Architectural Tours of Savannah
Architectural Tours of Savannah
Architectural Tours of Savannah
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Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Walking Tours
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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.
Savannah, Georgia
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
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Architectural Tours of Savannah
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
668 reviews
Excellent
656
Very good
11
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
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.
Steve P
9 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.
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.
Ana F
Boca Raton, FL4 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.
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.
Lisa Seal
Greenville, SC3 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.
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.
Sabina B
Port Angeles, WA10 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.
Tracy B
Vero Beach, FL1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Friends
We went on several tours during our week in Savannah but this tour was by far our favorite. There are so many beautiful buildings in Savannah but until I took the tour I never really looked closely at them. But after the tour I felt like I had so much more knowledge and really took my time when I was strolling the beautiful streets of Savannah to look at the many different architectural styles that I never would’ve noticed had I not taken the tour. You also get quite a bit of history. Jonathan was a fabulous host and I would highly recommend this tour. He will not look at any building the same again.
Written March 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dennis M
Orlando, FL5 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Jonathan is an amazing tour guide with a deep understanding of architecture design and he knows his craft. If you do not have an appreciation for architecture and/design, you will walk away with an appreciation of what he has to teach you. All levels and ages will enjoy the tour. Bring water if it's a warmer day and comfortable shoes. A++
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Heather F
51 contributions
does this tour cover any of the history of the squares or is it just architecture/homes?
Route6ALover
Ellington, CT150 contributions
Mostly homes and architecture, but Jonathan (the guide's name, I think) was very knowledgable, so don't be bashful about asking questions.
Judy D
4 contributions
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
lsdelange
Byron Center, MI15 contributions
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
uphappy2016
Dunnellon, FL1 contribution
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
Andree D
Lafayette, Louisiana90 contributions
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.
frandan57
Georgia17 contributions
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.
CaribbeanVisions
Missouri7 contributions
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?
JanetDoris
New Hyde Park, NY3 contributions
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.
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 ..,,
Peter W
Morristown, NJ12 contributions
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.
Pam1951
Williamstown, WV63 contributions
How much walking. When stopped are there benches or places to sit? My knees are not great!
rsri
Rhode Island104 contributions
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
ShyTalkative
Atlanta, GA75 contributions
Is this a free tour or is there a fee?
conlopez
San Mateo CA89 contributions
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.
Susan O
New York, United States194 contributions
Do you go inside any homes on the walking tours?
dogwood329
Mississippi9 contributions
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.