Architectural Tours of Savannah
Architectural Tours of Savannah
Architectural Tours of Savannah
5
Full view

About
You don't have to be an architect to enjoy the Architectural Tours of Savannah with Jonathan Stalcup. He is author and holds a Master of Architecture degree from SCAD. Jonathan not only knows his stuff design-wise, he makes it really easy for the average tourist to understand how Savannah was born and grew into the beautiful and beautifully singular city it is. He not only stops and points, he brings along visual aids to help you understand how a particular building or square evolved. You won't be bored or even tired- the tour progresses (and walks) through hundreds of years of history at leisurely pace.
Similar Experiences
Architectural Tours of Savannah
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about

Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
684 reviews
Excellent
672
Very good
11
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
carb101
Austin, TX23 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
I am terribly late in writing this review. Jonathon was a wonderful, knowledgable tour guide. Parking is tight in this area of Savannah, so leave yourself time to get parked. My daughter and I learned so much about the architecture and development of the city. The only negative was that near the end of the tour, it started to pour rain, and we all had to run for cover. The other participants were intelligent and interested adults, many of whom were already well versed in souhtern history, city planning and architectural styles. Highly recommended for adults and mature children.
Written July 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kira
Smithsburg, MD11 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Absolutely delightful tour. The depth of Johnathan’s knowledge is astonishing - he can answer any question about Savannah history and architecture with context and nuance and without making it feel like an info dump. You walk away feeling much more intimate with the city and excited to see more of it - based on Johnathan’s recommendations, of course! We (parents and college-aged kid) spent the rest of the day following his advice and we’re very glad we did. Highly recommended.
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MNPurvis
Plymouth, MN21 contributions
Oct 2022
We really enjoyed Jonathon's tour. He takes you from the earliest remaining buildings to the present in an easy to follow history lesson. He touches on the significant buildings, and the lesser known ones that are significant for other reasons. He clearly loves to share his knowledge. He knows Savannah inside out and sideways. Not just the architecture, not just the history (he knows those in spades), but he can give restaurant recommendations, suggest other tours (the Owen Thomas House, Bonaventure Don tour, etc). For anyone coming for the first time I suggest taking this tour early in your visit for a great foundation on the history of the area.
Written October 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve P
10 contributions
Jan 2023
Our host Jonathan provided a tour that even a non architourist would enjoy. His passion for the architectural history of Savannah shows immediately. He manages to educate and entertain on what could be a very dry subject. Highly recommended!
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew M
Tampa, FL5 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
I did this tour in 2013 on my first visit to Savannah, and when I revisited Savannah in 2021, it was the top of my list to rebook this tour. I took it again with my wife (her first time on it) and it was even better the second time, and my wife loved it. Highly recommend this for those who want to learn something and take a chronological historical tour through Savannah's architectural story.
Written March 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana F
Boca Raton, FL6 contributions
Jul 2020
Jonathan is a very knowledgeable and personable architect who takes you through a historical journey using the architecture of this city. His broad knowledge of history and architecture creates the perfect environment for thoughtful conversations about multiple subjects. All the while not losing the main topic of the tour. He is not only passionate, but also very personable. It’s a must do tour in Savannah!! thank you Jonathan for making this the nightlight of our trip! Hopefully we will meet again in Tuscany for that wine!
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mbk
Columbus, OH20 contributions
Jan 2020
Jonathan leads an informative tour full of history, facts, and stories. He takes questions, challenges participants to see the city through the eyes of its founders, and really makes its history come alive.
Jonathan adjusted the walking pace for the slower walkers. On this incredibly cold, blustery day, we stood out of the wind and in the sun as much as possible. While we only walked around a square, it was full of architectural examples from the 1760s to the 1890s. Wear walking shoes and appropriate clothing, especially if cold.
So glad I walked the city with him.
Jonathan adjusted the walking pace for the slower walkers. On this incredibly cold, blustery day, we stood out of the wind and in the sun as much as possible. While we only walked around a square, it was full of architectural examples from the 1760s to the 1890s. Wear walking shoes and appropriate clothing, especially if cold.
So glad I walked the city with him.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa Seal
Greenville, SC4 contributions
Nov 2020
Our tour with Jonathan Stalcup, owner of Architectural Tours of Savannah, was nothing short of superb. He knows Savannah's deep architectural history well and can answer any question you throw his way, yet he did a fabulous job of explaining things in terms that all in the group could understand. This tour was the highlight of our vacation for our 13-year-old daughter. Jonathan has also published a book, so be sure to ask him about that. He does not mention or "push" it from a sales perspective, we just happened to ask. My daughter now has a copy, and he autographed it for her. The tour was so interesting that it flew by quickly, and he stayed to answer any questions the group had at the end (after having already answered plenty along the way). Thank you, Jonathan, for such a wonderful experience!
Written November 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann
2 contributions
Oct 2021
Jonathan is an absolute fount of knowledge on all things architecture. We learned so much on the tour and he was able to answer all of the detailed questions asked by the group. It is a walking tour but it does not go that far and is not strenuous. Highly, highly recommend if you are interested in learning the very rich history of the building styles of Savannah!
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sabina B
Port Angeles, WA13 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
A definite must if you want a thorough, educated tour of Savannah's Historic District's architectural growth. Jonathan's enthusiasm and knowledge is infectious. The waking tour was about 90 minutes. We went on a Sunday morning at 10 am, which I found the timing to be best because it was less crowded on our walk from other groups/ tourists. One of the men who was part of our tour has done Jonathan's tour 2 times before, which says a lot! Enjoy!
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
does this tour cover any of the history of the squares or is it just architecture/homes?
Written September 23, 2017
Mostly homes and architecture, but Jonathan (the guide's name, I think) was very knowledgable, so don't be bashful about asking questions.
Written September 30, 2017
I have a large group from Sun City that would like to take your tour, but I doubt that many of them could walk for 90 minutes, do you ever do a tour on a trolly? thanks
Written February 5, 2017
Jonathan could answer the question about a trolley. Personally, I don't see that a trolley would work. I'm sure a electric scooter would be perfect, but I'm not sure where they could be rented.
I wonder if Jonathan would be available as a step-on guide for your bus. This might be worth checking.
Here's Jonathan's contact info.
912-604-6354
Written February 6, 2017
I wasn't sure if this was a walking tour, after searching I did see that this is a walking tour.
What is the cost of this tour? It sounds like it it really worth it. We have been to Savannah one before and did some exploring,
going back next week.
Jan
Written December 18, 2016
We began at 10:00 a.m. Refer to his website for the cost. It may change. We loved this tour. It was well worth the money.
Written December 19, 2016
Do you have a website? I find Trip Advisor to be very confusing - I can't find any details about your tours - when, where, cost, etc.
Thanks for any help!
Written April 1, 2016
Here's Jonathan's contact info.
912-604-6354
Written April 2, 2016
We are coming to Savannah this weekend and are interested in a tour on Saturday. I need some specifics or a website with departure point, length of tour, fees, etc.
Written January 8, 2016
Is this a walking tour? I'm planning a trip with my older parent's and they are not able to walk any distance but want a educational historical tour like described. Do you have any suggestions?
Written December 17, 2015
This is a walking tour. Several years ago, we took a horse drawn carriage tour. It wasn't as interesting as the architectural tour, but it provided an historical perspective on Savannah.
Written December 18, 2015
how do we get to Jonathan ASAP to book a tour today 10/28/15 Wed??
we are 4 in our group . arriving by car today& could meet to start a tour at 12:45 pm ?
858-922-3834
858-922-3831
thanks so much ..,,
Written October 28, 2015
I just picked up your question, so too late for your plans today. I see someone provided Jonathan's number. Hope you are able to work it out.
Written October 29, 2015
How much walking. When stopped are there benches or places to sit? My knees are not great!
Written May 3, 2015
The pace is slow and the distances not more than a few blocks at a time. Every square in Savannah has benches to sit on (you will go by more than a few). There are also front steps to buildings that can be used. Even if you tire, you are not more than 5 blocks from where you started Jonathan is very understanding
Written May 4, 2015
Is this a free tour or is there a fee?
Written April 13, 2015
Yes.. I believe the fee is now $30. Like others have said, very very worth it. He has a website you may want to check and he is very responsive to email questions.
Written April 13, 2015
No. That would be a separate event, conducted by the individual building. We took the tour of the Owens-Thomas House afterwards. Jonathan is very knowledgeable and charismatic. Highly recommend.
Written January 9, 2015
Showing results 1-10 of 10
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.