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Offered languages
- English
Explore Savannah's rich and complex history with the Savannah Slavery, Cotton & Freedom Walking Tour. This self-guided experience takes you through key sites such as the African-American Monument, the Savannah Cotton Exchange, and the Owens-Thomas House. Learn about the stories of the enslaved people who built this city, their struggles, and the cultural legacy they left behind. Perfect for history enthusiasts and families ready for an honest conversation about the past, this tour allows you to move at your own pace while enjoying professional narration through the app.
- Self-guided tour covering 1.5 miles in downtown Savannah
- Start at Morrell Park and end at Oglethorpe Square
- Pause anytime to explore shops or museums along the way
- Ideal for families with older children and history lovers
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Begin beside the Savannah River with one of the city's most beloved—and mysterious—local legends. Meet the woman who greeted passing ships for decades and discover why sailors around the world came to know Savannah's famous "Waving Girl."
Finish at one of Savannah's most important historic homes, where the lives of a wealthy family and the people they enslaved existed under the same roof.
Itinerary
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1Haitian Monument
Discover one of the tour's most surprising stories at a monument honoring hundreds of soldiers of African descent who fought in Savannah during the American Revolution. Among them was a young drummer boy whose life would take an extraordinary turn.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2The Waving Girl Statue
Begin beside the Savannah River with one of the city's most beloved—and mysterious—local legends. Meet the woman who greeted passing ships for decades and discover why sailors around the world came to know Savannah's famous "Waving Girl."
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3River Street Market Place
Walk along the waterfront where Savannah's modern shops and restaurants stand on ground once dominated by warehouses, ships, and cotton. Explore the marketplace and discover a much deeper—and darker—history hiding beneath today's River Street.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Rousakis Plaza Echo Square
Pause in the heart of Savannah's revitalized riverfront and discover the man responsible for helping transform this once-neglected industrial area. There's also a fun little surprise waiting in Echo Square.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
This historic riverfront building has witnessed Savannah's cotton boom, the Civil War, and generations of sailors and merchants. Today it's a restaurant—but its past holds stories that go far beyond what's on the menu.
Admission ticket free -
5African-American Monument
Stand on one of the most meaningful spots along Savannah's waterfront, where a striking monument tells a story the city waited more than a century to publicly recognize. Look closely at the figures, the broken chains, and the river behind them—the details matter.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Explore mysterious brick vaults built directly into the bluff beneath Savannah. Historians know why they were constructed, but questions remain about what—or who—may once have been held inside.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Johnson Square
Enter Savannah's oldest square and discover Revolutionary War heroes, one of the city's most famous songwriters, and the origins of Savannah's remarkable network of public squares. This is where the tour begins moving from the cotton waterfront into the heart of historic Savannah.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Johnny Mercer Statue
Meet one of Savannah's most famous native sons before discovering another side of the city's reputation. Just steps away is a museum dedicated to an era when Americans were told they couldn't drink—and Savannah wasn't particularly interested in following the rules.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9Oglethorpe Square
Enter the final square of the tour, named for Savannah's founder, James Oglethorpe. It's a fitting setting for the final chapter of the journey, where Savannah's extraordinary beauty and complicated history come together.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Owens-thomas House & Slave Quarters (Pass by)
Finish at one of Savannah's most important historic homes, where the lives of a wealthy family and the people they enslaved existed under the same roof. Its remarkably preserved slave quarters reveal details of everyday life that have disappeared from many other historic homes—and provide a powerful conclusion to the tour.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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