Historic River Street
Historic River Street
4.5
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- Carlos LAtlanta, Georgia151 contributionsGreat way to spend a day at SavannahOur walk along River Street, beginning from the JW Marriott parking area, was a practical way to immerse ourselves in the heart of Savannah. The view of the Savannah River was picturesque, especially bathed in warm sunlight. The historic riverside buildings added to the charm, creating an ideal backdrop for photos. We couldn’t resist stepping into the local shops, where we found some tasty treasures. We picked up delicious cookies from Byrds and indulged in mouthwatering caramel apples from Candy Kitchen. Adding to the lively atmosphere were the street performers, who showcased their talents and added a dose of local culture to our stroll. To make our day even more enjoyable, we hopped on the free Belles Ferry for a brief but scenic ride across the river. It was a nice addition to our River Street adventure.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 25 September 2023
- Life2TravelCharlotte, North Carolina1,631 contributionsTourist area but worth some timeThis is a lively area to spend some time away from the historic district. There are hotels (be sure to check out the JW Marriott) shops and restaurants along the river. It definitely has more of a touristy feel than the historic district but is worth spending some time if you have more than a few days in Savannah. You can also take a river boat cruise or dinner from here. We had a wonderful dinner at Vic's on the River. Parking can be a challenge. There are several small public parking lots which fill quickly. If mobility is not an issue, I would recommend trying to park on East Bay St and walk down to River Street.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 October 2023
- TrayBNMt Cobb, Pennsylvania536 contributionsToo Touristy For UsIt's worth checking out River Street once. There are some excellent restaurants here but also lots of touristy related shops. It is very crowded but still clean. It's amazing when a loaded cargo ship goes by.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 October 2023
- NVM37 contributionsImportante part of visit to SavannahThe River street was nicely decorated for Christmas and we had great time. Area was lively and clean. We dined at seafood place CH and went to rooftop bar at night. The area looked clean and merge easily to shopping at Broughton street and historic district. Cobblestone has a lot of historic charm. Marriott hotel lobby is must see attraction. It was safe all times we wentVisited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 December 2023
- NoraatcSudbury, Massachusetts39,291 contributionsHistoric River StreetThe iconic River Street is full of rich history as well as the plethora of cafes and restaurants. One of the highlight spots on the River Street is the Cotton Exchange Building, which dates back to 1887 when Savannah was ranked as the #1 cotton seaport on the Atlantic Ocean. On the Riverfront Plaza the steamship “Georgia Queen” is a big draw and a great photo op.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 10 March 2024
- Mixa's TravelsOldsmar, Florida3,875 contributionsTake a Stroll Along the Savannah RiverBe sure to stroll along River Street in Savannah. Here you can watch the cargo ships come in on the Savannah River and also walk along the River Walk – a nice brick walkway along the river. Or check out the tourist shops, eateries and candy shops on the River. On this visit we walked along the river by the River Plant District and also enjoyed a craft fair along the River Walk on a Sunday Morning.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 May 2024
- Mackenzy P4 contributionsLoved itAwesome place. I could sit for hours and look out onto the river. Ships going by are a really cool sight. Make sure to catch a sunrise coming over the water. Good food, nice hotels are right next door. Savannah is a special place.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 July 2024
- Mary SLong Island, New York113 contributionsFirst time on RiverboatWent on the River Cruise-had a very good time. The crew were very friendly and one crew member whose job was to narrate was very nice and informative. You will also get your picture taken for purchase after the trip is over . It’s about $133.00 for three people to go on the trip. You can purchase your tickets in a store right across from the river boat.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 August 2024
- Matt SBrighton, Michigan2,273 contributionsGood walking visitWe were here early afternoon on a weekday, so the area was pretty tame. But, by the number of bars, restaurants and stores, my guess is this place is quite happening at night. Regardless, it was a nice pleasant walk along the waterfront.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
8,243 reviews
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Terrible
92
EmptyNest
Easley, SC91 contributions
May 2020 • Couples
If you like to party, step over homeless people and don't mind being begged for money around every corner, then this is the place for you. If your not into getting drunk then avoid this place. Drinking on the street is allowed so it's just one big party. River St. Really is a beautiful place but they really should beef up security here and contain the drunks to the bars. Peddling crap for money in Savannah is comparable to any cruise port across the entire city,but is especially bad on River St.
Written 24 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa S
12 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
River Street is fun for only a couple of hours. The shops are typical tourist sites. Visit one of the candy shops, get a praline. And go watch the shops go buy. Check your online account after purchases. My friend had her card locked because a burger and bar restaurant charged her $2,700 for two drinks. Wear sneakers because of the cobblestone streets.
Written 7 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John379
West Chester, PA694 contributions
Jan 2020
We stayed on River Street during our visit to Savannah so doing a walk down River street was pretty easy for us. It is a nice place to have lunch or a few drinks. In the afternoon there are people playing music or singing and you can do some great people watching. The shops haven't become a total tourist trap type stores but there is a little of that. There are some local crafts and artists with some nice stuff to buy. The candy stores provide some great smells. We did notice the nicer restaurants did start getting crowded in the mid afternoon, at least the balconies and outdoor seating.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy and Chris
Brunswick, GA1 contribution
Jun 2020
Do not go here if you are concerned about Covid. I love River Street and enjoy the views, shops, and restaurants. It's charming with its cobble stones and the ships traveling through. We were there the weekend of June 19, and the crowds were significant. Very few people were wearing masks or making any effort at social distancing. The shop and restaurant employees, however, were wearing masks. Lines to some places (like Wet Willie's) were very long because they were trying to limit how many customers were there at a time.
Written 1 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen M
West Jordan, UT69 contributions
Oct 2020
We enjoyed an afternoon of shopping, sightseeing and dining on Riverstreet. Parking is kind of a pain so it's worth it to park in the paid lot across the street and just walk over. There are a lot of cool shops and things to see, including the boats going by. We saw a massive shipping boat which was really neat! The candy shop is a must and Byrd's cookies are very yummy! I highly recommend it just plan for a full day or afternoon so you don't have to rush.
Written 29 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie P
Cortland, NY8,526 contributions
Mar 2022
We went really early one morning during the week, about 9:00, to try to avoid the rain. It is SUPER quiet at that time of day, and it is a lovely time to actually appreciate the Historic River Street. We walked down to the Waving Girl Statue, and made our way back. The day before we had done a quick trip on the Savannah Belles Ferry while the sun was still shining. That is not to be missed!!
The streets are cobblestone, so careful walking is in order. We enjoyed shopping at Bob's Your Uncle, and both Candy stores-Savannah's Candy Kitchen and River Street Sweets. The view of the bridge is spectacular.
We had lunch reservations for noon at Vic's, and coincidently it just started to rain at that time. Perfect timing!
We did not visit at night-but I'm sure it would be a fun time seeing the sunset.
The streets are cobblestone, so careful walking is in order. We enjoyed shopping at Bob's Your Uncle, and both Candy stores-Savannah's Candy Kitchen and River Street Sweets. The view of the bridge is spectacular.
We had lunch reservations for noon at Vic's, and coincidently it just started to rain at that time. Perfect timing!
We did not visit at night-but I'm sure it would be a fun time seeing the sunset.
Written 4 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
only1kirk
Salisbury, MD202 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
The riverwalk is an amazing street full of history, legend and shopping. The restaurant scene here is the best I've seen in a historic town. The beautification if the area is done well and it is decorated in a charming fashion. Here you can get on a bus tour, take a ghost tour, eat, drink, have coffee, take a riverboat tour and shop to your hearts content. Its a great place to visit. Parking for the most part, unless you have a small car is a disaster. All spots are metered. We paid around 12 dollars for about 6 hours which wasn't too bad, but the spaces seem to be a little small we have for a full size pickup it took an hour to find a spot and i almost got stuck inside the parking garage which i did not end up using. Other than parking i have no complaints.
Written 2 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bfaulk
Pembroke, GA5 contributions
Jun 2020
River St has gone from being an eyesore 60 years ago, to being a WORLD CLASS ATTRACTION, now!! There is something for every taste, restaurants of all calibres, giant ships sailing by, seemingly at arm's reach, museums, and entertainment. While it has a reputation for night life, River St is very kid-friendly. Yes, it is 'touristy,' but have you been to Rome, Venice, or Florence, in recent years?
We visited in the height of Covid-18 restrictions, so it was not crowded. We live near Savannah, so we know that River Street can be quite crowded, especially during the Spring,St. Patrick's Day, especially. In cooler weather, such as May or Fall, it's splendid!
If you're just passing through GA on I-95, or planning for a week in Savannah, don''t miss River Street!
We visited in the height of Covid-18 restrictions, so it was not crowded. We live near Savannah, so we know that River Street can be quite crowded, especially during the Spring,St. Patrick's Day, especially. In cooler weather, such as May or Fall, it's splendid!
If you're just passing through GA on I-95, or planning for a week in Savannah, don''t miss River Street!
Written 13 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meowy
Montgomery, AL520 contributions
Mar 2022
When in Savannah you have to do the River Walk. That being said, it felt like just a big tourist trap to me. In terms of sites, much smaller river fronts are more impressive, such as in Chattanooga or Columbus, GA. Nothing really special here. There are a ton of places to eat and souvenir shops here, all extremely overpriced. I went into a candy shop and they were selling a bag of candy for a bargain of $29 per pound. A tuna fish sandwich in a restaurant is only $10. Take a walk down River Street but avoid the shops and see the rest of the city.
Written 3 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia G
Knoxville, TN12 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
The city of Savannah needs to provide ample public restrooms in the tourist areas. I had to walk about 8-10 blocks to find a restroom as the only one on River Street was the closed for lunch! Seriously!! Streets are not well marked and finding where I needed to go wasn't easy. When I stopped by later in the day at the restroom on River Street the employees were not friendly and acted like they resented the pubic using the facilities. It turned what could have been a pleasant day into a trip that will not be repeated. I failed to mention my adventure began by standing in line for 20 minutes or more just to pay to park on River Street! The day started out bad and went downhill! Even the restaurant food was terrible! Shame on you Savannah. You should do better.
Written 29 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Check out dueling piano’s. If anything it’s a fun place to people watch.
Written 15 August 2020
How late are the shops etc open on river street? Is this a good thing to do around 5 when all the tours are usually over? (We are not drinkers so bar scenes won't be important).
Written 20 June 2019
Shops tend to stay open late, as the foot traffic is heaviest in the evening hours. Might find they close early if the weather runs folks back to their hotels, etc.
Written 2 July 2019
You can bring your dog to the waiking area but you’ll need to find out if the actual places you are going to accept dogs. Savannah is very dog friendly, that’s one of the things I love about it.
Written 13 January 2019
What is a scenic, comfy place to have a lite bite and hang out for a couple of hours?
Written 7 January 2019
There are many places to eat and hang around in Savannah. River Street is probably the most famous. If you are looking for something a little off the beaten path I would suggest the Crystal Beer Parlor (don't let the name throw you off, the food is excellent!) and the treylor park, again odd name but great food and excellent atmosphere. Enjoy your stay!
Written 7 January 2019
Is my friends birthday today and he wants to go to Savannah what’s is the best place to go out at night? Any clubs or bars?
Written 31 August 2018
Rocks on the Roof is a great drink and excellent view. Many bars to choose from just take a stroll!
Written 1 September 2018
Is there nightlife during the week or is it kind of dead after the dinner hour? My friend and I enjoy hanging out and socializing with locals and other travelers.
Written 12 May 2018
Yes there is nightlife all week. There are some great bars and the haunted bar crawl was awesome
Written 13 May 2018
I would love restaurant recommendation with good food and view but not particularly high price. Our elderly parents will be with us and our plan is to find a place to eat, leave them to enjoy the view and for rest of us to do some walking.
Written 9 April 2018
Since your parents are elderly, like mine, a better restaurant setting would be better...perhaps Joe's Crab Shack. Yes, it's a franchise but it is on the water and you can walk and shop while they sit and wait for you. Next to that restaurant is also a small outdoor dining area with seats...outdoor air cafe, so to speak, with coffee and teas, baked goods, ice creams, hot dogs, etc. Which also happens to be right next to shopping and car parking lot.
Written 10 April 2018
My husband and I have limited walking ability. What is the parking situation?
Written 4 April 2018
You can park right on River Street. $2 per hour. Free after 8 pm and on Sundays. Parked there last Fri Night no problem. But beware River Street is all cobblestones.
Written 10 April 2018
Is there a Irish Parade or any big St. Patrick's day celebration. Where and When?
Written 16 January 2018
St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is always a huge disappointment. Too many drunks, too many people from out of town trashing our beautiful city and too many people walking in the parade 👎 Few events in America glorify alcoholism like the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah, GA. I personally have seen drunks urinating in pubic streets, criminals breaking out car windows and police officers chasing them all over the city. The event is an embarrassment to the city in my opinion. However, merchants and alcohol vendors like having the extra revenue. I make the mistake of letting my kids talk me into going to the parade about every 5 years and it never fails to be a bad time.
Written 9 February 2018
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