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Savannah, United States

Destination guide

Savannah

United States

Savannah is the fifth largest city in Georgia, at the northern end of the state's coast. It's famous for having one of the largest historic districts in the country.

AI insights

AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page

  • Explore the Historic District on foot during the day; the area spanning roughly one mile by one mile between the Savannah River and Forsyth Park is best navigated by walking to fully appreciate the squares and Spanish moss.

  • When planning your schedule, remember that the Savannah Bananas play professional exhibition games at Historic Grayson Stadium that frequently sell out; if you hope to catch a game, secure your tickets well in advance of your trip.

  • Seek out traditional, family-owned establishments like local shrimp shacks for authentic regional flavors, and favor cafes located directly on the historic squares for a more immersive, local-style dining experience compared to standard tourist-heavy spots.

  • Visit the city's cemeteries and historic parks with the understanding that these are central to the local landscape; they are best enjoyed at a slow pace to appreciate the architectural and natural details that have made them famous.

  • Avoid relying on bicycles for primary transportation within the city, as dedicated infrastructure is limited and fragmented; walking or utilizing private bus tours with commentary are more practical alternatives for navigating the sights.

How we vet these picks

Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.

Best time to go

Best window: October–April

Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.

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IdealGoodOkayOff-season

Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.

Getting around

By private bus tours

There are several private bus tours that wind through the Historic District with running commentaries. They can be found at the Visitors' Center and numerous places throughout the Historic District.

On foot

Savannah's Historic District is a good area to see in the daytime by walking. The Historic District is roughly one mile by one mile, bounded in the north by the Savannah River, the south by Forsyth Park, the east by East Broad St., and the west by the Visitor…

By bicycle

Savannah has limited biking facilities around the city, including: painted, unprotected bike lanes heading north along Lincoln from Victory Street to Colonial Park Cemetery as well as south along Price Street from Bay Street to 41st Street.

By car

The major east-west street through the Historic District is Bay Street, and the major north-south street is Abercorn, which begins at Bay Street and extends south through the city.

By horse and carriage

Horse and carriage is a relaxed option (though not for the horses) for seeing the city at a more leisurely pace and is abundant throughout the historic district.

Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What to see

Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.

Forsyth Park

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

A moss-draped 30-acre park anchored by an 1858 cast-iron fountain.

Vetted sources

Skip the line — book tickets

Grayson Stadium

1401 East Victory Dr

It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Savannah Bananas, a professional exhibition team. From 2016 to 2022, the Bananas played in the Coastal Plain League collegiate summer baseball league, but in 2020 started a…

City Market

City Market is a mixed-use project in the northwest corner of the Historic District. The rehabilitation of the four-block area began in 1985. The result is a facility that economically could not be replicated today.

Plant Riverside District

400 W. River St

A former power plant that was decommissioned and redeveloped. Opened in 2020, a J. W. Marriott hotel anchors the development with a publicly-accessible lobby called Generator Hall featuring shops, restaurants, and a large collection of…

Bonaventure Cemetery

Fans of "The Book" will find Johnny Mercer's grave here, along with those of Conrad Aiken and other Southern notables. The view of the river is wonderful, and the Spanish moss creates a delightfully spooky atmosphere.

Georgia State Railroad Museum

655 Louisville Rd· Cheap

Features several vintage pieces of rolling stock, an operating model train layout, and an operating turntable.

Skip the line — book tickets

What to do

See a show at the Historic Savannah Theatre

222 Bull St

See a musical variety show with the talented performers of this theatre company.

Skip the line — book tickets

What to eat

The Grey

Worth it

Also recommended by James Beard Foundation

Chef Mashama Bailey's Southern cooking inside a restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal.

Vetted sources

Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room

Worth it

Also recommended by James Beard Foundation

Family-style Southern boarding-house cooking served since 1943.

Vetted sources

Saint Bibiana

700 Drayton St

In the Savannah Bardo Hotel. A fine Italian cuisine restaurant and cocktail lounge located in historic downtown Savannah, adorned with chic artwork, stunning chandeliering, and the full restoration and artistic touches of the original 1888…

B&D Burgers

Local chain with excellent burgers. Four locations: two downtown, off of Ellis Sq and further west on Broughton; one near Southside on Abercorn; and one in Pooler in a heavy retail area.

Goose Feathers: An Express Cafe And Bakery

39 Barnard St

Locals and tourists enjoy reasonably priced breakfast, lunch, snacks in a comfortable setting, just south of Ellis Square.

Desposito's

3501 Macceo Dr, Thunderbolt, GA

One of the few surviving family-owned shrimp shacks from a previous era, with the same secret-recipe dipping sauce that they've used for more than half a century. Go for a taste of old-timey Southern boiled shrimp.

Vetted sources

Gallery Espresso

Corner of Bull and Perry Streets

Outside seating on Chippewa Square makes this arty coffee shop even more appealing to locals and tourists alike. A large, almost daunting, menu of coffees, teas, sweets and sandwiches is sure to satisfy your hunger, while the abundant…

Vetted sources

The Gryphon Tea Room

A tea room, owned by the Savannah College of Art and Design, in an old pharmacy on Madison Square. Tea and atmosphere are excellent, but service and food often disappoint.

Vetted sources

Where to stay

Catherine Ward House Inn

118 East Waldburg St· Expensive

Historic District bed and breakfast that features 9 rooms - 2 with king sized beds, 2 with jacuzzis. Full breakfast, wifi access, parking, and free sodas/waters included in room rates. 2 guest rooms are dog friendly (with no weight limit).

Azalea Inn and Gardens

in the Garden District of the Historic District

Inn with 11 rooms. Private off-street parking, nightly dessert, evening wine and hors d'oeuvres, bedtime cordial, and 3-course breakfast. Swimming pool, renowned gardens and eco-friendly style, on-site produce gardens.

The Ballastone Inn

in the historic district· Expensive

Bed and breakfast. 16 rooms, elevator, around-the-clock concierge, southern breakfast, high tea, bar and private courtyard gardens.

Bluff Hotel Savannah Historic District, Ascend Hotel Collection

driving north or south from I-95, take Exit 99A, I-16 East which dead ends to Montgomery Street; at 4th light, make left onto Bay Street; th ehotel is 3 blocks on right

Every room is a suite, pet-friendly hotel, non-smoking.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Savannah Airport

50 Yvette Johnson Hagins Dr

This hotel has a resort style indoor pool and hot tub.

Comfort Suites Gateway

I-95 South, exit 94 (Hwy 204), turn left. First light turn left, straight ahead located behind Ruby Tuesday's. I-95 North, exit 94 (Hwy 204), turn right. At the light, turn left, straight ahead located behind Ruby Tuesday's.

All rooms are suites, wireless internet and breakfast provided, indoor heated pool.

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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.