How To Spend A Day In Black-Owned Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia is rich in hospitality, culture and African-American history. The city is well worth visiting, featuring an abundance of historic sites, museums, and other monuments. Don’t miss out on learning about Savannah’s more than 200 years of black history and heritage, through the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum or a self-guided tour of this southern city.

Here’s how to spend a day in black-owned Savannah, GA.

Narobia’s Grits & Gravy

Start your day at this Midtown soul food restaurant for some coffee and great customer service, open only for breakfast and lunch. Some of their popular dishes are the french toast, crab cakes, seafood omelette and smothered shrimp over grits.

Discover Savannah’s History.

Explore Savannah’s deep connection to African American history on a tour of the city. Check out local companies like the Freedom Trail Tour, Footprints of Savannah, and Day Clean Journeys, which offer educational tours of historical monuments, architecture and the oldest black cemetery.

Visit Georgia’s Oldest Black School
Still standing today, The Beach Institute is Georgia’s oldest school for black people. It acts as a cultural center, museum and gallery, highlighting local black artists.

Savor Savannah’s Soul Food
Get your real southern cooking at one of Savannah’s many African-inspired restaurants such as Sisters of the New South. I can already smell the steamed oxtails, smothered gravy, yams, dressing, and their award-winning peach cobbler. Owner Vicky Brown wanted an authentic soul food experience, comparable to her grandmother’s house.

Explore The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum

Ralph Mark Gilbert served as pastor of First African Baptist Church for almost 20 years. The museum was built in 1914 and renamed in his honor in 1993 for his work during the civil rights movement, leading the NAACP. It encompasses three floors of interactive and photographic exhibits, an NAACP Organization exhibit, a fiber optic map of 87 significant civil rights sites and events.

Take ‘Em To Church

Gospel hymns, pipe organs, West African writings, and holes in the shape of an African prayer symbol representing birth, life, death, and rebirth. Visit the First African Baptist Church, one of the oldest black churches in North America. On Monday nights, experience southern gospel music and soul food buffet like no other on a two-hour dinner cruise with Savannah Riverboat Cruises.