River Street Sightseeing and Shopping (Self Guided), Savannah

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 tourist attractions, featuring over 70 shops, galleries and art studios, restaurants, cafés and pubs housed in the one-time cotton warehouses.

With so much character and scenic nature on offer, setting a foot on Savannah’s Waterfront is a historical experience as such, with many ways to dive deeper. You can stop by one of River Street’s many monuments, such as the African-American Monument, and explore other noteworthy sites, like the Waving Girl Statue.

Alternatively, if you're in the mood for shopping, here are some stops to be made:

River Street Sweets – consistently voted “Savannah’s Best Candy Store,” offering the freshest, highest quality, most flavorful candies and confections in town.

True Grits – family-owned business operational since the early 1970s; featuring an ever-evolving selection of gifts, apparel, and so much more.

Savannah's Candy Kitchen – run by three generations of the owner family, hand-making an array of Southern confections using unique recipes.

And if you’re after a special souvenir, make sure to stop by one of River Street’s classic shops, like Gallery 209. There’s also an old-fashioned open-air River Street Market Place, operational since the mid 1800s, where you can enjoy some true Southern charm and old-fashioned hospitality whilst browsing the stalls.

It can easily take you a whole day exploring what River Street has to offer. And if you're not sure where to start, check out our self-guided walking tour of this iconic street and enjoy yourself!