COVID-19 may have caused some tour operators on this list to limit or stop operations. Be sure to ask your tour operator if they are still operating.

Savannah, Georgia, can be better understood with the help of someone who lives there and knows the city’s history. According to traveler reviews and editor analysis, USA Traveler identified 10 of Savannah’s best-guided tours, some of which focus on the city’s architecture, others on its food, and some on its ghostly residents. These tours will give you an insider’s perspective on Savannah’s culture and folklore, whether you’re walking through the Historic District or riding a Segway through a storied cemetery.

Old Town Trolley – Savannah Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Old Town Trolley’s hop-on, hop-off tours allow visitors to explore Savannah’s top attractions at their own pace. The trolleys make 15 stops in total, including Forsyth Park, City Market, River Street, Madison Park, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. The commentary provided by tour guides on the city and its sights was a highlight for tour-goers. Tours start at 9 a.m. and leave every 20 minutes until 5 or 6 p.m., weather permitting. A one-day pass with unlimited hop-on, hop-off privileges costs about $30 for adults; two-day tickets cost approximately $50. Ghost & Gravestones trolley tours are also popular at night.

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Genteel & Bard – Walking History Tour

The Geneteel & Bard Walking History Tour takes visitors to many of the city’s most popular attractions, including Colonial Park Cemetery, the Green-Meldrim House, Jones Street, Lafayette Square, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The two-hour tour is led by a local historian and storyteller. Reviewers praise the guide’s knowledge and passion. Others like the microphone/earbud system that makes it easy to hear the stories even if they are 200 feet away. Reservations are required and tickets start at $25. Savannah Ghost Encounter Tours are also offered by the family-owned company.

Ghost City Tours – Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

The Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl takes visitors to five bars and pubs that are considered the city’s “most haunted.” Throughout the two-hour walking tour, guides tell stories about violent crime in Savannah, voodoo, hoodoo, haunted homes, and, of course, bars. Travelers say the guides are experienced and entertaining. In addition, thanks to the city’s lack of open container laws, visitors can take their drinks from the bar to the bar in to-go cups. Advance tickets cost about $25. Participants must be at least 21 years old. Ghost City Tours also offers family tours and cemetery tours.

Savannah Taste Experience – Famous & Secret East Side Food Tour

The Savannah Taste Experience’s Famous & Secret East Side Food Tour takes visitors to nearly a half-dozen eateries to sample food ranging from barbecue to ice cream. Tours begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays and are limited to 16 people. Reviews – including those familiar with Savannah – confirm the accuracy of the “secret” part of the tour’s name, noting that they would not have discovered some of the restaurants on their own. Guides are also known for their knowledge of local lore and good humor. Tickets cost about $60 for participants 12 and older, and around $50 for those 11 and younger. Food is included, but beverages can be purchased separately. The company recommends signing up for its First Squares Food Tour for families with young children.

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Savannah Dan Walking Tours

Dan Savannah’s public walking tours start in Johnson Square and visit about half a dozen other squares in about two hours. A member of the Georgia Historical Society, the colorful, eponymous guide will share his insights into the city’s history, legends, and myths throughout the tour. The self-billed Southern gentleman who leads the outings is regarded as engaging and knowledgeable by many reviewers. Savannah Dan also offers helpful tips on where to dine in the city. Tours begin at 10 a.m. from Monday through Saturday, and in the afternoon on select days. There is a $25 cost for the tour. Savannah Dan also offers private walking tours.

Savannah Ghostwalker Tour

Savannah Ghostwalker Tours visit cemeteries, battlefields, and other purportedly haunted locations. “Ghostwalkers” share their experiences on ghost hunting, local history, and folklore, which many reviewers find fascinating, entertaining, and even spooky. Additionally, Ghostwalker Tours provides ghost-hunting equipment designed to detect paranormal activity. Many travelers appreciate the fact that the two-hour walking tours are limited to 15 people. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance.

Adventure Tours in Motion – Bonaventure Segway Tour

A Segway tour with Adventure Tours in Motion is the best way to explore Bonaventure Cemetery’s 100-plus acres. With this 90-minute tour, you’ll glide past Spanish moss-draped oaks and the tombstones of famous residents like Conrad Aiken and Johnny Mercer as your guide shares historical and architectural information. The tour includes a stop at the Laurel Grove Cemetery as well. Along with the Segways’ ease of use, travelers applaud the guides, who they describe as funny and insightful. Tours of the cemetery are offered daily at 1 p.m. Tickets are $75 per adult. Also available are Segway tours and electric bike tours around the city, as well as van tours.

Old Savannah Tours – Historic Hop-on, Hop-Off Tour

With this trolley tour, visitors can experience a 90-minute ride around the Historic District or hop off to explore any of the 15 stops along the way. The trolleys run every 15 to 20 minutes from 9 a.m. until around 5 p.m., depending on the season. Some stops feature actors portraying historical figures – a highlight for many reviewers. It costs about $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 5 to 12; kids 5 and under ride free. Several other tours are also offered by the company, such as the Savannah Experience, which covers the Historic District and several other neighborhoods, and the Grave Encounters Tour.

Blue Orb Savannah – The Zombie Tour

In its two-hour Zombie Tour, Blue Orb Savannah provides an in-depth, “uncensored” look at the ghosts that haunt the city. Guides share stories of paranormal activity recorded throughout Savannah along the way. Before the tour, tour-goers can purchase to-go cocktails to enjoy along the way. They praise the guides’ historical knowledge and humor and say that the two hours fly by. Tickets (without alcohol) start at $30. Savannah Shadows is a shorter (90-minute), all-ages version of the tour with tickets starting at $25.

Savannah Bike Tours

Savannah Bike Tours offers two-hour cycling tours that take visitors to some of the city’s most popular attractions. Along the 3-mile ride, passengers can see several of Savannah’s famous squares, Forsyth Park, the Savannah River waterfront, historic mansions open to the public, and movie locations. It is said that a bike tour allows you to cover more ground than a walking tour and includes insider tips from the guides. Daily tours are offered at 9 a.m. as well as 12:30 p.m. Admission is $30 for adults and $10 for children. Bikes with baskets and bottled water are provided. Children must wear helmets, which are optional for adults.

Southern Flavors Savannah – Taste Tour

Southern Flavors Savannah’s Taste Tour takes small groups of up to 14 people on a walking tour through downtown Savannah and along its riverfront. The city’s top attractions, including Johnson Square and Wright Square, can be seen between sampling low country fares like shrimp and grits, fried crab claws, and blue crab stew. Reviewers are raving about the food, which is plentiful and of high quality. The excursion leaves daily at noon and lasts approximately three hours. For culinary enthusiasts 16 and older, tickets start at $50. Southern Flavors Savannah also offers a dessert tour and a haunted pub crawl.

Segway of Savannah – Historical Squares Tour

Segway of Savannah’s Historic Squares Tour allows you to explore the city’s celebrated squares and take in its architecture while your guide shares Savannah’s history. Many reviewers mention the tour guides’ attention to safety and extensive knowledge of Savannah as reasons to take these tours. Tickets cost about $50 for an hour-long tour (or $40 December through February) and about $70 for a 90-minute ride. Participants must be 16 years or older. Segway of Savannah offers several excursions each day starting at 9 a.m. The company also offers excursions through some of Savannah’s picturesque cemeteries.

The post The 10 Best Savannah Tours first appeared on The USA Traveler.