Savannah blends Spanish moss-draped squares, antebellum architecture, and coastal Georgia culture into one of the South’s most walkable and atmospheric cities. Planning what to see and do here means balancing historic house museums, riverfront parks, cemetery tours, and nearby barrier island beaches with enough time to wander oak-lined streets and sample Lowcountry cuisine.
This guide covers the city’s major attractions, useful neighborhoods, practical transport advice, day trip options, and seasonal considerations to help you build a realistic itinerary. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, you’ll find concrete suggestions for making the most of your visit.
What Should You Do When Visiting Savannah, Georgia?
Focus on exploring the Historic District’s 22 public squares, touring preserved homes like the Mercer-Williams House or Owens-Thomas House, walking River Street along the Savannah River, and visiting Forsyth Park and Bonaventure Cemetery. Day trips to Tybee Island beach or Fort Pulaski expand your itinerary, and evening ghost tours or riverboat cruises add variety after the house museums close.
Exploring the Historic District and Its Squares
The Historic District forms the heart of Savannah and contains most of the city’s tourist attractions within a roughly two-square-mile grid. James Oglethorpe’s 1733 city plan created distinctive public squares surrounded by residential and civic buildings, and 22 of the original squares remain intact today.
You can walk the entire district in sections over one or two days, stopping at individual squares that interest you. Chippewa Square features the bench location made famous in a 1990s film, Madison Square anchors a particularly well-preserved block of historic homes, and Monterey Square offers one of the district’s most photogenic fountain views.
Notable Historic House Museums
Several antebellum and Victorian-era homes operate as museums with guided tours. These tours typically last 30 to 45 minutes and require admission fees that change periodically, so confirm current pricing before your visit.
- Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters provides detailed interpretation of both the wealthy family’s life and the enslaved people who worked there, with original furnishings and one of the South’s best-preserved urban slave quarters
- Mercer-Williams House Museum showcases 19th-century architecture and decorative arts collections in a home associated with local history and popular literature
- Davenport House Museum represents Federal-style architecture and early preservation efforts that helped save Savannah’s historic fabric from mid-20th-century demolition
- Green-Meldrim House serves as an example of Gothic Revival design and briefly housed Union General Sherman during the Civil War
Most house museums close one day per week and offer limited hours, making advance planning essential if you want to tour specific properties. Some require reservations during peak visitor seasons in spring and fall.
Forsyth Park and Outdoor Spaces
Forsyth Park anchors the southern edge of the Historic District with 30 acres of open space, walking paths, fountains, and Spanish moss-covered live oak trees. The park’s iconic fountain dates to 1858 and provides one of Savannah’s most recognizable photo opportunities.
You’ll find locals jogging, walking dogs, playing tennis, and using the playgrounds throughout the day. The park hosts farmers markets on Saturdays and occasional festivals, though schedules vary by season.
Additional Green Spaces
Beyond Forsyth Park, the city maintains several smaller parks and natural areas worth visiting. Skidaway Island State Park, about 15 miles southeast of downtown, offers hiking trails through coastal maritime forest and salt marsh with wildlife viewing opportunities including herons, alligators, and deer.
Daffin Park on the city’s east side includes Lake Mayer, a popular spot for walking, fishing, and paddling. The Savannah Botanical Gardens, located within that park system, provide free admission to native plant gardens and walking trails.
River Street and the Waterfront
River Street runs along the Savannah River for nine blocks of shops, restaurants, galleries, and bars housed in converted 19th-century cotton warehouses. The cobblestone street sits one level below Bay Street and provides river views along with a concentration of tourist-oriented businesses.
This area gets crowded during peak afternoon and evening hours, especially on weekends. You can walk the length of River Street in about 20 minutes, browse shops selling pralines and souvenirs, and watch container ships pass on the river.
Riverboat Cruises and Harbor Tours
Several companies operate sightseeing cruises from River Street docks, including daytime narrated harbor tours, dinner cruises, and sunset departures. Most cruises last 90 minutes to two hours and require advance tickets, which typically sell out during holiday weekends and spring peak season.
These cruises provide views of the port, historic waterfront, and Talmadge Memorial Bridge while narrators explain Savannah’s maritime history. Confirm current schedules, pricing, and boarding locations directly with cruise operators, as offerings change seasonally.
Bonaventure Cemetery
Bonaventure Cemetery sits about three miles east of downtown along the Wilmington River and spans more than 100 acres of Victorian-era grave sites, sculptures, and live oak trees. The cemetery gained wider recognition through books and photographs highlighting its atmospheric setting and ornate monuments.
You can explore independently using maps available at the entrance or join guided tours offered by local companies and the nonprofit preservation group. The cemetery remains an active burial ground, so visitors should maintain respectful behavior and follow posted rules regarding photography and conduct.
Getting to Bonaventure
Most visitors drive or take taxis to Bonaventure, as public transit options are limited. The cemetery opens daily during daylight hours with no admission fee, though guided tour companies charge separately for their services.
Plan to spend 60 to 90 minutes if you’re walking the main paths and viewing notable monuments. Bring water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes, as shade coverage varies throughout the grounds.
Museums and Cultural Attractions
Savannah supports several museums covering art, history, maritime heritage, and local culture. Telfair Museums operates three sites including the Telfair Academy (American and European art), Jepson Center (contemporary art and rotating exhibitions), and Owens-Thomas House mentioned earlier.
The Savannah History Museum provides an overview of the city’s founding, colonial period, Civil War role, and 20th-century development in a former railroad depot. The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum displays ship models, maritime art, and nautical artifacts in an 1819 mansion setting.
Specialty Museums
- Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum documents Savannah’s African American history and civil rights movement through photographs, artifacts, and video presentations
- American Prohibition Museum covers the 1920-1933 Prohibition era with interactive exhibits and reproduced speakeasy settings
- Savannah Children’s Museum offers hands-on exhibits and outdoor play areas designed for younger visitors in the former Central of Georgia Railway carpentry shop
Museum hours and admission prices change periodically, and some offer combination tickets covering multiple sites. Check current details before visiting, especially if you’re planning a multi-museum day.
Food and Dining Experiences
Savannah’s restaurant scene emphasizes Lowcountry cuisine including shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, and fresh seafood alongside contemporary Southern cooking and international options. The Historic District contains the highest concentration of restaurants, with additional dining clusters along Broughton Street and in the Starland and Forsyth Park neighborhoods.
Reservations help during peak dining hours and busy visitor seasons, particularly for popular restaurants in the downtown core. Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner service or operate reduced hours on Sundays and Mondays.
Local Specialties to Try
- Shrimp and grits prepared with local Georgia white shrimp and stone-ground grits
- She-crab soup, a creamy soup traditionally made with blue crab roe
- Fried green tomatoes served as appetizers or in sandwiches
- Pralines, a Southern candy made from pecans and sugar sold in shops throughout the Historic District
- Fresh oysters from nearby coastal waters, available raw or roasted
Food tours operated by local companies combine walking with tastings at multiple restaurants and food shops. These tours typically last two to three hours and require advance booking.
Day Trips from Savannah
Several worthwhile destinations sit within an hour’s drive of downtown Savannah, making day trips practical if you have extra time. Transportation to these sites typically requires a car, as public transit and rideshare availability outside the city center is limited.
Tybee Island
Tybee Island lies 18 miles east of Savannah and offers Atlantic Ocean beaches, the Tybee Island Light Station (Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse), and Fort Screven historic site. The island stretches about three miles long with public beach access points, surf shops, seafood restaurants, and rental accommodations.
Beach conditions vary by season, with warmest water temperatures from June through September. Bring your own beach equipment or rent umbrellas and chairs from vendors on the beach, and arrive early during summer weekends when parking fills quickly.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Fort Pulaski sits on Cockspur Island between Savannah and Tybee Island, about 15 miles east of downtown. This masonry fort protected Savannah’s harbor until Civil War-era rifled cannon demonstrated the vulnerability of brick fortifications during an 1862 Union siege.
You can walk the fort’s perimeter walls, explore interior rooms and exhibits, and visit the surrounding trails and marshes. The National Park Service charges an entrance fee (verify current rates before visiting) and operates a visitor center with historical interpretation.
Other Day Trip Options
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina lies about 45 miles north and offers additional beach access, golf courses, and resort amenities. Charleston, South Carolina sits roughly 100 miles north (about two hours by car) and makes a long but manageable day trip for those wanting to compare two historic Southern port cities.
The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, located along the Savannah River northwest of the city, provides driving and walking routes through freshwater marsh and managed wetlands with seasonal waterfowl viewing. Access and conditions depend on water levels and time of year.
Getting Around Savannah
The Historic District’s compact size and grid layout make walking the most practical way to see downtown attractions. Most squares, house museums, River Street, and restaurants fall within a comfortable 20- to 30-minute walk of each other.
Chatham Area Transit operates public buses serving greater Savannah, though routes focus on commuter needs rather than tourist itineraries. The free DOT Express shuttle connects the Historic District with the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport during limited daytime hours (confirm current schedule before relying on this service).
Other Transportation Options
- Rideshare services operate throughout the city and provide convenient transportation to Bonaventure Cemetery, Tybee Island, and other locations beyond walking distance
- Bike rentals and bike-share programs allow self-guided exploration, though be prepared for uneven brick streets and limited bike lanes in some areas
- Pedicabs (bicycle taxis) operate in the Historic District and offer short rides between squares, though rates can add up for longer distances
- Trolley tours provide hop-on, hop-off service with narrated routes covering major attractions, requiring separate tickets from individual operators
Parking in the Historic District ranges from metered street parking to paid lots and garages. If you’re staying downtown, consider whether you need a car for your entire visit or only for day trips.
When to Visit Savannah
Savannah experiences peak tourist seasons in spring (March through May) and fall (October through November) when temperatures range from the 60s to 80s Fahrenheit (roughly 16-29°C) and humidity drops from summer levels. These periods also bring higher accommodation rates, crowded attractions, and advance booking requirements for popular restaurants and tours.
Summer (June through September) brings temperatures regularly above 90°F (32°C) with high humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Tourist crowds thin somewhat, and hotel rates often drop, but outdoor activities become less comfortable during midday heat.
Special Events and Considerations
St. Patrick’s Day in mid-March ranks as Savannah’s largest annual celebration, drawing enormous crowds for parades, parties, and street festivals. The city dyes its fountains green, River Street fills with celebration, and accommodation prices spike dramatically for the week surrounding March 17.
If you want to experience St. Patrick’s Day, book hotels months in advance and expect crowded conditions throughout the Historic District. If you prefer to avoid major crowds, plan your visit for other times of year.
How Many Days Do You Need?
A long weekend (three days and two nights) allows time to walk the Historic District, tour two or three house museums, visit Forsyth Park and Bonaventure Cemetery, explore River Street, and take one day trip to Tybee Island or Fort Pulaski. Four to five days adds more museums, additional neighborhoods, multiple dining experiences, and perhaps both a beach day and a ghost tour without feeling rushed.
Single-day visits can cover the highlights but require choosing between house museums, cemetery visits, and beach time rather than combining them. Build your itinerary around your specific interests rather than trying to see everything.
Where to Stay in Savannah
The Historic District offers the most convenient location for first-time visitors, placing you within walking distance of major attractions and restaurants. Accommodations here include historic hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals, typically at higher rates than areas outside downtown.
The Victorian District (south of Forsyth Park) and Starland District (east of the Historic District) provide somewhat lower rates while maintaining reasonable walking or biking access to downtown. Areas along Abercorn Street and near the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport offer chain hotels at budget-friendly prices but require a car or rideshare for accessing downtown attractions.
Accommodation Considerations
Historic District lodging often involves older buildings with steep stairs, limited parking, and potential noise from nearby bars and entertainment venues. Ask specific questions about parking availability, elevator access, and room location when booking.
Vacation rentals provide more space and kitchen facilities but may charge cleaning fees and require minimum stays during peak seasons. Verify the exact location before booking, as some listings described as “Historic District” actually sit several blocks outside the most walkable area.
Practical Tips for Visiting Savannah
Savannah’s historic streets feature uneven brick pavement, cobblestones on River Street, and occasional gaps between sidewalk sections. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes rather than heels or sandals without back straps, especially if you plan significant walking.
Southern heat and humidity affect comfort levels from May through September. Carry water, take breaks in air-conditioned spaces, and plan indoor activities during the hottest afternoon hours if you’re visiting in summer.
Additional Planning Points
- Many restaurants, house museums, and shops close on Mondays or Tuesdays, particularly in the off-season
- Alcoholic beverages can be carried in plastic “to-go cups” within the Historic District under local open container laws, but not in parks or beyond posted boundaries
- Mosquitoes can be intense near waterfront areas and in shaded squares, especially during warmer months; insect repellent helps
- Some house museums and tours prohibit photography or require special permission for camera use
- Ghost tours vary in quality and historical accuracy; read recent reviews before booking
Making the Most of Your Savannah Visit
Savannah rewards visitors who balance structured tours with unplanned wandering through quiet squares and residential streets. The city’s manageable size, walkable layout, and concentration of attractions make it accessible even for first-time visitors without extensive advance planning.
Start by confirming current hours and admission requirements for your must-see attractions, book any special tours or dining experiences you don’t want to miss, and leave flexibility for discovering neighborhood cafes, antique shops, and hidden squares as you explore. Verify seasonal details like weather patterns, beach conditions, and special events that might affect your specific travel dates before finalizing your itinerary.
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