food tours in savannah georgia

This site uses cookies. Opt out at any time. More details

Home › Things To Do › Tours › Food & Drink Tours

Savannah Food & Drink Tours

One of the best ways to get to know a place is through its food. Though not yet so well known a culinary destination as other southern cities such as Charleston, Savannah still has a lot to offer, from classic southern-style cooking to its own local specialties and traditional institutions.

A few, mostly walking, tours offer an introduction to Savannah’s cuisine and food culture, with some history and usually samples from several local establishments.

Other tours explore the city’s drink and bar culture, again generally including some local history and drinks. Tours focused on regional craft beers are also available.

Most of Savannah’s guided crawls are given under the guise of ghost tours, visiting the city’s drinking venues that are reputed to be haunted. The few that are intended to be more general are listed below. Please note that drinks are not usually included in the tour price in the case of pub and bar crawls.

Pets Dogs are not usually allowed on food or drink tours; any exceptions are noted.

Age and ID restrictions on alcohol You must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol in the United States. On Savannah’s drinking tours, ID is always required.

See also: – Savannah’s must-see sights – African-American history tours – Walking tours – More of Savannah’s attractions and sights – Savannah’s events by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

! Please check all details directly with the tour company or guide before planning your trip. Availability may vary by season, and tours may be changed or withdrawn without notice.

Bonnie Blue Tours

$95 per person Smaller-group walking tour exploring Savannah's history while also sampling a selection of drinks and light snacks, which are included in the tour price.

Ghost City Tours

COMPANYDESCRIPTION

Adults $29.99 Pub crawl focused on Savannah's true crime stories (no ghosts) while visiting several drinking establishments. Pets are not allowed on this tour. Ages 21+ only.

Nightly Spirits

From $65 per person Walking tour featuring Savannah ghost stories and food tastings at several establishments. Drinks can be included for an additional fee. Most dietary requirements cannot be accommodated.

$39.95 Pub tour on a multi-person bike.

From $449.95 Private pub tour on a multi-person bike.

COST Custom pub tour on a multi-person bike.

Savannah Slow Ride

$35 per person Pub tour on a multi-person bike.

Savannah Taste Experience

$62.95 per person Smaller-group walking tour exploring Savannah's food culture and history, with food samples at several establishments. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

$56.95 per person Smaller-group walking food tour focusing on the southern specialties of Savannah's East Side, with samples at several establishments. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

$46.95 Smaller group walking tour focused on Savannah's history and soul food, with samples at several establishments. Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.

$79.95 per person Adults-only, smaller-group walking food and drink tour with food samples and cocktails (or alcohol-free alternative) from several establishments. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

COST Private option available for most of the above tours.

Southern Flavors Savannah

$55 per person Smaller-group walking tour of Savannah's history and food culture with food samples at several establishments and the opportunity to purchase alcoholic drinks. Some dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

$45 per person Walking food tour of Savannah focused on the city's sweet foods.

Underground Tours of Savannah

$75 per person Single-location food experience featuring Gullah-Geechee cuisine and storytelling at a gospel brunch or lunch buffet.

Food Tours In Savannah

– First Squares Food Tour, with Savannah Taste Experience 3hrs. 8-10 people max. Available daily. $56.95 per person. Walking tour of several Savannah food establishments, with samples. Dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with advance notice. Reservations required, book online or call 912-221-4439. More details

– Famous & Secret East Side Food Tour, with Savannah Taste Experience 3hrs. 8-10 people max. Wednesday-Saturday. $56.95 per person. Walking food tour of Savannah’s East Side, with samples (parts of tour may be unsuitable for under-13s). Dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with advance notice. Reservations required, book online or call 912-221-4439. More details

– Southern Fried Expectations Food Tour, with Savannah Taste Experience 2hrs. 10 people max. Sunday-Thursday. $46.95 per person. Walking food tour focused on the food culture of the South, with samples of southern food at several downtown establishments. Dietary requirements cannot be accommodated for this tour. Reservations required, book online or call 912-221-4439. More details

– Taste Tour & Pub Crawl, with Southern Flavors Savannah 3hrs. 14 people max. Daily, 12pm. $49 per person. Historical tours of downtown Savannah, stopping at several pubs and taverns for food samples. Drinks can be purchased at additional cost. Dietary requirements can sometimes be accommodated with advance notice. Book online or call 912-999-7880. More details

– Dessert Tour, with Southern Flavors Savannah 3hrs. 14 people max. Evenings daily. $40 per person. Sample Savannah’s desserts and other sweet foods while hearing about the city’s history. Dietary requirements can sometimes be accommodated with advance notice. Book online or call 912-999-7880. More details

Savannah Drink Tours

– Walktails & Bar Bites Happy Hour Tour, with Savannah Taste Experience 2hrs30. 10 people max. Thursday-Saturday. $79.95 per person. Ages 21+ only. Happy hour tour of four Savannah bars, with food tastings and a specialty cocktail (alcohol-free option also available) at each stop. Dietary requirements can sometimes be accommodated with advance notice. Reservations required, book online or call 912-221-4439. More details

– Lightly Sauced, with Bonnie Rae Terrell, Bonnie Blue Tours 3hrs. 10 people max. 21+ only. Thursday-Sunday, 4:30pm (Sunday 3:30pm). $90 per person. Walking history and bar tour, food and drinks included. Call 912-398-2640 for reservations or book online. More details

Brewery & Distillery Tours

– Distillery Tour at Ghost Coast Distillery 40 mins. Tours begin on the hour, Tuesday-Saturday, 12pm-6pm and Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Free admission. 21+ only, unless accompanied by parent or guardian. Tour explaining the production process at the distillery, and the history of drink in Savannah. Reservations are not required. Cocktails and locally-made spirits can be purchased on site. The distillery is at 641 Indian Street, just west of the River Street area. More details

Pub & Bar Crawls

– Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl, 2hrs . With Ghostown Tours. Lively pub crawl in the company of a drag queen. Wednesday-Saturday evenings. Ages 21+ only, $36 per person. Call 833-664-8687 for reservations or book online. More details

– Savannah Pub Crawl, with Pedal Pub Savannah 2hrs. 14 people max. 21+ only. Multiple tours daily, times vary. $34.95 per person. Tour of several Savannah pubs on a multi-person human-powered vehicle. Reservations required, book online or call 912-508-5080. More details

– Slow Ride Pub Crawl, with Savannah Slow Ride 2hrs. 15 people max. 21+ only. Multiple departures daily. $35 per person. Pub crawl, on a multi-person human-powered vehicle. Reservations required, book online or call 912-414-5634. More details

More Savannah Tours

– Architecture tours – Black history tours – Boat tours – Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil tours – Carriage tours – Civil War tours – Ghost tours – Bonaventure Cemetery tours – Haunted pub crawls – Helicopter tours – Trolley, bike and Segway tours – Walking tours

See also: – Savannah museums – Historic house museums – State parks and wildlife refuges near Savannah – Kayak tours near Savannah – Savannah events

© Melanie K Jones 2024

• Likely to Sell Out!

Port City Food Tour

A culinary journey exploring Savannah's unique coastal heritage and diverse international flavors! Don't miss this curated selection of Savannah's finest favorites.

Quick Details

WHEN: 7 days a week.

TIME: The first tour begins at 11:00 a.m.

COST: from $76.95 per person (young children not recommended). Price varies based on seasonality.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancel up to 24 hours before your tour.

WHAT’S INCLUDED: All tastings. Enough for lunch.

WHO: All fitness levels. Given some mild adult content, we recommend not bringing children under the age of 13 on this tour. (Consider our First Squares Food Tour if you have younger children – See also our FAQs .)

CAPACITY: We limit our tours to a fun group of 14 people.

WEAR: Comfortable shoes. Comfortable clothes.

WEATHER: Rain or shine we dine!

WHERE: We meet at Zunzi’s (see map below)

Eat Your Way Through One of the South’s Most Beautiful Cities

(known on Tripadvisor as Savannah Culinary and Cultural Walking Tour)

Savannah, Georgia is a friendly city loaded with history, beautiful architecture, and above all, amazing food. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for a little adventure, our food tours are made just for you to enjoy. It doesn’t matter if you are just here for the day, or you’re a native to Savannah — you’re sure to learn something new and savor the experience.

Savannah has a long, fascinating and sometimes ghostly history that our engaging tour guides will share with you. Our friendly tour guides will take you on a journey to places that you didn’t know existed and unravel some of Savannah’s secret stories and haunted spots. Not only that, but you’ll be introduced into some of the hottest eateries in town with no reservations and no waiting in line. We will entice your taste buds as we walk through historic Savannah and enjoy the sights.

The south is known for its hospitality and its great cuisine, and we want to let you experience those things first hand. We make it possible for you to taste a variety of ethnic, gourmet, fusion and local treats throughout the tour. Our guides will introduce you to authentic southern food, made by some of Savannah’s most talented chefs. Experience the sights and sounds of what makes good food great.

Come with friends or meet new ones on this enchanting and delightful food tour. Whatever the weather, we always have a great time as we journey from one delicious destination to the next. Our tours are designed for adults and teens of all abilities to enjoy. All you need is your comfiest walking shoes and your biggest appetite for fresh, gourmet food. The tour will inspire you to delve into the culinary world and keep you coming back for more.

What Makes the Port City Food Tour Special?

All of the fun and all of the deliciousness of our flagship First Squares food tour, but with added exclusivity and uniqueness that raises the bar even higher! The highly-rated Port City food tour of Savannah, Georgia, is the more off-the-beaten-path tasting tour.

On our exclusive Port City food tour experience the same first-class service with a dash of something more. Gain exclusive entrance into a restaurants before they open to the public. Chow down on award-winning food without having to wait in line like the rest of Savannah. You’ll take a stroll through the more residential area of Savannah’s Historic District learning the hidden spots, famous haunts, and the secret tastes that would even surprise some locals. This is not the tour for the light snacker, so come hungry and leave amazed!

Ready for a Great Afternoon in a Great City?

Great! Check availability & buy tickets online for a Savannah Food Tour. We can’t wait to share some of these decadent lowcountry dishes and unique eats with you as we drift through the famed, live-oak-lined squares of Savannah together!

• Chevron down Tasting Locations

Zunzi’s TakeOut South African inspired cuisine & award-winning sandwiches

Savannah Theatre Historic Savannah Theatre

Spread Montreal style wood-fired bagels

22 Square Locally driven modern Southern cuisine

St.Neo’s brasserie Lowcountry southern cuisine and raw bar

Leopold’s Ice Cream A sweet Savannah tradition since 1919

Starting Location

Related food tours.

• Users Flagship tour
• Calendar Daily
• Hour Glass 3 Hours

First Squares Food Tour

Savor some of these decadent lowcountry dishes and unique eats as we drift through the famed, live-oak-lined squares of Savannah!

*Cancel/reschedule up to 24 hours before tour.*

• Users Cocktail forward
• Calendar Thurs-Sat
• Hour Glass 2.5 Hours

Walktails & Bar Bites Happy Hour Tour

This fun and yummy walking happy hour tour brings together some Savannah’s most endearing traits: to-go cocktails, delicious bites, and fun, engaging hosts!

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour™

True south lunch tour™.

• Private Tours
• Compare Tours

Our Food Tours

Off the beaten path food & culture experiences

Enjoy the transition of day to evening as you saunter through Savannah’s most historic areas, exploring bite by bite and sip by sip! We visit a handful of restaurants for quality tastings that will fill you up, but never let you down. We’ll be the butter to your biscuit and the shrimp to your grits during your time in Savannah. 

• Duration 3 1/2 hours
• Tour type Walking
• Distance 3 easy miles
• Start Chippewa Square
• End City Market
• Start Rousakis Riverfront Plaza

Have a special occasion you’d like to celebrate or simply want a little privacy? Our tours can be private and customized with your unique needs, budget and desires taken into account. We’re a great option for wedding parties, bachelorette and bachelor parties, birthdays, anniversaries, group trips, honeymoons and more – we’d love to pamper you!

• Duration Customizable
• Distance Customizable
• Start Varies

Customer Reviews

Flavors of Savannah: Embark on a culinary journey through the Hostess City of the South, where you’ll savor the best of Southern cuisine and discover the rich history and culture behind each dish.

Quick Links

• Southern Traditions Dinner Tour
• True South Lunch Tour

FLAVORS FOOD TOURS ATTN: Leslie Padro Wiggins P.O. Box 9564 San Juan PR 00908

© 2024 Flavors Food Tours. All Rights Reserved.

•  Waiver Notice
• Privacy Rights
• Terms and Conditions

(787) 964-2447

Southern Flavors Savannah

Food, drink & dessert tours of historic savannah, georgia, find your flavor.

• Most Popular
• Users 12 People
• Clock 3 Hours

Taste Tour & Pub Crawl

Treat your taste buds to a cultural feast in downtown Savannah. Eating your way through the city gives you a unique way to become acquainted with the city layout and history.

• Users 20 People
• Clock 2 Hours

Haunted Pub Crawl

Every bar has ghosts. Drink up and discover the city’s haunted history at these historic pubs and bars. Beware of ghosts and ghouls, like the mother and daughter that haunt an Irish pub, and more.

• Users 15 People

Dessert Tour

Discover our local sweet spot! Every tour goes down better with a spoonful of sugar.

Beat The Heat Morning History Tour

The perfect way to start your day in the hostess city.

• Clock 1 hour

Fun Facts & Snack

This waking history tour is for all ages, but we did have the little visitors in mind!

Witches & Brews Before The I’do’s!!

Become enchanted with the ladies that made the South!

Join us for fun and delicious food and history walking tours of Historic downtown Savannah. Visit restaurants and eateries while learning the history of the city. Food tastings and a drink (sweet tea, soda, water) are included in the ticket price.

Southern Flavors Savannah taste tours are three-hour tasting and walking tours that take guests on an exciting food tasting experience while showcasing the city squares and Historic District of the Hostess City. Tours are suitable for all ages.

Food tours are conducted at a leisurely pace but please consider bringing a bottle of water, checking the forecast to see if an umbrella or sunscreen is needed, and of course, walking shoes. Conclude your tour very close to where you started at noon – with a full belly! Savannah Tour Food Tour History Pub Crawl

We're the #1 Rated Food Tour Company in Savannah, GA

So glad we did this! Nick was a wealth of information, the food spots are owner owned and local flare DELICIOUS! We LOVED that southern hospitality! Enjoy!!!

This tour has it all, a nice stroll through the historic district, interesting historical information, ghost stories, and stops along the way for a variety of delicious samplings at locally owned restaurants. Nick was an amazing guide, personable, interesting, attentive to everyone's desires, and passionate about his job. Highly recommend!

This was an awesome experience. Nick A. was a fantastic, attentive, knowledgeable guide and he made our tour fun! We had delicious food and learned sooooo much about Savannah! We were able to purchase drinks at the various stops and those were great too! We were full after the tour and didn’t need to go to dinner. I would definitely recommend this tour.

My friends and I bought tickets for the taste tour and were so glad we did! Nick was a wonderful tour guide, both enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We were only visiting for a night so it was a great way to get to know the city and have fun while we're at it. We met wonderful people along the tour with us and learned some really interesting facts. Yummy food + history + ghost stories, what more could you want!?

My best friend and I came to Savannah for a quick weekend trip with hopes of seeing the city and eating some yummy local southern food. This tour helped us achieve both! Nick (the guide) was awesome. The stories and information were so interesting and we never would have learned those things on our own. The food stops were all very different and all delicious. The tour was well paced and we felt comfortably full afterward. Highly recommend this tour to help you cover so many bases in a short time!

THE BEST Savannah Food Tours

Savannah food tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Ghost & Vampire Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Southern Flavors of Savannah Walking Dessert Tour

2. Savannah History plus Coffee and Chocolate Walking Tour

3. Savannah’s Palate A Culinary Journey Through History

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Hilton Head Morning Kayaking & Coffee Guided Tour

Hilton Head's Only Brews Tour on the Island

Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience

Mixology and Tapas Tour in Hilton Head

The Olive Grove Tour

Private Yacht Charter in Hilton Head Starting at $4,750

• Savannah First Squares Culinary & Cultural Walking Food Tour
• Haunted Savannah Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour
• Southern Flavors Food, Pub Crawl, and History Walking Tour
• True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour
• Savannah's Port City Walking Food Tour
• Savannah Taste Experience
• Southern Flavors Savannah
• Flavors Food Tours - Savannah
• Revelry Tours of Savannah

Tasty-tours.com

Best Food Tours

Food tours in Savannah, Georgia – tickets, prices

A food tour of Savannah, Georgia, takes you on a culinary adventure with unparalleled access to the best restaurants, pubs, and street food.

During these highly-rated tours, you will be walking through historic neighborhoods, interacting with the people of Savannah, and learning the history as you sample fantastic food.

Also known as the ‘Hostess City of the South,’ this city offers decadent Lowcountry dishes and unique eats.

This article shares everything you must know before booking your food tour in Savannah, Georgia.

Table of contents

What to expect on a food tour, culinary & cultural walking food tour in savannah, secret east side historic walking food tour, 2-hour spooky savannah haunted pub crawl, southern flavors food, pub crawl, and history tour, southern flavors of savannah dessert tour, savannah southern fried expectations walking food tour, true crime and wine cocktail tour, walktails & bar bites guided happy hour tour, tipsy trivia tour, historical drinking tour of savannah, tips for making the most of your tour, faqs about food tours in savannah.

A food tour in Savannah, Georgia, promises a delightful journey through the city’s diverse food scene.

Savannah is known for its delicious Southern cuisine. You can enjoy classics like fried chicken, grits, collard greens, and cornbread on a food tour.

Food tours take you through Savannah’s historic district to explore the charming streets, historic squares, and moss-draped oak trees while enjoying tasty bites.

Being a coastal city, Savannah offers an abundance of fresh seafood. You can sample dishes like crab cakes, oysters, and fried fish.

Food tours often include insights into the culinary history of Savannah by guides sharing interesting stories about the origins of certain dishes and the city’s history.

Food tours take you to local eateries, ranging from hole-in-the-wall gems to upscale restaurants. This allows you to experience the diverse flavors Savannah has to offer.

Some food tours also include tastings of local beverages. You might get to sample Southern sweet tea, craft beers, or cocktails with a regional twist.

On this guided walking food tour of Savannah, you take in the sights and sounds of the city.

With food tastings at numerous specialty food stores and restaurants nearby, learn about the city’s fascinating history, gorgeous architecture, and unique culture. 

This is one of the best food tours in Savannah, and you get to taste local specialties such as shrimp and grits, pork belly donut sliders, etc.

During this three-hour eating tour, you will visit six local eateries and specialty food shops to sample foods.

You will have had an authentic Southern meal at the end of the day.

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 11 am and last around 3 hours.

Ticket Price:  US$58

Back to Top

On this gastronomic walking tour, stroll around Savannah’s Historic District and eat at six restaurants.

Explore hidden gems and well-known popular locations with a food-loving guide and a small group of 16 people or less.

During this eating tour of Savannah, you will taste local delicacies like Fried Green Tomatoes, Chopped Pork Sandwich, En Papillote Chicken, Pimento Cheese Croissants, Belgium Liege Waffles, etc.

Your local guide explains Savannah’s unique culture and turbulent past.

The food and talk combine to make a gastronomically and intellectually delightful excursion.

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 1 pm and last around 3 hours.

Ticket Price:  US$72

This Savannah haunted bar crawl combines two of the city’s most significant features – a spooky past and a lively nightlife.

Your guide will share scary stories and point out local legends as you stroll through Savannah’s historic quarter, which includes three haunted pubs.

You will step in for a few drinks and then carry it with you as you stroll to your next destination.

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 7.30 pm and last around 2 hours.

Ticket Price:  US$33

If you prefer something longer, check out the 3-hour Ghost and Pub Walking Tour .

This experience is the perfect option if you prefer to include alcohol during your Savannah food tour because you can purchase alcohol with all food tastings.

During this culinary tour of Savannah, you will try authentic Southern cuisine, such as Shrimp and Grits, plus Southern standbys, including Pimento Cheese Bites. 

Your guide will tell you entertaining stories about Savannah’s past as you travel through the historic neighborhood.

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 12 pm and last around 2 hours.

Ticket Price:  US$60

This Lowcountry culinary experience is ideal for time-limited travelers wanting to sample Savannah’s sweet treats and history in one outing.

You will follow your guide down the tree-lined streets to cozy taverns, bakeries, cafes, sample cupcakes, cookies, ice-creams, etc.

During this food tour of Savannah, you will go through the city’s Historic District and stop at some of the squares and landmarks to hear tales of their often-dark past.

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 5 pm and last around 3 hours.

Ticket Price:  US$50

This tour helps you discover some of Savannah’s best southern fried snacks. 

These are the region’s culinary highlights that you are unlikely to find in the guidebook. 

The group size is limited to 12 members, so you can get personalized attention from the foodie guide. 

Your guide will also share the history behind world-famous comfort food such as fried chicken, shrimp, grits, and more.

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 11.30 pm and last around 2 hours.

Ticket Price:  US$63

This experience is more of a drinking than a food tour, but it is exhilarating because of its focus on Savannah’s crime.

With a drink in hand, you will explore Savannah’s murderous, scandalous, fascinating past, complete with serial killers, crimes of passion, and compelling, unsolved cases. 

You will visit scenes of notorious villains, discovering the secrets of the best real-life crime cases. 

At regular intervals, you will keep stepping into the city’s finest cocktail bars and enjoying lovely ‘to-go drinks.

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 7 pm and last around 2 hours.

Ticket Price:  US$35

This yummy happy hour tour combines Savannah’s most lovable characteristics, which food connoisseurs love.

This adults-only trip visits four of the city’s most fantastic bars, where you will sample three different food tastings and four specialty cocktails.

If you don’t drink, don’t worry because mocktail versions of these cocktails are available for non-drinkers. 

Your host will keep the party going by highlighting the city and the local pubs and eateries that have earned Savannah the nickname “Hostess City.”

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 4 pm and last around 3 hours.

Ticket Price:  US$82

If you love cocktails, you should try the Tipsy Trivia tour, a guided walking tour during Happy Hour. 

This tour takes tourists to popular Savannah sites while popping into pubs to grab happy hour cocktails throughout the tour. 

Tipsy Trivia Tour engages participants through exciting trivia questions about the city – questions are usually about Savannah’s history, haunting, economic development, movie scenes, famous Savannahians, geography, etc.

There is a bonus round at the end of the tour, and prizes are given out, which gets a lot of laughs. 

You can play with your friends as a team against others or play as an individual against your friends.

Timings and duration:  The tour will commence at 4.30 pm and last around 3 hours.

During this tour, you will stroll through the Savannah Historic District while enjoying snacks and drinks.

Visit one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States with a local Savannah resident.

You will see homes of some of the South’s most illustrious generals and structures from the 1860s war years.

Learn about the town’s history and stop for sampling at local bars and restaurants.

Ticket Price:  US$100

To make the most of your food tour in Savannah, consider the following tips:

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes in Savannah’s historic district as you’ll be walking and covering a lot of ground.

Arrive with an appetite, as there will be multiple tastings. Avoid eating a large meal beforehand and pace yourself to savor each dish.

Take notes or photos if you find a dish or restaurant you love. It will help you remember your favorites, and you can share your recommendations with others.

Given the likelihood of trying salty or rich foods, stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the tour.

Be adventurous and try new dishes in Savannah’s diverse food scene to discover your new favorite.

Here are some frequently asked questions about food tours in Savannah.

Savannah food tours  can be booked online. It’s recommended to book in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Savannah food tours can vary in length, but they last around 2 to 3 hours. Some may be shorter or longer depending on the tour and the number of stops.

Savannah’s food tours often showcase a variety of Southern cuisine, including shrimp and grits, fried chicken, she-crab soup, pralines, and other local specialties.

Food tours in Savannah can accommodate dietary restrictions if notified in advance. When booking the tour, it’s advisable to inform the tour organizers about any dietary preferences.

While most Savannah food tours include all tastings in the ticket price, some tours might provide the option to purchase additional items or beverages at certain stops.

Find out everything there is to do in Savannah, Georgia .

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

21+ Amazing Savannah Tours Actually Worth Your Time & Money

S avannah is Georgia’s oldest city — and with that distinction comes so much history, culture, beauty, and maybe even a few ghosts!

To really get an idea how wonderful and unique Savannah really is, you absolutely must take one of these Savannah tours (or two or three)! Savannah has food tours, sightseeing tours, bike tours, walking tours, Segway tours, ghost tours, city tours, and cemetery tours — just to name a few!

If you want to learn all about Savannah’s history — or maybe go on a pub crawl — this Georgia town’s got it! Here’s a list of our favorite ways to tour this historic town.

Savannah Tours Pass

Savannah has so much beauty to see, and so much history to learn about — you may not even know where to start!

Enter the Savannah Tours Pass! This pass will get you into 30+ top attractions at a great price. And you don’t have to plan — just relax, have fun, show your pass, and see everything the Savannah has to offer!

You can choose between the 1-, 2-, or 3-day pass, and it includes a mobile pass and map so you can easily get started exploring this historic city.

With the Savannah Tours Pass, you can take part in some of the city’s most popular tours including the Riverboat Cruise, the Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour, and a Carriage Tour. Admission to local historic sites and museums is also included.

This pass is a great deal, and saves you up to 55%. You’ve got nothing to lose, except the excitement of figuring out what to do or where to go!

Book It: Purchase Savannah Tours Pass Here!

Duration: Valid 1-3 days

Savannah Riverboat Cruise

The Savannah Sightseeing Riverboat Cruise is so unique, it gets its own section! The Savannah Riverboat Cruise offers a variety of start times and durations, so you’re sure to find one that works with your schedule, interests, and budget!

The cruise starts right on River Street, where you’ll board the riverboat. Some of the cruises are narrated, so you can learn more about Georgia’s “First City” while taking in the sights from the Savannah River.

Seating includes a climate-controlled indoor cabin, with windows all around for viewing. There are also benches on the upper decks, and an open-air patio for prime viewing.

Learn more about the city on the Sightseeing Cruise, or enjoy a Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner Cruise! Sunset and Moonlight Cruises are also available.

A cash bar is available on all cruises!

Book It: Purchase Savannah Sightseeing Riverboat Cruise Tickets Here!

Duration: 1.5 hours (approximately)

Savannah Trolley Tours

You know what’s fun about trolleys? Everything! Hop on board and learn all about what makes Savannah so beautiful.

Historic Hop On, Hop Off Trolley Tour of Savannah

The Old Savannah Tours tour company offers a Historic Hop On, Hop Off Trolley Tour and I can personally attest that it is amazing!

I’ve done this tour with my kids, and it was a blast! Once you start your trolley tour, you can hop off at any of their 15 stops at must-see Savannah locations. You can hop off at all of them, or one of them — totally up to you! Once you hop off, you can explore the location to your heart’s content, and when you’re ready to leave, another trolley will be arriving soon so you can just hop on and continue your tour.

We wrote all about this amazing tour in our article, 19+ Things To Do in Savannah Ga With Kids: Your Brilliant Guide to a Stress-Free Vacation .

Book It: Purchase Hop On, Hop Off Tour Tickets Here!

Duration: Up to 7.5 hours (but it’s up to you!)

Old Town Trolley Tours

Old Town Trolley Tours offers a 1-day Hop On, Hop Off Trolley Tour that will get you to some of Savannah’s most popular locations!

This trolley tour also features 15 stops, and you are free to hop off (and then hop back on) at any or all of them! Stops include Forsyth Park, the Juliette Gordon Lowe House, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, City Market, River Street, and more!

Book It: Purchase Old Town Trolley Tour Tickets Here!

Duration: 1-8 hours

Hysterical History of Savannah: Trolley Comedy Tour

Take a ride on the funny side on this Hysterical History of Savannah: Trolley Comedy Tour. Spice up your trip to Savannah with this comedy show on wheels. Join your driver and your tour guide for a roast of nearly 300 years of Savannah’s history.

This enjoyable and family-friendly trolley tour takes you on a journey through historic locations, while providing plenty of hilarious anecdotes from your cheery and knowledgeable tour guide. Perfect for visitors of all ages, this tour is sure to provide an enjoyable time for everyone!

Book It: Purchase Hysterical History of Savannah Tickets Here!

Duration: 1.5 hours

Cemetery Tours

Savannah is Georgia’s oldest town, so it only makes sense it would be home to some amazingly beautiful and historic cemeteries that you’ve just got to see.

Bonaventure Cemetery Walking Tour

Join a Walking Tour of Bonaventure Cemetery, a world-famous cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. During this tour, focus on the history of the cemetery and the people buried inside. Get to know some of the most famous residents including Little Gracie, Conrad Aiken, Johnny Mercer, and more. Enjoy a walk through the cemetery, take in the hauntingly beautiful scenery, and maybe even see the occasional local wildlife. 

Book It: Bonaventure Cemetery Walking Tour!

Duration: 2 hours

Beyond Good and Evil Tour

Beyond Good and Evil Tour’s unique blend of humor, the macabre, voodoo, ghosts, local folklore, and legends has created Savannah’s most famous Ghost Tour. Explore Savannah’s most haunted locations such as Colonial Park Cemetery, Mercer-Williams House, Calhoun Square, and 432 Abercorn. Many of the locations are loosely related to the book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” If you are a fan of the book and looking for a ghost tour, this is the one for you! 

Book It: Beyond Good and Evil Tour!

Food and Drink In Savannah Tours

The best way to really experience a new place, is to — eat the food! (And drink the drink!) Here are some wonderful food and drink tours, that will make your Savannah trip memorable.

Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl

Experience the fabulous side of life on this unique and outrageously fun drag queen guided pub crawl. Visit Savannah’s best nightlife, enjoy dancing and sing-a-longs, and spend the night in the company of a world-class drag queen. Check out Club One Cabaret and stay as long as you like enjoying world-class entertainment, libations, and dancing the night away. ​This tour is for anyone who wants to have an absolutely FABULOUS time! It’s time for a pub crawl to remember, are you ready to put on your party pants? Yes, Queens!!

Book It: Purchase Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl Tickets

Duration: 3 hours

Happy Hour Walking Tour

Explore the enchanting city of Savannah with a drink in hand during this Happy Hour Walking Tour. Let your guide tell tales about the city’s haunted past while you enjoy the very best happy hour prices in this hostess city of the south! Meet at Molly Macpherson’s and start out your happy hour of fun!  Enjoy $2 margaritas, half-price craft beer, $2.50 well drinks, half of the top shelf, $4 appletinis, and $4 cosmos! You will also get to discover why Savannah is known as the “City Built Upon the Dead”.

Book It: Purchase Happy Hour Pub Crawl Tickets

Duration: 1-2 hours

Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

Visit some of the most historic and haunted bars in Savannah, Georgia, on this Haunted Pub Crawl, the only pub crawl in the area that focuses on the darker hauntings in the city. It is a bit of a bar hopping experience that will take you through several watering holes all while hearing spooky ghost stories along the way. 

Book It: Purchase Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl Tickets

Savannah Prohibition Experience

Savannah (along with the rest of the United States), was dry during the Prohibition in the early 20th century — and this museum is the only one of its kind in the world that’s completely dedicated to the history of it.

Learn the history behind Prohibition, and how it led to a rise in smuggling and moonshine. At this museum, costumed guides will keep visitors entertained while exploring the collection. And, of course, a speakeasy is connected, so you can enjoy a drink (for an extra fee) when you’re done!

Book It: Purchase Savannah Prohibition Experience Tickets

Duration: 1 hour

Cultural and History Savannah Tours

When you think of Savannah, you can’t help thinking about how much culture and history can be found there. It’s a history buff’s dream! These tours help show you what makes Savannah such a special place.

360° Panoramic Tour of Historic Savannah

Enjoy a 360° Panoramic Tour of Historic Savannah from the comfort of your own Mercedes Sprinter van. This is a perfect small group activity if you’re looking for something fun and historical to do.

Whether the roof is open or closed, you’ll enjoy excellent panoramic views of beautiful Savannah. So, sit back and relax as you are chauffeured about on this fully narrated historical adventure through one of the most beautiful cities in America.

Admire unobstructed views of the many steeples and towering live oaks and savor every second of the charming south at her very best and brightest. Examine city squares and mansions and hear colorful stories of what makes Savannah so special. 

Book It: Purchase Panoramic Tour of Historic Savannah Tickets

Wormsloe Historic Site & Bonaventure Cemetery Tour

Enjoy a day trip to the coastal areas of Savannah on this Wormsloe and Bonaventure Cemetery Tour. Your day begins with a tour of Bonaventure Cemetery, dating back to 1846, learning all about the lives of its notable inhabitants. Meander under moss draped oaks and along the bluff of the Wilmington River. Adventure out and explore Savannah, enjoy lunch with your group at Erica Davis Lowcountry Restaurant for fresh seafood, barbecue, and lowcountry/southern sides.

After lunch, the day continues to Wormsloe Historic Site and a drive through the picturesque Isle of Hope Historic District. Visit the Wormsloe Plantation Tabby Ruins that date back to the 18th century. Here you will enjoy a docent-led walking tour of this Georgia State Park historic site. Last but certainly not least, stop at the Famous Savannah Byrd Cookie Company for some shopping and tastings of Byrd’s famous cookies. 

Book It: Purchase Wormsloe Historic Site & Bonaventure Cemetery Tour Tickets

Duration: 6 hours

Tybee Island Tours

Just a short 30-minute drive from historic Savannah, you’ll find beautiful Tybee Island! A place you’re definitely going to want to explore.

Read More: 19+ Relaxing and Fun Things To Do in Tybee Island on Your Next Family Vacation

Tybee Island Dolphin Tour (Leaves from Savannah)

Take a few hours out of your day to enjoy this scenic Tybee Island Dolphin Tour. Travel over to Tybee Island and stroll around and have lunch at one of the many restaurants, enjoy amazing local cuisine, spectacular scenery, exotic birds, and an Alligator Pond with over a hundred reptiles to view.

Following lunch, you will board the boat for a Dolphin Cruise through Tybee Island’s-waterways in search of the ever-prevalent bottle-nose dolphin playing in their natural-habitat. Also on the cruise are views of historic Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island Lighthouse (built in 1856) and Tybee Island Lighthouse. After the Dolphin Cruise, you will stop by the Tybee Island Lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean for a photo opportunity before returning to Savannah! Anchors aweigh, book today!

Book It: Purchase Tybee Island Dolphin Tour Tickets

Duration: 5 hours

Savannah Ghost Tours

Is Savannah beautiful? Definitely, yes. Is Savannah haunted? Umm…maybe?

If you’re looking for ghosts — you’ll (probably) find them here. With so much history and culture (and so much of the spooky-looking Spanish moss!), ghosts just tend to congregate in Georgia’s oldest city.

Lucky for you, Savannah has an abundance of ghost tours to choose from! Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure, tours with pirates, ghost tours for teens and adults, or tours that are only for those above the age of 21 — we’ve got them!

Here’s a list of  25+ Savannah Ghost Tours  that you’re not going to want to miss, but we’ve listed some of our favorites below.

13 Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour of Savannah

If you are in search of all the things that go bump in the night, then you have found the right tour for you. Meet in the Historic District for this 13 Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour of Savannah and learn all about the things nightmares are made of. Join like-minded paranormal research enthusiasts on this tour that discovers the under belly of occult history in Savannah and explores the metaphysical with a paranormal sensitive guide. Come along on a tour where you never know what will happen.

Book It: Purchase 13 Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour of Savannah Tickets

The Dead of Night Ghost Tour

Join your guide on Savannah’s newest and darkest Ghost Tour! If you are searching for a thrill night filled with the dark hauntings, demons, possession, and murders, this is the tour you want, The Dead of Night Tour focuses on the scariest hauntings and most aggressive ghosts that have plagued Savannah’s Historic District for years. Visit Colonial Park Cemetery, Wright Square, hear the story of Wally, and much more. 

Book It: Purchase The Dead of Night Ghost Tour Tickets

Savannah Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour

Take a thrilling journey to the darker side of Savannah with this Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour. Chilling history will be brought back to life as you visit ancient cemeteries and historic battlegrounds, as well as notoriously haunted sites. Dare to enter 2 infamously haunted venues to explore their shadows for yourself. This spooky experience presents Savannah’s dark history with a side of theatrics and humor.

Book It: Purchase Savannah Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour Tickets

Duration: 75 minutes

Savannah Underground: An Immersive Ghost Hunt

This isn’t your average ghost tour! Prepare to do something you’ve likely never experienced before! Begin by diving into Savannah’s dark past with the area’s only immersive trolley tour, which doubles as a ghost hunting bootcamp where you’ll learn skills and information that you can take back home and use to find ghosts anywhere in the world. Once completing your ghost hunting training session, you’ll hop off the trolley and into the exclusive “The Savannah Underground”, a forty-minute immersive adventure that surrounds you with some of Savannah’s scariest history. Called a theatrical whirlwind of scary fun, don’t miss out, book your spot today!

Book It: Purchase Savannah Underground: An Immersive Ghost Hunt Tickets

Savannah Tours FAQ

How much does it cost to ride a trolley in savannah.

Trolley tour costs vary depending on what type you’re looking for. Both Old Savannah Tours and Old Town Trolley Tours offer hop on, hop off trolley tours of Savannah, and the costs range from $40.52 and up (Old Savannah Tours) to $50 and up (Old Town Trolley Tours).

How long is a trolley tour?

Both the Old Town Trolley Tour and the Old Savannah Tours hop on, hop off option take 90 minutes to make the complete loop, however, you may choose to hop on, and hop off at various locations, which will increase the time.

When is the best time to visit Savannah?

We think anytime is a good time to visit Savannah, but generally speaking, spring and summer are great times to visit this coastal Georgia city. You’ll find great weather and plenty of things to do in from March-July, as well as lots of special events.

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO GEORGIA

• YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
• BEACHES: Beaches In Savannah: 7+ Spots Near Savannah Perfect For Fun In The Sun
• B&Bs: Bed And Breakfast Savannah: 17+ Elegant Spots To Lay Your Head
• GULLAH GEECHEE: Gullah Geechee Savannah Ga: Understanding the True History of Savannah
• SAV HOTELS: 29+ Hotels in Savannah Ga Ideal for Bringing the Family (B&B, on the Water, Budget and More)

St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival 2024: Event promises Southern foods, wine variety

Everything is ready for an event that, despite being in its fourth edition, is already turning into one of St. Augustine’s annual highlights.

The St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival is set for May and will once again bring a showcase of culinary, beverage and culture to the historic Florida town.

The five-day festival features events spread across different locations in town, including World Golf Village, Renaissance Resort, San Sebastian Winery and Bozard Lincoln, highlighting “celebrity guest chefs, local chefs, celebrity winemakers/proprietors, live music, artisans, farmers, local craft spirits and beers, along with renowned wine, spirits and beer brands from around the globe,” according to festival director and founder Jan Gourley.

New restaurant: Iconic new restaurants to open across from Daytona's Margaritaville. Here's what's coming

“It’s a unique festival,” Gourley said in an interview. “You can experience the history and beauty of St. Augustine while you’re on vacation at a food and wine festival.”

The festival’s main event is slated for Saturday, May 11, at the Walk of Champions in the World Golf Village (1 World Golf Place), where the “beautiful lakefront surroundings” will be the backdrop for “a fun afternoon of culinary and beverage tastings with live music” for guests, she wrote in a press release.

What to expect for this year’s St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival

The event kicks off Wednesday, May 8, with “River Walk Tastings,” where guests will gather at the San Sebastian Winery and the Homewood Suites St. Augustine San Sebastian at 6:30 p.m.

Guests will enjoy “progressive tasting tours starting at both locations,” with food from La Cocina International Restaurant and other restaurants, as well as drinks and live music.

On Thursday, May 9, the “Harvest Awards and Tastings” takes place at the Bozard Lincoln dealership’s showroom (550 Outlet Mall Blvd.) and is “an opportunity to taste some of Northeast Florida’s best restaurants,” Gourley said.

A group of culinary judges and celebrity guest judge Tiffany Derry will officiate as local restaurants compete for the award.

“Guests will receive a crystal wine glass to enjoy tasting wines and the festival’s official beverages, located throughout the sleek and new Bozard Lincoln showroom,” according to Gourley.

Derry is a “longtime TV cooking show favorite, stepping into the spotlight when she appeared on Bravo’s 'Top Chef' Season 7, earning the title of ‘fan favorite’ and finishing in the top four,” Gourley wrote.

The Texas native went on to participate in other TV cooking shows and currently operates two restaurants, Roots Chicken Shak and Roots Southern Table in the Fort Worth area.

On Friday, May 10, the festival will host its “Smoke on the Walk” event at the Walk of Champions from 6:30- 8:30 p.m.

“This all-inclusive BBQ extravaganza is a showcase of the Southeast’s most celebrated pitmasters and grill masters with wine, beer and spirits along the Walk of Champions with live music from Remedy Tree,” according to Gourley’s press release. “Enjoy unlimited beverage tastings in a souvenir glass, along with delicious grilled, smoked and roasted gourmet BBQ bites — all included with ticket price.”

On Saturday, May 11, the festival’s main event, the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival Grand Tasting, also takes place at the Walk of Champions from 2-5 p.m.

On Sunday, May 12, the festival holds its only family-friendly event, with two sittings for the Sunday Mother's Day Jazz Brunch, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Restaurant news: Popular chicken finger chain restaurant to open first Volusia location

The last day takes place at the St. Johns County Convention Center (500 S. Legacy Trail) and includes “an all-inclusive priced ticket featuring live music, brunch buffet with carving station, indulgent sides, made-to-order omelet station, seafood station and a variety of desserts,” according to Gourley.

“In addition to moms receiving a rose upon arrival, the entire family will enjoy being spoiled on Mother's Day and this festival finale event!” she added.

Moving the festival from Savannah to St. Augustine

Gourley said the idea to bring the festival to St. Augustine came after she was unable to continue in Savannah, Georgia, where she organized it from 2013 to 2019.

That festival “died with COVID,” she said.

“We just didn’t resurrect it.”

A member from the St. Johns Cultural Council later approached her and asked about the possibility of bringing it to the historic Florida town.

“The more we talked, the more excited I was because of the proximity to Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, and (St. Augustine) is really such a great tourist destination,” Gourley said.

“We had a great first year festival,” Gourley said of the 2021 inaugural event. “We were able to bring in celebrity chefs, excellent wine and whiskey and spirits.”

She said the festival has since gown “slowly,” as they adjust to some changes each year, including a slight location change to the main event. This year’s grand tasting event on Saturday will take place in a new part of the World Golf Village, which Gourley said she hopes will continue to help the festival grow.

“It’s going to be on a new of the lake,” Gourley said. “We are just trying to make sure that the location is going to continue to work for us for future growth, which I think it will.”

Flagler Beach: Beloved Flagler restaurant to remain open following announcement of potential closure

Gourley said 3,500 people are expected for this year’s festival.

Tickets for the festival, which cost between $59 and $115, and more information are available at staugustinefoodandwinefestival.com. Parking is included with the ticket price.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Charles M. Blow

The Kamala Harris Moment Has Arrived

By Charles M. Blow

Opinion Columnist

One of Kamala Harris’s most memorable moments during the 2020 presidential election cycle was when, during a Democratic primary debate, she sharply criticized Joe Biden for working with segregationists in the Senate in their shared opposition to busing.

She personalized her criticism, saying : “There was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me.”

The power in the attack was not only the point being made but that she — a person affected from a group affected — was making it. Although some of Biden’s defenders saw her remark as a gratuitous broadside, there was an authenticity to the way she confronted the issue.

The verbal jab also aligned with the national zeitgeist at a time when calls for racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement were ascendant.

She ticked up in the polls, and donations poured in. Ultimately, her candidacy didn’t catch fire, but the following summer, Biden, the eventual nominee, made a historic offer to Harris to join his ticket, leading to her becoming the first woman, first Black person and first Asian American to be vice president.

Fast-forward to now, when Vice President Harris has served nearly a full term alongside President Biden, and she is moving into another moment when the political stars are aligned for her as the perfect messenger on a subject that has fixed Americans’ attention and is central in the 2024 presidential campaign: reproductive rights.

This time, her target is Donald Trump. And being in a position to go on the offensive is something of a reversal of fortune for a vice president who has endured withering — often unfair — attacks and who struggled to define herself in the role.

In October, The Atlantic’s Elaina Plott Calabro profiled Harris under the headline “The Kamala Harris Problem,” writing that “Harris’s reputation has never quite recovered” from some early blunders during her term. The article includes a particularly blunt quote from the former Obama administration adviser David Axelrod about a perceived risk aversion born of insecurity: “It looked as if she didn’t know where to plant her feet. That she wasn’t sort of grounded, that she didn’t know exactly who she was.”

Criticisms of Harris have been relentless, ranging from legitimate challenges to her policy statements to ridiculous commentary about her laugh . Much of it has seemed tinged with gender bias.

This has all led Harris to struggle in the polls. Her approval rating, like Biden’s, has languished below 50 percent for most of her term.

And she remains a source of concern, a perceived vulnerability to Biden’s re-election. In March, the Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker wrote that Harris should bow out for the sake of the country, absurdly comparing her to Sarah Palin in 2008.

Over and over in her failed run for this year’s Republican nomination, Nikki Haley pointed to the possibility of a future Harris presidency as a scare tactic, saying in an August interview on “Good Morning America”: “There is no way Joe Biden is going to finish his term. I think Kamala Harris is going to be the next president, and that should send a chill up every American’s spine.”

But the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and Republicans’ lust to enact increasingly regressive policies to restrict reproductive rights in states across the country have made Harris’s voice an essential one in the campaign.

In December, Harris announced her nationwide Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour.

In March, she became what is believed to be the first vice president to pay an official visit to an abortion clinic (no president has done so), when she visited a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Paul, Minn.

No matter how sensitive and knowledgeable men try to be on the issue of reproductive rights, there are still things that we cannot fully connect to. Harris transcends that barrier not only because she’s a woman but also because of her background as a prosecutor.

In a February speech in Savannah, Ga., she said that she decided to specialize in prosecuting crimes of violence against women and children because in high school she learned that one of her best friends was being molested by her stepfather. Harris told that story as a way to underscore the repressive nature of abortion laws that don’t have exceptions for rape or incest.

She told the crowd, “The idea that someone who survives a crime of violence, a violation to their body, would then be told they don’t have the authority to decide what happens to their body next, that’s immoral.”

Harris may never be duly recognized for her contributions to the administration on a broad range of issues, but in the end that may not be her calling.

According to her office, since Roe was overturned, the vice president has held “more than 80 convenings in 20 states.” Being a trusted voice in favor of reproductive rights and against Republicans determined to restrict or eliminate them may be the greater contribution she can make to Biden’s re-election bid and to maintaining national stability.

With this issue, she has hit her stride. With it, the talk of her as a liability has been hushed, for some, by the clear realization of what she brings to the campaign. With it, Harris has a mission, and she’s on it.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

Charles M. Blow is an Opinion columnist for The New York Times, writing about national politics, public opinion and social justice, with a focus on racial equality and L.G.B.T.Q. rights. @ CharlesMBlow • Facebook

GPB Originals

Browse by genre, featured programs, featured programs & series, more gpb news, for kids & teachers, ghsa sports, high school football, browse by type, browse by category, for parents & caregivers, support gpb, gpb newsletter cta, banner image, section branding, header content, tagged as: , savannah trolley tour ordinance in the works, as downtown residents complain of noise pollution.

April 16, 2024 2:41 PM | Updated: April 17, 2024 9:24 AM

• Benjamin Payne

Share this page

Primary content.

LISTEN: If passed, the measure would make trolley tour companies install directional speaker system technology or use in-ear listening devices. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.

A trolley tour bus drives down River Street in downtown Savannah. Credit: Creative Commons / LoneStarMike

Savannah's popular trolley tours may soon sound less noisy to residents and passersby, if a proposed ordinance passes City Council muster and achieves tourism officials' goal of preventing amplified sound from spilling out onto the streets of the city's historic downtown.

Adored by tourists yet loathed by many locals, the more than 100 registered trolley tour vehicles in the Hostess City would be required to use directional, noise-reducing speaker systems, under an ordinance recommendation made by the Savannah Office of Special Events, Film and Tourism.

Alternatively, trolley tour guides could speak to their passengers through in-ear devices.

The proposal was presented by Savannah City Manager Jay Melder at a Thursday workshop meeting of City Council, where he voiced support while also acknowledging the cost that such a regulation would impose on tour companies.

“I do want to note that this technology is not inexpensive for our operators, at roughly $10,000 to $12,000 a vehicle,” he said, referring to the directional speaker systems. “But I do think that pushing our industry towards these better technologies — especially when they're technologies that the industry themselves have identified — is a right next step for Council.”

One trolley tour company has already invested in “a few prototypes” of directional speakers, Melder added, which were well received by members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association who were invited to three demonstrations of the technology.

“We had about 20 people join board members to see if the speakers would be viable,” DNA president David McDonald said in a statement shared by Melder at the workshop meeting. “The consensus seemed to be that the installation of these speakers significantly reduced the volume of noise coming from inside the trolley.”

The proposed ordinance, which is still being written, would not require immediate compliance but rather set an 18-month phase-in period, by the end of which operators' entire fleets would need to use either of the two technologies.

There are approximately 110 registered trolley tour vehicles in Savannah between the three companies registered to operate in the city — Old Savannah Tours, Historic Tours of America (operating under the brand name Old Town Trolley Tours) and Gray Line Savannah — which altogether employ more than 180 trolley tour guides.

City Council members who spoke at the workshop seemed supportive of the recommended ordinance, which, according to Melder, would be ready for a vote within one month.

“I'm always going to vote for protecting the quality of life in any district,” Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan said. “I'm downtown all the time, and you can really hear what the [trolley] tour guide is saying.”

“I just want to make sure that we let the industry know that we're not just targeting them,” said Alderman Detric Leggett, whose district includes almost all of downtown. “We want to look at the entire picture because there's so many different things that contribute to this noise that's going on, especially after the hours of seven, eight, nine o'clock at night.”

However, Melder shared that the Downtown Neighborhood Association communicated to him that trolley tour noise constitutes “95% of the problem.”

The proposed noise ordinance, Melder suggested, would be a reasonable compromise to what he called “drastic measures” that some downtown residents have asked for, such as reducing the number of tours that are currently allowed.

“Downtown's always been a mixed-use neighborhood,” Melder said. “And downtown is not a gated community. You come downtown to be able to enjoy the nightlife, to enjoy walkable streets, to enjoy the squares, to enjoy all of the amenities that downtown has to offer.

“So, we are not going to be able to achieve the kind of tranquil, bucolic neighborhood setting that might exist in other places in our region,” he continued. “That's not what downtown is. And it shouldn't be. And our residents shouldn't have that expectation.”

Secondary Content

About the author.

Benjamin is the Savannah-based reporter for GPB, where he covers Coastal Georgia.

Prior to coming to Savannah, he freelanced in Bellingham, Washington, for public media outlets including NPR, Marketplace , and PRX. Previously, Benjamin hosted Morning Edition for WVIK, his hometown NPR member station in Rock Island, Ill. Before that, he served a news internship with NPR member station WBEZ in Chicago.

Benjamin is a graduate of the University of Nevada-Reno's journalism master's program, and earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from Augustana College in Rock Island.

Bottom Content

Related news.

Some Georgia Dairy Farmers See Raw Milk As Potential Cash Cow

Currently, raw milk can only be sold for pet consumption in Georgia, and only goat farmers are currently licensed to sell it, not farms that produce cows’ milk for people to drink.

• Sam Sinclair

• Environment

Biden order on liquefied natural gas stymies proposed expansion of Georgia export facility

LNG methane emissions need to be scrutinized, says White House climate advisor.

Yellen calls Savannah port ‘by far the most impressive’ she's seen, praises Biden's work on economy

Janet Yellen cheered the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's investment in harbor deepening.

Support Quality Journalism

GPB is committed to bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world.  Your support makes this possible.  Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service.

• Newsletters
• Help Center
• Metro Atlanta
• Georgia News
• Legislature
• National & World News
• AJC Peachtree Road Race
• 2024 Election
• Trump Georgia case

Orange Crush: Tybee officials plan crackdown on popular HBCU beach party

Credit: SAVANNAHNOW.COM FILE PHOTO

TYBEE ISLAND — Last April, Orange Crush crushed Georgia’s busiest beach destination.

The annual, unsanctioned spring break party, frequented by students of historically Black colleges and universities across the Southeast and other young adults for more than three decades, attracted an unprecedented 111,000 visitors to the 3-square-mile island last year.

The influx of beachgoers led to gridlock and a day marked by violent incidents, including an assault on a mother and daughter on the beach, property damage , and a road rage incident in which a 38-year-old white man shot into a car carrying six passengers, injuring one.

The outcry by residents contributed to the resignation of the city manager, a City Council resolution requesting a state law to curtail Orange Crush in the future, and the decision by the island’s first-term mayor not to seek reelection last November.

The fury has city officials finalizing preparations for the 2024 edition of Orange Crush, which is being promoted online for the weekend of April 20.

Tybee is taking a cue from Miami Beach, Florida, by borrowing measures that city took last month to “break up with spring break” after two years of partying turned violent at the Florida locale. Tybee will close two large beach parking lots, barricade entrances to residential areas, install license plate readers on the road leading to the island, narrow the main thoroughfare, U.S. 80, to one lane in each direction, and increase police presence by temporarily employing officers from state and other Savannah-area departments.

In addition, an interagency law enforcement group that has operated vehicle safety roadblocks at Tybee’s entrance on various days throughout the year has indicated it will conduct a check during the weekend.

Newly elected Mayor Brian West said the measures are aimed at Tybee “no longer being the location for Orange Crush.” He vowed to leverage Senate Bill 443 , nuisance legislation signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp this week, to sue promoters of unpermitted events for damages.

“The residents are primary, and whenever they have to decide between leaving the island to get away from Orange Crush or staying in order to protect their property, that’s just awful to have to live with that,” West said.

Critics have labeled the plans as draconian and a violation of a 2018 agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice about regulating Orange Crush and similar large events. The DOJ deal was struck after a group of concerned Tybee residents filed a complaint against a local ordinance that banned alcohol and amplified music specifically on Orange Crush weekend.

Under the accord, Tybee cannot implement restrictions for Orange Crush not in place for other high-volume events catering to predominantly white crowds, such as the Tybee Irish Heritage Parade in March, Memorial Day in May, the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend celebrations.

The leader of the concerned citizens group, community activist Julia Pearce, voiced disappointment in the city’s planned approach and said it is another example of an island populated by “old white people” choosing to criminalize young Black people. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Tybee is 94% white and 3.5% Black.

“Every weekend on Tybee in the summer is a mess; it’s loud and full of trash generated by mostly white visitors,” said Pearce, a Black woman who mounted a failed mayoral bid last year. “Locals aren’t in any danger during Orange Crush. Anytime you have a group that large, you have people doing things that aren’t appropriate.”

Asked about the DOJ agreement, West said last year’s violence and property crimes and the brazen attitude of Orange Crush promoters changed city leaders’ outlook.

“We have a right to protect ourselves,” said West, who served as a City Council member from 2019 to 2023.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia did not respond to a request for comment.

Founders: Tybee officials see a ‘Black blur’

Angst over Orange Crush stretches far beyond the 2023 chaos and the 2018 rancor over the special ordinances. Longtime residents say city officials have sought to crush the party by “wishing it away” since 1991, when Savannah State University cut ties with the event three years after it was first organized by the school’s student government leaders.

The original intent was to increase Savannah State’s profile across Georgia and neighboring states, said two Orange Crush founders, Kenneth Flowe and Ifekan Simon.

“We wanted Savannah State to be seen as relevant, and we thought a very public event would help with that,” Flowe said. “We looked for things that we had that other HBCUs around didn’t, and that was our being known as the college by the sea.”

But even when Orange Crush was a sanctioned event, one chaperoned by Savannah State administrators and faculty, the students sensed tension from residents and local public safety officials, Flowe and Simon said. They attribute the hostility to Tybee’s legacy as a whites-only beach that wasn’t desegregated until 1963 following a series of wade-in protests by young Black residents, including current Georgia House Rep. Edna Jackson , D-Savannah.

By 1991, Orange Crush’s reputation had spread across the South and was attracting a wide swath of young adults in much the same way as FreakNik in Atlanta , albeit on a smaller scale. As the crowds and traffic grew, so did the law enforcement presence and other efforts to contain the party. Fights, shootings, a drowning and a stabbing have marked Orange Crush gatherings throughout its history.

Flowe said Tybee officials have long seen Orange Crush as a “Black blur,” treating all participants as bad actors.

“Initially, you had students who would go on to be doctors, lawyers and engineers at the core of Orange Crush. That cadre was driven off because they weren’t willing to be treated poorly,” Flowe said. “ What was left were those who said, ‘I’ll be damned if you’re going to keep me off the beach.’ ”

Pent-up interest in Orange Crush following a COVID-forced hiatus culminated in last year’s party and fallout. Traffic backed up for nearly 10 miles and the celebration spilled onto neighboring islands, home to 25,000 residents.

Tybee innkeeper Karen Kelly, whose bed and breakfast is a block from the beach, said she had to coax attendees to drive onto her property to let an ambulance answering an emergency call pass.

She recalls the response she received when seeking help from the lone police officer in her neighborhood.

“There’s nothing I can do, Ms. Kelly,” the officer told her. “We’ve lost control.”

Apprehension as 2024 dates approach

Tybee residents and business owners have expressed cautious confidence in the planned approach for this year. Island Police Chief Tiffany Hayes spent a March weekend in Miami Beach observing the city’s crackdown on spring break partying. She told the City Council at a March 28 meeting that parking restrictions in garages and lots near Miami’s South Beach were particularly effective and recommended Tybee adopt similar limitations for Orange Crush.

Tybee has only 2,500 parking spots islandwide, and closing both the large lots near the city’s most popular beach, prohibiting parking along U.S. 80 and restricting access to parking spots in residential areas will significantly reduce parking availability.

With few parking options, city leaders expect would-be Orange Crush attendees and other visitors to leave the island.

The measures have prompted several restaurant, bar and souvenir shop owners in the island’s central business district to announce plans to limit their hours on Orange Crush weekend, with most intending to close by 6 p.m. The innkeeper, Kelly, is closing her bed and breakfast for the weekend.

The few outspoken critics of the Orange Crush lockdown voice frustration that the measures are unnecessary but predict they will produce the desired outcome.

“Orange Crush this year will be like most, if not all, Orange Crushes, with the exception of last year: much ado about nothing,” Pearce said. “And they’ll be able to use that to justify what they did.”

About the Author

Adam Van Brimmer is a journalist who covers politics and Coastal Georgia news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Credit: Jason Getz / [email protected]

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Credit: Family photos

Credit: Adam Van Brimmer