Historic Downtown Savannah: Guided Segway Tour

Savannah’s historic center is made for slow looking, yet walking between its squares can eat up much of your day. This small-group Segway tour lets you cover more ground while your guide talks you through live oaks, ironwork, mansions, war sites, movie locations, and ghost stories.

I like the personal radio headsets, which let you hear the guide without bunching up around a street corner. I also like the careful training. Guides such as Gregg, Mark, Mick, and Jason have a reputation for helping nervous first-timers feel steady before heading into town.

The main drawback is simple: you must be at least 16, and riding a Segway in city traffic may take a little nerve. The 60-minute option can also feel short if you want a broad look at Savannah.

Key points to know before you book

• See more than you can comfortably walk in an hour: The Segway carries you between Savannah’s squares, mansions, cemeteries, and movie sites with less effort.
• Hear every story clearly: Individual radio receivers keep the guide’s commentary audible while the group moves through town.
• Expect patient instruction: Training begins 15 minutes before departure, and guides spend time helping first-time riders gain control.
• The 90-minute tour adds a bonus stop: Choose it if you want more sightseeing and a fuller introduction to central Savannah.
• Movie fans get plenty of stops: The route includes Forrest Gump, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Something to Talk About, and The Conspirator locations.
• Check the riding rules carefully: Riders must be 16 or older, with a recommended weight range of 100 to 260 pounds.

Starting at 502 East Broughton Street

Your tour begins at the local partner’s shop at 502 E Broughton Street, the new meeting location. Arrive early because Segway instruction starts 15 minutes before the scheduled departure, not at departure time.

The staff fits you with a helmet and personal radio headset, then explains how to mount, steer, stop, and balance. This part matters more than it may sound. A few people arrive worried that a Segway will be hard to control, but the guides are used to working with complete beginners.

Several guides receive especially warm praise for their patience. Gregg has helped riders who felt unsteady, while Mick and Jason have been singled out for calm instruction. One guide even offered a bicycle when a rider found the Segway too stressful. That flexibility may not be guaranteed on every departure, but it gives you a useful sense of the staff’s safety-first approach.

Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. You will not be running or hiking, but you will spend the tour standing, shifting your weight, and steering. Bring your attention, too. Savannah’s streets can be busy, and one past rider found traffic a little intimidating, especially during a crowded festival period.

The group is limited to 10 people. That is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on the line and answer questions without turning the tour into a private outing.

Why a Segway works well in Savannah

Savannah’s historic district is spread across a network of squares, lanes, parks, and broad streets. Walking gives you time to admire details, but it also means stopping often, doubling back, and covering less territory.

A Segway gives you a practical middle ground. You move faster than a walking group, but slowly enough to look up at the Spanish moss, iron balconies, fountains, cannons, and old homes. You can cover a useful slice of central Savannah in 60 or 90 minutes without committing to a long walking tour.

The vehicle is also part of the fun. First-timers often need a few minutes to get used to leaning forward and back, but the controls are designed to be simple. The tour is not physically demanding in the usual sense, though standing for the full ride may be tiring for some people.

The radio system is one of the best features. Instead of crowding close to the guide at every stop, you can ride in a short line and still hear the explanation. That makes the outing feel more relaxed and helps the group keep moving.

Savannah’s squares, live oaks, and ironwork

The first part of the ride gives you the visual Savannah many people come to see: shaded squares, grand homes, monuments, fountains, and live oaks trailing Spanish moss.

The squares are not identical. Each has its own arrangement of paths, plantings, memorials, and surrounding buildings. From a Segway, you can notice the relationship between the squares instead of treating each one as an isolated stop.

Look up as you ride. Savannah’s ironwork appears in street signs, railings, banisters, gates, and decorative doors. One especially memorable detail is a wrought iron sunflower door. These small features are easy to miss from a car and easy to pass while walking if you are focused on reaching the next landmark.

The live oaks create much of the city’s mood. The moss hanging from their branches can look dull or moldlike in certain conditions, but a guide may point out how rain changes its appearance and brings out greener, fernlike detail. That kind of local observation gives you more to notice during the rest of your stay.

Sherman, Union soldiers, and Savannah’s wartime past

The tour also reaches sites connected with the Civil War and General William T. Sherman’s march to the sea. You will see places where Union soldiers fought and pass the home where Sherman stayed while in Savannah.

These stops add needed context to the city’s beautiful architecture. Savannah can look gentle and ornamental, with moss-covered trees and quiet squares, but its streets also carry the marks of military campaigns, occupation, and political change.

Your guide handles the history in a moving format rather than a museum lecture. You ride to a location, pause, listen through the headset, and then continue. The format works well if you want a clear introduction without spending hours indoors.

The exact emphasis can depend on the guide. Mark, Gregg, Jason, Ray, and others are often praised for mixing dates and events with jokes and local stories. That balance helps keep the tour lively, though you should not expect a specialist-level study of every conflict or building.

Movie locations with a Savannah connection

Savannah has supplied backdrops for several films, and this tour uses those locations as an easy way into the city’s modern identity.

You will see the bench associated with Forrest Gump and hear about the famous bus scene. The route also points out places connected with Something to Talk About and The Conspirator. These stops are useful even if you are not a serious film fan, since they show how Savannah’s streets have been used on screen.

The Forrest Gump section is likely to be the most familiar. Your guide can explain the local details behind the filming and share Hollywood facts that are less obvious from a photograph. It is a good place for a quick picture and a reminder that the city’s carefully preserved setting has a life beyond history books.

Movie locations are also a smart reason to choose the Segway over a short, single-neighborhood walk. You can reach several separated sites in the same outing, then return later to explore your favorites on foot.

The Mercer-Williams house and a famous Savannah story

The Mercer-Williams home is one of the route’s most recognizable stops. The house is tied to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, both the book and the later film.

Your guide also explains the true story of Jim Williams, whose life and legal troubles helped make the property a major part of Savannah’s popular culture. The stop works best when you treat it as more than a photo opportunity. The building’s appearance draws you in, but the surrounding story explains why this particular home has such a strong hold on the public imagination.

Keep in mind that passing the house is not the same as taking an interior visit. The tour gives you an exterior view and narration as part of a wider route. If you want a full museum experience, you will need a separate plan.

Ghost stories, cemeteries, and the city after dark

Savannah is often called one of America’s most haunted cities, and the tour leans into that reputation. You will ride past homes associated with ghost stories and hear about their supposed residents.

The tone is more entertaining than frightening. Your guide may mix local tales with history, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere without treating every story as proven fact. That is a good fit for people who like old houses, legends, and a little theatrical suspense.

The route also passes a cemetery, where you will hear about a significant historical figure buried there. This adds a quieter note to the ghost material. Savannah’s cemeteries are not just spooky settings. They connect the city’s buildings and monuments to the people who shaped its past.

If you prefer strictly documented history, listen for the distinction between fact and folklore. If you enjoy stories with a darker edge, this may be one of the tour’s most memorable sections.

Choosing between 60 and 90 minutes

The tour is offered in either a 60-minute or 90-minute format. Both versions include Segway instruction and a guided route, but the longer option includes a bonus stop.

I would choose 90 minutes if this is your first look at Savannah. The extra half-hour gives the guide more room to cover movie sites, historic homes, war stories, and haunted locations without rushing. One pair of riders in their 60s found the longer tour a comfortable fit, and that makes sense: the Segway reduces the walking, while the added time gives you a broader orientation.

The 60-minute option makes sense if you have limited time or want a quick introduction before a meal, museum visit, or separate walking tour. It is also a good choice for anyone unsure about riding a Segway for a longer stretch.

At $55 per person, the cost is fair for the instruction, equipment, headset, bottled water, and live guide. You are paying for access to several parts of the historic district in one compact outing. The value is strongest if you want an overview and plan to return to selected squares or homes later.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This is a strong pick for first-time visitors who want to get oriented quickly. You will learn the basic shape of the historic district and gather ideas for where to spend more time on foot.

It also suits couples, friends, and families with older teenagers. The minimum age is 16, so it is not a young-child activity. The small group keeps the mood social without making the ride feel like a large convoy.

You do not need prior Segway experience. In fact, most of the positive feedback centers on first-timers becoming comfortable after the training. Still, you should be prepared for a short learning curve and the possibility that traffic will feel busy.

This may not suit anyone over the recommended 260-pound limit or people who cannot comfortably stand and steer for the tour. The recommended minimum weight is 100 pounds. Closed-toe shoes are required as a practical matter, and comfortable clothing is advised.

Small details that make the ride better

A few simple choices will improve your time on the route:

• Arrive before the 15-minute training period begins.
• Wear shoes with a secure toe and sole.
• Choose the 90-minute option if you want the broadest introduction.
• Keep listening through the headset while riding between stops, since useful commentary may continue outside the main pauses.
• Ask your guide for restaurant tips. Guides such as Mark have been praised for sharing food suggestions as well as local history.
• If you are nervous, say so during training. Patience is one of the strongest features of the operation.

The staff’s attitude matters here. Ray, Gregg, Mark, Mick, Jason, and other guides are praised for humor, safety awareness, and local enthusiasm. Your exact guide will shape the tone, but the format gives each guide room to tell stories rather than simply point out buildings.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see a wide slice of Historic Savannah quickly, enjoy local stories, and are open to trying a Segway. The radio headset, small group, and careful training solve many common problems with guided city rides.

Choose the 90-minute version if you want a fuller first look. Choose 60 minutes if you are short on time or simply want to test the experience.

Skip it if you dislike standing, feel uneasy around city traffic, or want a slow architectural study with long periods at each building. For most visitors who meet the age and weight requirements, though, this is an efficient and playful way to begin exploring Savannah. It gives you the big picture, then leaves you free to return to the squares, houses, cemeteries, and film locations that catch your eye.

FAQ

Where does the Historic Downtown Savannah Segway Tour begin?

Meet at the local partner’s shop at 502 E Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.

How early should I arrive?

Training begins 15 minutes before the scheduled tour time, so arrive in time for check-in, helmet fitting, headset fitting, and instruction.

How long is the tour?

You can choose a 60-minute or 90-minute tour. The 90-minute option includes a bonus stop.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes a guided individual Segway tour, personal audio headset, helmet, bottled water, and pre-tour Segway safety training.

What age must riders be?

All riders must be at least 16 years old. Children under 16 cannot join the tour.

Are there weight recommendations?

The recommended minimum weight is 100 pounds, and the recommended maximum is 260 pounds, or 118 kilograms. People over 260 pounds are listed as unsuitable for the activity.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.