I've been to a lot of Squares of Savannah over the years, including attending a wedding at one of…read morethem. It was this one, Columbia Square. That wedding was in 2009. I recently revisited this square, about 15 years later, and realized there was a Yelp listing for it (and other squares) so I checked in and decided to leave a review. How can I not rate Columbia Square five stars? My good friend's wedding was here. It was a lovely, intimate ceremony in such a unique setting. I've been to many weddings since then and the Columbia Square wedding still stands out. I'll never forget it. How many people can say they were married at one of Savannah's historic squares? The ceremony took place in the center of the square, next to the Wormsloe Fountain. According to the City, the fountain "was imported in 1970 from one of Georgia's earliest settlements, Wormsloe Plantation." Currently, Savannah has 22 squares. The first four were laid out in 1733. Columbia Square was laid out in 1799, part of the third wave of squares to be laid out. I believe Columbia Square was the 10th square overall. Compared to most of the other Squares of Savannah, it's one of the smaller ones. The reception of the wedding I attended took place in the courtyard of the adjacent Isaiah Davenport House. The Davenport House was built in 1820. In 1955, it was saved from demolition by the Historic Savannah Foundation. Since 1963, it's operated as a house museum. Also adjacent to the square, and across the street from the Davenport House, is the exquisite Kehoe House, built in 1892. It's known as a romantic getaway and is one of only six Historic Inns of Savannah. As for Columbia Square itself, it's just as beautiful today as it was during my last (known) visit 15 years ago. The live oak trees continue to be towering and majestic. They're the highlight for me. The square and surrounding neighborhood are picturesque. On this last visit, I parked for free on E President Street; I believe in space 4506, east of the square. The City enforces parking in this area, Monday-Saturday, 8am-8pm. We checked the parking kiosk nearby and for some reason, it was free during the time of our visit (Friday afternoon/evening). Fun fact: When I parked here, my car hit exactly 297,000 miles.

Another one of the beautiful 22 squares in Savannah. If you can make it through all of them, do it!…read moreThis one like the other shares unique history and a beautiful fountain, that turns green for st Patrick's Day!

A rather quiet square in the southwest corner of the Historic District canopied by about 20…read morebeautiful Live Oaks - the state tree. It's not uncommon to spot a wedding taking place in Chatham Square or SCAD textile design students studying. Some interesting facts about Chatham Square and surrounding buildings: *Chatham Square was laid out, along with neighboring Monterey Square, in 1847. Chatham Square is one of the last four in the expanding "Oglethorpe Plan" by city and Georgia colony founder General James Oglethorpe. *Chatham Square is named after Englishman William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who was an early supporter of the Georgia colony. *in the center of the square you'll find a sundial dedicated to African American, Savannah native, Louis Burke Toomer. Additionally, a historical marker placed in his honor highlights Toomer's contributions as a leader, local bank founder and realtor. Toomer established what is now the Carver State Bank. *In 1854, Barnard Street Elementary School, a boys school, was built on the northwest corner of Chatham Square. *General Sherman's Union forces used Barnard Street Elementary as a military hospital during the Civil War. *In 1906, Mediterranean revival style Barnard Street School was constructed on the same site as the old Barnard Street Elementary School. It was designed by Swedish immigrant, architect Gottfrid L. Norman. *The Northwest corner of Chatham Square continues to serve academically. SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) purchased Barnard Street School in 1988. The renovated school is now Pepe Hall and houses SCAD's Textile design school. *Gordon Row, on the southeast corner, was one of Savannah's first housing developments. These Federalist or Regency style homes line the 100 block of Gordon Street and were built in phases between 1852 and 1854. Cost per home was $3,500-$4,000 and marketed to country planters or farmers who wanted a house in town during visits.

Chatham Square is unique in that it's a little out of the way of your main Squares and houses no…read moremonuments or statues. It makes up for that with beautiful floral gardens, large oaks covered in Spanish moss and a lovely sundial. It's a short walk from Liberty Street, full of hotels and restaurants within the historic district. Interesting fact: Chatham Square is one of the least visited squares and was one of the last of Savannah's squares to be laid out. It's named after William Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, the county Savannah resides in, and oddly enough, Chatham county was also named after William Pitt (but which was named first, I couldn't tell you. What you should look for when you visit: Barnard Street School, which used Chatham Square as their school playground for many years (the building is now part of SCAD). And "Gordon Row", a series of fifteen 4-story homes in a row. Square Review 2:22

This square is located on Abercorn, between Taylor and Gordon Streets. It was named in honor of…read moreJohn C. Calhoun, a United States Senator from South Carolina who was known as the great orator of the south. He served as Secretary of War, Secretary of State, and the Vice President under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. This was one of the final three squares to be completed in 1851. This square is unique in that it is the only square in the City of Savannah with all of its original buildings still intact. Many of the home along the the square were built in the 1850's and 1860's in the Greek Revival style. One of the historic buildings that overlooks the square is the Massie Common School House. It was designed in the Greek Revival style by John Norris and served as Georgia's first school. General William Sherman took over the school in December of 1864 and used it as a hospital. Another historic building along the square is the Gothic Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church founded in 1868. Construction of the church began in 1875. The first phase of construction was completed in 1875 and the second floor was finished 12 years later. There are stories of this square being haunted because this square was a slave burial ground containing 1,000 graves. In 2004 a skull was discovered by utility workers outside the Massie Heritage Interpretation Center on the square's southeastern side. Slaves in the 18th century were buried in the area that is now the square when the land was on the outskirts of Savannah's city limits. Many of the bodies were moved to Laurel Grove Cemetery South but apparently they still missed a few. Points of interest near Calhoun Square includes Clary's Cafe two blocks north, famous for it's breakfast and Savannah's biggest park, Forsyth Park, is three blocks southwest from the square. Today you can sit on a bench and reflect on the history of this part of the city beneath the trees that cast their shade over this hallowed ground.

The mature Live Oak tree canopy, limbs dripping with Spanish Moss, make Calhoun Square the perfect…read moresetting for its ghost stories! Those believing in the supernatural make this Square a must see. Additionally, Calhoun Square was one of the last three squares to be laid out in 1855. James Oglethorpe's 1733 city plan was still an ongoing vision one hundred and twenty two (122) years later with its construction. John C. Calhoun, an accomplished South Carolina statesman, Vice President to John Quincy Adams and Secretary of War for the United Stares of America, was the namesake of Calhoun Square. This is an intriguing Square with original buildings surrounding the square and ghost stories involving its history. Originally, in Savannah's infancy, the property that is now Calhoun Square was beyond the city limits. At that time, this property was the resting place of approximately "1,000 slaves", according to Wikipedia Squares of Savannah. The bodies were later moved to Laurel Grove Cemetery South. However, some remains were obviously missed as utility workers found a skull in 2004 that testing revealed dated back to the 1800s. For this reason, many Ghost tours make Calhoun Square a spot to investigate, and hopefully encounter, paranormal activity. Savannah is touted as one of America's most haunted cities in the USA, and Calhoun Square is one of many intriguing ghostly places to visit due to the burial ground history. Additionally, several of the homes and Massie School facing Calhoun Square are supposedly haunted. Some interesting facts regarding the surrounding buildings: *Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church stands grandly on the southwest corner of Calhoun Square. This gothic style church was named after and a tribute to the brothers and founders of Methodism, Charles and John Wesley. First services were held in 1868. *Greek Revival style Massie School is located on the southeast corner of Calhoun Square and was Savannah's and the state of Georgia's first public school. It's namesake Peter Massie, a Scotsman, gave Savannah $5,000 to build a school for "children of the poor". Massie School opened in 1856 and educated students until 1974. *The Greek Revival style home at 432 Abercorn Street in the southeast corner of Calhoun Square has an interesting past of death, and some say the most haunted in Savannah. The home was built for civil war veteran and cotton merchant, General Benjamin J. Wilson. The family of five children moved in in 1869. His wife died sometime after of Yellow Fever, and legend has it her ghost still wonders the home. *Stories of Prohibition bootlegging and murder make up some of the history of the Espy home, built in 1900, at 421 Abercorn Street and facing the northwest corner of Calhoun Square. This home belonged to federal judge, Carl Espy, who lived a double life as a respected judge and had a thriving, secretive bootleg business. Supposedly his granddaughter tragically died in the home, and his son was found murdered here, as well.

The botanical gardens were a nice easy place to visit when I didn't want to go back to the downtown…read morearea again. They have free parking and entrance to the gardens, and they are pet friendly. This is exactly the type of place I was looking for. The gardens themselves are smaller than other gardens I have visited. The main attraction for me was the additional trails you could walk along. The trails helped make the trip a little longer and more worthwhile. This is a nice relaxing stop if looking for something more low-key and quiet.

My 2nd visit to this beautiful small neighborhood garden. Its taken care of so professionally & its…read moreusually not crowded, I think because people may not know its there. A wonderful walk thru of pretty blooms, a pond, and a small children's garden, so they have the whole family covered. My only comment is that on line it says free, but when u get there it says $5/adult. Just leave a donation, people are volunteering their services to provide a beautiful space, the least we can do is put money in the box. Come see for yourself

This area is full of shops, restaurants, cafes, galleries, boutiques, inns and hotels. A good part…read moreof these businesses are located in restored passageways and nineteenth-century cotton warehouses. Everyone seems to enjoy this area when visiting Savannah. But what is Factor's Walk...and how did it get its name? Why is it here? Factor means to "sell" or "factorize". In these same buildings that now house various businesses...men used to bale, factor and sell cotton. The iron bridges and walkways led to the office entrances...often on the 3rd, 4th & 5th floors of the buildings. Here, brokers worked on sales and managed exports. "Factors" determined the amount(s) of cotton that would be sold to any merchant. Factors Walk was named after these cotton factors. Although the cotton trade is no longer here, it is still very much a business district...just in a different way. Today it is more of a promenade for all to enjoy instead of just doing business. The walkways & bridges are beautiful and remain nearly the same. There are historic steps that are rather steep still in existence as well that lead below to the river front...use them at your own risk. The architecture in this entire area is amazing...and cost nothing to take it all in except a little time...and this is time that I highly recommend.

Great place to visit , great view a good spot to take great pics . Historic steps is beautiful…read moreloved it . The only thing I hated was a lot of mosquitoes but other than that it was a great place to walk by and get to know

Had a rental car and took the short drive out of the city to do the loop. Well maintained road that…read moreprovided great wildlife and scenic marsh views. Gators, birds, plantation ruins-it's all here. Not a place to take an Uber as you'll want to be able to stop, get out and take in the sights. If you're a birder, take your binoculars. Wish I had mine!

This is such a wonderful place to view wildlife! The four mile wildlife drive is the most popular…read morearea and you can go slowly and pull over often. There is a portalet at mile marker one, which I appreciate! We've seen so many migrating birds here - most recently hundreds of ring-necked ducks and green-winged teals. On a warm day, you'll see alligators on the shore. Also within the refuge are several walking trails, a visitor center, and the lovely Kingfisher Pond. The pond has a one mile hiking trail around it and we saw so many birds! The visitor center has extremely limited hours but the rest is the reserve is open from sunrise to sunset.

Any fans of the Civil War will find so many amazing historical locations in Savannah…read more Shermans's Headquarters is one such place. Gorgeous building with amazing surroundings. Check out the history of why the Union left Savannah unscathed.

Located on Madison Square is the historic Gothic Revival Green-Meldrim House which was built…read morebetween 1853 and 1861. The architect for the house was John S. Norris who also designed the Savannah Customs House. The house was constructed for Mr. Charles Green who came from England to Savannah in 1833. Mr. Greene made his fortune in cotton and ships. In December of 1864, General Sherman used this house as his headquarters at Mr. Green's invitation. General Sherman came to Savannah with the Federal Army to occupy Savannah during his famous March to the Sea during the Civil War. Sherman was successful in taking over the city and sent President Lincoln a telegram that when down in history when he offered Savannah to him as a Christmas gift, bringing the Civil War to an end. Sherman occupied the house until the end of the war. In 1976, the house was designated a National Landmark by the United States Department of Interior. After Mr. Greene died, his son Edward moved to France with the furnishings from the house and sold it to Judge Peter W. Meldrim. On December 30, 1943, Judge Meldrim sold the house to the parish of St. John's after which they restored it. After Edwards youngest son, the writer Julien Green passed, the church was able to buy the furniture in France and have it returned to the house. Today St. John's Episcopal Church gives tours pf the house and they use it for meetings. St. John's maintains a church next door. There is a historical marker in front of the house detailing it's storied history. The houses fascinating story and magnificent architecture makes it a great stop during a tour of Savannah.

I really liked this statue, even though this story is amazingly sad. Luckily it was a stop on our…read moretrolley. We actually got off the trolley at one end of River Street and walked all the way to this end (which is about where this is). I would highly recommend stopping by and reading about this amazing story.

We smoked a nice cigar by the statue. It's right on the water. Such a sad story, she waited too…read morelong for that guy!