Are you searching for some travel inspiration? If your wanderlust has kicked into high gear, I’m willing to bet these incredible photos of River Street in Savannah, GA, will have you dreaming of your next getaway!

Even though I live in the city, I’m still drawn to River Street on a near-daily basis. I love strolling along Savannah’s waterfront, watching giant cargo ships pass by and enjoying pretty sunset views over the river.

Pinnable image of an iron walkway shaded by a large oak and a sunset photo of River Street in Savannah GA

Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.

By the way, if you’re new around here — welcome! I’m Erin, and I authored the Savannah First-Timer’s Guide.

I love introducing visitors to the city, and River Street makes a great place to start.

Plenty of locals consider it a touristy area (and it absolutely is), but I think it’s unique and a fantastic spot for photographers.

What to See Along River Street

There are a few notable landmarks that you might want to take pictures of as you’re strolling along the waterfront.

I’ll list them from west to east to make things easy for you.

The Talmadge Memorial Bridge

This bridge is named after Eugene Talmadge. He was a (very racist) politician who served multiple terms as the governor of Georgia during the 1930s and 40s.

Due to Talmadge’s reputation as a white supremacist, many locals refuse to call the bridge by it’s official name and instead call it the Savannah Bridge.

In fact, I usually refer to it as the “big Savannah bridge” on this site.

It’s located along the far west end of River Street near the Plant Riverside District, but you can spot it from anywhere along the waterfront.

Artistic photo showing details of the Talmadge Bridge in Savannah during a peach-toned sunset

The bridge connects the city of Savannah to nearby Hutchinson Island and to the border of S.C. just beyond that.

The Propeller Club Memorial Fountain

If you’re exploring from west to east along River Street, the next landmark you’ll come across is a water fountain that was erected by The Propeller Club of Savannah.

Ship fountain silhouetted against a golden sunrise on River Street Savannah GA
The Propeller Club Memorial Fountain sprays water from a metal ship sculpture. Fall color is visible in the foliage in the background
Close-up of the Propeller Club Memorial Fountain as water sprays from its base

The fountain honors Savannah’s maritime history and the fact that this is a port city.

“A World Apart” | The Cracked Earth Monument

The next landmark you’ll see is the Cracked Earth Monument, which honors veterans from Chatham County who fought in WWII.

African American Monument

Next up, you’ll find the African American Monument.

It shows a family of four recently released from the bonds of slavery. Broken chains at their feet represent the family’s newfound freedom, and a quote by Maya Angelou at the base of the statue describes the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade.

The African American Monument on River Street in Savannah shows a family of four looking towards the river as a giant cargo ship passes by, loaded with colorful shipping containers
Close-up of a Maya Angelou quote etched in stone on the African American Monument along River Street in Savannah GA

You can learn more about the history of the monument and see some of my favorite photos of I’ve taken of it here: The African American Monument in Savannah.

NOTE: There’s a public restroom located at the Savannah Visitor Center’s River Street location, which is within sight of the African American Monument. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Tours to Take on River Street

There are a handful of tours that originate on or near River Street. The Georgia Queen Steamboat is easily the most popular one.

The Georgia Queen Steamboat (paid)

To take photos of River Street from the water, you can pay to take a cruise on the Georgia Queen Steamboat, hop aboard the free Savannah Belles Ferry, or take a cruise past the Georgia Ports.

Blurred image of the Georgia Queen riverboat docked along River Street in Savannah with American flags blowing in the wind on its deck. An electric box covered in stickers is visible in the foreground
The Georgia Queen Riverboat docked along River Street with gas lanterns visible on Rousakis Plaza in the foreground and a sunset of puffy lavender clouds in the background

If you choose the Georgia Queen steamboat tour, I suggest selecting a sunset cruise for the best photo opportunities.

You’ll get a unique perspective of River Street from the water and will cruise past Fort Jackson.

You might even spot a few dolphin if you’re lucky!

I don’t usually recommend the food cruises (you’ll find much tastier food elsewhere in Savannah), but many readers in my Savannah Facebook group rave about them.

Sunset cruise was very nice. We had a wonderful time the food was amazing and the music was pretty good as well.

~ Gail D-F, via Savannah First-Timer’s Guide private Facebook Group

Savannah Riverboat Cruise Options

Since there are so many riverboat cruises available, I’ll post all the options here to help you out.

Savannah Port Tour (paid)

If you want to check out the action at Georgia Ports Authority, you’ll want to take a Savannah Port Tour.

The 90-minute boat tour is run by Outside Savannah, and it takes you as close as you can get to the ports without security clearance.

During the tour, you’ll learn how the port operates and will see containers being unloaded (or loaded).

You might even get to see one of the giant cargo ships up close and personal!

The tour departs from the Plant Riverside District, so I suggest parking in the Plant Riveriside District Parking Garage. It’s located at 500 W River Street.

You can purchase tour tickets here.

Savannah Belles Ferry (free)

The Savannah Belles Ferry is a free alternative if you want to see the city from the water but don’t want to pay for a guided tour.

The ferries depart from three locations on River Street. They cross the water to drop passengers at Hutchinson Island and then return to their original location.

Multiple ferries run throughout the day and early evening. The current Belles are named after Susie King Taylor, Mary Musgrave, Juliette Gordon Low, and Florence Martus.

Here is the current ferry schedule.

Sunsets on River Street

As an avid photographer, I find it hard to beat the sunsets along River Street! I’ve captured some of my most memorable shots here during the early evening hours.

Tree branches frame the foreground in a waterfront scene along River Street in Savannah, GA. Lamp posts line the riverwalk and the Georgia Queen steamboat, Talmadge Bridge, and a cargo ship can be seen in in the distance, illuminated by a pale yellow and pink sunset
Boat docked by river with yellow and purple sunset in background and dark tree leaves framing the foreground
Riverfront plaza along River Street at dusk with the Savannah River and Talmadge bridge in the distance
Waterfront plaza along River Street at dusk with the Georgia Queen Steamboat and Talmadge bridge in the distance

The streetlights (lampposts) turn on automatically at dusk, and photos usually look prettiest if you wait until just after they turn on.

On a clear night, you’ll usually get varying shades of purples, oranges, and yellows, like you see in the photos above.

The sun sets beyond the big Savannah bridge. (Ha! Notice how I called it that instead of its official name?)

Dark orange sunset on River Street Savannah GA
Tell me that doesn’t look like a shot straight from a vintage movie set?! I halfway expect to see Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing around those lampposts.

Sometimes I like to place items in the foreground of my photo to frame a particular scene or add dramatic effect.

Make sure you’re not too skittish if you try this method with bushes and trees like I did in many of the photos above. The river rats tend to come out at dusk, and they lurk in the shrubbery. They’re big and fast, and they’ll run over your feet if you’re in their path.

Don’t say I didn’t warn ya!

River Street Savannah GA with a fiery red and orange stormy sky in the background
The only thing better than a sunset photo? A pre-hurricane sunset shot! I captured this image the night before Hurricane Dorian passed by Savannah in 2019.

I don’t recommend staying in Savannah during a mandatory hurricane evacuation just so you can snag a good photo, but…I’ll admit that I’ve done it a few times. Those shots (like the one above) usually end up being my all-time favorite photos of River Street!

One thing you should note about sunset photos on River Street is that it’s nearly impossible to get a shot without people.

You either have to be really patient or go during a time when no one wants to be near the water (ie: when a hurricane is coming or when it’s really cold out).

In addition to the hurricane shot above, I took most of the others during the mandatory COVID-19 “shelter indoors” orders.

Related Reading: When is the Best Season to Visit Savannah, GA?

More Places to See Near River Street

Factors Walk

Walking bridge over Factors Walk with iron railings shaded by the branches of mature oak trees
If you wander around to the back side of River Street, you’ll find the beautiful Factors Walk area, which is one of my favorite spots in the entire city!

Factors Walk is one of the most unique places to take pictures in Savannah’s Historic District.

The bridge above is a popular spot for wedding portraits and graduation shots. It looks prettiest during April when the jasmine is in full bloom.

Related Reading: 11 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Factors Walk

The Cluskey Vaults

The Cluskey Vaults on the lower level of Factors Walk with a walking bridge covered in jasmine stretching overhead
The Cluskey Vaults are located on the middle level of Factors Walk, to the left (east) of City Hall. Take the Drayton Street Ramp off of Bay Street if you’re driving.

The Cluskey Vaults look eerie on the inside, but the lighting makes for some fantastic portraits.

The story behind the vaults is rather interesting, so make sure you read the markers located at the entrance to each opening.

In short, some people have speculated they were once used to house enslaved individuals.

The vaults are also a popular stop on many of the local ghost tours.

The Old Cotton Exchange Building

Looking towards a brick street towards warehouses in the distance
The old Cotton Exchange Building, circa 1886/1887, is probably the most recognizable structure along Factors Walk.

Back in the 1800s, Savannah was known for exporting more cotton than any other port on the entire East Coast. In fact, Savannah was the second largest exporter of cotton in the world.

Millions of bales of cotton moved through the city each year, and the old Cotton Exchange building was the epicenter of all the activity.

To see the old Cotton Exchange building today, you’d probably be surprised at how little it has changed in appearance since it was completed in 1887. It almost appears untouched — especially if you look closely at its crumbling facade and the sagging support beams near the base of the structure.

Unfortunately, no one is allowed inside except freemasons who visit to attend their monthly meetings.

River Street Sweets

Candy shop with a red awning dimly lit at night with two women passing by
I double-dog dare you to walk past River Street Sweets without going in. The smell of fresh pralines is nearly impossible to resist!

River Street Sweets is one of the most popular shops along Savannah’s riverwalk area. It’s a nostalgic little candy shop, with warm, friendly vibes and some of the most incredible sweets you’ll ever put in your mouth.

Make sure you sample their pralines and Bear Claws, as well as the candied nuts. (Ok…just sample everything you can get your hands on. Trust me on this.)

If you’re a foodie, you’ll quickly discover that Savannah is a pretty awesome place to hang out. However, the best restaurants aren’t located on River Street, but further into the Historic District.

You can also sample a variety of restaurants by going on the Famous and Secret East Side Food Tour or the 3-Hour Culinary & Cultural Walking Tour.

River Street Savannah GA at Night

Row of brick buildings at night shrouded in mist
As much as I enjoy Savannah by day, it’s the nights that capture my imagination most. This shot of the entrance to the Cotton Exchange Building looks like another classic movie scene.

There are lots of bars and restaurants that stay open late along River Street, so you can usually find plenty to do. The entire street is an open container zone, so you might want to go elsewhere if you’re traveling with kids.

I tend to get a lot of inquiries about whether or not River Street is safe at night. Personally, I think it’s better to walk around with a buddy than it is to walk alone.

I don’t suggest wandering around on the middle and lower levels of Factors Walk late at night, since those areas are less trafficked and some members of the homeless community tend to camp out there.

Insider Tip: My general rule of thumb in Savannah is this: If you see lots of other people out and about, then you’re usually good to go. Once others head inside, it’s a good idea to follow suit. Visitors who aren’t familiar with the area shouldn’t be caught alone on the streets of Savannah late at night. Review my Savannah Crime Map for current statistics.

Pink and purple sunset over the Cotton Exchange building and other warehouses on Factors Walk
Remember what I said about pre-hurricane shots? This pink and purple beauty appeared behind Factors Walk the night before Dorian made its way down the East Coast.

Having mentioned all that, you can get some really incredible photos of River Street and Factors Walk once the sun goes down. Consider yourself doubly lucky if you’re in the area after a fresh rainfall, since the lights reflecting off puddles between the cobblestones add a nice little touch to photos.

The Stone Stairs of Death

A dark riverfront alleyway along River Street dimly lit by twinkle lights and leading to a treacherous stone staircase
The famous Stone Stairs of Death lead the way from River Street up to Factors Walk. (I highly recommend finding an alternate route if you’ve had a few drinks!)

I had to save the best for last…the Stone Stairs of Death always make a great photo op! They’re impressive day or night. They’re located on the west end of the river between River Street and Williamson Street — just below the Jere’s Antiques sign.

Related Reading: Is Jones Street Really the Prettiest Street in Savannah?

Savannah Riverfront Hotels

If you want to stay on River Street and have a direct view of the water, here are a few hotels I recommend:

The newest hotel to the Savannah riverfront area is the JW Marriott Kessler Plant-Riverside, which is located on the recently-developed far west end of River Street.

Related Reading: 12 Pros & Cons to Consider when Staying in a Hotel on River Street

When to Visit

The early morning hours are consistently the quietest time to visit River Street, since most of the shops don’t open until 9 or 10 a.m.

If you arrive before then you’ll find locals arriving for work, a few early-bird tourists, and the usual joggers who use the waterfront for their daily route.

During the late afternoon and evenings, River Street is usually crowded with tourists. That’s due to its fairly active restaurant and bar scene.

So — pick your ideal time based on whether you prefer quiet or lots of action!

Savannah Travel Guide Info

My Savannah First-Timer’s Guide is where I’ve gathered all of my top Savannah tips from this website into one handy downloadable ebook. If you like having all of your information in one easy-to-access spot, it’s the way to go!

When you purchase the guide, you also get access to a private Facebook group where you can ask questions about your trip, get advice, and see photos from others who have recently visited.

So…which of these River Street photo spots do you want to visit first? Let me know in the comments below!

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Pinnable image of warehouse buildings on River Street Savannah GA
Pinnable image of the red stucco facade of the old Cotton Exchange Building in Savannah, GA
Pinnable image of an iron walkway shaded by a large oak and a sunset photo of River Street in Savannah GA

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.