Savannah Travel Guide: Historic Charm and Southern Heritage
Discover Savannah's Spanish moss-lined squares, historic architecture, and Southern hospitality in Georgia's oldest city.
Savannah Travel Guide: Discovering Georgia’s Historic Hostess City
Introduction to Savannah
Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city and former capital, stands as one of America’s most enchanting destinations. Established on the Savannah River in 1733, this historic gem has welcomed visitors for nearly 300 years to experience its iconic Spanish moss-lined trees and charming cobblestone streets. As one of the nation’s biggest ports, Savannah has earned the affectionate nickname the “Hostess City” thanks to its gracious and hospitable locals. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for your fiftieth visit, Savannah offers quintessential Southern experiences that leave lasting impressions.
The city is best explored on foot, making it an ideal destination for leisurely walks through historic neighborhoods and around famous squares. With warm weather throughout much of the year and a packed calendar of annual events, Savannah proves to be the perfect spot for a quick getaway or an extended vacation.
When to Visit: Events and Celebrations
Savannah’s calendar overflows with vibrant annual events that draw visitors from around the world. The city’s most famous celebration is its wild St. Patrick’s Day festivities, recognized as one of the largest celebrations in the country. Beyond this iconic holiday, the city hosts New Year’s Eve celebrations, the prestigious SCAD Savannah Film Festival, and the beloved Savannah Jazz Festival. These events, combined with the city’s natural beauty and historical significance, make Savannah an attractive destination throughout the year.
Exploring the Historic District’s Grand House Museums
The Historic District stands as Savannah’s crown jewel, featuring magnificent mansions and house museums that showcase the city’s aristocratic past. These grand residences represent architectural excellence and tell compelling stories of Savannah’s most notable residents. However, many of these treasured structures might have been lost to time if not for the dedicated efforts of the Historic Savannah Foundation, a group of visionary women founded in the 1950s who fought tirelessly to save them from demolition. To date, the organization has preserved over 400 structures, establishing itself as a crucial guardian of Savannah’s heritage.
Notable House Museums
Each house museum offers unique insights into different aspects of Savannah’s history. The Juliette Gordon Low House showcases the former residence of the founder of the Girl Scouts of America, making it a popular destination for both Girl Scouts and history enthusiasts. The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home, where the renowned writer spent her formative years, was notably saved by Hollywood director Jerry Bruckheimer. The Mercer-Williams House gained international recognition as the site of real-life events depicted in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” a captivating book and movie about a murder involving a member of the city’s high society. Many of these homes offer combination tickets for visitors wishing to explore multiple properties.
The Riverfront: Savannah’s Waterfront Charm
Savannah’s riverfront represents a vibrant hub of activity where locals and visitors alike gather to experience the city’s commercial and recreational offerings. Lined with galleries, shops, restaurants, and specialty food stores, the River Street boardwalk provides respite from the heat and humidity that characterize much of the year. The revitalized Plant River District, housed in a restored 1912 power plant, now pulses with concerts, dining establishments, and nightlife venues that energize the waterfront during evening hours.
As you stroll along the river’s edge, you’ll encounter significant landmarks of twentieth-century history, including the African American monument and the bust of Civil Rights leader and Nobel Laureate Martin Luther King Jr. The pedestal holding his bust bears an inscription of King’s Emancipation Day Address, delivered during his 1961 visit to Savannah, serving as a powerful reminder of the city’s role in American civil rights history.
Coastal Georgia Cuisine
Savannah’s culinary scene reflects its unique position along Georgia’s coast, offering distinctive flavors that blend tradition with innovation. The region’s cuisine celebrates fresh seafood, locally-sourced ingredients, and time-honored Southern cooking methods. Fine dining establishments and casual eateries alike showcase oysters, shrimp, crab, and locally-raised pork prepared with regional specialties like sorghum. For visitors seeking an unforgettable gastronomic experience, the city’s restaurants range from upscale establishments with accolades earned through regional inspiration to casual neighborhood favorites beloved by locals for generations.
Experiencing Savannah’s Spooky Side
A city as old and historic as Savannah inevitably harbors fascinating ghost stories and tales of paranormal activity. The best way to explore this macabre aspect of local history is through ghost tours that operate through the historic district most evenings. These experiences vary in tone and content, with some designed to be family-friendly while others cater specifically to adults seeking more mature narratives. Some innovative tours even transport curious travelers via hearse, adding theatrical flair to the paranormal investigation.
Savannah’s Historic Cemeteries
Savannah’s cemeteries represent significant historical and cultural landmarks worth exploring respectfully. Bonaventure Cemetery, located a short drive outside downtown, functions as both a burial ground since 1846 and a Victorian garden-like sanctuary spread across over 100 acres. This atmospheric cemetery hosts the plots of notable figures including songwriter Johnny Mercer and Poet Laureate Conrad Aiken, along with graves of soldiers from the Civil and Spanish-American wars. Colonial Park Cemetery, established in 1750 with over 9,000 graves, operates as a city park after closing to new burials in the following decade. Here, visitors can locate the plots of early notable locals including Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and painter Edward Malbone.
For those with a fascination for the unusual, the Graveface Museum on Factors Walk overlooking River Street offers a vast collection of artifacts from sideshows, cult leaders, serial killers, and medical oddities. The same admission ticket grants access to the museum’s arcade, filled with vintage pinball and video games for entertainment.
Free Activities and Budget-Friendly Experiences
Exploring Savannah doesn’t require breaking the bank. The city offers numerous free and low-cost activities that showcase its historic charm and cultural richness. Walking through the historic district provides an immersive journey through time, allowing visitors to absorb the architecture, atmosphere, and stories that define Savannah’s character.
Exploring by Free Trolley
The distinctive grape-purple and green trolleys wind through approximately 20 notable spots across the historic district, providing an entertaining and educational introduction to the city’s major cultural attractions. Visitors can board and alight at any stop located at or within walking distance of significant sites including Juliet Gordon Low’s birthplace and the Girl Scouts’ first headquarters, the Savannah College of Art and Design which owns more than 100 of the city’s buildings, and the First Baptist Church, one of few structures to survive the city’s many fires due to its concrete construction. The dot Express Shuttle functions as free city transportation rather than a tour bus, allowing flexible exploration on your own schedule.
Savannah Botanical Gardens
The Savannah Botanical Gardens offer free access to public areas where vibrant blossoms burst open amidst natural and formal arrangements. Visitors can relax on butterfly benches while breathing in the fragrance of English roses and observing ferns creeping along cobbled and wooden pathways. The vegetable garden showcases flourishing herbs and produce. During evenings, an art nouveau light installation transforms the garden into an animated landscape through creative illumination.
Places of Worship: Architectural and Spiritual Significance
Savannah’s religious buildings represent important architectural landmarks and windows into the city’s diverse spiritual heritage. The milk-white towers of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist hover majestically above the historic district, making this Catholic church one of Savannah’s most iconic sites. Its blue spires topped with gold crosses remain visible from many parts of downtown, beckoning visitors as they once called to immigrants fleeing Haiti and France. When services aren’t being conducted, visitors can walk inside the basilica free of charge to admire its grandeur, including lavishly decorated vaulted ceilings, marble pillars, and stained-glass windows.
Though founder James Oglethorpe initially forbade Catholicism in Georgia, he eventually opened doors to other religions as practical necessity demanded. When illness ravaged early settlements, Oglethorpe welcomed Jewish doctor Samuel Nunez’s medical expertise and subsequently allowed Jewish settlers to own land and establish the Temple Mickve Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in the American South.
Planning Your Savannah Visit
Duration and Pacing
To fully appreciate Savannah’s historical depth and cultural offerings, plan to spend at least three days in the city. This timeframe allows for leisurely exploration of major attractions, relaxation in historic squares, dining experiences, and spontaneous discoveries that make travel memorable.
Transportation Considerations
Upon arrival at the airport, utilizing rideshare apps maximizes your travel time and eliminates the hassle of car rentals. In fact, you probably won’t need a car during your Savannah stay, as the historic district and most attractions are best explored on foot. The city’s walkable layout, combined with free trolley services and rideshare options, makes car ownership unnecessary for visitors.
A Long Weekend Itinerary
Friday Morning and Afternoon
Begin your Savannah adventure with breakfast at Dottie’s Market, featuring artisan foods and prepared dishes like bagel BLTs. Alternatively, grab coffee and pastries at the Coffee Fox. Explore Broughton Street’s boutique shops including Clockwork Skateshop, Nourish organic bath products, and Glory Days Vintage for secondhand clothing.
Join Free Savannah Tours for a 90-minute walking tour covering the city’s history and major sites. After the tour, visit iconic house museums like the Juliette Gordon Low House or the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, which illuminates both the wealthy merchant class experience and the lives of enslaved people during the 19th century. Pick up picnic supplies from Fancy Parker’s, an upscale gas station outpost in a historic service station, and enjoy lunch in one of Savannah’s famous squares, such as Chippewa Square, famous from the movie Forrest Gump.
Friday Evening
Explore the City Market’s abundant shops and restaurants, and don’t miss the American Prohibition Museum, which covers the history of this failed experiment before concluding in a speakeasy where you can enjoy cocktails. For dinner, experience the acclaimed cuisine at the Grey, featuring oysters and pork cooked in sorghum, or enjoy casual dining at Crystal Beer Parlor for burgers and crab dip. After dark, visit sophisticated cocktail bars like Artillery or Alley Cat Lounge for a more intimate evening away from River Street’s party crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best time to visit Savannah?
A: Savannah is warm throughout much of the year, making it suitable for visiting at almost any time. However, spring and fall offer more comfortable temperatures for walking and exploring. The city hosts major events like St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and the Savannah Film Festival that attract visitors during specific seasons.
Q: Is it necessary to rent a car in Savannah?
A: No, a car is not necessary. Savannah’s historic district is best explored on foot, and the free trolley system provides convenient transportation to major attractions. Rideshare apps offer additional mobility options.
Q: How many days should I spend in Savannah?
A: Plan for at least three days to adequately experience Savannah’s historic attractions, museums, dining, and cultural offerings without feeling rushed.
Q: Are ghost tours appropriate for children?
A: Some ghost tours are family-friendly while others cater to adults with more mature content. Check tour descriptions before booking to ensure the experience matches your preferences.
Q: What should I not miss in Savannah?
A: Must-see attractions include the historic house museums, Forsyth Park, Bonaventure Cemetery, the riverfront boardwalk, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, and the various historic squares throughout the district.
Conclusion
Savannah stands as one of America’s most captivating destinations, offering visitors a harmonious blend of Southern charm, historical significance, and contemporary culture. From exploring grand house museums and historic cemeteries to enjoying fresh coastal cuisine and attending world-class festivals, Savannah delivers memorable experiences for every traveler. Whether you’re interested in American history, architectural beauty, culinary delights, or simply soaking in the city’s gracious atmosphere beneath Spanish moss-draped oaks, Savannah welcomes you with the warmth that earned it the title “Hostess City.” Plan your visit today and discover why nearly three centuries of travelers have fallen in love with this remarkable Georgian gem.
