River Street, Savannah

51

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 Saint 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 "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple 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.

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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.
African-American Heritage Tour

African-American Heritage Tour

The history of America has many themes, but the theme of African American history that has touched many the most is the theme of resilience. Indeed, African Americans' enduring strength and resilience in the face of adversity have been the subjects of many songs, books, and movies in recent years. Savannah, Georgia, whose African-American population makes up about 60 percent of total...  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
Savannah's Historical Churches

Savannah's Historical Churches

The conspicuous churches of various styles and denominations – Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Unitarian, and Methodist – dot the cityscape of Savannah, Georgia, in abundance. With their spires reaching high, as if attempting to touch heaven, these churches stand like sacred sentinels, guarding the city's spiritual heritage and illuminating its architectural grandeur.

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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
Historical Houses Walking Tour

Historical Houses Walking Tour

Savannah, Georgia breathes history. You can feel it in the cobblestone alleyways and quaint squares dotting the city. An enchanting walk through the heart of Savannah's Historic District (one of the most carefully preserved in the United States) highlights an array of beautiful homes.

Saved by the forward-thinking residents from being bulldozed in the 1960s, these gorgeous structures (with...  view more

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