Discover Savanna: History and Nature

For a stay in Savanna, you can focus on three areas: historic sites and a museum in town, activities on the water, and natural destinations nearby. If you’re looking for a hotel in Savanna, first consider which of these will shape your stay.

History in Savanna

Savanna was settled in 1828 by explorers from Galena. The Savanna Historic Walking Tour visits historic sites in town and includes ten stops over about 2.3 miles. Shorter walks are also possible, so you can choose between the full tour and shorter options.

Parking for the tour is available along Main Street and at the Veterans Memorial, the Train Car Museum, and Marquette Park. Route information may change, so check it before setting out.

At the Savanna Museum & Cultural Center, the “Civil War Soldiers” exhibit features more than 120 mannequins depicting individual soldiers. The museum also has a working HO-scale model railway layout depicting railroad operations in Savanna in the 1950s. The historical time span thus extends from Savanna’s settlement in 1828 to railroad operations in the 1950s; the “Civil War Soldiers” exhibit adds to this historical perspective by depicting individual soldiers.

Water and Outdoor Activities

At Marquette Park, you can walk along the Mississippi River. You can also ride a bike on the Great River Bike Trail in Savanna. Kayaking is possible on numerous rivers and lakes there; water conditions and access may vary. If kayaking is part of your plans, check both in advance.

Nearby Mississippi Palisades State Park is three miles north of Savanna in Carroll County and offers 2,500 acres of opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, rock climbing, and camping. The park is known for its steep cliffs and distinctive rock formations. The more than 1.3-mile-long Sentinel Trail leads to Sentinel Rock. The town tour visits historic sites; the park trail leads to Sentinel Rock.

Nearby Sentinel Nature Preserve lies north of Savanna and is home to rare plants, including the Canadian violet and Jewel shooting star. It is a different destination from the Sentinel Trail in the state park, which leads to Sentinel Rock.

Downtown and Scenery

Savanna’s historic downtown is on the Great River Road National Byway, where you can browse shops. From Savanna, you can also take scenic drives through the rolling hills of the Driftless Area. The byway reference applies to downtown, while the drives offer views of the wider surrounding landscape.

For the broader travel overview: Carroll County.