River Street, Savannah

River Street, Savannah (must see)

Paved with 200-year-old cobblestones, the historic River Street is a major commercial promenade running along the southern edge of the Savannah River in the heart of Savannah, Georgia. Its most well-known section extends from the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, then below City Hall and Yamacraw Bluff.

The area was once lined with cotton warehouses which were also used as holding cells for African slaves. The neighborhood saw a slow recovery from the 1818 yellow fever epidemic and, having been abandoned for over a century, was rediscovered only in the 1970s.

At a cost of $7 million, a new waterfront was unveiled in 1977 along with some 80,000 square feet of empty warehouse space converted into a colorful array of restaurants, cafés, craft shops, pubs, and art galleries. The half-mile-long pedestrian promenade, the John P. Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, is named for Savannah's longest-serving mayor (who was in office from 1970–1992).

Riverfront Plaza, as it is known today, is a popular destination for locals and tourists who come to buy souvenirs, contemplate the huge ships cruising on the river, or attend the numerous events and festivities throughout the year, including St. Patrick's Day, the July 4th fireworks or New Year's Eve. Families are safe and welcome here, but energetic pub crawling remains a favorite pastime for most.

If you happen to take a leisurely stroll along the landscaped river walk, observe the Waving Girl and Olympic Cauldron statues, then explore the bluffs along the river on the old passageway of alleys, cobblestone walkways and bridges known today as Factor's Walk. You can also stop at the River Street Hospitality Center, which is adjacent to the Hyatt Regency hotel or spend some time looking at vendors selling their wares in the Market Place.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Savannah. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Download 'GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities' app for IOS   Download 'GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities' app for Android

River Street on Map

Sight Name: River Street
Sight Location: Savannah, USA (See walking tours in Savannah)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Savannah, Georgia

Create Your Own Walk in Savannah

Create Your Own Walk in Savannah

Creating your own self-guided walk in Savannah is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
River Street Sightseeing and Shopping

River Street Sightseeing and Shopping

The story of Savannah's River Street begins in 1733 with General James Edward Oglethorpe's landing on the bank of the Savannah River and founding the British colony of Georgia. Today, the cobble-stoned River Street caters to a variety of interests, combining the rustic beauty of the past with the energy of the present.

The half-mile-long promenade is one of the city's major...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles
Savannah's Top Religious Sights

Savannah's Top Religious Sights

Remarkable and conspicuous Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Unitarian and Methodist Churches dot the cityscape of Savannah and are interesting places to visit. You may even have the chance to take part in parish services that are held weekly. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful architecture of Savannah's religious buildings and the peace that a church service may...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
African-American Heritage Tour

African-American Heritage Tour

Savannah – whose African-American population makes up about 60 percent of total residents – is integral to a full understanding of the experience of African Americans in the South, including the great heritage they left in its culture, politics and art. Don't miss the chance to visit such significant places as the First African Baptist Church, the First Bryan Baptist Church, and the Ralph...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Savannah Introduction Walking Tour

Savannah Introduction Walking Tour

Savannah may not be the whole of Sweet Georgia, but no Georgia is complete without Savannah, that's for sure.

This coastal city is named after the river upon which it stands, whose name is likely to be the variant pronunciation of “Shawnee”, the Native American tribe which inhabited the area in the 1680s. Alternatively, it could have derived from the Spanish “sabana”, referring to...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Family Entertainment Tour

Family Entertainment Tour

If you are looking for some entertainment for your entire family, there are many interesting places for a family to visit in Savannah. Together you can visit the beautiful parks, historic monuments, galleries and other interesting and informative places. We have planned such a tour for you family and, of course, it includes a couple of nice surprises for your children!

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Historical Houses Walking Tour

Historical Houses Walking Tour

From the cobblestone alleyways to the quaint squares dotting the city, Savannah indeed breathes history. An enchanting walk through the heart of the city's Historic District (one of the nation’s most carefully preserved) highlights its most beautiful historic homes – prime examples of architecture spanning two centuries.

Gorgeous as they are, these structures really catch the eye....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles