Do not collect all 22 squares. Follow one line through the ward plan, add one interior, and treat River Street as a separate lower-level loop.
Written by Alex H., Travel editor and researcherUpdated September 2026
The National Register district runs from the Savannah River south to Gwinnett Street, and from East Broad Street west to the former West Broad Street, now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The city's local preservation district uses its own mapped boundary, so a hotel or listing that says “Historic District” may be using the term more loosely. Check the address against the Metropolitan Planning Commission map when the distinction affects a booking.
The ward plan is the key to exploring it. Small squares interrupt the street grid at regular intervals, so the route moves through public space instead of staying on one commercial corridor. Savannah historically had 24 squares; 22 remain.
| Area | Good fit for | Plan around |
|---|---|---|
| River and north edge | River Street, Factors Walk, City Hall, ferries and riverboats | A steep change between Bay and River streets; use public elevators if steps or ramps are a problem |
| North and central squares | Johnson, Wright, Chippewa and Columbia squares; house museums; a first walk | Timed museum entry can control the route |
| South of Liberty Street | Calmer residential blocks, Monterey Square and a route toward Forsyth Park | Forsyth lies beyond the National Register district's Gwinnett Street boundary |
| West edge | City Market, Ellis and Franklin squares, MLK corridor museums | Weekend activity and event closures can slow vehicles |
Start near Johnson Square, move south through Wright and Chippewa squares, then continue to Monterey Square. That route explains the grid while leaving room for one house museum or a meal. Continue to Forsyth Park only if the group is comfortable adding more distance. River Street is better treated as a separate loop because getting down to the waterfront and back up changes the effort.
Allow extra time for brick walks, uneven paving, crossings and stops. A route that looks short on a map can take much longer once it includes a museum tour or several squares. On hot or wet days, pair a shorter outdoor section with Telfair Academy, the Jepson Center or another indoor attraction whose current hours you have checked.
A guided walk trades geographic coverage for a specific subject. A commercial hop-on trolley is a narrated tour with reboarding privileges. CAT's Downtown Transportation system is public transit and currently includes the free DOT shuttle and Savannah Belles Ferry. It does not include a guided tour. Verify the day's service window on the CAT schedule page, especially around events.
Driving from square to square usually creates more work than it saves. Choose a city garage based on the first and last stop, and check that garage's rate page for special-event pricing. River Street is below Bay Street. Public elevators at Bull Street/Bay Street and at the Plant Riverside District's Alida Hotel provide alternatives to the historic steps, but they do not make every stretch of old paving level.
Start near Johnson Square, continue through Wright and Chippewa, and finish at Monterey Square. Add one house museum on the way. Extend to Forsyth only if the distance still suits the group.
Relevant bookable experiences
Walk for a tighter route, use the hop-on trolley for narration plus reboarding, or choose the Segway tour when covering more ground is part of the appeal.
Operator: Immerse yourself in the beauty, heritage, and vibrancy of Savannah's historic district. Discover the hidden gems and must-see favorites on a guided walking tour with a Savannah local.
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Checked September 1, 2026. Schedules, fees and policies can change, so recheck a linked source when the detail will affect your visit.