A glorious site to behold, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is an architectural masterpiece and the seat of the diocese of Savannah. In the French-Gothic style, pointed arches and magnificent details make a breathtaking backdrop to the gorgeous Savannah skyline. It was founded in 1700 by the first French Colonists and although the original early structures were destroyed by fire, the current cathedral dates back to 1874. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the cathedral, enjoying the amazing Twin Spires and picturesque exterior as well as the Italian marble, Austrian stained glass and opulent Persian rugs of the interior. On any day of the year, a stop at the Cathedral of St. John is a fantastic experience.

Born as Mary Flannery O’Connor in 1925, the beloved southern author dropped her first name when she entered college and became known as just Flannery. Her childhood home is now a house museum where visitors can get a feel for the life she led before she became famous. The three-story home offers a quaint atmosphere where lectures, readings and other programs that relate to O’Connors best-known works are held.

Just next door to the Andrew Low House is the First Girl Scout Headquarters. Originally the carriage house, Juliette willed it to the Girl Scouts of Savannah and upon her death in 1927; the house began its longstanding history of continuous Girl Scout activity. Troop activities, adult training and administrative offices were housed inside the house until 1985 when the Girl Scouts Council was moved to its new office on Bull Street. In January of 1996, the Headquarters reopened as a Girl Scout Museum. From exhibits to interactive educational experiences for Girl Scouts and the community, the museum offers many rewarding opportunities for all who visit.

Built in 1848 for Andrew Low, a wealthy cotton merchant from Scotland; the Andrew Low House is a classic and elegant Savannah mansion. Facing Lafayette Square, its stucco and brick design meshes beautifully with the rich history of the area. The house itself has a colorful and interesting past, as several prominent people often visited the Low family during their residency; Robert E. Lee and William Makepeace Thackeray to name a few. The home later belonged to Andrew’s son, William, who married Juliette Gordon, the founder of Girl Scouts and it is here that she passed away in 1927. Guests can tour the Andrew Low House to see many 19th century antiques, silver pieces and ornamental ironwork. Knowledgeable guides give visitors a wonderful overview of the people and events that had their place in the history of the home.

The final resting place of some of Savannah’s most famous residents, the Colonial Park Cemetery is the city’s oldest burial ground. The magnificent arch at the main entrance to the Park was placed there in 1913 by the Savannah chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Made of Georgia granite, it was constructed to honor Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the cemetery. As you walk through the graveyard, palmetto palms and crepe myrtles create a tranquil atmosphere. It is believed that close to 10,000 people are buried in Colonial Park Cemetery, although less than 600 headstones are clearly marked. When it opened in 1750 it was the main place where people were buried until it closed in 1853. As visitors stroll through the park they can get a glimpse of the history of Savannah through various plaques that tell the stories of the people who are buried there. Among the Colonial Park Cemetery residents is Button Gwinnett, one of the three Georgia signatories to the Declaration of Independence.