Your guide to Savannah
Savannah highlights
Southern heritage
Founded in 1733, Savannah has history around every corner. The Bonaventure Cemetery and the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum offer glimpses into the city’s richly textured past. And you’ll find traces of the Underground Railroad in the First African Baptist Church. For lavish architecture and US Civil War history, visit the Green-Meldrim House, a historic military headquarters.
Elegant architecture
Savannah is a patchwork of architectural styles, with candy-coloured antebellum mansions sitting alongside Romanesque Revival houses and English Regency buildings. The Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist is a must-see during any trip to Savannah for its Gothic Revival spires. And the Victorian-style Gingerbread House looks like it came straight out of a fairytale.
Outdoor adventures
With the city’s nearby state parks and historic sites, you can easily pair your visit to Savannah with time in the great outdoors. Skidaway Island State Park is less than 30 minutes away, offering hiking trails through forests and salt marshes. And you’ll find the Civil War–era Fort Pulaski National Monument on the beach-lined Cockspur Island.
Savannah: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) and UTC-4 (EDT) |
| High season | March - April |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Savannah
Weather in Savannah
March – May: Savannah is beautiful in spring — the weather is pleasant, and the azaleas are in bloom. The season starts out on the dry side, with showers picking up as summer nears.
June – August: Summers in the South are hot and steamy, with temperatures above 32°C. Expect lots of humidity and thunderstorms most afternoons.
September – November: Autumn sees a return to comfortable weather and less rain. Hurricanes can still derail your travel plans, so keep an eye on the forecast.
December – February: Winters in Savannah are dry and brisk but rarely ice cold. The cooler temperatures keep the crowds away. Some attractions limit their hours in the off-season.
Events in Savannah
Saint Patrick’s Day (March): Savannah hosts one of the largest Saint Patrick’s Day parades in the United States. More than 300,000 people turn out dressed in green and ready to celebrate Irish heritage.
Savannah Music Festival (March to April): This festival has something for everyone, with international artists performing dozens of musical genres.
Savannah Pride (October): The city celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with several days of concerts, food and drink events, a parade and more.
SCAD Savannah Film Festival (October to November): See why Georgia has earned the nickname the ‘Hollywood of the South’ with this autumn lineup of celebrity-studded film screenings, panels and lectures.
The best neighbourhoods in Savannah
Historic District
Savannah’s Historic District is the largest National Historic Landmark District in the country. Here you’ll find manicured squares, museums, restaurants and beautifully restored homes from the 18th and 19th centuries. When you need an air-conditioned break from all the outdoor scenery, stop by the Savannah History Museum and the Telfair Academy, the oldest public art museum in the American South.
Good for: Historic squares, art museums, restaurants
Midtown
If you’re looking for a more low-key location, this is where to stay in Savannah. You’ll see Victorian and craftsman homes as you stroll towards Habersham Village’s boutiques, cafes and art galleries. And Daffin Park is always a popular spot with joggers. Love live sports? Catch a baseball game at Grayson Stadium and cheer on the Savannah Bananas.
Good for: Baseball, boutiques, parks
Starland District
An artsy area packed with trendy coffee shops and cocktail bars, the Starland District is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Savannah. Colourful murals line the streets, and shops range from vintage boutiques and record stores to art galleries. For a culture fix, spend an afternoon at the Savannah African Art Museum.
Good for: Coffee shops, vintage boutiques, street art
Things to do in Savannah
Beaches
Located less than 30 minutes from downtown, Tybee Island’s white sands and blue water offer plenty of fun for swimmers and sun-worshippers. Along with the ocean beach, you’ll find river beaches here too. There’s a chance to spot dolphins from Savannah River Beach to the island’s north. And Back River Beach is known for its fishing spots and fiery sunsets.
Places to eat
Savannah is full of great local eateries, offering everything from Southern classics to fresh seafood and barbeque. City Market has a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes. And Starland Yard’s food trucks are perfect for a casual bite. Looking for an authentic taste of Savannah? Try The Olde Pink House restaurant, located inside a mansion from 1771.
Shopping
Broughton Street in downtown Savannah is known for its antique shops, independent boutiques and brand-name fashion stores. And the shops along River Street are excellent for picking up local souvenirs. Exploring the Historic District? Keep an eye out for shops tucked away in the area’s Georgian mansions.
Take in the culture
Savannah’s rich history comes to life in its cultural institutions, from the American Prohibition Museum to the Jepson Center & Telfair Children’s Art Museum. For a full day of fun and learning, make your way to Tricentennial Park, home to the Savannah History Museum, Georgia State Railroad Museum and Savannah Children’s Museum.
Nightlife
You’ll find artisanal cocktail bars and late-night hipster hangouts in the Starland District. Historical pubs and taverns make the City Market area a go-to destination after dark. Don’t miss sipping a Chatham Artillery Punch, the city’s signature cocktail, made with rum, whisky, brandy and champagne.
Free things to do
The Savannah Botanical Gardens is free to visit, offering nature trails, a pond and an 1840s farmhouse. And nothing beats an afternoon stroll through sprawling Forsyth Park. If you’re a movie fan, head to Chippewa Square, where Tom Hanks famously uttered the line, “Life is like a box of chocolates”, in ‘Forrest Gump’.
Get ready for Savannah
Budget
Many of the city’s top attractions don’t require a ticket. Between the parks, pretty beaches and charming public squares, visiting Savannah on a budget is easy. An inexpensive meal of Southern cuisine can be had for around 16 US dollars ($). A domestic beer costs just about $4. Need a morning pick-me-up? A cappuccino also costs around $4.
Day trips from Savannah
Only 45 minutes up the coast, Hilton Head Island is great for oceanfront golfing, hiking and biking. If you love history, drive an hour to the town of Beaufort, home to the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. Or take the 90-minute trip down the coast to Jekyll Island, a former destination for the 19th-century elite.
Getting around Savannah
Savannah’s squares, gardens and riverfront are great for walking. If you’d rather ride, take the CAT buses or the free DOT shuttle, which covers downtown and the Historic District. The free Savannah Belles Ferry also connects River Street to Hutchinson Island’s hotels and convention centre.
