Things to Do in Savannah, GA

September 10th, 2021

With almost three centuries under its belt, Savannah, Georgia, is one of the most historic cities in the south, and charm and antiquity await you around every corner.

Appropriately nicknamed ‘The Hostess City of the South’, Georgia’s First City is every bit as charming and hospitable as its moniker would have you believe.

Whether you’re just visiting or planning a trip that’s a little more permanent, Savannah, Georgia, has something for everyone.

Promenade around Forsyth Park and the squares of the Savannah historic district, meander through cobbled streets and take in the stunning antebellum architecture. It’s the ideal place for a relaxing vacation.

And for the history buffs out there, there’s no better city to explore. Savannah’s historical museums are some of the best in the country.

Surround Yourself With Culture in Savannah’s Historic District

So much of Savannah’s charm lies in its historic district. Celebrated for its 22 beautiful squares, parks, and magnificent architecture, this part of Savannah, GA, is overflowing with art, culture, and gourmet dining.

The Owens-Thomas House

Built in 1819, this impressive two-story structure is one of the nation’s finest examples of English Regency architecture.

Along with its adjacent gardens, carriage house, and slave quarters, the house allows people to explore the complicated relationships between Georgia’s most and least powerful people.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

Commonly known as ‘The Birthplace’, this Regency house, constructed 1818–1821, was the home of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

The building was bought by the Girl Scouts in 1953 and now serves as a portal to the movement, offering daily guided tours.

Shop in Savannah’s City Market

Since the early 1700s, the market has been the commercial and social center of historic Savannah.

Miraculously, it survived two fires and weathered Georgia’s 1896 hurricane. But as the population and commerce spread out, the market fell into disrepair.

Today, thanks to Savannah’s preservation movement, the market is once again a focal point for restaurants, shopping, and culture.

Explore Tybee Island

This tiny island is just 18 miles from Savannah and is well known for its miles of wide, sandy beaches.

• Pay a visit to Tybee Island Marine Science Centre.
• Check out Fort Screven, a World War I coastal artillery fort.
• Visit Tybee Lighthouse, Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse.
• …or simply chill with ice cream by the pier at the southern part of the island.

Make Memories at the Iconic Forsyth Park

The perfect introduction to leafy Savannah, this 30-acre city park is located in the Victorian District, which dates back to 1840.

Named after the thirty-third Georgia governor John Forsyth, the park’s walking paths meander through stunning canopies of Spanish moss-covered oaks flanked by open fields.

Throughout the year, the park plays host to many events, including outdoor concerts and festivals, as well as its famous weekly farmers market.

At the north end of the park, you’ll find its historic fountain. Unsurprisingly the site for many romantic proposals, the fountain was installed in 1858 and is one of the most photographed attractions in Savannah.

Discover the Picturesque River Street

Once the location for cotton warehouses long since abandoned due to yellow fever, the street was transformed in the 1960s and 1970s into the thriving Savannah River waterfront we see today.

Certainly the most well-known street in downtown Savannah, it’s now home to over 70 businesses, including art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

For a dose of history, visit one of the street’s many monuments, such as the African-American Monument or World War II Monument.

Visit the Beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure lies just three miles outside of Savannah, Georgia, on a scenic bluff. It comprises over 100 acres of beautiful winding paths, towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and picturesque Victorian graves.

Located on what was originally the Bonaventure Plantation, the first burials took place in 1850. Today, it’s the final resting place of many notable individuals, including American songwriter John Mercer.

Immerse Yourself in Savannah Arts Scene

Savannah is a haven for artists and art lovers alike. The explosion of its art scene in recent years has been inextricably linked to the growth of the Savannah College of Art and Design or SCAD.

Take a look at some of our favorite galleries and museums below:

• Telfair Academy opened in 1886, making it the oldest art museum in the south.
• Roots Up Gallery
• The Jepsen Centre
• Art Walk Tours

Meet the Southern Spirit

Did you know? Savannah is the most haunted city in the USA.

If you’re not scared of a little paranormal activity, one of the best ways to explore the city’s spooky side is by booking a ghost tour—choose from late-night haunted pub crawls and enjoy a beer or two or eerie excursions that are a little more family-friendly.

Savannah boasts a wealth of elegant boutique hotels and inns, and given the city’s long and vibrant history, it’s no surprise that some of them happen to be home to a ghost or two!

Check-in at upscale inn The Kehoe House, and you might catch a glimpse of some ghostly children. Or spend the night at antebellum gem The Marshall House for the chance to see a shadowy Civil War soldier.

And if it’s the truly macabre you’re after, Colonial Park Cemetery was built in 1750 and is the final resting place for exactly 666 of Savannah’s earliest settlers that fell victim to yellow fever.

One Perfect Day in Savannah, Georgia

Wake up at 8 am and take a morning stroll in Forsyth Park while sipping a coffee from one of Savannah’s many excellent coffee houses. The Sentient Bean just south of the park is a great choice.

From the park, walk a few blocks to Lafayette Square and explore the surrounding area, where you’ll find the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and the Andrew Low House.

Moving east, you’ll find the beautifully manicured Chippewa Square, which commemorates the Battle of Chippewa during the War of 1812.

Eagle-eyed film aficionados will recognize it as the square from which Forrest Gump narrates his life story to strangers from a bus stop.

Next, make your way to City Market, and grab a table at one of its many delicious eateries.

Refreshed? Good. It’s undeniable that a trolley tour is one of the best things you can do in Savannah. So get on board, and feel free to hop on and off at your leisure.

Make sure to stop off at attractions such as the Owens-Thomas House and the Telfair Academy, and stave off those hunger pangs with a scoop of ice cream from the famous Leopold’s.

As dusk nears, hop off the trolley at River Street and straight onto a riverboat for a sunset cruise—gaze back at Savannah from the water.

Savannah nightlife isn’t to be missed, so eat, drink, and be merry at one of Savannah’s many excellent restaurants.

For mouthwatering southern fare in an elegant Colonial setting, look no further than The Olde Pink House.

Finally, finish off your whirlwind tour of Savannah, GA, with a nightcap. Head to the Starland District for a selection of drinking-holes, from cash-only dive bars and cheap beer to exquisitely crafted cocktails.

Welcome to the Savannah Quarters

We hope this article has left you feeling inspired to plan a trip and ready to spend more time in this stunning part of the country.

Look no further than Savannah Quarters, a perfectly-planned community of beautiful rolling landscapes and modern amenities, beautifully situated in the fast-growing town of Pooler, just minutes away from Savannah, Georgia.

Nestled in an elegant, Lowcountry setting, Savannah Quarters is an unparalleled space to create your dream home. So visit us today, and see why so many people are calling Savannah Quarters home.

Citations and References:

www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org/
www.scad.edu/
www.telfair.org/visit/telfair-academy/
www.rootsupgallery.com/
www.telfair.org/visit/jepson-center/
www.savannahartwalk.com/
www.kehoehouse.com/
www.marshallhouse.com/
www.sentientbean.com/
www.savannahcitymarket.com/dine/
www.leopoldsicecream.com/
savannahriverboat.com/sunset-and-moonlight/
www.theoldepinkhouserestaurant.com/