
I suggest stopping in if you need a break from the heat or if you’re looking for something to do in Savannah on a rainy day.
Art Museums in Savannah
From Laney Contemporary to Sulfur Studios to the Savannah Gallery of Art, you’ll find incredible art galleries throughout Savannah.
Here are three of the most popular options in the Historic District…
Jepson Center
Location: Landmark Historic District
Address: 207 W York Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Adults $25 | Discounts for Children, Seniors, Active Military, and Students
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Purchase at the door
NOTE: Ticket fee includes entrance into all three Telfair Museums
The Jepson Center includes 64,000 sq. ft. of space dedicated to showcasing a variety of art styles.
You’ll find exhibits displaying everything from modern art to the classics to emerging local artists from Savannah and the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry.
The 3-for-1 ticket grants entry to Jepson Center, Telfair Academy, and the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters, and you get a week to fit in a visit to all three.
Why It’s Worth Visiting…
The Jepson Center is a well-curated museum, and the exhibitions rotate on a regular basis.
They are often thought provoking, and the building itself is also quite beautiful.
It was designed by Moshe Safdie, and I rather enjoy watching the sunlight create unique shadow patterns across various surfaces throughout the day.
I’m a photographer, so I was happy to see Photography’s Last Century: The Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee collection during a recent visit.
There is also a stunning piece from renowned Civil Rights sculptor Curtis Patterson currently on display in one of the museum’s upstairs rooms.
⭐ Insider Tip: If you’re looking for Joe’s at the Jepson, the award-winning restaurant once housed inside the museum, it closed in the fall of 2022 and Wildflower Cafe took its place. It’s from the same team that conceptualized FARM in Bluffton and local hotspot, Common Thread — which is easily one of the best restaurants in Savannah!
Telfair Academy
Location: Landmark Historic District
Address: 121 Barnard Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: $25 | Discounts for Children, Seniors, Active Military, and Students
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Purchase at the door
NOTE: Ticket fee includes entrance into all three Telfair Museums
The Telfair Mansion was built in 1819 for Alexander Telfair, the son of Georgia Governor Edward Telfair. It’s a beautiful home that currently operates as a museum.
Experiencing the architecture of the home is worth the admission price alone, but you’ll also enjoy spending time with classical artwork from the early 1700s through to the 1900s.
The famous “bird girl statue” from the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is located inside the museum.
She was moved from Bonaventure Cemetery after the book was published to prevent vandalism, which is an all-too-common fate for statuary in many of the cemeteries in Savannah.
SCAD Museum
Location: Historic District
Address: 601 Turner Blvd., Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Adults $10 | Discounts for Children, Seniors, Military, and Students
Hours: Mon 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Wed – Sat 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sun 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: SCAD MOA Tickets
The SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah is a contemporary art museum featuring emerging and established artists. While it’s not a huge space, they do keep the exhibits fresh and add new pieces on a regular basis.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
The docents are all SCAD students, so the museum gives them an opportunity to discuss the exhibits with fellow art aficionados.
History Museums in Savannah
Massie Heritage Center
Location: Landmark Historic District
Address: 207 E Gordon Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Adults $9 | Discounts for Children, Seniors, and Military
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Sunday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Purchase at the museum
Housed inside one of Savannah’s first public schools, Massie Heritage Center is a great place to get an overall picture of Savannah’s history.
One of my favorite exhibits is the 3D miniature replica of downtown Savannah, but I also love exploring the classroom and checking out the beautiful view of the adjacent square from the window in the principal’s office.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
Massie Center is one of the few places in the city where you can learn about indigenous tribes that inhabited Yamacraw Bluff long before this area became known as modern-day Savannah.
The American Indians of Coastal Georgia exhibit reflects on various stages in time ranging from 12,000 years ago to 1733 — the year Chief Tomochichi helped General Oglethorpe establish his concept for Savannah.
It’s nice to see such an important slice of history referenced in more than just a passing glance!
Savannah History Museum
Location: Historic District
Address: 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Adults $10 | Discounts for Children
Hours: Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Coastal Heritage Society (select “shop” in the top menu)
When you visit the Savannah History Museum, you’ll be able to walk through exhibits of the city’s history from its origins in 1733 to modern times.
Many of the exhibits are presented bulletin-board style and look like something you’d find in a high school science fair, so don’t expect anything too fancy.
While I don’t consider the museum an absolute must-visit, many people insist on going for one reason specific reason….
…the Savannah History Museums is where you’ll find a replica of the bench Tom Hanks sat on when filming Forrest Gump!!
I had to include it on this list for that reason alone. (You’d be surprised how many people visit Chippewa Square in search of Forrest’s bench.)
The museum also has a section featuring notable Savannah women, such as Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low.
The newest exhibit includes jazz memorabilia highlighting members of Savannah’s Jazz Hall of Fame.
That section is my favorite part, since I love seeing historic photos showing what the buildings along Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (formerly West Broad) looked like back in the day.
Why It’s Worth Visiting…
It’s conveniently located inside the Savannah Visitor Center and is an inexpensive museum.
Again, it’s not my favorite, but I had to include it because so many first-time visitors want to see the Forrest Gump bench.
⭐ Insider Tip: While you’re in the area, be sure to cross the street to visit Battlefield Memorial Park. It honors the 800 troops that were wounded or died in the bloodiest battle of the American Revolution. The museum hosts a live reenactment once per day that includes a Revolutionary soldier firing a musket.
Museums for Kids
Savannah isn’t a great city for keeping kids entertained (in my personal opinion), but there are a handful of options available when you need to keep the youngsters busy.
Here are a couple favorites…
Savannah Railroad Museum
Location: Historic District
Address: 655 Louisville Road, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Adults $15 | Discounts for Children
Hours: Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: A mix of both
Parking: Free parking on site
Purchase Tickets: Coastal Heritage Society (select “shop” in the top menu)
I don’t know of any other museum in Savannah where you can hop in an old railroad car and make your way down a short line of track, but you can do just that at the Georgia State Railroad Museum!
The museum is great for kids and train enthusiasts, and it also provides plenty of incredible photo opportunities for amateur photographers.
While you can wander around the museum on your own, the space is large and there’s a lot of area to cover. For that reason, I highly recommend taking the guided tour, which is included in your ticket price.
The tour takes about an hour to complete and provides access to additional passenger cars, an opportunity to sit in an engineer’s seat, and the option to operate a pushcart along the tracks.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
The former Central of Georgia Railway: Savannah Shops and Facilities (that’s the official name) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its partial roundhouse area is thought to be one of the oldest intact pre-Civil War railroad repair stations in the US!
Savannah Children’s Museum
Location: Historic District
Address: 655 Louisville Road, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: $10
Hours: Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
Parking: Free parking on site
Purchase Tickets: Coastal Heritage Society (select “shop” in the top menu)
The Savannah Children’s Museum is adjacent to the Railroad Museum. Since nearly everything is outdoors, you’ll want to visit this spot during good weather.
I would describe the museum as an imagination station and play area geared towards younger children. It includes a maze and sensory garden, and they often host fun events like their recent Dr. Seuss Day.
There’s plenty of space for kids to run around inside the sunken play area, while the planting station offers opportunities to learn about nature and that bees are our friends!
Why It’s Worth Visiting…
If you need to entertain children, this is a great place for them to interact with others, learn in a group environment, and to run around and burn off extra energy.
“Tippy the Tortoise” is the museum’s resident tortoise, and his enclosure is popular. Kids can watch him chomp on lettuce and bask in the sunlight, or even draw pictures while he poses.
⭐ Insider Tip: During the summertime, it’s best to go in the morning before Savannah’s heat and humidity fully kick in for the day. The museum has misters, but very little shade.
Military Museums
Savannah has plenty of fantastic military museums. Here are two options to start you off, but I also suggest considering the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler and Old Fort Jackson in Savannah (I may add them to this post at some point)…
Webb Military Museum
Location: Landmark Historic District
Address: 411 E York Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Admission Fee: Approx. $10 | Discounts for Children, Seniors, and all Military
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sunday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Webb Military Museum Tickets
Gary Webb is the proprietor of this tiny — but mighty! — museum, which is clearly his passion project.
It’s filled with military items Mr. Webb has personally collected through the years, and he can tell you the story behind each and every piece. There’s actually a good chance he’ll do just that, since he works in the museum nearly every day of the week!
For example, you’ll find the gas mask his mother wore when she was attending school as a young child in London during WWII, as well as a bullet-struck bible that allowed its owner, a Civil War soldier, to live an additional 40-something years after his close brush with death.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
Mr. Webb’s collection is quite extensive — covering the gamut from the Civil War to Desert Storm — but the stories behind the collection are what make his museum so unique.
The museum does an excellent job of honoring the men and women behind the uniform and bringing their stories to light.
This is a small, independently owned businesses in Savannah, and — if it isn’t obvious by now — that’s my favorite type of local business to support! I think it’s great that Mr. Webb keeps the admission price so reasonable and that he is so hands-on with many of the exhibits.
Fort Pulaski
Location: Outskirts of Savannah
Address: 101 Fort Pulaski Road, Savannah, GA 31410
Admission Fee: Approx $10 | Discounts for Children
NOTE: Admission is good for 7 consecutive days
Hours: Sunday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: A mix of both
Parking: Metered lot parking
Purchase Tickets: Fort Pulaski National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument is a stunning place to visit! This is another museum in Savannah that has plenty of opportunities for photography fanatics.
It’s bigger than you might think, so plan to spend a few hours to half a day exploring the grounds. In addition to the fort, you’ll find hiking and biking trails, views of the Cockspur lighthouse, historic dike systems, and picnic areas.
The Visitor Center has several exhibits, including a 20-minute film highlighting the history of Fort Pulaski.
The fort itself takes time to wander through and experience. Don’t forget to walk around the exterior, where you can check out craters in the bricks where the structure took on Union cannon fire.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
This is one of the top places to visit in Savannah to immerse yourself in the history of the Civil War. The Rangers are very knowledgeable and are happy to answer questions from guests.
⭐ Insider Tip: Fort Pulaski is a National Park, which means you can enter for free if you hold an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass!
Nature Centers
Prefer learning in the wild? You can do just that at these locations…
Savannah Ogeechee Canal Museum and Nature Center
Location: Outskirts of Savannah
Address: 681 Fort Argyle Road, Savannah, GA 31419
Admission Fee: Approx $5 | Discounts for Children, Seniors, and Military
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Closed Monday and Tuesday
Indoor or Outdoor: A mix of both, but primarily outdoor
Parking: Metered street parking
Purchase Tickets: Purchase at the museum
The Savannah-Ogeechee Canal was built between 1826 and 1830 and was used to transport local crops and goods from inland plantations to the port of Savannah. It was eventually replaced by the railroad system.
These days, the Ogeechee Canal is an area for hiking and camping, and the center includes a small museum where you can view what remains of the canal, which closed in 1915.
Feel free to ask the friendly staff all of your burning questions about tidal locks, birding, wetlands, or the beautiful old Savannah gray bricks that were transported up the canals from plantations located on the outskirts of the city.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
This is one of the closer areas to the west side of downtown Savannah where you can get outside to enjoy nature and really feel like you’ve escaped the city. (Laurel Grove Cemetery is another.)
If you’re lucky, you might even spot an alligator! They hang out around the canals, but it’s pretty rare to actually spot one.
⭐ Insider Tip: If you plan to go for a hike, pack water to stay hydrated, bring a bottle of “No Natz” bug repellant, and watch out for snakes — as well as the aforementioned gators.
Wormsloe Historic Site
Location: Outskirts of Savannah
Address: 7601 Skidaway Road, Savannah, GA 31406
Admission Fee: Approx $10 | Discounts for Children and Seniors
Hours: Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Indoor or Outdoor: A mix of both, but primarily outdoor
Parking: Large parking lot
Purchase Tickets: Purchase at the museum
If you think Wormsloe is just another museum in Savannah that you can visit for an hour and then get on with your day, think again! There’s more to see than meets the eye.
The site includes a visitor center where you can watch a short introductory film about the founding of Savannah, 7+ miles of hiking trails through maritime forest and along the marsh, the tabby ruins of the old Oglethorpe homestead, and a Colonial life replication area.
Why It’s Worth Visiting…
You’ll probably recognize Savannah’s famous “avenue of oaks” the minute you lay eyes on it. After all, it’s one of the most-photographed areas in the entire city!
The famous mile-long, tree-lined drive forms the entrance to Wormsloe Historic Site, and it’s just as stunning as it looks in photos.
NOTE: Wormsloe served as a plantation at one point in time, and enslaved individuals lived and worked there, so please keep that in mind when visiting.
⭐ Insider Tip: If you plan to go for a hike, I suggest buying a bottle of “No Natz” bug repellant to defend yourself from the pesky no-see-ums that love to bite unsuspecting visitors to the Georgia Coast.
Summary: Best Museums in Savannah GA
As you can see, there are several types of museums in Savannah for every age and interest.
While you can’t visit them all in one trip, I suggest picking a few so you can enjoy learning more about the city and its past.
Savannah Travel Guide
My Savannah First-Timer’s Guide combines my most helpful Savannah travel tips from this website in one handy downloadable guide.
When you purchase the guide, you’ll also gain access to a private Facebook group where you can ask questions about your trip and get advice from others who have recently visited.
Erin authored the Savannah First-Timer's Guide and loves helping first-time visitors plan their trips. She lives in the artsy Starland District and enjoys exploring Savannah's hidden gems, as well as the surrounding Lowcountry.
I was very disappointed to find that among these special museums in Savannah you did not in the include the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (JGL), founder of the Girl Scouts of America. Ms. Low started the Girl Scouts here in Savannah on March 12, 1912. In 1956 her home was opened to the general public all were invited. JGL started with 18 girls and grew to over 3,000,000 ultimately earning her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012-the 100th birthday of Girl Scouts. Please check it out and add it to you list of must see homes.
Oh, I totally agree (former Girl Scout here). I just haven’t been recently, so I need to go and get some pictures. That’s the nice thing about blog posts… I can — and do! — continuously update them.