Best Scenery in Savannah

Stately oaks and exemplary funerary art make this a compelling destination. The setting—drawing visitors as early as the 19th century—found new admirers after the cover of John Berendt’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” published in the ’90s, made one sculpture a must-see monument. (Although Sylvia Shaw Judson’s 1936 work, “Bird Girl,” aka “Little Wendy,” no longer watches over the Trosdal gravesite, the piece can be viewed at Telfair Academy’s Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W. York St.) Even so, there is much more to photograph, especially toward the Wilmington River.

Visiting a “Forrest Gump” location is one of the most popular things to do in Savannah. In the 1994 film, Gump is sitting on a bench waiting for the bus and talking to those around him. However, don’t look for the bench in this square; it’s at the Savannah History Museum, 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Other photogenic options include the statue of Gen. James Oglethorpe, who founded Georgia as a colony, as well as First Baptist Church and Savannah Theatre.

Rows of brick buildings, steep walkways and cobblestones galore alongside the Savannah River stand testament to the city’s former dominance in the cotton trade. This riverside district used to be where the cotton brokers, or cotton factors, made deals. These days you’ll find a variety of shops, local restaurants and hotels occupying the historic structures. There are many sights to see, but consider some macro photography: Take close-up shots of the bricks and ornate ironwork.

The park’s well-known fountain garners most of the attention, and rightly so, with elegant features and an eye-catching water display. Snap a picture from the front or the side, or use a selfie stick to get in on the fun. Taking a photograph of the fountain is a quintessential thing to do in the 30-acre park. If you can, plan a trip during the St. Patrick’s Day Festival to see the water dyed green.

The 1871 home of Jim Williams, the antique-dealing preservationist-turned-defendant in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” occupies a prime location in the Savannah historic district. (Williams went on trial a record four times for sexual assault and murder but was acquitted in 1989 before his 1990 death in the residence.) Take a picture of the elegant home from either Monterey Square or the sidewalk before continuing on your journey. (Photography is not allowed during the house museum’s tour.)

Whether you’re searching for where to eat or stumble upon this pink building by happenstance, the local restaurant attracts attention from locals and tourists alike. The 18th-century manor, among the best restaurants in Savannah, serves up Lowcountry cuisine (and, reputedly, a haunted Savannah experience on occasion). If you cannot dine here during your trip, then use the natural light to shoot a photograph of the pink façade.

Monterey Square also is where one of America’s oldest Jewish congregations worship. At first glance, you might confuse the 1878 building with a cathedral, but that is because it is said to be the only neo-Gothic synagogue in the United States. Capture the decorative elements outside, or book a tour to document the historic sanctuary, including its stained glass.

Located near Waving Girl Landing in Morrell Park, the statue and marker honor Florence Martus, a woman who waved at passing ships for 44 years. Stories vary on why—one version holds she waved a handkerchief or lantern in search of a lost love—but the inspiration remains. Head toward Waving Girl Landing to photograph the statue and wave at passing ships in the Savannah River. (Some will blow their horns!)