You’ve probably seen the movie. Everyone has. You can almost hear the soft, Southern drawl of Tom Hanks as he explains that "life is like a box of chocolates" while sitting on that iconic park bench. If you’re planning a trip to Georgia, you might be picturing yourself sitting in that exact spot, snapping a photo for the Gram, and soaking in the movie magic.
But here’s the thing. If you show up at Chippewa Square Savannah GA Forrest Gump fans’ most beloved pilgrimage site—expecting to find that bench, you’re going to be pretty disappointed.
Most people get this wrong. They wander around the beautiful, moss-draped square looking for a wooden seat that simply isn’t there. Honestly, it’s the number one question baristas at Gallery Espresso get asked every single day.
The Great Bench Deception
The truth is kinda a bummer for some: the bench was never a permanent part of the square. It was a movie prop.
Paramount Pictures didn't just find a nice spot and start filming. They actually brought in a fiberglass bench—designed to look like heavy concrete and wood—and placed it on the north side of the square. They chose that spot specifically because the Independent Presbyterian Church and the First Baptist Church provided the perfect cinematic backdrop for that floating feather in the opening scene.
But there’s a funny logistical detail most people miss. To make the scene work, the city of Savannah actually had to reverse the flow of traffic around the square. In real life, traffic flows counter-clockwise. If a bus pulled up to the north side of the square normally, the doors would open away from the park. To get Forrest to step directly onto the sidewalk by the bench, the buses had to drive the "wrong" way.
Once the cameras stopped rolling, the bench vanished.
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Where is the Forrest Gump bench now?
So, where did it go? It didn’t just end up in a dumpster.
Actually, there were several benches. The primary one used during filming was gifted to the city of Savannah and now lives in the Savannah History Museum. It’s basically their "Mona Lisa." It’s kept behind a small fence because, let’s be real, if they let everyone sit on it, the fiberglass would have crumbled into dust decades ago.
- The Savannah History Museum: This is where the local "real" one is.
- The Paramount Lot: Another original prop bench is kept in Los Angeles for studio tours.
- The Smithsonian: One of the replicas found its way to Washington D.C.
- Tom Hanks’ House: Rumor has it (and several local guides confirm) that the man himself kept one for his own collection.
Why Chippewa Square Still Matters
Even without the prop, Chippewa Square Savannah GA Forrest Gump history is everywhere. It’s still one of the most stunning spots in the Historic District. Located at the intersection of Bull and McDonough streets, the square commemorates the Battle of Chippawa from the War of 1812.
You’ll see a massive statue of General James Oglethorpe—the founder of Georgia—right in the center. In the movie, Forrest is sitting with his back to Oglethorpe.
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If you stand on the north side of the square today, near Hull Street, you’ll see some bushes and a patch of grass where the bench once sat. You can still see the same church steeples from the movie. The vibe is exactly the same, even if the furniture is different.
Other Gump Spots in Savannah
If you’re doing a DIY film tour, don't stop at the square.
Basically right around the corner at Wright Square, there used to be a place called Debi’s Restaurant. This is where Jenny worked as a waitress in the film. While the restaurant has changed names and hands over the years (it's no longer Debi's), the building still stands.
If you're willing to drive about 15 minutes outside of downtown, you can visit Love’s Seafood & Steaks on the Ogeechee River. This was the location for the "truck stop" scene where Jenny performs. It’s a real, family-owned spot that’s been around since 1949. No, you won't find nude performers there like in the movie—just really good fried shrimp.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Look, Savannah is a walking city. Don't try to drive into the square and park right where the bench was. You'll just annoy the locals and probably get a ticket.
- Go Early: If you want that perfect shot of the "empty" square, get there before 9:00 AM.
- Visit the Museum First: Go to the Savannah History Museum (303 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd) to see the actual bench. It gives you a much better appreciation for the scale of the prop before you see the empty spot in the park.
- Check the Traffic: Remember that the bus stop was fake. There is no bus that stops there now. Don't stand in the street trying to recreate the shot—Savannah drivers are used to tourists, but they have places to be.
- Grab a Coffee: Gallery Espresso is right on the corner of the square. Grab a latte, sit on one of the real benches (the ones inside the square, not the perimeter), and just people-watch. It’s what Forrest would have done.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're heading to Savannah specifically for the movie history, here is exactly how to spend your morning:
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Start your day at the Savannah History Museum as soon as they open to see the prop bench without the crowds. Then, take a 10-minute walk over to Chippewa Square. Stand on the north side (Hull Street side) to see the angle where the feather landed. Afterward, walk two blocks to Wright Square to see where Jenny’s diner was filmed, then head over to Bull Street—recently named one of the most beautiful streets in the world—to see the rest of the historic architecture that makes this city feel like a movie set even when the cameras aren't running.
The bench might be gone, but the magic of the square is very much alive.