Now Accepting
Historic Savannah Tour on the Blue Trolley
1-800-987-9852
Narrated Tour Takes Approximately 1.5 Hours, and Hopper Pass Lasts 1 Day
Board the Historic Savannah Trolley Tour, and travel through the charming southern city's historic district to showcase the changes that the city of Savannah has undergone over its winding history.
Historic Savannah Tour on the Blue Trolley is no longer open.
This activity is no longer available. Top related activities are listed below:
Savannah Narrated Trolley TourSavannah Riverboat Sightseeing, Lunch & Dinner Cruises
Ghost Trolley Tour with Pirates House Tour & Dinner
Historic Savannah Theatre Musical Productions
Hauntings Walking Tour
Description
Savannah visitors will have the opportunity to compare and contrast the city's current environment with its atmosphere at the turn of the century as they ride along in this distinctive blue trolley. With a state-of-the-art monitoring system, the trolley will take you all around this beautiful historic district, making twelve stops (aside from the tour starting points) throughout the area. You can enjoy the 1.5-hour narrated tour, or you can take advantage of the hop-on hop-off privileges for the entire day in order to explore the sights further.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
STOP 1
Drive By Wesley Monumental Methodist Church
STOP 2
Drive By International Seamen's House
STOP 3
Drive By Independent Presbyterian Church
STOP 4
Drive By Historic Savannah Theatre
The historic Savannah Theatre first opened it's doors in 1818 with a performance of "The Soldier's Daughter". The original building was designed by William Jay, who is also the designer for the Telfair Mansion and the Owens-Thomas House, both in Savannah. In 1898 a hurricane hit the original structure and tore sections of the roof off of the building and flooded the auditorium. Two fires in 1906 and 1948 led to several overhauls to the building, and after the 1948 fire, the style of the theatre was changed to Art Deco. Today, the Theatre is a popular venue for live performances and productions, and has served as both a live venue and movie theater.
STOP 5
Drive By Harper Fowlkes House
The Harper Fowlkes House is a stunning 19th century Greek Revival mansion in the historic district of Savannah. It was built in 1842 features many design and architectural wonders both inside and out, including an elliptical opening that can be viewed from the lower and upper levels of the entryway and stairwell. The interior of the historical home is filled with antiques and unique artworks, paintings and sculptures that boast the culture and design of the 19th century. The property is owned by the Society of the Cincinnati in Georgia, an organization made up of men who are descendants of George Washington's officers during the American Revolution.
STOP 6
Drive By Fragrant Garden
Originally started in 1959 by the Garden Club Council of Chatham City, the Garden of Fragrance in Forsyth Park was designed by Georges Bignault and is surrounded by three wells to assist in containing the fragrance of the scented plants. The fourth side is an ornamental iron fence, and the entrance is an iron gate erected in the memory of Frances Smith Littlefield by her friends and members of her garden club. In 2002, the garden underwent renovations, and new fragrant plants were added by the Park and Tree Department, Trustees Garden Club and Junior League.
STOP 7
Drive By Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home
Built in 1856, this historic home rests on Lafayette Square and was the birthplace and childhood home of Flannery O'Connor, an American writer and essayist that lived from 1925 to 1964. During her career, O'Connor wrote a total of two novels and thirty-two short stories, as well as reviews and commentaries. Flannery often wrote in a Southern Gothic style, with regional settings and grotesque characters, and her stories typically reflected her Roman-Catholic faith. Today, the house is staffed by volunteers and funded by donations, and is open for exploration to the public, including a parlor level decorated with twin fireplaces, chandeliers, lace curtains and heavy furniture reminiscent of the period in which O'Connor lived.
STOP 8
Drive By First Jewish Cemetery
The Old Jewish Burial Ground, or Jewish Cemetery Memorial, was established in 1773 by Mordecai Sheftall and founded by General James Oglethorpe. It was stated that the cemetery would only be used as a Place of Burial for those professing the Jewish religion. It was used as a place of rallying in 1779 during an attempt to recapture Savannah from the British by French and American forces. The cemetery settled in the central point of the Georgia colony from it's beginnings, serving as a refuge for those fleeing religious persecutions. On the back of a monument to the cemetery, some names of those buried at the cemetery are carved into the stone.
STOP 9
Drive By First Baptist Church of Savannah
STOP 10
Drive By Factors Walk
This historic iron and concrete walkway is lined with aged red brick buildings that house a diverse array of pubs, restaurants, specialty shops and old-fashioned inns. The walkway connects the buildings to the bluff just above the River Walk. In the past, this area of Savannah was originally the Cotton Exchange where cotton factors or brokers worked.
STOP 11
Drive By Emmet Park
Named for Irish orator Robert Emmet, the park features the Old City Exchange Bell and numerous memorials and monuments, including the Irish Monument, Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, and Hussars' Memorial. Emmet Park remains a prominent center for ceremonial congregations for Savannah residents of Irish descent.
STOP 12
Drive By Cotton Exchange Tavern & Restaurant
The Cotton Exchange Tavern is housed in an 18th century cotton warehouse that brags worn stone and brick walls. It's located on the bayfront River Street, the oldest section of Savannah. Today, the popular restaurant serves up mouthwatering seafood, steak and other southern favorites but it is also rumored to be a highly active paranormal site. A majestic stone lion statue stands directly across from the front of the restaurant on East River Street and compliments the age-old, weathered brick walls.
STOP 13
Drive By Confederate War Memorial Monument
Completed in 1879, the Confederate Monument stands in the center of Forsyth Park and is a large column with a bronze soldier adorning the top. The monument is dedicated to those who fought for the Confederacy, and stands in the same park space where the Confederate men were drilled before being sent off to join the fight.
STOP 14
Drive By City Hall
Savannah's majestic City Hall was constructed in 1906 on the site of the Old City Exchange and was the first structure built entirely for the use the municipal government. The historic building's dome boasts a large tower clock and bells and paper-thin 23-karat gold leaf that shines and sparkles in the sun. Inside, stunning mosaic tiles, mahogany and oak banisters and an elegant statue.
STOP 15
Drive By King-Tisdell Cottage
STOP 16
Drive By Leopold's Ice Cream Parlor
Founded in 1919, Leopold's Ice Cream Parlor is world famous for its delicious ice cream. Three immigrant brothers from Greece opened the original location on the corner of Gwinnett and Habersham streets in Savannah where many streetcar riders would be enticed to enjoy a delicious, cool treat before hopping back on the streetcar. Although the original location closed in 1969, the son of one of the Leopold brothers reopened the business in 2004 and still uses some of the original fixtures from the old parlor including a black marble soda fountain and wooden interior phone booth.
STOP 17
Drive By Lucas Theatre For the Arts
This restored 1920s theatre is a gorgeous historic landmark that houses a variety of performers and entertainment such as opera, orchestras, traveling repertory companies, country stars and film series. After the decline of the theatre era, the Lucas Theatre for the Arts closed in 1976 and was on track to be demolished and turned into a parking garage. A group of Savannah citizens banned together to save the theatre and the whole restoration process took almost 14 years and $14 million. For the most part, the historic detail and design of the theatre remains intact to this day.
STOP 18
Drive By United States Customs House
The United States Customs House was built to house the offices of the United States Customs Service in 1848. The building was constructed to be fireproof and features primarily gray granite. Located at the corner of Bull and Easy Bay streets, this historic building is supported by six columns that weigh an estimated 15 to 20 tons each.
STOP 19
Drive By Trinity United Methodist Church
One of the oldest churches in Savannah, Trinity United Methodist Church is one of the city's many beautiful, historic landmarks. The cornerstone of the church was laid in 1848 and was purchased for $8,500 which was a large sum of money in those days. The sanctuary and educational building were designed by John B. Hogg, a famous architect and construction was finished by 1850. The church walls are made of "Savannah Gray Brick" that are finished with dense stucco and two large, stately pillars support the front of the building. The oldest Methodist church in Savannah, Trinity United Methodist Church won a preservation award from the Historic Savannah Foundation in 2005.
STOP 20
Drive By Tomochichi Monument
STOP 21
Drive By The Waving Girl Statue
The Waving Girl statue depicts real life Savannahian, Florence Martus, who was born in the late 1860s. The story behind the statue? Florence and her loyal collie began a tradition of welcoming sailors into the harbor by waving to them from the shore of the Savannah River. She continued welcoming sailors like that for 44 years. Although no one knows the reason behind her waving tradition, it is estimated that she welcomed more than 50,000 ships into the harbor. The Waving Girl Statue is located at the eastern end of River Street on a bluff that surveys the river.
STOP 22
Drive By Temple Mickve Israel
STOP 23
Drive By Telfair Museums Jepson Center
Telfair Museums is the oldest public art museum in the southeast. It opened in the 1800s and now houses about 4,000 American and European artworks from the 18th-21st centuries. The museum is located in the historic district of Savannah and is made up of the Telfair Academy, Owens-Thomas House and the Jepson Center, a modern museum that houses an interactive gallery geared toward children and other paintings and photos.
STOP 24
Drive By Site of Fort Wayne
STOP 25
Drive By Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
This museum houses 18th and 19th century vessels in a home that is almost 200 years old. The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum features nine galleries of ship models, artifacts and maritime paintings. The museum space is filled with models of steamers, navy ships, colonial vessels and more and each one brags realistic, meticulous detail. The museum is located in historic downtown Savannah.
STOP 26
Drive By SCAD Museum of Art
This museum was founded in 2002 and showcases artists' work from all over the world. The SCAD Museum of Art has hosted the work of Jane Alexander, Uta Barth, Alfredo Jaar, Fred Wilson and Liza Lou. The building itself is actually a National Historic Landmark. Constructed in 1853, it was transformed into a modern museum 158 years later. The museum is also an outlet for SCAD students who attend workshops, lecture series, film screenings, academic classes and more at the SCAD Museum of Art.
STOP 27
Drive By Saint John's Episcopal Church
STOP 28
Drive By Olympic Cauldron
The Olympic Cauldron is a historic monument that towers high above the ground in Morrell Park. It was erected in 1996 and proudly displays five columns that are meant to represent the five Olympic rings. The sails surrounding the cauldron's flames depict the 1996 Olympic yachting events that were held in Savannah.
STOP 29
Drive By Old Harbor Light & Oglethorpe Bench
The Old Harbor Light & Oglethorpe Bench is located on Bay Street, along the shoreline of the Savannah River. The cast iron fountain was erected by the United States Lighthouse Board in 1858 and stands 25 feet high. It was originally used for navigation in Emmet Park on East Bay Street. The historic beacon marks the sight of General Oglethorpe's 1733 landing and founding of the colony that would later become the state of Georgia.
STOP 30
Drive By Lutheran Church of the Ascension
STOP 31
Drive By Christ Church Episcopal
The Christ Church Epsicopal was established in 1733 and is often referred to as "The Mother Church of Georgia." America's first Sunday School was started at this church and the church's minister, Rev. John Wesley published the first English Hymnal in America. One of the three founding parishes of the Diocese of Georgia, Christ Church Episcopal was the first church in historic Savannah.
STOP 32
Drive By Chatham Artillery's Washington Guns
These two bronze cannons were a gift from President Washington to the Chatham Artillery in 1791. Te British Gun has an inscription that reads "surrendered by the capitulation of New York Town Oct. 19, 1781." The French gun was made in 1756 and has a Latin inscription on it that means "Last Argument of Kings. Many people have come to see Washington Guns including James K. Polk, James Monroe, William H. Taft and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
STOP 33
Drive By Ellis Square
STOP 34
Drive By Mercer House
STOP 35
Drive By Davenport House
STOP 36
Drive By Forsyth Park
STOP 37
Drive By Washington Square
STOP 38
Drive By Franklin Square
STOP 39
Drive By Telfair Academy
The Telfair Academy is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and a designated U.S. National Historic Landmark. The academy features a collection of decorative arts displayed within furnished period rooms throughout the buildling. Telfair Academy, also known as Telfair Mansion, was originally a family townhouse and became a free art museum in 1886.
STOP 40
Drive By Roundhouse Railroad Museum
STOP 41
Drive By Massie Heritage Museum
STOP 42
Drive By Andrew Low House
STOP 43
Drive By Columbia Square
STOP 44
Drive By Charles H. Morris Center Trustees Garden
Between 1733 and 1748, the Trustees' Garden was used to grow essentials to silk culture, including peaches, rice, flax, hemp, indigo, and mulberry trees. One of the gowns for Britain's Queen Caroline was made from Savannah silk. The Garden has seen numerous changes, from residential lots, a seamen's tavern, the Kehoe Iron Works, and more. Today, the Trustees' Garden serves as a popular venue for events such as business functions, weddings and receptions, and several musical festivals and performers.
STOP 45
Drive By Armstrong House
Built between 1916-1919 for George Ferguson Armstrong and his family, the Armstrong House has gone through a series of interesting transformations, housing numerous causes such as a college, senior college, antiquity shop, and law firm. To this day, it houses a powerful law firm but has kept it's original Italian Renaissance style, and combines the beaux art style with elaborate, worldly, and classical elements.
STOP 46
Drive By Wright Square
STOP 47
Drive By Thomas Square Historic District
STOP 48
Drive By Monterey Square
STOP 49
Drive By Johnson Square
STOP 50
Drive By Green-Meldrim House
STOP 51
Drive By First African Baptist Church
STOP 52
Drive By Owens-Thomas House
STOP 53
Tour Stop at Mansion of Forsyth Park
Built in 1888, the two-story Victorian Romanesque Mansion was the original structure of what is now Mansion of Forsyth Park. This area has been completely restored, and a new four-story building was added and designed in the same architectural style as the original mansion home. Featuring the Grand Bohemian Art Gallery, the Mansion is one of historic Savannah's lavish hotels.
STOP 54
Drive By Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
This Roman Catholic cathedral is the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Although the colonial charter initially prohibited Roman Catholics from settling in Savannah, today the Savannah Roman Catholic Diocese includes 90 counties in middle and southern Georgia. The church itself has fabulous architecture and artwork for visitors to view during your tour.
STOP 55
Tour Stop at Colonial Park Cemetery
As the main cemetery in Savannah from the mid-1700s to mid-1800s, the Colonial Park Cemetery has over 600 headstones still intact. You can visit the graves of royal governors, members of the First Continental Congress, Georgia's first newspaper publisher, and Button Gwinnet, one of the three Georgian signers of the Declaration of Independence.
STOP 56
Tour Stop at Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
At this historic house own by the Girl Scouts, you can discover the fascinating story of how Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in 1912 and became one of the most significant American women of her time. This location was Savannah's first National Historic Landmark and is the setting for a remarkable family story woven through the history of the city, state, and nation.
STOP 57
Tour Stop at The Pirates' House
Initially built for seafarers around 1750, the Pirates' House quickly became a rendezvous point for pirates and sailors. Now, this location is a most intriguing restaurant, offering delicious foods that have been acclaimed for over three decades. This is a perfect place for a quick bite to eat during your tour.
STOP 58
Tour Stop at Reynolds Square
Originally laid out in 1734 as Lower New Square, the square was later renamed for Captain John Reynolds, governor of Georgia in the mid-1750s. The square contains a bronze statue honoring founder of Methodism John Wesley, which was installed in 1969. It is also the site of the Filature, which housed silkworms in an attempt to establish a silk industry in the Georgia colony.
STOP 59
Tour Stop at Old City Exchange Bell
The oldest bell in Georgia, the Old City Exchange Bell was constructed in 1802 and hung in the bell tower of the City Exchange Building. Now, it is located in a replica of the tower in a park just east of City Hall.
STOP 60
Tour Stop at Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront
The Bohemian Hotel sits like a jewel above the historic 18th century cobblestone street along the Savannah River. This Savannah hotel's design is contemporary in style with a vintage allure, reminiscent of the era when British maritime settlers first landed on the Savannah River in 1733.
STOP 61
Tour Stop at Dockside Seafood
Located in Savannah's Historic District, Dockside Seafood Restaurant and Steakhouse offers guests an extensive seafood menu with a spectacular view of the Savannah River. Inside the restaurant, you can admire the exposed wood beam construction, tables supported from the ceiling, and views of the beautiful river.
STOP 62
Tour Stop at City Market
First started in 1755, the City Market quickly became the place for fishermen and farmers to bring the wares for the public to purchase, and although the original City Market was destroyed, it has since been rebuilt and is still thriving today. Here, you can explore and discover anything from dining, entertainment, shopping, to art and culture.
STOP 63
Tour Stop at Savannah Visitors Center
The Savannah Visitors Center is the perfect place to end your tour of the downtown area. Housed inside an historic Central of Georgia Railway Passenger Station, this visitors center gives you all the information, brochures, and refreshments you could desire from the eager staff.
Stops may change due to traffic, weather, maintenance, etc.
The blue trolleys stop at each of the tour sites approximately every 20 minutes, and trolleys set out from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day, allowing you to hop off and back on at any of the sites for a convenient way to explore the city in-depth. This trolley tour is the perfect way to explore the culture of Savannah!
Reviews
Guides were very knowledgeable interesting and funny.
-- Jeri Payne - Cutler Bay, FL
We never used the drop-on and off b/c we found that we had preferred walking. This of course is a personal decision. We did however, appreciate the history!
-- Arthur Herman - Amelia Island, FL
Very knowledgeable learned a lot..Great time
-- Sandra Garcia - Milton, NH
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