Among the dozens of Savannah's squares, Madison Square has especially great company. It's within footsteps of the Green-Meldrim House, Sorrel-Weed House Museum, St. John's Episcopal Church, and other historical buildings from the center of the square. Within the square, you’ll find a brick-lined walking path, open grass patches for picnics, and three historical markers honoring the Revolutionary War: two Savannah Armory cannons, a granite stone signifying the British defenses limit, and a William Jasper Monument.
Each of Savannah’s public squares is an important history marker, and Madison Square is no exception. It’s an easy stop when touring the Green-Meldrim House next door, though it’s almost a mile (1.6 kilometers) inland from popular River Street. Many visitors see Madison Square when visiting other sites on a tour. The Savannah hop-on hop-off trolley tour, ghost walks, and other group or private tours usually stop at or pass by Madison Square.
The Green-Meldrim House to the west was the headquarters of General Sherman in the Civil War.
The Sorrel-Weed House Museum, northwest of the square, is supposedly haunted and hosts ghost and paranormal tours.
Across the northeast corner sits E. Shaver Booksellers, one of the oldest bookstores in the city.
Madison Park is located in Savannah’s historic district, right along popular Bull Street between W. Harris Street and E. Charlton Street. Most streets in the historic district are pedestrian friendly, making Madison Park easy to walk to from Forsyth Park and Chippewa Square. City buses also serve nearby stops, and public parking is available one block north on Liberty Street.
Madison Square is open around the clock. However, the square is most active and safe to visit after sunrise and before midnight. The nearby historic sites, restaurants, and shops are generally open throughout the week from early morning into the evening or later. Consider visiting either in the afternoon or when there’s a special event scheduled such as one put on by the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Though Madison Square is popular with the locals, arguably the most popular square in the city is located two blocks north on Bull Street. Chippewa Square is the set location used in the film Forrest Gump. It was here on a bench that he waited for a bus and delivered the "Life is like a box of chocolates" line. The bench used in the movie is located nearby at the Savannah History Museum.
