The Savannah hop-on/hop-off trolley tours are a popular way to see the city, so I’ve created an itinerary based around the tour route. I live in Savannah, so I know the good spots!

A few things to know in advance: trained service dogs are the only animals allowed on the trolleys (no pets, not even emotional support animals), and there are wheelchair accessible trolley options, but you’ll need to call 24 hours in advance to arrange for one.

Photo triptych show the facade of the Mercer Williams House, a Savannah hop-on hop-off trolley, and a SCAD sign illuminated on Broughton Street

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

Step 01: Purchase Your Tickets

Old Town Trolley Tours currently operates the only hop-on/hop-off tour in the city.

You can purchase tickets in advance or on the day of the tour as a walk-up.

I recommend purchasing in advance — especially if you’re traveling when some of the most popular annual events are happening in Savannah.

Step 02: What to Bring

On the day of your tour, bring a refillable water bottle, a pen and paper for note taking, and your phone or a camera so you can take pictures.

Step 03: Where to Park

Old Town Trolley Tours offers a limited number of free parking spaces for tour participants at the two lots they own. Here are the addresses:

  • OTT Lot #1: 234 MLK Jr. Blvd
  • OTT Lot #2: 214 W Boundary Street

If the trolley company lots are full, then I suggest parking at the Savannah Visitor Center.

  • Visitor Center: 301 MLK Jr. Blvd

Parking at the Visitor Center is free for the first hour and $1/hour after that.

Related Reading: Everything You Need to Know About Parking in Savannah

Suggested Trolley Itinerary

I suppose I should mention that I run an active Facebook group about the city!

This itinerary is based around attractions that tend to impress group members the most, as well as a few of my personal favorite spots along the trolley route.

Ready?

Let’s plan your day!

Stop #1: Old Savannah Distillery

ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

The “Old Savannah Distillery” is a restaurant and bar concept created by the trolley tour company to entice tourists to spend more money. It’s not necessary to spend much (if any) time there.

and that’s all I have to say about that.”

~Forrest Gump
Brick building with whiskey barrels near the front door and a sign reading "Old Savannah Distillery"

Stop #2: Franklin Square

Franklin Square is adjacent to City Market, but I don’t suggest exploring the market at this point in time.

Stop #10 is also at City Market, and you’ll probably buy souvenirs in the market, so it’s best to wait until the later stop so you won’t have to lug your purchases around with you all day!

Instead, briefly explore the square before hopping back on the trolley to move to the next stop.

Historic attractions at Franklin Square include the Haitian Monument, which is located in the center of the square, and First African Baptist Church, which faces the west side of the square.

Haitian Monument

The Haitian Monument was sculpted by James Mastin and honors the sacrifices of the “Les Chasseurs Voluntaires de Saint Domingue” during the Battle of Savannah in 1779.

Wide-angle of the Haitian Monument in Franklin Square

First African Baptist Church

Entry Fee: $15
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available for tour participants

First African Baptist Church is incredibly important to the history of Savannah, and I highly suggest touring it at some point during your visit.

However, the church only offers tours once per day at 3 p.m., so plan accordingly.

Historic marker for First African Baptist Church in Savannah indicating the church traces its roots to 1773 and that it was built by both free and enslaved congregants

If you want to see the Plant Riverside District or visit Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, note that this stop is closest to those two attractions.

Related Reading:
The Plant Riverside District: What’s Really Worth Seeing?
City Market Savannah: What to See and What to Skip


Stop #3: Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

This stop is near multiple squares and attractions, so you should be able to find plenty to see and do!

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum

Entry Fee: $10 – $15
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Yes, for tour participants

This is the first of three Girl Scout-related stops along the trolley route. The others are the First Girl Scout Headquarters and the Andrew Low House Museum.

Nearby Squares

Telfair Square, Wright Square, Oglethorpe Square, Orleans Square, and Chippewa Square are all located near this stop.

Chippewa Square is known as the Forrest Gump square, and it’s probably the most famous square in Savannah. It’s where Forrest sat as he was narrating the story of his life.

Make note that Forrest’s bench isn’t located in the square. Instead, it’s inside the Savannah History Museum, which is found at Stop #8.

A statue depicting General James Oglethorpe guarded by four lines is surrounded by greenery in Chippewa Square

Historic Savannah Theatre

Entry Fee: Varies by show
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Yes, for ticket-holders

This theatre was designed by architect William Jay in 1818 and is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the United States.

It caught fire multiple times and had to be remodeled, most recently in an Art Deco style.

Jepson Center for the Arts

Entry Fee: $30 (3-for-1 ticket)
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

You can purchase a 3-for-1 ticket that grants entry into Jepson Center, Telfair Academy, and the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters.

The combo ticket is valid for seven days, so you don’t have to visit all three on the same day.

Jepson Center is a contemporary museum featuring rotating art exhibitions, as well as items from their permanent collection.

At the time I’m writing this post, “Off the Coast of Paradise” is the featured exhibit. It highlights the quirky artists living on Ossabaw Island during The Ossabaw Island Project in the 1970s.

B&W image of a group of artists on a large piece of driftwood on Ossabaw Island

Telfair Academy

Entry Fee: $30 (3-for-1 ticket, see above)
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

Telfair Academy opened in 1886 and is the oldest public art museum in the Southeast.

Inside you’ll find classical art, a sculpture gallery, and rotating exhibitions.

It’s also home to the famous Bird Girl Statue from the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Georgia Historic Marker for the Telfair Family Mansion (1818 - William Jay Architect) stands in front of the yellow-painted stucco façade of Telfair Academy. Large oaks and a few statues are visible in the courtyard in front of the building

Stop #4: Madison Square

Madison Square is located in the southern section of the Historic District. If you’re a fan of beautiful architecture, you’ll love this stop!

The most impressive building surrounding this square is the Scottish Rite building (southwest corner), but also check out the Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory (southeast corner), the Green-Meldrim House (west side), and St. John’s Episcopal Church (west side).

Here’s some additional info on each building…

Scottish Rite Building

In a city full of beautiful architecture, this might be one of the most stunning buildings of all.

The building is owned by SCAD and isn’t open for tours, but you can grab a light bite for lunch at Gryphon Tea Room, which is located on the ground floor of the building.

Watercolor sketch of the Scottish Rite Building in Savannah

Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory | SCADstory

Entry Fee: $5 donation suggested
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

The old guard armory building is also owned by SCAD and is currently home to SCADstory — a 4D experience that provides a brief visual history of the college.

SCADstory is a total sales pitch for the school, but it’s quick, visually stimulating, and free to visit, so go ahead and pop inside to enjoy the air conditioning and unique visual effects. Just don’t believe all the hype!

Might as well pop into shopSCAD while you’re there and check out all of the unique artwork created by SCAD alumni. The art is available for purchase.

Window display at ShopSCAD featuring puzzles, framed art, and whimsical sculpted characters

Sorrel Weed House Museum

Entry Fee: $14
ADA Friendly: Limited Accessibility
Restrooms: Not available on site

The Old Sorrel Weed House Museum (northwest corner) is a popular historic home tour along the trolley route. Tours take place every hour on the hour.

You can see additional photos of the interior and learn more about the home here: Sorrel-Weed House.

Green-Meldrim House

Entry Fee: $12 – $15
ADA Friendly: No
Restrooms: Available for tour guests

The Green-Meldrim House was General Sherman’s headquarters in Savannah during the Civil War.

The house is stunning, and it’s worth touring if you’re a fan of Gothic Revival architecture.

Dimly lit scene at the entrance to the Gothic-style Green Meldrim House, one of the stops on the Savannah hop-on hop-off tour

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Entry Fee: $10 donation suggested
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

The church is generally open for tours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome for Sunday services.

Souvenir Opportunites

If you want to do some souvenir shopping in a quintessential Savannah bookstore, head to E. Shaver, booksellers (northeast corner of Madison Square).

There are four sweet cats that have full run of the store, so you might spot them while you’re browsing.

A fluffy grey cat surrounded by books snoozes atop a red stool at E Shaver Booksellers

Stop #5: Forsyth Park

ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Public restroom located behind Collins Quarter

Forsyth Park is surrounded by stunning homes, and it’s a popular gathering spot for tourists and locals.

No visit to Savannah would be complete without stopping to explore the park!

The famous Forsyth Park Fountain is located near the center of the park, while the northern end is shaded by massive old oaks and magnolias.

It’s a fantastic place for bird watching!

The southern end of the park features open, grassy areas commonly used for picnics and pick-up games of frisbee, football, etc.

On Saturday mornings, the Forsyth Farmers Market sets up along the sidewalks in the southern section of the park, while artists line the walkway between the Confederate monument and the fountain.

There’s a fragrant garden located midway through the park on the Whitaker Street side, and it has a pretty bench and an old gate with beautiful details on it.

Forsyth Park fountain at dusk surrounded by gas-lit lamps and trees covered in Spanish moss
Mythical creature hoists a bench located in the Fragrant Garden at Forsyth Park
A row of street lanterns aglow against a backdrop of oaks covered in Resurrection fern in Forsyth Park, which is one of the Savannah hop-on hop-off trolley stops

Related Reading:
21 Photos That’ll Make You Want to Visit Forsyth Park


Stop #6: Taylor Square

Taylor Square is surrounded by many historic homes and buildings — including Massie Heritage Center and Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church.

Massie Heritage Center

Entry Fee: $10
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

Massie Heritage Center is open for tours Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The building has an exhibit highlighting the indigenous tribes that once inhabited the Savannah area, and it also features a classroom showing what the building was like when it operated as the first free public school in Savannah.

The classroom is full of little gems, such as a map of clandestine and freedman schools that were scattered throughout the city during the 1800s.

This is a great stop for history buffs and also a place where you can spend a good chunk of time on a a rainy day in Savannah.

Old display case with books and items from Massie School
Display of a map of Savannah (circa 1800s) inside Massie Heritage Center showing independent and Freedmen schools, as well as the locations of clandestine schools for Black children in the city before, during, and after the Emancipation era
Wooden scale model of Savannah's Historic District located inside Massie Heritage Center

Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church

The church doesn’t offer tours, but it’s beautiful, so definitely snap a few photos while you’re in the area.

The view through sun-drenched Live Oaks and Spanish moss in Taylor Square looking towards the entrance of Wesley Monumental Church

Taylor Square

The square itself honors Susie King Taylor, who was born enslaved and went on to become an educator, author, and nurse.

She taught emancipated children in Savannah how to read and write.

Slab of granite in Taylor Square indicating its history and when the name Calhoun was stricken in favor of one honoring Susie King Taylor
Greenery and Spanish moss artfully frame a lamppost in Taylor Square

Stop #7: Civil Rights Museum

Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum

Entry Fee: $7 – $15
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

Savannah played such a significant role in the Civil Rights movement, and the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum is the ideal place to learn more about it.

The museum has many exhibitions, but my favorite is an interactive lunch counter where you can learn more about the sit-ins that helped to desegregate businesses throughout Savannah.


Stop #8: Savannah Visitor Center

I suggest going inside the Visitor Center, since it’s a nice halfway point for a bathroom break.

You can also pick up brochures for attractions in Savannah and the surrounding areas.

Savannah History Museum

Entry Fee: $12
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

The Savannah History Museum is located inside the Visitor Center.

The main reason to check it out is if you’re a Forrest Gump fan. His bench is located inside the museum (not in Chippewa Square, where many first-time visitors expect to find it).

The bench is cordoned off behind ropes, so you can’t sit on it for photos, but you can pose standing a few feet in front of it.

The museum provides an overview of the history of the entire city, but I don’t consider it a “must.”

Georgia State Railroad Museum

Entry Fee: $14 – $20
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

On the other hand, I personally love the Georgia State Railroad Museum!

It’s a must for train enthusiasts and makes a great stop for the whole family.

You can tour the interior of old passenger cars, take a short ride on a real train, and visit the Roundhouse to see which trains are currently being restored.

If you’re visiting during the summer months, make note that most of the museum is outdoors so you’ll likely get pretty hot and will need to stay hydrated.

The Roundhouse at the Georgia State Railroad Museum houses a bright green railcar with the word "SOUTHERN" imprinted across the side in yellow text

Related Reading: 17 Popular Museums in Savannah


Stop #9: OTT Welcome Center

I don’t see any need to stop at the trolley welcome center, so feel free to skip this stop.

It does have restrooms if you need them.

Stop #10: City Market

Remember earlier (Stop 3) when I recommended skipping City Market? Well, this time I suggest hopping off to explore the area.

There are numerous restaurants, bars, and shops at this stop. There are also plenty of artists whose work you can admire.

If you’re getting hungry, I’ll list a few popular restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Restaurants in City Market

Belford’s Seafood & Steaks – This is my favorite restaurant in City Market. They have tasty garlic bread appetizers, crab cakes, and I love the BLT Stack! This is an excellent stop for lunch if you love seafood.

Wexford Irish Pub – This Irish-themed restaurant serves a wide variety of comfort foods. Try the Guinness Pot Roast, Chicken Pub Pie, or Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque. They often have live music in the outdoor seating area.

Vinnie Van Go Go’s Pizza – Vinnie’s serves thin-crust pizza slices with lots of toppings. This is the most budget-friendly option in the area.

The Little Crown by Pie Society – This tiny little restaurant serves up tasty daily quiches and mini pot pies. The desserts are delicious, too. It’s a great spot when the weather is cooler!

Covered outdoor seating area at Belford's Seafood and Steaks in Savannah. The area is enclosed by a fence and has 8 - 10 tables with string lights and ceiling fans suspended over the tables
Rectangular white plate with four fried green tomatoes atop fresh greens at Belford's Seafood and Steaks. The tomatoes have a light, flaky crust and are drizzled with a creamy sauce

Artists in City Market

Entry Fee: Free
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Key available upon request

Two blocks of former warehouses in City Market have been converted to galleries and studios where you can watch many of the artists while they work.

If you’re looking for photographs and paintings of Savannah or if you want to purchase Gullah sweetgrass baskets to take home as souvenirs, this is the place to buy them.

Close up of a bronze statue of Johnny Mercer overlooking City Market in Savannah
A crowd of people gathered under the twinkle lights in City Market at night

Prohibition Museum

Entry Fees: $16 and up
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

If you have some time to spare or if it’s raining and you’re looking for an indoor activity to fill a portion of your day, I highly recommend touring American Prohibition Museum.

The museum is filled with lifelike wax figures and exhibits that cover the history of Prohibition in the American South.

Circular wooden sign hanging above an entrance with the words "American Prohibition Museum Savannah" and a 1920s Flapper-era couple holding drinks carved into the sign
Wax figures of two disheveled alcoholics drinking liquor inside American Prohibition Museum
Drawing of a group of abolitionists, mainly older white women, holding signs in favor of Prohibition and touting the the evils of alcohol

NOTE: If you’re interested in visiting the Plant Riverside District and didn’t go during Stop #3, this is your second opportunity.

Related Reading:
City Market: What to See and What to Skip
Indoor Activities to do on Rainy Days in Savannah
Savannah’s Plant Riverside District: What’s Really Worth Seeing?


Stop #11: Christ Church Parish House

This stop is adjacent to Reynolds Square and is the stop closest to Broughton Street, which is Savannah’s main shopping street.

If you enjoy shopping, it’s worth getting off the trolley at this point to check out the shops. You’ll find a mix of local stores and national chains.

My favorite store on Broughton Street is Paris Market, but you’d have to walk a few blocks to get to it from this point on the trolley route.

There are plenty of things to see, though, and ample opportunities for purchasing souvenirs, so I’ll list a few popular nearby attractions, beginning with the historic church…

Christ Church Parish House

The church isn’t open for tours, but it does feature what may be one of the oldest and most historic items in the city: a 12th century weather vane from a church in England sits atop the parish house!

You can catch a glimpse of it from the street, but the best way to see it is by climbing to the top of the parking garage across the street.

Lucas Theatre for the Arts

Entry Fee: Free tours on Wednesdays
ADA Friendly: The main level is ADA compliant
Restrooms: Available

Lucas Theatre for the Arts was built in 1921 and is currently owned by SCAD. It features a beautiful domed ceiling with gold-painted details.

The theatre hosts “Wurlitzer Wednesdays” where guests can tour the theatre for free and enjoy a demonstration of the 1925 Wurlitzer organ.

Tours take place every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

The marquee sign for Lucas Theatre announcing SCAD Savannah Film Fest in red lettering. A purple and pink sunset illuminates the sky in the background
Hundreds of large pink azaleas in the foreground with a blurred marquee sign for the Lucas Theatre in Savannah in the background

Leopold’s Ice Cream

ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

Leopold’s might be one of the most popular stops along the trolley route–especially on a hot summer day! The ice cream shop has been serving tasty scoops since 1919.

You’ll have to wait in a long line if you want a taste, but that’s all part of the Savannah experience.

The Olde Pink House

ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Available

This is easily one of the most recognizable restaurants in Savannah!

If you’re interested in a drink, there’s a cozy pub located in the basement level. If you’re hoping for a meal, you’re probably out of luck unless you happened to make reservations a few months in advance.

An assortment of hot pink and light pink azaleas in the foreground and The Olde Pink House restaurant in the background

Related Reading: Which Famous Restaurants in Savannah are Worth the Hype?


Stop #12 & 13: E River Street

I definitely suggest hopping off the trolley to explore River Street, since it’s where you’ll find some of the most classic “Savannah” scenery along the trolley route.

I’ve written an in-depth post that lists some of the top landmarks and shops in the area, so I’ll direct you to that for a peek at the scenery: 11 Photos That Will Make You Fall in Love with River Street

NOTE: The most ADA-friendly section of River Street is the far west end in the Plant Riverside District. This middle section has lots of cobblestones, uneven walkways, and very steep steps.

Related Reading:
The Story Behind Savannah’s African American Monument


Stop #14: The Waving Girl Statue

The Waving Girl statue honors a lovesick girl named Florence Martus who fell madly in love with a sailor that ended up skipping town. Poor Florence!

She spent the next few decades of her life waving at every single passing ship in the hopes that he’d one day return to Savannah and spot her.

Although she never saw him again (to my knowledge, at least), her heartbreaking story is forever memorialized in a prime waterfront location!

The Waving Girl statue against a backdrop of greenery along River Street

Stop #15: Davenport House Museum

Entry Fee: $15
ADA Friendly: The ground level is
Restrooms: Available

The Davenport House is an 1820s-era home that offers daily tours of the interior as well as the garden. It’s one of the better home tours in Savannah!

Even if you don’t want to do the full tour, you might enjoy venturing inside to check out the gift shop on the ground floor. It includes a selection of locally authored books, art, and small home decor items.

Front view of the Davenport House as seen from Columbia Square. Faded hydrangea blooms are visible in the foreground
Detail shot of the intricate wrought-iron gate at the entrance to the garden at Davenport House Museum. The gate resembles a flower with beautiful curved filigrees

Related Reading:
Is the Davenport House Museum Worth Visiting?
A Local’s Guide to Columbia Square


Stop #16: Cathedral St. John the Baptist

Both the Cathedral and Colonial Park Cemetery are must-see spots in Savannah, so you should absolutely hop off to explore at this location!

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

Entry Fee: Suggested $3 donation
ADA Friendly: Yes
Restrooms: None available

As impressive as the Cathedral is from the exterior, it’s even more beautiful inside. Sometimes there are docents available to provide tours, but they aren’t always there.

NOTE: This is an active house of worship, so please be respectful towards anyone visiting for religious purposes. The restrooms are generally reserved for parishioners.

Wide-angle shot of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist with a bright blue sky in the background
Wide-angle shot of the interior of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist showing hundreds of pews and a cavernous ceiling

Colonial Park Cemetery

Since Colonial Park is no longer an active cemetery, it currently operates more like a public park. It’s pretty and peaceful, so you might enjoy taking a stroll through it to see the old headstones.

My personal favorite section is the middle portion of the east wall of the cemetery.

That’s where a number of “misplaced” headstones have been secured to a brick wall, and it’s interesting to look through them.

An old brick wall in Colonial Park Cemetery with old headstones affixed to it

Andrew Low House Museum

Entry Fee: $15
ADA Friendly: No
Restrooms: None available

This is the second of the three Girl Scout-related stops along the trolley route.

The Andrew Low House currently operates as a museum, but it was once home to Juliette Gordon Low’s in-laws, Andrew and Sarah Low.

You can also learn about Tom Milledge, an enslaved laborer who lived and worked in the home.

The famous poet, Ogden Nash, often rented the home, and writer William Makepeace Thackeray was also a guest.

First Girl Scouts USA Headquarters

Entry Fee: $4 – $7
ADA Friendly: Yes

This is the third and final of the three Girl Scout-related options along the trolley tour route.

As an adult, Juliette Gordon Low lived in the Andrew Low House, and she started her famous Girl Scouts organization in the carriage house out back.

If you were ever a Girl Scout, or if you simply want to learn more about Juliette Gordon Low’s ties to Savannah, then you’ll want to head inside for a tour.

Arched entryway with oxidized copper signage that reads "1860 | Juliette Low | 1927"

Nearby Squares

Both Lafayette Square and Troup Square are within easy walking distance from this stop, and both are worth checking out.

Troup Square is one of my favorites in the entire city!

It’s a quiet and residential square that features an armillary sphere in its center. The sphere is supported by bronze turtles, and locals often dress them up in cute outfits to celebrate each season.

Related reading:
These Three Cemeteries in Savannah are Worth a Visit
An Insider’s Guide to Lafayette Square in Savannah


I hope this post has been helpful. If you’re new to this site, thanks for stopping by! If you haven’t purchased your trolley tickets yet, you can purchase them on Viator.

My name is Erin, and I authored the Savannah First-Timer’s Guide. It combines my most helpful Savannah travel tips into one downloadable ebook.


Do you have any questions about this hop-on hop-off itinerary for Savannah? As always, let me know in the comments below!