Savannah’s got more to offer than oak-lined squares and pralines—this city is practically bursting at the seams with museums as quirky, historic, and offbeat as the locals themselves. Whether you want to brush elbows with war heroes, stage your own ghost hunt, get an eye-full of oddities, or earn your badge as a Girl Scout superfan, there’s a museum here with your name on it. Ready to trade your walking tour for some museum magic? Let’s dig into Savannah’s most unforgettable collections.
Webb Military Museum | Personal Histories Unfiltered
Step away from echoing halls and uninspired plaques and into a museum where every display feels personal. Here you’ll find Civil War sabers polished by time, Desert Storm uniforms still bearing faint stains of conflict, and most importantly, the real stories behind each artifact. Instead of reading generic descriptions, you’re introduced to the soldiers who wore those jackets, fought from those saddles, or carried those boots through mud and mayhem.
The space itself is compact but brimming with surprises. A Battle of Little Bighorn saddle sits beside a hands-on MiG-21 cockpit that invites guests to climb inside and imagine life at twenty thousand feet. No cartoon mascots or puppet shows distract from the raw history at every turn.
If owner Gary Webb happens to be on site, you’ll hear anecdotes that range from heart-wrenching to downright bizarre.
Those ephemeral moments bring each relic to life in a way no textbook can. And before you leave, stash a few bills for a museum t-shirt. It’s a quirky keepsake worthy of this hidden Savannah treasure. Unearth some history.
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force | Military Buff’s Dreamland
If your bucket list includes climbing inside a B-17 dubbed City of Savannah and sparring over which WWII fighter reigns supreme (spoiler, it’s too close to call), this place has your name on it. The collection spans from a strategic B-47 to a sleek MiG-17 and a thunderous F-4 Phantom II. Interactive mission briefings simulate bombing runs complete with booming sound effects and real-time narration that will have you wishing you paid more attention in history class.
The real draw, though, is the firsthand voices of veterans who once flew these missions. Hearing accurate accounts, like surviving flak over Europe, adds gravity that no playback audio can mimic.
After touring the tarmac displays and cockpit replicas, browse aviation memorabilia in the gift shop. When hunger hits, Miss Sophie’s Marketplace serves a surprisingly solid Southern lunch. Catch a veteran-led tour if the timing is right, since those stories echo long after you leave.
Kids can dive into day camps or overnight stays, never returning home bored. If you thought jetliners were just oversized mail trucks, prepare for your view of flight to be utterly transformed. Book your sortie now.
Savannah Theatre | The Historic Live Showstopper
Sandwiched in historic Chippewa Square, this theatre shatters the myth that live performance means dusty stages and creaky seats. Since 1818 it has hosted everything from classic revivals to its flagship variety show, Savannah Live. A devastating fire in 1948 ushered in an Art Deco renovation and a modern sound system powerful enough to make Motown covers thump through every row.
Wander into the lobby and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a theatrical time capsule. Two centuries of playbills line the walls, and display cases hold glittering costumes once worn by touring troupes and Hollywood stars. A sleek bar sits on one side for cocktail hour, while families crowd around memorabilia and vintage posters.
The resident cast delivers a changing roster of musicals, rock & roll nights, and family-friendly productions. Guided backstage tours reveal hidden dressing rooms, trap doors, and secret tunnels used by performers.
If you’d rather skip another ghost tour, this place offers enough drama and history to keep you entertained for an evening. Just remember to scout parking and grab dinner early to beat the rush. See what’s taking center stage.
Graveface Museum | For the Morbidly Curious
Enter a museum that doubles as a cabinet of curiosities for the macabre. Tucked just off a bustling street, this weird little paradise of the obscure invites you to explore unsettling treasures. Original sketches by John Wayne Gacy and personal artifacts from Ed Gein share shelves with sideshow oddities straight out of a horror anthology.
Shadowy rooms are artfully lit to heighten the unsettling atmosphere, and each display leans into genuine evidence rather than cheap thrills.
A horror pinball arcade waits at the back, and your admission covers unlimited plays. Test your reflexes against a backdrop of skulls, voodoo dolls, and occult memorabilia.
This isn’t the spot for little ones with delicate imaginations. But for true crime aficionados and fans of the strange, every corner offers a fresh surprise to photograph.
A gift shop packed with retro fright-themed souvenirs lets you take a piece of evil home, if you dare. Remember that the main entrance is around back down a narrow alley, so look for the discreet door before your descent into darkness. See what’s lurking in the shadows.
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum | Girl Scouts Magic
Step into the childhood home of America’s first Girl Scout and discover where badges, friendship bracelets, and Thin Mints all began. This Regency-style house still holds hand-painted wallpapers, original furnishings, and quirky Low family art that together form a vibrant portrait of eccentric Southern hospitality. Each room unfolds like a chapter in a time capsule, transporting you to an era of corseted gowns and elaborate parlor games.
Tours led by modern Girl Scouts themselves turn history into a lively exchange of pioneer spirit and leadership lessons. Every anecdote, from early camping trips to the first council meetings, feels personal and engaging.
Whether you’re a former cookie-selling fanatic or a curious history buff, these guided walks avoid the snooze-fest vibe of typical house museums. Families will appreciate the interactive elements, and snacks are welcome to fuel little explorers.
While no cookies are served on site, the gift shop stocks retro Girl Scout gear and plenty of Savannah souvenirs. It’s an uplifting way to connect with a legacy that still inspires millions today. See what happens when history earns a badge.
American Prohibition Museum | Best for Boozy History Buffs
Hidden within a historic City Market building, this 6000-square-foot attraction transforms Prohibition-era lore into an immersive playground. Lifesize wax figures, including a scowling Al Capone, stand guard alongside sleek bootlegger cars that once outran lawmen. Behind a secret door, guests 21 and older can sample carefully crafted 1920s cocktails amid authentic decor.
Interactive exhibits invite you to operate a makeshift still or plan a daring moonshine run while detailed dioramas reveal the finer points of Prohibition’s rise and fall. Costumed guides channel the swagger of speakeasy patrons, mixing theatrical performance with hard-earned historical facts. Families and history enthusiasts will find plenty to explore before the adults-only bar beckons with its secretive charm.
Photographers can compose striking shots of flapper dresses and antique vehicles, ensuring your social feed is brimming with vintage flair. By the time you step back into the present day, you’ll have earned a crash course on America’s bold experiment in Prohibition—and maybe a newfound respect for sweet tea. Sneak in here for the full story (and maybe a tipple).
Old Sorrel-Weed House Museum & Tours | Spookiest Slice of Southern History
Soaring Greek Revival columns set the stage for a home where architectural elegance and spine-tingling legends intersect. Over 16,000 square feet of pristine woodwork, lofty ceilings, and blooming gardens once welcomed figures such as Robert E. Lee—and later appeared in the opening shot of Forrest Gump. Daylight tours delve into antebellum tales, stately interior décor, and the silent testimony of surviving slave quarters, offering both beauty and sobering context.
When dusk falls, the atmosphere shifts. Lantern-lit ghost tours guide visitors through the shadowed halls as costumed historians recount spectral sightings and whispered rumors. Adventurous souls can upgrade to full paranormal investigations, complete with professional equipment and expert direction. Whether you arrive as a dedicated skeptic or a devout believer, you’ll find this house earns its serious ghost-chasing credentials.
Because evening explorations fill up fast, booking ahead is essential. Bring an open mind, a brave spirit, and a spare flashlight—and maybe set aside a little extra cash for after-hours sessions. This is one historic landmark that refuses to stay silent at night. See what ghost stories await behind those big, beautiful doors.
Andrew Low House Museum | Period Elegance & Girl Scout Lore
Stepping into this Italianate mansion feels like opening a time capsule of 19th-century Southern society. Velvet drapes frame tall windows, creaky floorboards announce every footstep, and hand-painted wallpaper hints at a world of genteel refinement. Guided tours weave graceful anecdotes about the Low family with an honest look at the enslaved workers whose labor shaped these opulent rooms.
Visitors will admire the rose-filled courtyard, a secluded retreat that blooms year round. History enthusiasts linger over the Joseph Barry secretary desk and the gleaming family silver, artifacts that speak volumes without words. Girl Scouts arrive in droves, drawn by Juliette Gordon Low’s childhood ties. Note that there is no elevator and parking in the Historic District can involve a bit of luck.
Although there’s no on-site café, discreet photo opportunities abound if you have a thing for marble bathtubs or ornate chandeliers. By the end of your tour, you’ll have a fresh appreciation for period grandeur and the perfect excuse to seek out sweet tea at a nearby spot. Plan your visit and channel your inner aristocrat.
Mercer Williams House Museum | Savannah’s Architectural Time Capsule
Imagine walking through a living gallery of Regency and Empire antiques where every piece seems to whisper scandalous secrets. Over a 35-minute guided tour, you’ll breeze past 18th-century portraits, delicate Chinese export porcelain, and rooms so majestic they rival period dramas. The stained glass dome overhead alone has witnessed more intrigue than most bestselling novels.
This museum isn’t built for hands-on exploration or family-style distractions; it’s a solemn tribute to original architecture and storied heritage. Metered parking is available nearby, but once inside you’ll find photography rules strictly enforced—even the manicured garden must be admired with your eyes, not your camera. Visitors requiring easy access may want to plan ahead, as the historic floors and narrow doorways can be challenging.
At the end of the tour, the small museum shop offers curated souvenirs—perfect for anyone wanting a tangible reminder of this refined residence. Slip into your best Southern hospitality mood and imagine life in Savannah’s high society circa 1860. It’s a glimpse of old-money elegance you won’t forget. Scope out available tour times.
Davenport House Museum entrance and shop | Savannah’s Preservation Powerhouse
This brick Federal-style treasure reminds us how close Savannah came to losing its historic soul in the 1950s. Local women banded together to save it, sparking the city’s preservation movement with equal parts grit and grace. Today, guided tours run six days a week, leading you through elegant rooms where delicate plasterwork and original moldings remain remarkably intact.
Each step tells two stories: one of the genteel Davenport family and another of the skilled craftsmen and laborers who shaped every panel and doorway. Architecture lovers will pore over the lush courtyard and debate restoration techniques, while history buffs can dive into tales of urban renewal and rescue. Although there’s no full café, the former pharmacy turned museum shop stocks Savannah-themed souvenirs and treats for a post-tour pick-me-up.
Accessibility remains a challenge for older homes so check before you go if stairs pose a problem. Staff members are eager to share anecdotes about living history events, ghost tours, or even the local ritual of afternoon tea. If you want to experience Savannah’s charm under one roof, this house is a fitting first stop. Find your place in Savannah’s story here.
UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium | Best for Budding Marine Biologists
This low-key coastal aquarium offers sixteen exhibit tanks filled with over fifty species native to Georgia’s shore. The real charm lies in the touch tanks where you can gently meet crabs, sea stars, and other invertebrates while kids compete over who’s braver.
Housed in a former research station, the center foregoes flashy lights in favor of authentic marine displays and scenic nature trails. Picnic tables tucked along the marsh let you enjoy a brown-bag lunch as turtles drift by. No cafeteria means you can bring your own snacks and savor the outdoors.
Science enthusiasts should plan visits around the Friday feedings to watch staff handle stingrays, sharks, and more. Throughout the summer, engaging camps and hands-on workshops keep young explorers happily occupied while parents marvel at coastal wonders.
This hidden gem strikes the perfect balance between education and fresh air. Whether you’re a dedicated marine buff or a family of curious minds, expect an outing rich in genuine coastal discovery. Dive into the details here.
Honorable mentions:
• Beach Institute African American Cultural Center
• Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
• Wormsloe State Historic Site
• Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
• Ships Of The Sea Maritime Museum
