EXPLORE SAVANNAH
Savannah
Educational Tours
& Student Trips
Discover one of the most beautifully preserved historic cities in the American South, where oak-lined squares, antebellum architecture, and the flowing waters of the Savannah River tell the story of Georgia’s founding. Educational Travel Adventures’ (ETA) Savannah Educational Tours immerse student groups in colonial and Civil War history, coastal ecology, and the elegant culture of the Lowcountry. From the shores of Tybee Island to the historic homes of the landmark district, Savannah is a walkable, welcoming destination full of discovery.
Expert Savannah Student Tour Planners
Explore Savannah with ETA! Savannah is one of the most historically rich and charming destinations in the South, offering student groups a rare combination of colonial history, architectural heritage, and coastal beauty. ETA builds itineraries that connect the founding of Georgia to the grand homes of the historic district, riverboat cruises on the Savannah River, and the beaches of nearby Tybee Island. Programs are tailored to your curriculum goals, whether your focus is American history, architecture, or coastal science. During the trip every logistical detail is handled by your dedicated Tour Manager so teachers can stay present with their students.
Savannah History Museum & the Massie Heritage Center
The story of Savannah comes to life at two institutions that anchor any student itinerary. The Savannah History Museum, housed in a restored railway station, traces the city’s history from its 1733 founding as Georgia’s first city through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and beyond. Students explore exhibits on the people, events, and industries that shaped Savannah, gaining essential context before exploring the historic district itself.
The Massie Heritage Center, set in one of the oldest school buildings in Georgia, offers immersive programming on the city’s celebrated architecture, its original urban plan of squares and gardens, and Lowcountry history. For students studying American history, architecture, or urban design, these two institutions provide a strong foundation that makes every square and building they later encounter more meaningful.
The Andrew Low House Museum
The Andrew Low House Museum offers students an intimate look at 19th-century Savannah and the lives of the families who shaped the city. Built in the 1840s for a wealthy cotton merchant, this elegant home later belonged to Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Student groups tour the beautifully preserved rooms, period furnishings, and gardens while learning about the antebellum South, the cotton economy, and the social history of one of Savannah’s most prominent families. The house serves as a window into the wealth, culture, and complex history of the era, making it a compelling stop for history and social studies groups.
Savannah Riverboat Cruise
A cruise aboard a classic riverboat like the Georgia Queen or the Savannah River Queen is one of the most memorable ways for students to experience the city. Gliding along the Savannah River, students take in views of the historic riverfront, the bustling port, and the surrounding Lowcountry landscape while learning about the river’s central role in Savannah’s history as a center of trade and commerce. The cruise connects the city’s founding and growth to the waterway that made it possible, giving students a fresh perspective on how geography shaped the region. It is a relaxing and scenic experience that pairs history with the natural beauty of coastal Georgia.
Tybee Island
Just a short drive from downtown, Tybee Island brings coastal science and outdoor exploration to a Savannah educational tour. This barrier island on the Atlantic coast offers wide beaches, salt marshes, and rich marine habitats that make an excellent natural classroom for environmental science and biology. Students can explore the shoreline ecosystem, learn about sea turtle conservation and coastal wildlife, and visit the historic Tybee Island Light Station, one of the oldest lighthouses in America. Tybee provides the perfect counterbalance to the history of downtown Savannah, connecting students to the barrier island ecology and maritime heritage of the Georgia coast.
Savannah Student Tour Itineraries
Savannah Educational Tour FAQs
What do students learn on a Savannah educational tour?
Students explore the founding and history of Georgia at the Savannah History Museum, architecture and urban design at the Massie Heritage Center, antebellum life at the Andrew Low House, the river’s role in commerce on a riverboat cruise, and coastal ecology at Tybee Island. Itineraries can be customized to support American history, architecture, and coastal science curricula.
Is Savannah a good destination for student travel groups?
Yes. Savannah’s historic district is compact and famously walkable, with its grid of oak-shaded squares making it easy and pleasant to move a group between sites. The combination of well-preserved history, elegant architecture, and nearby coastal attractions makes Savannah one of the most rewarding educational program destinations in the South for student groups.
What grade levels are Savannah class trips best for?
Savannah works well for elementary, middle, and high school groups, with sites and activities that can be tailored to different grade levels and curriculum goals. College groups studying history, architecture, or coastal ecology also find Savannah an engaging and manageable destination.
What is the best time of year to visit Savannah for a school trip?
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather, with mild temperatures ideal for walking the historic district and visiting Tybee Island. Savannah’s spring is especially beautiful when the azaleas bloom. Summers are hot and humid, while winter trips are mild and work well for groups focused on the city’s history and indoor attractions.
Can a Savannah educational tour be combined with Charleston?
Absolutely. Savannah and Charleston are about two hours apart along the Southern coast, and many groups combine the two into a single multi-day itinerary that pairs Savannah’s squares and riverfront with Charleston’s forts and Lowcountry history. ETA can build a combined program around your curriculum and travel dates.
How far in advance should schools plan a Savannah educational tour?
Most domestic tours benefit from 9 to 12 months of advance planning to secure museum group programming, riverboat cruise reservations, historic home tours, lodging for large groups, and motorcoach transportation. Starting early gives your Travel Planner the flexibility to build the strongest possible itinerary.
Educational Travel Experts
Why Choose ETA for Your Savannah Educational Tour
With more than 30 years planning educational travel, Educational Travel Adventures has helped over 20,000 educators create unforgettable student trips throughout the United States’ most dynamic learning destinations. Savannah offers a rare combination of colonial and Civil War history, elegant architecture, and coastal beauty all within a walkable historic city. From the exhibits of the Savannah History Museum to the beaches of Tybee Island, students engage directly with the history, culture, and natural environment that shaped coastal Georgia and the American South.
- Custom Savannah itineraries built around your curriculum, grade level, and group goals
- End-to-end trip planning, including museum programming, riverboat reservations, historic home tours, lodging, and ground logistics
- Secure online registration and family payment portal with flexible payment options
- Proven safety and on-site support, including vetted partners, 24/7 assistance, and experienced Tour Managers throughout the Savannah trip
Planning a Savannah school trip means coordinating historic sites, riverfront experiences, and a coastal excursion to Tybee Island, often alongside a Charleston extension. Our team handles every detail so educators can stay focused on student engagement.
Plan Your Savannah Educational Tour Today!
From the founding squares of Georgia’s first city to the barrier island beaches of Tybee, Savannah gives students hands-on educational experiences through American history, architecture, and coastal science. ETA handles every detail so your group can focus on discovery and learning. Start planning your Savannah educational tour today.
