Savannah Parks and Gardens Botanical Walking Tour

From
USD3700

Free cancellation

A full refund will apply if you cancel more than a day before the activity start time.

Duration2 hours
Guide LanguageEnglish
Good To KnowE-voucher
36 reviews

About

Go for a stroll through Savannah’s historic squares and green spaces during this guided tour focused on botany. Learn to identify the city’s plants and flowers as you explore gardens, parks, and more. See several top Savanah landmarks including Columbia Square and Colonial Park Cemetery. Discover Savannah from a different perspective with this walking tour focused on the city’s natural beauty.

Highlights

Learn about Savannah’s plants and flowers
Visit parks, gardens, cemeteries, and more
Discover Savannah with a guided walking tour
See landmarks including the Andrew Low House

Itinerary

Your guide will introduce you to the cast iron ornamentation in Savannah, starting with the oldest fountain downtown, making our way through the works of the largest historic Georgia foundry, and to the modern cast iron of Ivan Bailey. They will also discuss the plant life in and around the square, including Star Jasmine, Viburnum, Privet, Rhododendron, and Creeping Fig.
We will stop by the Owens-Thomas House to gaze into their garden and discuss some of the early gardening styles and common plants found in Savannah. We will also pass through Oglethorpe Square and discuss hydrangeas and spanish moss.
On your way through Colonial Park cemetery, your guide will discuss Palmetto Trees and Crepe Myrtles, the three most common epiphytes in Savannah (Spanish Moss, Resurrection Fern, and Mistletoe). You'll also see a Ginko tree, a Tulip Tree, Magnolias, possibly the oldest Crepe Myrtle downtown, and one of our largest Azalea bushes.
On this square you will see Variegated Ginger, Green Leopard Plants, Fushia trees, a Japanese Magnolia, and a Pecan Tree. There will be beautiful views of the Cathedral and homes, as well as a lovely fountain.
You'll visit the garden of the the Andrew Low House, which was lovingly grown by Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts. In her garden you will see Crepe Myrtles, several varieties of Camellias (Juliette's favourite), Narcissus, and many others. (small possibility of garden being closed based on house schedule, though everything can also be seen from outside the fence as well)
In Madison Square you will see another front yard garden (rare in Savannah), with a basket-weave boxwood pattern and rock trumpet vine. You will also get to see cast iron lamps originally powered by carbine, and more examples of Adinkra wrought iron patterns.
On our way to Pulaski Square we will discuss some later gardening styles and enjoy a peak into a few residential gardens. We'll also discuss Yew trees and their impact on medicine. While stopped in Pulaski Square we will discuss live oaks in depth and point out a few examples of 260ish year old oaks.
We'll stroll along Jones St, voted by Better Homes and Gardens as the "prettiest neighborhood to live in" in the country and enjoy views of multiple private gardens, a live oak canopy, and learn about additional plantlife.
In Monterey Square you will see some more stunning ironwork, and a garden featuring key limes, lemons, and oranges on one side, and olives and juniper on the other. We will also touch on changing garden trends with the later Victorian era.
We will conclude tour in Forsyth Park, Savannah's largest open green space, by pointing out the oldest live oak in downtown Savannah, the Savannah Scent Garden for the Blind, and the arboretum markers for the trees in Forsyth.

Inclusions

Fully narrated and interactive tour in English

Additional Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Well-behaved pets allowed
  • Not recommended for those who cannot walk/roll 1/3 mile without resting
  • All tour guides are fully vaccinated (including booster).

Guide Languages

  • English

Cancellation Policy

  • A full refund will apply if you cancel more than a day before the activity start time.

  • No refund is possible if you cancel less than a day before the activity start time.