Common Tourist Scams in Savannah (and How to Avoid Them)
The 22 squares — pickpockets and trip hazards
- The squares: 22 grid-pattern public squares with monuments, fountains, oak trees with Spanish moss. Walking the full circuit is 4-6 hours.
- Pickpockets at the busier squares: Chippewa Square (Forrest Gump bench), Monterey Square (Mercer-Williams house, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), Forsyth Park.
- Brick sidewalks: roots from the giant oaks lift bricks; trip hazards. Sturdy shoes.
- Spanish moss: contains chiggers (mites). Don't touch it bare-skin.
- Bonaventure Cemetery: 6 km east. Famous for atmosphere; daytime only.
- Trolley tours: Old Town Trolley, Old Savannah Tours. Hop-on/hop-off, ~$50.
FAQ
- What's the biggest scam to avoid in Savannah?
- There isn't a major scam culture. The recurring traps are unlicensed pedicab overcharging on River Street (agree the price before getting in), ghost-tour quality variation (Blue Orb, Ghost City, and Hearse Ghost Tours are consistently well-rated), parking-lot smash-and-grabs near Tybee Island and Bonaventure Cemetery (never leave valuables visible), and dynamic currency conversion at card terminals — always pay in USD.
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