Open the Garden Gates: Top 3 Southern Garden Tours for 2027
Three annual garden tours in Savannah, Charleston, and New Orleans worth planning a spring getaway around in 2027 — with curated stays to match.
If you love beautiful gardens, historic homes, and the feeling of discovering a place that is not normally open to the public, the South is calling. From Savannah's secret courtyards to Charleston's historic houses and the colorful gardens of New Orleans, these three annual garden tours offer a wonderful excuse to plan a spring getaway.
Each tour is an invitation to look beyond the postcard version of a city. You get to step through gates, down brick paths, and into the private spaces that give these neighborhoods their enduring character. Bring comfortable shoes, leave room in the day for a lingering lunch, and let the gardens set the pace.
The best part? Each of these cities has homes worth staying in — places that feel like part of the experience rather than just a place to sleep. I've curated a few favorites below that I think are especially well-suited to a garden tour weekend.
1. NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens — Savannah, Georgia
April 16–17, 2027
Few garden tours feel as magical as Savannah's NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens. NOGS stands for "North of Gaston Street," the historic area where the tour began in 1975. Each spring, garden gates that are normally closed to the public open for a self-guided tour through some of Savannah's most beautiful private gardens and historic landscapes.
Expect intimate courtyards, lush plantings, old brick walls, fountains, live oaks, and the unmistakable romance of Savannah's historic district. This is the kind of day that rewards an unhurried approach: pause at a shaded bench, notice the weathered ironwork, and see how a small courtyard can feel like a world of its own.
The 2027 tour is especially meaningful. It celebrates the 50th anniversary of NOGS and the 100th anniversary of the Garden Club of Savannah. Gardens are scheduled to be open Friday and Saturday, April 16–17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Why go
For the ultimate combination of secret gardens, historic architecture, and Southern hospitality. Savannah's best moments often appear just beyond a gate or down a quiet lane, and this tour makes those moments easier to find.
Where to stay in Savannah
The NOGS tour is entirely walkable from the right address — which makes your choice of home matter. These are my top picks from the Secret Garden Stays Savannah collection:
- The Quiet Courtyard on Jones for Two — An intimate retreat for two, tucked among historic streets with its own private courtyard. Perfect for a couple who wants to slow down and soak in the neighborhood. From $130/night.
- Gordon Street Suites with Shared Garden — A restored Federalist-style townhouse in historic Gordon Row, with garden views and a private rear balcony. A beautiful choice for travelers who want to settle into Savannah rather than simply visit it.
- The Ivy Courtyard in the Historic District — An ivy-covered courtyard brings Savannah's hidden-garden magic right into the experience of staying here. Peaceful, walkable, and exactly the right spirit for a garden tour weekend.
2. Annual House & Garden Tours — Charleston, South Carolina
March 19–20, 2027
Charleston's Annual House & Garden Tours are a dream for anyone who loves the relationship between historic homes and their gardens. Hosted by the Garden Club of Charleston, the two-day tour takes visitors into the city's historic South of Broad and Ansonborough neighborhoods, where beautiful gardens hide behind Charleston's famous walls and gates.
Along the way, you can step inside historic homes to see architecture, furnishings, art, and antiques. Garden Club members serve as docents, sharing stories behind the properties and helping visitors see the details that make each home distinctive. It is a rare chance to experience Charleston not simply as a streetscape, but as a collection of beautifully lived-in places.
The 2027 tour is scheduled for March 19–20, making it an ideal early-spring garden escape before Charleston's gardens reach their summer lushness. The softer season is part of the appeal: fresh foliage, blooming color, and a city that invites you to take your time.
Why go
For the quintessential Charleston experience: historic architecture, garden walls, intimate courtyards, and Lowcountry charm. The houses and gardens together tell a richer story than either could on its own.
Where to stay in Charleston
The tour neighborhoods are best explored on foot from a home that puts you in the middle of it all. These Secret Garden Stays Charleston properties are my recommendations:
- The Hidden Courtyard Cottage — A private brick courtyard tucked behind a historic Charleston home. Quiet, charming, and exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like a local.
- Garden Retreat South of Broad — Set in one of Charleston's most coveted historic neighborhoods, with a beautiful garden courtyard and classic Lowcountry character.
- Stillwater Serene Garden Court — A lush, serene garden setting with a courtyard pool. Ideal for unwinding after a full day of touring.
3. Faubourg Marigny Home & Garden Tour — New Orleans, Louisiana
May 16, 2027
For something a little more colorful and eclectic, head to New Orleans for the Faubourg Marigny Home & Garden Tour. On May 16, 2027, visitors can explore some of the historic neighborhood's most distinctive private residences in the Marigny Triangle.
The self-guided tour features nine homes, showcasing the wonderfully layered architecture and personality of one of New Orleans' most fascinating neighborhoods. Rather than the formal gardens and manicured landscapes you might find in Charleston or Savannah, expect a distinctly New Orleans mix of courtyards, tropical plantings, architectural details, and creatively restored homes.
This is a garden tour with plenty of character. It is also a good reason to plan a long weekend around the experience: make time for the city's food, music, and architecture, then return to the quieter details of the Marigny with a fresh eye.
Why go
For a more unexpected garden experience filled with color, courtyards, historic architecture, and New Orleans personality. It offers a vivid contrast to the more formal garden traditions of Savannah and Charleston.
A note on New Orleans stays
We don't yet have a curated New Orleans collection — but it's on our list. In the meantime, explore our Savannah and Charleston homes and join our journal list to hear when new cities are added.
Make a Garden Tour Your Getaway
The best thing about these tours is that they give you a reason to slow down and really experience a city. Don't just come for the gardens. Stay for a few days. Walk the historic neighborhoods, find a beautiful café, linger over dinner, and choose a stay that feels like part of the experience.
For garden lovers, Savannah, Charleston, and New Orleans are three Southern cities where the garden is not just something you visit — it is part of the way the city lives. Whether you are drawn to a hidden fountain courtyard, a gracious Charleston garden behind a wall, or a colorful New Orleans patio, these spring tours make an unforgettable starting point.
Ready to plan your stay? Browse our curated collection of historic homes in Savannah and Charleston →
Before finalizing travel, check each tour organizer's website for current ticket details, hours, and any event updates. Then leave a little room in your itinerary for the discoveries that are not listed on the map.
Margee Moore is the CEO of BigOrange Marketing and the content creator behind Secret Garden Stays. She writes about historic homes, Southern gardens, and the art of traveling slowly.
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Margee Moore
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