Movie Locations Segway Tour of Savannah

Savannah’s movie history comes to life in a surprisingly practical way on this 90-minute Segway tour. You ride through the historic district, stopping at squares and buildings linked to films such as Forrest Gump, Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil, and Something to Talk About. The old bus-stop setting from Forrest Gump is still easy to recognize, even though the famous bench now sits inside the Savannah History Museum.

I like the careful beginner training, which includes a short video and hands-on practice before you leave. I also like the small group size, capped at 10 people, since guides such as Jason, Mary, Gregg, and Mark can keep an eye on riders and pause for photos. The main consideration is that a Segway takes some balance and control, and the listening device has not worked equally well for everyone.

Key points to know before you book

• Forrest Gump’s bus-stop setting: See the Savannah location tied to the famous box-of-chocolates scene, but do not expect to find the original bench outdoors.
• Training comes first: Arrive 15 minutes early for paperwork, a safety video, helmet fitting, and practice with starting, stopping, and turning.
• Movie sites plus Savannah history: The tour covers film connections while also explaining the city and its squares.
• Small group of no more than 10: This gives the guide room to help new riders and manage street riding.
• $75 buys more than a movie checklist: You get equipment, bottled water, a guide, instruction, and a moving tour through central Savannah.
• Age and footwear rules matter: You must be at least 16, and closed-heel shoes are suggested.

A movie tour that also teaches you to ride

The appeal here is not simply spotting a building from a film. You learn a new way to move through Savannah, then use the Segway to cover more ground than you would on foot during a short outing.

The tour begins at 502 East Broughton Street in the historic downtown district. Your 11 a.m. start time is fixed, but you need to arrive 15 minutes early. That extra time is not casual padding. It allows you to complete paperwork, watch a short Segway basics video, put on a helmet, and practice the controls.

The training covers the essentials: turning, starting, and stopping. Guides have also been praised for making first-time riders feel comfortable before setting out. If you have never used a Segway, this preparation is important. You do not need to arrive as an expert, but you should be ready to listen closely and give yourself a few minutes to find your balance.

Once the group is comfortable, you roll into Savannah’s historic streets and squares. The guide handles the route and narration while you focus on steering, spacing, and watching the road. The experience is active, but it is not presented as a race or a technical riding lesson.

Finding Forrest Gump’s familiar Savannah setting

The Forrest Gump stop is likely the most recognizable part of the tour. The film’s bus-stop setting is in Savannah, and the location remains easy to identify even though the bench associated with the scene is no longer there.

That detail matters if you are booking this specifically to sit on the movie bench. The bench is now inside the Savannah History Museum, not at the outdoor stop. You can still see the setting and understand how the scene used Savannah, but the experience is about recognizing the place rather than recreating the exact shot.

The guide adds context as you ride, which helps turn a quick photo stop into a small piece of film geography. You see how a familiar movie moment fits into the real city around it. For film fans, this is more satisfying than a list of addresses because the tour explains what was filmed and how the locations functioned on screen.

Mercer Williams House and Monterey Square

One of the planned stops is the Mercer Williams House Museum, with about 15 minutes set aside in the area. The house and its square are closely tied to Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil, the book and film that brought Savannah’s unusual characters and grand old homes to a wide audience.

You should not assume that admission to the museum is part of the tour. It is not included, so the Segway stop focuses on the exterior setting and the surrounding square. That is a sensible use of time on a 90-minute outing, especially when the goal is to connect several movie locations rather than spend the morning inside one building.

The stop works best if you have seen the film or read the book, but the guide also supplies enough local context for people who have not. Savannah’s squares are not just backdrops. They shape the pace and look of the city, and the guide uses them to explain both filming and local history.

Lafayette Square and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is another planned stop, with around 15 minutes in the area. Its ornate exterior provides a strong visual anchor in Lafayette Square, which has also been used as a setting for films.

As with the Mercer Williams House Museum, admission is not included. The focus is on the location, the square, and the way filmmakers use the cathedral as a backdrop. You get time for photographs and narration rather than a full interior visit.

This is one reason the tour is better for people who want a moving overview than for visitors seeking extended museum time. The route gives you a series of recognizable places, but each stop is fairly short. I would plan a separate visit if you want to tour the cathedral or museum at length.

More than the best-known movies

The tour reaches beyond Forrest Gump and Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil. Your guide may point out places connected with Something to Talk About, which starred Dennis Quaid and Julia Roberts, as well as work involving Robert Redford, Zac Efron, and Dwayne Johnson, known as The Rock.

The useful part is the local angle. You are not just being told that a famous person worked in Savannah. The guide shares where productions took place and offers behind-the-scenes stories about movies filmed in town.

The exact amount of detail can depend on the guide. Jason has been praised for combining movie information with plenty of time for photographs. Gregg has been described as personable and attentive, while Mary is known for mixing movie material with city history. Mark has received special praise for being funny, helpful, and careful with beginners.

That range of guide styles is worth keeping in mind. The experience is built around a local guide, so the tone may vary, but the core format remains the same: ride, listen, stop, and take pictures.

What riding a Segway feels like here

A Segway lets you cover Savannah without the steady walking required by a traditional city tour. You stand on a self-balancing vehicle and control movement with your body and the handlebar. The first few minutes can feel odd, especially when you are trying to remain relaxed while starting or stopping.

Past riders have described the Segways as easy to operate once they got the hang of them, but one person also noted that controlling the machine can feel like a workout. That is a fair warning. The ride is accessible to many people, but it is not completely passive.

You will need to stay alert in the street and around other people. The guide watches the group and places strong emphasis on safety, including during parts of the route where you ride in the street. The maximum group size of 10 helps, since the guide can give instructions without managing a large crowd.

Wear closed-heel shoes. You will also need to meet the minimum age of 16. The supplied helmet is included, and bottled water is provided.

The listening device and what you should bring

The tour includes spoken narration as you move through the city. Reviews describe the use of one-way listening devices, which can make a major difference when you are spread out from the guide. You can keep your eyes on the road rather than trying to stay shoulder to shoulder with the person leading the group.

The equipment has not been perfect for every rider. One person found the listening device somewhat limited and wished they had brought wired headphones. Another described the headsets as excellent and especially useful compared with tours without them.

I would ask about the available headset before setting out if clear audio is especially important to you. If the company permits personal wired headphones, bringing them may be useful, but that detail is not specified. Either way, do not expect to hear every word if you fall far behind the group.

The tour includes photo pauses, and guides may help take pictures. Jason, in particular, has been praised for his photography help. You should still bring your own phone or camera, since the stops are part of the fun and the tour does not provide a photographer.

Is $75 a fair price?

At $75 per person, this is not the cheapest way to hear about Savannah’s film sites. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: Segway use, helmet, training, bottled water, a professional guide, and a small group capped at 10.

You are also paying for the chance to cover several central locations in about an hour and a half. On foot, you could visit some of the same squares, but you would spend more energy walking between them and would not get the novelty of learning to ride a Segway.

The value depends on your interests. If you only want a quick list of filming locations, $75 may feel high. If you want a guided city outing that combines movie stories, local history, photos, and a new activity, the price is more reasonable.

The tour does not include entry to the Mercer Williams House Museum or the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Budget separately if you plan to go inside either place.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to adults and older teens who like movies but also want a broad look at Savannah. It suits couples, families with members aged 16 or older, and first-time Segway riders who are willing to follow instructions.

It is also a good choice if you want an active tour without committing to a long bike ride. The company also offers bicycles, but this particular outing uses Segways and includes the equipment needed for the ride.

The experience may be less satisfying if you want extended time at each site, a full museum visit, or a purely historical walking tour. Movie knowledge is not required, but people who have seen Forrest Gump or Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil will likely get more recognition moments from the route.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, but exact parking information is not provided, so do not build your arrival plan around finding a last-minute parking space.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The tour starts at 11 a.m. and ends back at the downtown office. Plan for roughly 90 minutes on the activity itself, plus the required early arrival for training and paperwork.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation arrives at booking. These details are simple, but they are useful when fitting the tour between a morning meal, a museum visit, and an afternoon plan.

Should you book the Movie Locations Segway Tour?

Book it if you want a lively introduction to Savannah that mixes film sites with city history. The careful instruction, small group, and strong guide presence make it a good first Segway outing. You also get more than one famous location, with time for photos and stories about productions linked to Savannah.

Skip it if your main goal is to see the Forrest Gump bench outdoors, since that bench is now inside the Savannah History Museum. You may also prefer a walking tour if you dislike balancing on a moving vehicle or want to spend longer inside the cathedral and Mercer Williams House.

For most people who meet the age requirement and like the idea of moving through town on two wheels, $75 is a fair price for the combination of training, equipment, movie connections, and local guidance. Arrive early, wear closed-heel shoes, and treat the ride as both a film tour and a compact introduction to Savannah.

FAQ

Where does the Movie Locations Segway Tour begin?

It begins at 502 E Broughton St in Savannah’s historic downtown district.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 11 a.m.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the start time for paperwork, the Segway video, helmet fitting, and hands-on practice.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour accepts a maximum of 10 people.

What is the minimum age?

You must be at least 16 years old to take this Segway tour.

Is Segway training included?

Yes. Training includes a short familiarization video and practice with turning, starting, and stopping.

Are museum admissions included?

No. Admission to the Mercer Williams House Museum and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is not included.

Is the Forrest Gump bench still at the bus-stop location?

No. The bench is now inside the Savannah History Museum, although the bus-stop setting remains recognizable.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.