Savannah's Slavery, Cotton & Freedom Walking Tour
$9.99
Savannah's Slavery, Cotton & Freedom Walking Tour
Discover Savannah's hidden past on this self guided walking tour of Savannah, one of the only tours in the city that walks you through both its cotton wealth and the enslaved hands that built it.
Over seventeen stops, you'll trace a path from the working riverfront to Savannah's shaded historic squares, hearing stories most visitors never get: a monument to hundreds of Haitian soldiers, a church built by hands that weren't free, and a slave quarters ceiling still painted haint blue after two hundred years.
Along the way you'll discover:
- Florence Martus, the Waving Girl of Savannah
- The River Street Market Place and its cotton-warehouse past
- The Savannah Cotton Exchange, once called King Cotton's Palace
- The African-American Monument on River Street
- The mysterious Cluskey Vaults
- Johnson Square and the legend of Johnny Mercer
- The Haitian Monument and First African Baptist Church
- Wright Square and the Tomochichi Memorial Stone
- The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum
- The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
$9.99
What will you see? Here are the tour highlights
- Florence Martus, the Waving Girl
For forty-four years, one woman waved at every ship that passed her lonely island home. Her statue marks the start of your walk today.
- The River Street Market Place
Modern shops and food stalls sit on the exact ground once lined with cotton warehouses.
- The African-American Monument
An eleven-foot bronze monument marking the very spot where enslaved people once stepped off ships onto Savannah soil.
- The Cluskey Vaults
Mysterious brick archways built into the bluff, still debated today for what, or who, they once held.
- The Savannah Cotton Exchange
Once called King Cotton's Palace, this grand building set world cotton prices until an insect brought it all down.
- The Haitian Monument & First African Baptist Church
A monument to hundreds of Haitian soldiers who fought for American freedom, right across from a church built by enslaved and free hands together.
- Wright Square & the Tomochichi Memorial Stone
The story of a Yamacraw chief, a broken promise, and the women who fought to set the record straight.
- The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
One of the best-preserved urban slave quarters in the South, with a ceiling painted haint blue still visible today.
FAQ's
- How long does this tour take?
Most guests finish in sixty to ninety minutes, depending on your pace.
- How long is the walking route?
The tour covers just over a mile and a half through downtown Savannah.
- Do I need an internet connection?
No. Once you download the tour, it works offline, so you don't have to worry about spotty service.
- Are there any admission fees along the way?
The tour itself doesn't require any entry fees, though a few optional sites along the route, like First African Baptist Church, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, and Owens-Thomas House, charge their own separate admission if you choose to go inside.
- Is this tour appropriate for kids?
Yes, though some of the history covered, including slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, is heavy. We recommend it for families with older children ready for an honest conversation about the past.
- Can I pause the tour along the way?
Absolutely. Pause anytime to browse a shop, grab a bite, or step inside a museum, then press play to pick up right where you left off.
- What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable walking shoes are a must, since the route includes cobblestones. Bring water and sun protection, especially in warmer months.
- Does this tour focus only on slavery and cotton?
The tour's main thread follows Savannah's cotton wealth and the enslaved people who built it, but you'll also hear about founders, generals, songwriters, and the women who shaped how the city remembers its own history.
- Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at Morrell Park on the Riverwalk and ends at Oglethorpe Square, right by the Owens-Thomas House.
- Can I do this tour at night?
The tour is designed for daytime walking, since several stops rely on details best seen in daylight. Evening hours may also affect visibility along parts of the route.
Coming Soon
