Savannah Through the Lens: The Best Instagram-Worthy Places
- Chrissy Clary
- Aug 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 10
You don’t have to try very hard to get a good photo in Savannah. That’s kind of the point.
The place does most of the work for you with all the trees, ironwork, and old brick. Even the most reluctant photographer will fill their phone up with images in this town.
But some spots get photographed more than others. So if you’re looking for the iconic spots, read on.
Forsyth Park
This is the one everyone recognizes, even if you don’t realize it until you’re standing at the fountain. It’s been there since 1858, and it still does exactly what it’s supposed to do, give you a focal point.
The fountain sits at the north end of the park and gets photographed constantly. Early morning is the easiest time if you want fewer people in the frame. Later in the day, you’ll be working around foot traffic.
The rest of the park matters too. The paths lined with live oaks, the moss hanging low, the way the light filters through in the morning, it all adds up.
The park itself is big enough to spread out, you’ll see people playing, shopping, drinking and my favorite) falling in love. Bring a blanket and a picnic for a break after your photo shoot.
Jones Street
This is usually called one of the prettiest streets in the country, according to the Savannah tour guides anyway. They also say it is the reason we have the saying “keeping up with the Joneses.”
I’m not sure that’s true. Honestly, I’m not sure half the tales told of Savannah are true. The locals and the tour guides here do love to embellish.
Still, the street earns its reputation - it is photo worthy.
This spot works because everything lines up. Brick sidewalks, steps leading up to townhomes, iron railings repeating down the block, you don’t need to hunt for a composition. It’s already there.
What you don’t see in most photos: parked cars. They’re there. They are always there. But you’ll find plenty of angles to frame them out.
Best move is to walk the full stretch. Different sections hit differently depending on the light. If you don’t feel like walking the whole city, there’s a Private Historic Savannah Tour in a vintage Citroën. They pick you up in a car that looks like it was made for Jones Street, and it’s a solid way to see more of the city without burning out halfway through.
Wormsloe Historic Site
This is the long road with the oak trees you’ve probably seen in brochures about Savannah.
It’s outside the main historic district and requires a short drive. The avenue itself is the draw—straight, long, and lined with live oaks and Spanish moss.
A breathtaking avenue leads to the tabby ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial estate of Noble Jones (1702–1775). Jones was a carpenter who arrived in Georgia in 1733 with James Oglethorpe and the first group of settlers from England. Wormsloe’s tabby ruin is one of the oldest standing structures in Savannah.
Today, visitors can interact with historical interpreters during programs and events and view a museum with artifacts unearthed at Wormsloe. There’s an entrance fee, and you’ll share the space with other people stopping for the same shot.
Savannah Historic District (The Squares)
Savannah has a grid of public squares spread throughout downtown.
You don’t need to track down a specific one. Walk a few blocks and you’ll hit several. Benches, monuments, shaded paths—these are the in-between spots that end up making some of the better photos.
Originally designed as part of the city’s thoughtful 18th-century layout, these gathering spaces were created to bring neighbors together, provide green refuge, and help organize the growing town. Of the original 24 squares, 23 remain today, each anchored by monuments, statues, and shaded pathways that tell stories of Savannah’s past.
Now enjoyed by millions each year, the squares are where you’ll find everything from picnics and weddings to musicians, tour groups, and quiet moments beneath moss-draped oaks.
If you really want to see it all there’s a full-day private option worth checking out. Savannah
👉 VIP Tour: Private Full-Day Tour
Savannah’s Lowcountry
And while most of us think of Savannah and think of history and old houses, it’s important not to forget the water and marshland.
We spent a lot of time out there and loved fishing and island hopping. The squares are lovely, but they can’t compare to the marsh at sunset.
Savannah’s waters and marshes form a massive tidal ecosystem, featuring more than 380,000 acres of coastal salt marsh that help protect the Georgia coast. Dominated by Spartina grass, these wetlands are essential habitat for marine life and birds, while the Savannah River serves as a major shipping channel and freshwater source.There’s a dolphin eco tour that heads out from River Street into the Lowcountry—out past the noise, into open water, with a good chance of spotting dolphins along the way. It’s a simple way to see the part of Savannah most people miss.
👉 Lowcountry by Boat: 2 Hours Dolphin Eco Tour
What we’d do differently
‼️ Go earlier. Not because it’s more peaceful, but because it’s easier. Less traffic, fewer people stepping into your frame, better light.
‼️ Also, don’t try to hit everything in one trip. The district is walkable, but it adds up fast. Pick a few spots and let the rest happen as you move between them.
If you go
Start in the historic district and walk. If you don’t love walking, try one of the tours we recommended or book a ticket on one of the hop-on, hop-off trolleys.
👉Trolley tour: Narrated Historic Savannah Sightseeing Trolley Tour
Wear shoes that can handle uneven sidewalks and cobblestones (I hear Hoka is one of the best brands for stable walking).
Expect other people. This isn’t a hidden place, and it can get downright crowded.
Early morning or late afternoon will make it easier and cooler. It gets hot in the middle of the day.
Bring water, especially in warmer months.
What we’d bring next time
A lightweight tripod for low light or early morning shots.
A sun hat. Yes, the city has plenty of shade thanks to all the moss and oak trees, but if you’re walking around long enough, you’re going to hit some sun-drenched stretches.
Savannah doesn’t make you work that hard for a good photo.
You just have to slow down long enough to notice what’s already there.
