savannah ga underground railroad tour

Why just hear about Savannah's dark history...

...when you can be a part of it?

Like Nothing You ' ve Ever Done Before...

The Savannah Underground is an attraction you like no other. It's a new way to experience Savannah's dark & terrifying past as three creepy, true

 tales play out around you in a 360 degree set. This is not your average Savannah ghost tour... This is one of the scariest things to do in Historic Savannah. 

Experience Savannah's dark past in this fully interactive and immersive show. Three ghost stories play out around you in a 360 degree set.

TROLLY + SHOW

Not your average ghost tour. Dive into Savannah's haunted history on an immersive trolley ride that takes you to the show.

One Spooky 

History lesson.

All three southern fried horror tales you'll experience have taken place in Savannah and it's surrounding areas. Experience the most haunted city on earth!

What People Say About The Savannah Underground.

This was such a well produced, acted, and executed show. The frights are as real as the historical stories and it was definitely worth the price. Check it out if you love horror!

We had a wonderful time. Our group found ourselves suspending reality, as we truly became completely immersed in the experience. Definitely a must see!

Just the right amount of spooky! This experience makes Savannah history and ghost stories come to life and actually makes you part of the story. This is a great way to learn about some of Savannah's most famous ghost stories and way more exciting than a ghost tour.

Three Frightening Tales

Embark on the ghost hunting trip of a lifetime as you encounter three grim stories, all of which took place in Savannah's horrific past. 

Yellow Fever

The year is 1820.

A young girl suffers from the brutal disease that ravaged Savannah... yellow fever. Assist Dr. Gaust in putting her out of her misery.

The year is 1894

A  lowcountry ghoul, the hag is coming for you... Can you trap it before it's too late?

Demon House

The year is 1963.

Meet Mary... A teenage girl who was the subject of Savannah's only confirmed exorcism.

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• Georgia Stories
• Change and Conflict

Savannah tour guide Ogbanna explains the Underground Railroad and the First African Baptist Church in Savannah, established in 1773. Murry Dorty of the Coastal Heritage Society explains how songs had hidden meanings to help and inspire runaways along the way.

Georgia Standards of Excellence

Social studies.

Explain the importance of key issues and events that led to the Civil War; include slavery, states' rights, nullification, Compromise of 1850 and the Georgia Platform, the Dred Scott case, Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860, and the debate over secession in Georgia.

1. Why would escaping from slavery be referred to as "stealing yourself"?

2. In order for a slave to escape from a Plantation, what are the dangers he/she would have to avoid?

1. The songs "Steal Away" and "Wade in the Water" are heard in the video. Listen to a full version of these songs or locate copies of the lyrics to find the clues that could help runaway slaves.

2. Draw your own political cartoon that depicts how you feel about slavery. It can be stick people or you may use your own drawing expertise. Make sure that others can tell exactly how you feel about it. Each object should visibly represent something (e.g., Elephant: Republicans; Donkey: Democrats; Uncle Sam or Eagle: United States; etc.).

abolitionist:  one who fought to abolish (end) slavery during the time that slavery was legal

contraband (as related to slavery):  a slave who escapes to the North

fugitive:  a person who is running away; usually refers to people running from the law

Fugitive Slave Law:  a law passed by the Federal Government before the Civil War that demanded that runaway slaves be returned to their masters once proof of ownership was furnished

moralist:  a person who attempts to impress his or her version of right and wrong upon other people

remorseless:  the state of being unapologetic and unashamed of one's own cruelty

trifle:  something of little significance or value

Underground Railroad:  the network of people and places that, in tandem, allowed slaves to escape to freedom in the North

Teacher's Guide

1. Why would escaping from slavery be referred to as "stealing yourself"? Because slaves were considered the property of their masters at the time, and not equal human beings with rights, to flee the bondage of slavery could be seen as stealing property. And since a slave was property, they were stealing themselves from their masters. 

2. In order for a slave to escape from a Plantation, what are the dangers he/she would have to avoid? Escaping from the Plantation would involve secrecy among the other slaves (who were not always willing to “cover” for someone trying to escape for fear of beatings by the overseer or owner), hunting dogs (who tracked down runaway slaves and injured or killed the slave), fear of being caught (which was worse than the actual trial of walking through woods and along desolate unknown places), etc. Students need to remember that it was illegal to teach a slave to read, so most of them were illiterate (could not read or write). Signs were posted, such as a lit lantern on a fence post indicated a safe house, which did not require the ability to read. Students should come up with reasonable dangers that would have been faced in the mid-1800s.

Support Materials

New georgia encyclopedia, georgia stories segments.

The period encompassing the decades before the Civil War shows two distinctly American societies diverging both economically and ideologically. As the North grew into an industrial powerhouse, it continued to benefit from the South’s primarily agrarian system, built on a foundation of forced labor. These profoundly different cultures and perspectives would eventually clash in the War Between the States.

A Trip to Hog Hammock

Escaping Slavery: The Story of William and Ellen Craft

From River to Rail: Georgia's Transportation History

Making Cotton Pay

The Roots of Uncle Remus

Connect with gpb education.

Savannah First-Timer's Guide

Plan the Perfect Trip to Savannah

Black History Tours Savannah: Which Ones Are Best?

• THINGS TO DO
• 16 Comments
• by Erin Clarkson

Savannah is a beautiful city with such a complicated history. A good portion of the Historic District was built by enslaved men and women, and — to truly appreciate its beauty — it’s important to acknowledge how the city came to be.

With that in mind, here are some of the best Black history tours in Savannah , with a focus on the ones that make every attempt to get the details right.

Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.

If you’re new around here, first of all… allow me to extend a warm welcome!

My name is Erin, and I authored the  Savannah First-Timer’s Guide . It combines my top Savannah travel tips from this website into one handy downloadable guide.

Table of Contents

Black History Tours in Savannah GA

If you’re wondering why you should schedule a Black history tour when you visit Savannah, it’s because it will help you to better understand the complex dynamics of the city.

The tours I’m recommending below are informative ones that will help you learn more about the collective contributions from the Black community — both enslaved and freed.

In a hurry? Here is my top recommendation: ➡️ From Slavery to Freedom Tour You might also be interested in reading: ➡️ A Local’s Guide to the Best Things To Do in Savannah, Georgia ➡️ Savannah Must-See Spots for First-Time Visitors

Pin Point Heritage Museum

Pin Point has long been one of my favorite tours in Savannah! It’s one of the “must see” spots I recommend anytime I have friends or family in town for a visit, and it’s one of the Top 10 attractions listed in my Savannah travel guide .

Y’all, this tour is SO GOOD, so informative, and 100% worth a visit!

The community of Pin Point was established back in 1896. It was founded by descendants of the enslaved men and women who arrived in Savannah from Central and West Africa via the Transatlantic Trade Route.

Those original founders purchased slivers of land along the marsh just south of Savannah and formed the small, self-sustaining community known as Pin Point.

Their main source of income was the A.S. Varn and Sons Oyster Factory, which currently operates as Pin Point Museum.

The tight-knit community was known for their crabbing, shrimping, and oyster harvesting operations. Some of their oyster products were even served at the White House!

Descendants of the original landowners will show you around the former oyster factory while teaching about the beautiful philosophy of the Gullah Geechee people — which is essentially to live off the land and seek only what you need, versus chasing after “wants”.

The site is run by the Coastal Heritage Society, and there are learning stations set up throughout the museum.

You can do a self-guided tour, but it’s much better to go on a guided one.

Why It’s Worth Visiting

In addition to being one of the best places in Savannah to learn about the Gullah Geechee culture, Pin Point is also a stunningly beautiful property.

The sunset views from there and nearby Butter Bean Beach are spectacular!

Depending on who you have as your guide, you might learn some of the Gullah language and even a few celebratory dance moves while you’re there.

If Gail Smith is available, I highly recommend requesting her to show you around!

Know Before You Go

• Website: Pin Point Heritage Museum
• Location: 9924 Pin Point Avenue, Savannah, GA 31401
• Tickets: From $5 – $9
• Parking: Their on-site parking lot fits approximately 15 to 20 vehicles
• Time to Allot: Plan on spending two hours at the site
• Note: You’ll need transportation to get to Pin Point from the Historic District

Local Insight: Pin Point is known for being the birthplace of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

FAQ: What Does Gullah Geechee Mean?

Gullah Geechee is a term you’ll hear frequently in Savannah.

The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of West Africans who were enslaved, brought to the U.S., and forced to work on rice, cotton, and indigo plantations throughout the Coastal Empire and the Lowcountry — like the Sea Island cotton plantations on Cumberland Island , for example.

Islanders in the lower region of South Carolina are usually considered Gullah, while Georgians are referred to as Geechee.

“Gullah Geechee” is a sweeping term that encompasses the two. The local dialect is also sometimes referred to as Gullah.

The Gullah Geechee Historical Corridor was established by Congress in 2006 as a National Heritage Area and covers coastal regions in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Owens-Thomas House

The Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters is where you’ll best see the stark contrast between Savannah’s “haves” and “have nots”.

The main home, circa 1819, was designed by architect William Jay — the architect for many of Savannah’s notable buildings — and was built in the Regency style.

Before touring the mansion, you’ll walk through a small welcome center where you can watch educational videos pertinent to the time period.

The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The back wall of the welcome center honors enslaved individuals who worked in the home.

It’s a very simple wall covered in names and blank boards representing those whose names could not be retrieved, but it’s particularly memorable.

Next, you’ll enter the area where enslaved families resided and will learn what life was like for the men and women who worked inside the home.

Those families were essentially on call 24/7 and worked under the constant scrutiny of the homeowners. They tended to the every need of their enslavers.

On the flip side, once you enter the main house, you’ll see how some of the wealthiest members of Savannah society lived in the early to mid 1800s.

It’s quite a stark contrast!

The home was clearly designed to entertain and is filled with collectibles and state-of-the-art amenities.

It even had plumbing on all three floors during a time period when employees at the White House were still carrying buckets of boiling water up the stairs for presidential families to use for bathing.

The entire house is fascinating, but I usually spend the majority of my time in the carriage house and the basement area, which is in near original condition.

The basement is where enslaved children were tasked with boiling huge pots of water over the fireplace, which they then poured into large containers that were used for laundry.

The children regularly dealt with scalding hot water and harmful substances, such as lye.

Both the Owens-Thomas house and the area that housed enslaved families are extraordinarily well-preserved.

In some areas of the main home, sections of the floors have been replaced with glass so you can see how the advanced plumbing system worked.

There’s ample signage throughout the home explaining how each area functioned.

If you want to learn what life was like for both wealthy and enslaved Southerners during pre-Civil War times, the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters is one of the more “complete picture” educational tours you can take in Savannah.

Whenever I tour this house, I’m reminded that the early success of this city (and much of the Deep South, in general) was only made possible through the arduous work of enslaved laborers.

It’s a regrettable time in our country’s history, but it’s one that needs to be remembered so it won’t be repeated.

• Website: Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters
• Location: 124 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401
• Tickets: The $20 ticket is a 3-for-1 fee that also grants entry to nearby Telfair Academy and Jepson Center for the Arts. Pay close attention to the instructions that come with your tickets, as you’ll need to stop by in-person to reserve a time slot for your tour.
• Parking: Street parking in the immediate area is metered.
• Time to Allot: The self-guided audio portion of the tour only takes about 45 minutes, but you can explore the basement on your own and it’s filled with treasures. Plan to spend another 30 minutes or so there.

Local Insight: The upper level of the interior of the main house has a very unique indoor bridge, and the ceiling in the slave quarters still shows remnants of the original “haint blue” paint, which was made from indigo dye. The Marquis de Lafayette once stayed in the home and gave a speech from one of the balconies.

FAQ: What is Urban Slavery?

Savannah’s plantation owners usually resided in town — not in fancy plantation homes like you see in Gone With the Wind and similar movies. They hired overseers to run their plantation properties, which were located in marshy areas on the outskirts of Savannah.

The plantations often had unsanitary conditions, and it was all too easy to catch malaria in the rice fields, so for those reasons the property owners preferred to live in town.

Enslaved men and women often lived inside their enslaver’s urban homes and labored daily to keep the property running smoothly.

The concept is referred to as urban slavery, and it’s what you’ll learn about during the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters tour.

First African Baptist Church Savannah

First African Baptist Church is yet another of my all-around favorite tours in Savannah.

It’s amazing how much information the guides pack into a relatively short time frame. Ninety minutes pass all too quickly, and — if you’re anything like me — you’ll find yourself wishing it lasted longer!

The FABC congregation first organized in 1733, and the building is a registered National Historic Landmark.

The tour focuses on notable pastors who served the church through the years, architectural features of the building, and the church’s important role in the Underground Railroad.

You’ll learn about the many hidden symbols found throughout the church and can even see where holes were punched into the floorboards on the lowest level of the building to circulate air for those hiding below.

The entire church was a labor of love that was constructed at odd times — often at night — by enslaved workers whenever they could manage to find free moments of time.

I don’t want to share too much, because I want you to go and experience this tour for yourself!

The oldest black congregation in North America began in 1773. May 20, 1775 the church was born with Rev. George Leile as its pastor; and constituted January 20, 1788 with Rev. Andrew Bryan, Pastor. The First African Baptist Church North America – Historic plaque by the front door

This is truly one of the most fascinating tours you can do in Savannah!

It’s another that repeatedly makes the cut as one of the top ten tours in my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide , and it’s one I practically insist on whenever I have friends or family in town for a visit.

The church has an archives room that contains a treasure trove of information about Savannah. I’d spend days in there if I could.

Guests are allowed inside the archives room, but you aren’t allowed to take pictures in that particular area.

• Website: First African Baptist Church
• Location: 23 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401
• Tickets: $12 – 15
• Parking: The church owns a private lot at the corner of Montgomery and W Bryan Streets where you can park for approximately $10 . The funds go into a work rehabilitation program for otherwise unemployable individuals. You’ll also find metered parking in the immediate vicinity.
• Time to Allot: Depending on the size of the tour group and how many questions people ask, the tour runs between an hour to an hour-and-a-half.

Local Insight: Most of the lighting fixtures in the sanctuary are original to the church. They’ve since been converted to electric, but were originally gas fixtures.

The Beach Institute

The Beach Institute is part of the King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving African American history.

It’s officially recognized as the first school in Savannah specifically created to educate African American children after Emancipation.

The school opened in 1867 with a tuition of $1.00 per month.

A visit to The Beach Institute is a must for any art or architecture lover.

This former school house hosts permanent and rotating exhibits featuring Black artists. You’ll find sculptures, contemporary art, and thought-provoking creations by local artists in the Savannah-Chatham public schools system.

My favorite exhibit features works by local sculptor Ulysses Davis.

Mr. Davis grew up in Savannah and was somewhat of a local legend. He taught himself to whittle and spent his free time carving small works of art.

He even created his own carving tools, which are on display in the museum.

When he was in his forties, Davis opened a barber shop. He displayed his carvings on the interior and exterior of the shop, which was located near Bull and 45th Streets.

Unfortunately, the barbershop is long gone, but the original screen door has been preserved inside the museum.

Guests can also see a recreation of the shop’s interior.

I’m not a very emotional person by nature, but some of the artwork in the rotating exhibits got me a little teary-eyed.

I could sense the raw emotion in many of the pieces — especially in some of the Black Lives Matter displays done by local high school students.

It’s easy to sense the anguish teens are feeling in light of current events in Georgia — particularly the Ahmaud Arbery case.

Emotional moments aside, the carvings by Mr. Davis are a local treasure.

National museums competed for the right to own his works, but the family accepted a lower bid in order to keep the collection intact in Savannah — knowing that’s what Davis himself would’ve wanted.

The museum is primarily self-guided, but there are times when docents are available to answer questions.

I was lucky enough to be able to speak with native Savannahian named Leitha (I didn’t get her last name) during my time in the museum, and she was very knowledgeable about Davis’ creations.

• Website: The Beach Institute & King Tisdell Cottage
• Location: 502 E Harris Street, Savannah, GA 31401
• Tickets: From $7 – $10
• Parking: Street parking in the immediate area is free.
• Time to Allot: Plan to spend 30 to 45 minutes on site.

Local Insight: The architecture of this building is quite impressive. Wait until you see how tall the windows and doors are on the upper two levels!

King-Tisdell Cottage

This beautiful Victorian-style cottage was built in 1896 and was originally located on Ott Street.

It was owned by an African American couple named Eugene and Sara King and later by Mrs. King and her second husband, Robert Tisdell.

The Kings and Tisdells were entrepreneurs and prominent members of the Savannah community. Mrs. King ran a confectionary out of the house.

If you love history, then you’ll enjoy visiting this cottage.

It’s currently the only African American historic home available for touring in Savannah.

While it’s not as fancy as some of the other homes you can tour in Savannah, you’ll learn fascinating stories about the lives of working class Savannahians.

This house contains one of the best public displays of collections from Westley Wallace Law (W.W. Law), local historian and former head of the NAACP in Savannah.

He collected thousands of photographs documenting the lives of African Americans in Savannah, and one full room in the home is dedicated to his findings.

• Location: 514 E Huntingdon Street, Savannah, Ga 31401

Savannah African Art Museum

Founded in 2016, this museum in relatively new to Savannah.

It’s located inside a beautiful historic home on 37th Street and is filled with artifacts from the collection of Mr. Donald Kole.

Most of the pieces showcased within are ceremonial and spiritual items from West and Central Africa.

There are items from 28 different African countries and 180 unique cultures — some permanent and some in rotating collections.

The 1st floor houses objects from West Africa and the 2nd floor covers Central Africa.

In touring the museum, you’ll learn about the various roles masks, garments, and costumes played in secret societies throughout African culture.

Most items are carved from wood or made of metal, but there are a few samples of pottery and ceramics also on display.

For example, a recent rotating exhibit called “ROOTS: History | Hair | Culture” focused on the cultural significance of African hairstyles throughout history.

Countless American families descended from men and women who arrived in this country from Africa via the Transatlantic Trade Route.

Those families were forced to leave their possessions — and much of their cultural heritage — behind.

This museum contains an incredibly diverse collection of art from many of those African countries. It’s a place where descendants of enslaved families can go to learn more about their heritage.

The museum operates as a non-profit and is completely FREE to the public. It’s a true hidden gem and an incredible gift to anyone who lives in — or visits — Savannah.

My tour guide was Billie Stultz, a recent SCAD graduate and Executive Director of the museum. She’s definitely a walking encyclopedia on the topic of African traditions!

• Website: Savannah African Art Museum
• Location: 201 E 37th Street, Savannah, GA 31401
• Tickets: FREE (you can make donations, if moved to do so)
• Parking: Street parking in the immediate area is free, and there’s also a small off-street parking lot.
• Time to Allot: The guided tour takes approximately one hour.

African American Monument Savannah

This monument in downtown Savannah is located on River Street and depicts an enslaved family who has just been freed.

Their faces are solemn, and the remnants of a broken chain lies at their feet.

It was the first monument in the Historic District to publicly acknowledge the City of Savannah’s role in the institution of slavery — an admission that didn’t come until the early 2000’s.

The monument almost wasn’t approved, since Maya Angelou’s quote at the base of the statue was considered too controversial for the tourism-driven city of Savannah.

Ms. Angelou amended her quote with one additional line at the end, and it was approved after that final addition.

We were stolen, sold and bought together from the African continent. We got on the slave ships together. We lay back to belly in the holds of the slave ships in each others’ excrement and urine together, sometimes died together, and our lifeless bodies thrown overboard together. Today we are standing up together, with faith and even some joy. Maya Angelou – The African American Monument

River Street isn’t just a place to stroll around with a to go cup on St. Patrick’s Day; it’s the place where thousands of enslaved families first set foot on the ground in the United States.

This monument is one of the few places along River Street acknowledging the terrible conditions those enslaved men, women, and children endured before arriving into the port of Savannah.

• Location: 1 W River Street, Savannah, GA 31401
• Tickets: None required; it’s a public monument
• Parking: Parking on River Street is hard to come by. There are a couple lots, but the spaces fill quickly. You can try to park along the E Upper Factors Walk ramp (near Vic’s on the River restaurant) and walk to it. The two closest city parking garages are the Whitaker Street Garage and the Bryan Street Garage. Here are some of my top Savannah parking tips .
• Time to Allot: Plan to spend 5 to 10 minutes on site.

Local Insight: There’s a very unique counterpoint to this memorial tucked away in a lane on Savannah’s east side. It’s known as the Black Holocaust Memorial, and it was created by local artist James “Double Dutch” Kimball.

Related Reading: Why Savannah’s African American Monument was so Controversial

The Weeping Time

“The Weeping Time” was a terrible event that occurred in Savannah. It ended up being the single largest sale of enslaved people in American history.

It happened when plantation owner Pierce Butler, of the Butler Plantation near Darien, GA, squandered his inheritance and was forced to sell off much of the property he owned.

That “property” included enslaved men, women, children. It even included 30 babies.

The sale, which was brokered by Savannah’s former Chief of Police, Joseph Bryan, was advertised in newspapers far and wide. Potential buyers flocked to Savannah to attend the two-day auction, which was held at the Ten Broeck Race Track on Savannah’s far west side.

Enslaved families who had spent their entire lives together on the plantation were separated and sold to the highest bidder in an attempt to settle Butler’s gambling debts and stock market losses.

Between 429 – 436 enslaved individuals were sold during the two-day event.

Since rain poured from the skies the entire two days of the sale — and many say God was weeping for the inhumanity of it all — the event has become known as “The Weeping Time”.

The blades of grass on all the Butler estates are outnumbered by the tears that are poured out in agony at the wreck that has been wrought in happy homes, and the crushing grief that has been laid on loving hearts . Q.K. Philander Doesticks , What Became of the Slaves on a Georgia Plantation: Great Auction Sale of Slaves at Savannah, GA , 1863

The race track is long gone, but you can find a Historic Marker commemorating the event 1/4th of a mile from where the sale took place.

I’ve already mentioned that few places in Savannah make me emotional, but this is one spot that brings tears to my eyes.

The marker sits on a beautiful sliver of land with two nearby benches where you can contemplate one of the darkest moments in this country’s history.

It’s a peaceful spot, located right in the middle of a typical west side Savannah neighborhood full of modest, single-family homes.

As you can see in the photos above, it looks very beautiful at sunset.

• Location: The intersection of Augusta Avenue & Dunn Street, Savannah, GA 31415
• Tickets: None needed. It’s a public area and on city-owned property.
• Parking: Parking in the immediate area is free, but a bit difficult to find. There’s no dedicated parking for the site, and it’s right off of a fairly busy road. You can park on Dunn Street, but please be respectful of the sweet neighbors who live there and don’t block access to and from their homes. NOTE: This is an area I’d advise first-time visitors to avoid after dark.
• Time to Allot: Plan to spend 10 to 15 minutes on site.

There is currently a contentious debate about proposed use for land surrounding the site of the original Weeping Time event, which is slated to house a Salvation Army homeless shelter.

For the record, I’m against using that location for that purpose.

I would like to see The Weeping Time property and the surrounding land utilized as a memorial site and educational center, similar to the Penn Center on St. Helena Island in S.C.

Related Reading: Unearthing the Weeping Time: Savannah’s Ten Broeck Race Course and 1859 Slave Sale

Colored Carnegie Library

Known as the “Library for Colored Citizens” or the “Colored Carnegie Library”, this was one of the only spaces in Savannah where Black families had public access to books in the early 1900s.

Blacks weren’t allowed in the city’s main library at the time (the Bull Street Library), since the library system in Savannah didn’t fully integrate until 1963.

The library was funded by a Carnegie grant of $12,000.

The Colored Library Association of Savannah used donations from the community to purchase the land, and then the building was completed in 1915.

It closed in 1997 due to a water leak in the roof, but reopened a few years later after undergoing a massive renovation that cost $1.3 million.

It still operates as a library today.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his memoirs that he spent many hours in the library doing research as a young adult.

He returned to Savannah in 2004 to help celebrate the library’s reopening.

The library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It’s currently part of the Live Oak system of libraries.

• Website: Carnegie Library
• Location: 537 E Henry Street, Savannah, GA 31401
• Tickets: None needed. It’s a public library.
• Time to Allot: It’s an active library, so it isn’t particularly meant for touring. If you go, please be observant of those who are there for its intended purposes. If you only stop by to see the exterior, plan on spending 5 to 10 minutes.

Related Reading: A Local’s Guide to Laurel Grove South

Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., in what was once the heart of Savannah’s Black-owned business community, you’ll find a three-story building full of exhibits on the era of Jim Crow, racial injustice, and the Civil Rights movement in Savannah.

The exhibits contain historic photos, documentaries, and interactive pieces about discrimination, boycotts, the role of the KKK in the South, and the birth of the NAACP in Savannah.

You’ll also learn about some of the biggest trailblazers in Savannah’s Civil Right movement, including Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert (who served as the pastor at First African Baptist Church for 16 years), Westley Wallace Law aka W.W. Law, and Rev. Hosea Williams.

Displays posted throughout the museum show the horrific treatment of Blacks in the South during Jim Crow times.

You’ll see signage pulled from local businesses denoting “Whites Only” and “No Negroes Allowed” and displays showing what it was like to sit at a lunch counter during the time of segregation.

Even the building that houses the museum is historic.

It originally served as the Wage Earners Savings Bank, which was founded by Blacks in the early 1900s. It was instrumental in funding many Black-owned Savannah businesses.

The museum does an incredible job of educating visitors on Civil Rights issues as they relate to Savannah, specifically.

It will open your heart to the struggles many faced on a daily basis in Savannah, some of which still exist in the South today in one form or another.

Many of the docents are locals who lived through the Jim Crow era. They provide personal accounts of their experiences in Savannah.

The museum offers an incredible opportunity to speak with them and hear their accounts first-hand!

• Website: Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
• Location: 460 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., Savannah, GA 31401
• Tickets: $6 to $10
• Parking: Street Parking in the immediate area is metered, or you can park at the nearby Visitor Center and walk.
• Time to Allot: 2 hours

Local Insight: Savannah has a long history of conflict-free protests regarding social injustices. During the Jim Crow era, the local Black community worked together using peaceful methods to enact positive changes, primarily due do the leadership of W.W. Law. In recent years, when other cities saw violent protests and rioting during BLM events, Savannah’s protests were peaceful and without incident.

Guided Black History Tours: Led by Locals

Most of the spots listed above are places you can tour on your own.

If you’d prefer a guided tour where you’ll be able to see multiple points of interest, I recommend exploring the city with a local who can provide first-hand knowledge regarding Black culture in the Deep South.

There are some incredible guides in Savannah who can escort you through the city while providing personal accounts of their experiences as direct descendants (in many instances) of the Gullah Geechee people.

Underground Tours of Savannah

The most popular tour led by Underground Tours of Savannah is the From Slavery to Freedom Tour .

It’s a walking + riding tour through downtown Savannah showing where African Americans lived in the Historic District during the late 1700s to mid 1800s and how they were treated during that time period.

Sistah Patt is the heart and soul of Underground Tours.

She’s incredibly knowledgeable and presents Savannah’s African history in a very engaging manner.

Folks who take her tour rave about her storytelling ability, as well as her bigger-than-life personality…

We just did the Sistah Patt tour today! She is so warm and friendly. Very engaging storyteller and she speaks matter of factly. We learned so much on the tour. The history of the brick walks and honestly the way Savannah tries to deny the slave history was fascinating. Loved! Melissa C. – via my Savannah First-Timer’s Guide private Facebook group

The tour will take you on a few blocks through the NW section of the Historic District. You’ll stop at points of interest such as the African American Monument (mentioned above) and the Cluskey Vaults .

Sistah Patt’s current project is working as an advocate to encourage the renaming of two of Savannah’s squares . Calhoun Square and Whitefield Square were named after men who were avid supporters of slavery.

• Tour Info: From Slavery to Freedom
• Location: 223 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd (please verify on your ticket receipt)
• Tickets: Approximately $60 for 2 guests
• Parking: Street parking in the immediate area is metered, or you can park at the nearby Visitor Center and walk.

Footprints of Savannah Tour

This tour is led by Vaughnette Goode-Walker, aka “Sistah V”.

It’s one I’ve yet to try but I’m looking forward to going and have only heard good things about it! I’ll add some photos once I’ve been.

Ms. Goode-Walker is the director of the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum. She’s also a local historian who has authored two books about Savannah.

Additionally, she was a key consultant in the King Tisdell Cottage restoration and its conversion into a museum.

When I last spoke with Mrs. Goode-Walker (spring of 2023), she had placed her walking tours on hold while busy with an addition to the Civil Rights Museum. You might want to opt for Sistah Patt’s tour in the meantime.

• Facebook: Footprints of Savannah
• Location: Contact for meeting point
• Tickets: Contact for rates
• Time to Allot: 1 hour

Day Clean Journeys Tour

I haven’t done this tour yet, either, but it’s another I look forward to trying.

It’s led by local professor and historian Dr. Amir Jamal Touré. The tour comes highly recommended by Leitha, who was the docent I met while touring The Beach Institute.

Dr. Touré has been recognized by the State of Georgia as an “Outstanding Georgia Citizen.” He is known for his expertise on the Gullah Geechee community.

He was actually the model used to create the male father figure in the African American Monument!

Day Clean (dey-kleen): Each day  is a new day; each day starts anew; no matter what occurred yesterday – today is a new day! Gullah Geechee Philosophy and meaning behind the name “Day Clean Journeys”

• Facebook: Day Clean Soul

I know I’ve covered a lot of information in this post, but so many visitors focus on ghost tours while they’re in Savannah that I think the more important cultural sites are often overlooked.

Here’s a free printable to help you remember each of these sites as you make your way around the city.

Savannah Travel Guide

Ok, that wraps up my thoughts on some of the best Black history tours in Savannah. If you’ve experienced an informative tour that I missed here, please let me know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for resources to plan a trip to Savannah, here are a few I’ve created…

• Savannah First-Timer’s Guide  – My ebook combines my most helpful tips from this website into a downloadable guide. You’ll also gain access to my (very active) private Facebook group with your purchase. Use it to pick my brain about your upcoming travels or read trip reports from others who have recently visited.
• Savannah FTG Free Resources Library  – Get a free printable list of “50 Things To Do on Foot in the Historic District (No Car Needed!),” plus more fun goodies.

For more things to do in the city, check out my Savannah trolley tour reviews or read about the best Bonaventure Cemetery tours .

Do you have any questions about Black history tours in Savannah? Let me know in the comments below!

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16 Comments on Black History Tours Savannah: Which Ones Are Best?

What great info and love all the bits of history that I wasn’t aware of! I’d definitely want to visit Pin Point and sunsets on Butter Bean Beach with that name! I had no idea the plantation owners usually lived in town. I always assumed they lived on the plantations. So informative!

I thought the same thing until I went on the Owens-Thomas tour! That’s one of the nice things about Savannah…there’s always something new to learn.

This is such an informative article and I love how there are a lot of educational places in Savannah. I’m definitely keeping this post handy for when I return there. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

This is such an informative post and I found it very emotional. I find it hard to understand why humans treated other humans like this. I hope this never happens again and it is great there are so many museums and memorials to remind us. All lives matter.

This is an absolutely incredible post, I can’t wait to get back to USA so I can visit Savannah! I can’t imagine how much you learn on one of these tours. Definitely bookmarking for later, thanks for sharing!

What a fantastic post. I had not really heard of Urban slavery before (but as soon as I read it, it made sense.) It is sobering to visit sights like this, rather than just reading about them.

The Savannah African Art Museum looks really interesting, too.

This is so informative and a great guide to which tours to do in Savannah. I’ve never been to GA but would love to learn more about the history

Its great to explore the history of a country and its people, and gain a greater understanding of how it came to be.

Hi, Somewhere we saw a black history tour led by a man..and will do private tours. Do you know about this tour? Thanks, Judy

Hi Judy! I believe that’s Dr. Toure, who is mentioned at the bottom of the post under Day Clean Journeys. Try reaching out at this number: (912) 220-5966

Erin, thank you for this incredible post. It is so informative and is such an important part of US history that is oftentimes sadly overlooked or maybe even omitted. Thank you for bringing attention to these places that can be so emotional. and tough to visit. I will definitely share this with friends and family that visit Savannah.

wow! I had no idea there were so many tours available to learn more about Black History in Savannah. Every time I read one of your posts, I realize we need to get back to Savannah–esp considering we live in GA! Thanks for all the information, I look forward to taking some of these tours. It’s so important we learn more about this part of our country’s history.

Thank you for this well researched informative article. I have just returned from my first visit to Savannah and didn’t read this until I returned home. I was able to visit a few of the mentioned sites. Your photos are much better than mine!

I’m glad it was helpful! Since I live downtown, I’m able to visit the museums at random times when they aren’t very busy, so that makes it easier to get good photos 🙂

Checking today, the underground tours of Savannah is no longer listed

I messaged Sistah Patt, so hopefully she’ll be able to fix the site quickly. She is still offering tours. Until her site is back online, you could try reaching out to her via her company’s FB page: https://www.facebook.com/SLAVESINTHECITY

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The First African Baptist Church in Savannah

The First African Baptist Church, in Savannah, is one of the most historically significant buildings in town. We encourage everyone to plan a visit to this amazing location

The First African Baptist Church has a long and storied history in Savannah Georgia. It is thought to be the oldest African-American Congregation in the United States. The congregation was formed in 1733 by Reverend George Leile. The building which houses the Church was finished in 1859, almost 100 years after the land was obtained for the church. The man who oversaw the completion of the Church was Reverend William J. Campbell.

The First African Baptist Church holds tours on weekdays. While the hours are listed to the right we advise that you call the Church ahead of time to make sure that the tours and their starting times have not changed. If you are going to only tour one building while in Savannah, the First African Baptist Church is an excellent selection. The historical features inside of the Church are unbelievable at times. From the original 1832 Pipe Organ to the carvings on the ends of the Pews which were made by slaves, the Church has no short of hidden secrets to keep you wanting to explore.

The Underground Railroad and the First African Baptist Church

The First African Baptist Church was used as a stop along the Underground Railroad. For the safety of those who offered refuge, no records were kept of how many slaves used the Church on their way to the North. A unique feature in the Church which relates to the Underground Railroad are the holes in the floor in certain areas of the Church. These holes are arranged in a pattern known as a Congolese Cosmogram. This pattern represented life so it fits with the church. The real reason for these holes was breathing holes for slaves who were hidden beneath the floorboards.

A different design aspect of the Church also signifies it as a stop along the Underground Railroad. The ceiling of the Church is designed with what is called a Nine Patch Quilt. This design showed that this was a place of resting and safety for the slaves who used the Church. Of course, it was a hidden signal that only certain people knew about. Most people would have thought the Nine Patch Quilt simply a beautiful design.

To gain entry into the Underground Railroad area of the Church slaves would have entered through a tunnel. The location of where this tunnel remains a mystery to this day. Some people believe the tunnel went all the way to the River while others speculate that it may have been connected to one of the neighboring structures.

The Belltower

In the front of the First African Baptist Church is a bell tower going up two or three stories. What you see below is the bell that is in that bell tower. If you want to see the view of the interior of the church just follow this link: First African Baptist Church in Savannah.

When we were photographing inside of the First African Baptist Church I simply followed simple hand-made ladders up a few stories until I arrived at the top floor. You could tell that it has been some time since someone else was at the top of the bell tower. The dust was thick and evey where.

The Ceiling

If you notice the ceiling, it is designed as a 9 patch pattern. This was done on purpose to resemble a quilt. During the days of slavery the Underground Railroad was used by thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of slaves as they made their way north to freedom. The Quilt was a sign of safety and designated this place as a safe house along the Underground Railroad.

The Church Today

In present times the First African Baptist Church is still a place of worship. This is the main reason why tours of the Church are not given on the weekend. The First African Baptists Church is a leader in the community, helping out all who need it. The programs enacted by, and offered through the Church have surely changed the lives of many people living in Savannah Georgia.

Visiting the First African Baptist Church

The First African Baptist Church offers tours of their historic building. You can contact them at (912) 233-6597 for more information. They offer these guided tours on every day of the week except Sunday and Monday. Of course things could change so give them a call. We can highly recommend a tour of this great historic place in Savannah.

Other Squares

• Calhoun Square
• Chatham Square
• Chippewa Square
• Columbia Square
• Crawford Square
• Elbert Square
• Ellis Square
• Franklin Square
• Greene Square
• Johnson Square
• Lafayette Square
• Liberty Square
• Madison Square
• Monterey Square
• Oglethorpe Square
• Orleans Square
• Pulaski Square
• Reynolds Square
• Telfair Square
• Troup Square
• Warren Square
• Washington Square
• Whitefield Square
• Wright Square

Our Savannah Tours

• Historic Church Tour
• Bonaventure Cemetery Tour
• Colonial Park Cemetery Tour
• Stories of old Savannah

Where is the First African Baptist Church?

The First African Baptist Church is located on Franklin Square , directly west of the City Market area. You can park on the street on in the parking garage located underneath of Ellis Square for easy access to the First African Baptists Church.

Do you want to learn more about Savannah?

Gallivanter offers the widest variety of highly-rated tours in Savannah. Make sure to book one for your trip to Savannah!

Underground Tours of Savannah

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Outstanding tour, part of underground... - First African Baptist Church

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Outstanding tour, part of underground railroad

Best tour we had all week, very inexpensive, and a very different experience. Awesome tour hostess. She gave us an in-depth history lesson about slavery and the role of the church. While small, the museum has an incredible collection of handwritten documents, photos, and items from the 1800s. Check out the handmade quilts and the history behind the designs. Fascinating tour of the original part of the church with handmade pews, and floors with holes in tribal designs that were actually air holes for the underground railroad. Especially great tour for our older Girl Scouts who are studying American history this year, they had a lot of questions. I had goosebumps the whole time. No, we are not African-American, but I wanted the girls to learn about this significant culture in Savannah. We are richer for the experience.

This church, which was built by slaves, was used as a part of the "underground railroad" during the Civil War. The holes in the flooring (air holes) are still in existance. The holes form a design, which probably led others to believe it composed a tribal symbol. Upstairs in the balcony are some of the original pews made by slaves. On the sides of the pews, the tribal symbol of the slave who made the pew can be found. Slaves made the bricks for the church and built the church after laboring in the fields all day. This church is truly a marvel, and houses a small museum which one should also visit.

Historical tour through Savannah, GA. Red Doors marked safe houses for the underground railroad in civil war times.

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Georgia State Railroad Museum

The georgia state railroad museum is believed to be the largest and most complete antebellum railroad repair facility still in existence in the world.

Walk along the grounds of the complex where actual Rolling Stock is on display. Learn about the functions each building served, and take part in scheduled activities. These include a train ride, rail car tours, the hand car, and children’s activities in the Baggage Car!

For over 100 years, the Savannah shops complex served as a major repair facility for the Central of Georgia Railway. It was a vibrant part of Savannah’s industrial heritage. The Georgia State Railroad Museum is a National Historic Landmark. The State Legislature designated it as the Georgia State Railroad Museum.

The Central of Georgia Railroad and Canal Company was chartered in 1833. By 1843, it was the longest continuous railroad under one central management in the world. The Central reached its peak in the early 1920s and was the largest employer in Savannah. During the Great Depression, although economically strained, the Central continued operation as a leading employer. Later, with the advent of diesel locomotives, the Savannah repair shops saw great decline and closed in 1963.

The City of Savannah took the property after years of neglect. In 1989 the Coastal Heritage Society accepted management of the Savannah shops complex. With major support from the City of Savannah, the award winning professional staff members of our Preservation and Railroad Operations Teams work together to save numerous historic buildings, locomotives and rolling stock.

Georgia State Railroad Museum – 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, GA 31401. (912) 651-6823

Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Sunday from 9am-4pm

Admission: $11 per adult $7 per child (ages 2-12)

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Spring into Augusta-area entertainment from Greek Festival to Columbia County Fair

The days are getting warmer, gardens are in full bloom, and the bees are buzzing all about. This means spring is here, and while the mainstream occasions like Easter and the Masters have passed, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

Multiple family-friendly staples will be returning in the coming weeks like the Augusta Greek Festival to the Columbia County Fair in addition to new events like the Summerville PorchFest. For the aspiring Jedi, “May the 4th” a.k.a. Star Wars day will be celebrated across the Augusta area.

Here are more details on these and other upcoming spring festivities:

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Fun with food and refreshments

Columbia County's Food Truck Friday returns 6-9 p.m. April 26 at Evans Towne Center Park in Evans at 7016 Evans Towne Center Blvd.

Columbia County's Evans Market is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 at Evans Towne Center Park. Farmers and artisans will be on site selling their goods. This market returns every Saturday through June 29.

Augusta Craft Beer Festival is 1 p.m. April 27 at SRP Park in North Augusta at 187 Railroad Ave. Several different breweries from around the South will be present with their hand-crafted drinks and attendees will have unlimited samples. General admission starts at $56 while designated drivers can get in for less than $30. For more info, go to augustacraftbeerfest.com .

The spring edition of the Augusta Greek Festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10-12 outside Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta at 953 Telfair St. There will be a ton of greek delicacies to enjoy from gyros to feta fries and baklava-derived treats as well as some gift vendors and lively dancing. Admission is free, but the proceeds of the event go to the church's community-support program.

Hephzibah's Food Truck Friday and Classic Car Cruise is 5 p.m. May 10 at the Hephzibah Agricultural Center at 4245 Peach Orchard Rd. There will be a variety of food trucks to sample from while checking out retro rides and live music to listen to.

The 18th Annual Boss Hog Cook-Off is 5-11 p.m. May 10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 in Waynesboro at 591 Short St. Teams will compete to make the best ribs, BBQ, brisket, and chicken. There will also be live music and unlimited free rides. Ticket prices vary. For more info, go to bosshogcookoff.com .

Ag + Art Tour's Aiken County stop is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 at Boondock Farms in Jackson at 755 Foreman St. There will be farmers, live music, and food trucks.

The 6th Annual Mimosas on Main is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 in the plaza outside the Harlem Branch Library at 145 North Louisville St. There will be various vendors, a DJ, mimosas and brunch, and giveaways. The event is reserved for ages 21 and older.

Wiener Fest is 1-5 p.m. May 18 at Savannah River Brewing Co. in Augusta at 813 5th St. There will be hotdog eating competitions, multiple vendors, and a wiener cosplay contest.

Outdoor concerts and dance parties

Boogie in the Garden CharityFest is 4-8 p.m. April 27 at Riverside Antiques and Treasures in North Augusta at 646 East Buena Vista Ave. There will be four music acts, food trucks, and special sales. Proceeds will go to the Community Ministry of North Augusta and Project Lifting Spirits.

The Inaugural Summerville PorchFest is April 28 at various locations around the Summerville Historic District in Augusta. There will be a range of live acts 1-5 p.m. capped off with a party at Partridge Inn at 2110 Walton Way. For more info, go to summervilleporchfest.com .

An Evening of Jazz is 6:30 p.m. April 28 at the Augusta Commons on Broad Street in downtown Augusta. Admission is free.

The Hopelands Concert Series is every Monday at 7 p.m. at Hopelands Gardens in Aiken at 135 Dupree Pl. Admission is free. Parking is available across the street at the Green Boundary Club at 780 Whiskey Rd. The schedule for the next few shows is as follows:

• April 29: The SureFires (Jaycie and Brooke)
• May 6: Aiken Concert Band
• May 13: Preston and Weston
• May 20: Savannah River Winds
• May 27: Aiken Civic Ballet Company

Candle Light Jazz with ATL Dream Vision is 7:30-10 p.m. May 5 at Augusta Commons. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, free for younger children.

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May the 4th be with you

Star Wars: Unlimited Trading Card Game Tournament is 2-5 p.m. April 28 at Augusta Book Exchange in Martinez at 280 South Belair Rd. Entry fee is $12.

A "May the 4th Be With You" Bash is 4-6:30 p.m. May 2 at the Hub West in Augusta at 631 Chafee Ave. There will be intergalactic characters, a live orchestra, a cool green-screen set-up, a thematic costume parade, trivia, crafts, and free goodies.

MasterCon Augusta's Star Wars Cantina Crawl is May 4 in downtown Augusta. Registration is 6 p.m. at Joes Underground at 8th and Broad streets with the crawl starting at 7 p.m. One of the stops is at Le Chat Noir which will mirror the home world of the Sith during which the lounge is also hosting "Atmosphere: Dark Dance Edition" at 8:30 p.m.

Harlem Summer Movie Series' Star Wars Day is 8:30-11:30 p.m. May 4 in the plaza outside the Harlem Branch Library. Families will get to watch one of the Star Wars movies and see a "real" lightsaber.

Shopping in the sun-shine

Back to Nature Garden Center's Spring Craft and Artisan Market is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 in Augusta at 1815 Kissingbower Rd. Dozens of local artisans will be selling their hand-made merchandise. There will also be live entertainment and a miniature animal farm. Admission is free. For more info, go to backtonatureaugusta.com/spring-market .

River City Events' Annual Spring Artisan Market is 11 a.m. April 27 at Pendleton King Park in Augusta at 1600 Troupe St. There will be several artisans plus a limited number of food vendors. Admission is free. For more info, go to rivercity-events.square.site/spring-artisan-market .

Redemption Church's Semi-Annual Augusta Handmade Fair is noon-4 p.m. May 4 at the Doris Building n Augusta at 930 Broad St. Local and regional creatives will be on site helping raise funds for Redemption Church's Missions Fund, financing Sojourn Uganda, local nonprofit organizations, and its partner missionaries. Admission is free.

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More outdoor activities

The 4th Annual Columbia County Spring Fair is now through April 28 at the fairgrounds in Grovetown at 5462 Columbia Rd. There will be plenty of fair-foods and rides in addition to a huge schedule of events like demolition derby, an antique tractor show, and a falconry show. Gate admission is $10. Hours of operation and more info are available are columbiacountyfair.net .

Sacred Heart Garden Tours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 26 and 27. Feast your eyes on the vibrant gardens at Sacred Heart Cultural Center on Greene Street in Augusta and throughout the community. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. For more info, go to sacredheartaugusta.org/garden-tours .

Earth Day Augusta is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta at 1858 Lock and Dam Rd. There will be various vendors, live animals and entertainment, hayrides, and giveaways. Admission is free.

Spring Fest in Downtown North Augusta is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 on West Pine Grove Avenue between Georgia Avenue and West Avenue. There will be more than 50 food and art vendors as well as live music and a kids area.

Hidden Haven Saddle Club's Farm Day Festival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 in Harlem at 1156 Country Line Rd. There will be pony and hayrides, face painting, bouncy slide and obstacle course, pony kissing booth, crafts, toddler play area, food, lemonade, snow cones, games, and more than 30 vendors. Free admission and parking. Some activities will require tickets with a ticket booth located at the entrance.

EastWind Village Social is noon-4 p.m. April 28 at EastWind Castle in Trenton at 527 Johnston Hwy. Learn and develop your skill with foam swords, archery, and more aspects of medieval life.

Relay for Life is 5 p.m. May 3 in Evans at Evans Towne Center Park. There will be music, food, and activities raising funds for the American Cancer Society. For more info, go to secure.acsevents.org .

Western Carolina Antique Tractor Pull is May 4 at Western Carolina State Fairgrounds in Aiken at 561 May Royal Dr. Gates open 9 a.m. and the opening ceremony is at 11 a.m. There will be food trucks, craft vendors, a kid's pedal tractor pull, and other activities. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, free for younger children. It's a cash-only event. Proceeds will go to the Children's Hospital of Georgia.

Columbia County's Family Fitness Day is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4 at Gateway Park in Grovetown at 215 Partnership Dr. There will be food trucks, a drum circle, face painting, balloon animals, and free instructional workout classes from multiple fitness clubs. Admission is free.

YMCA Family Field Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 at the Wilson Family YMCA in Augusta at 3570 Wheeler Rd. There will be traditional field day games plus food, vendors, and music. Admission is free.

Columbia County's Fiesta Fest is 5-9 p.m. May 11 at Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans at 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd. There will be tacos, margaritas, games, and a mariachi band.

Third Thursday in Downtown North Augusta is 5-8 p.m. May 16 along Georgia Avenue. There will be fun and specials from the neighboring businesses.

Columbia County's Barks in the Park is 6-8 p.m. May 16 is at Evans Towne Center Park. Families can bring their dogs to a day full of ramps, tunnels, balls, and splash pads. There will also be dog-friendly vendors with raffles and giveaways.