Savannah

Savannah is the fifth largest city in Georgia, located at the northern end of the state's coast. It is the historic riverside birthplace of Georgia, settled in 1733 by British colonists led by General James Oglethorpe. In 1864, the mayor of Savannah surrendered the city to General Sherman's Union Army in exchange for sparing it from destruction — making Savannah one of the few major Southern cities with its antebellum architecture intact. The city's famous public squares — 22 surviving ones — form the heart of one of the largest historic districts in the United States.

Savannah is renowned for its Southern hospitality, its literary fame through "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," and its thriving art scene anchored by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers (average highs in the low 90s °F) and mild winters (average highs in the mid-60s °F). The best times to visit are March through May and September through November. The Historic District is roughly one mile by one mile, bounded by the Savannah River to the north, Forsyth Park to the south, East Broad St. to the east, and the Visitor Center to the west.

By Plane

Savannah/Hilton Head Island International Airport (SAV) is about 20 minutes northwest of downtown. Airlines include American (Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Washington Reagan), Delta (Atlanta, Detroit, New York LaGuardia), JetBlue (Boston, New York JFK), and United (Chicago O'Hare, Washington Dulles, Houston, Newark). Rental cars, Gray Line shuttles, taxis, and rideshares are available on the lower level.

By Train

Amtrak operates from Savannah Station (2611 Seaboard Coastline Dr), about 3 miles from downtown. The Silver Meteor runs daily between New York City and Miami. The Palmetto runs daily from New York to Savannah. Bus 29 provides limited service to the station.

By Car / Road

I-95 and I-16 provide easy access to Savannah. From Atlanta, take I-16 east (~250 miles, ~4 hours). From Jacksonville, take I-95 north (~140 miles, ~2 hours). Greyhound bus service is available from the intermodal Transit Center on W. Oglethorpe Ave.

Chatham Area Transit (CAT) operates bus service from the downtown Transit Center. The free dot Shuttle (Route 5) winds through the Historic District. The free Savannah Belles Ferry crosses the Savannah River to Hutchinson Island. On-street parking is free on weekends. The Historic District is highly walkable, and self-guided audio tours and personal guides are available. Bicycle rentals are available; the city is flat and bike-friendly. Horse and carriage tours are abundant throughout the historic district.

• Forsyth Park — The iconic park marking the southern edge of the Historic District, crowned by a beautiful fountain. Filming location for "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil."

• City Market — Mixed-use entertainment, dining, and retail district in the northwest corner of the Historic District, featuring an art center with working studios.

• Bonaventure Cemetery — Stunning riverside cemetery with Spanish moss, final resting place of Johnny Mercer and other Southern notables.

• River Street — Popular cobblestone street along the Savannah River lined with shops and restaurants.

• Georgia State Railroad Museum (655 Louisville Rd, +1 912-651-6823) — Daily 9AM–5PM. Adults $7.70, children $4.90. Vintage rolling stock and an operating turntable.

• Grayson Stadium (1401 E Victory Dr) — Home of the Savannah Bananas, a wildly popular professional exhibition baseball team.

• Plant Riverside District (400 W River St, +1 912-373-9100) — Former power plant redeveloped into a JW Marriott hotel with shops, restaurants, minerals exhibit, and concert venue.

• Wormsloe Historic Site (7601 Skidaway Rd, +1 912-353-3023) — Daily 9AM–5PM. $10. Beautiful live oak avenue and marsh trails.

• Walking tours of the Historic District's 22 public squares, many with historical markers and sculptures.

• Savannah Film Festival — Annual event hosted by SCAD at the Lucas Theatre (32 Abercorn St).

• Boat tours and dolphin-watching excursions on the Savannah River and nearby waterways.

• Beach day trips to Tybee Island (18 miles east, ~30 minutes).

• Biking through the Historic District and along the river.

• SCAD galleries and museums — Free and affordable art exhibitions throughout the city.

Savannah's food scene is a celebration of Lowcountry and Southern cuisine — think shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, she-crab soup, and biscuits.

• Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (107 W Jones St) — Iconic communal Southern lunch spot; fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese. Expect a line.
• The Grey (109 W Congress St) — Upscale Southern cuisine in a restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal.
• Collins Quarter (151 Bull St) — Australian-inspired brunch with lavender mochas and avocado toast.
• Vic's on the River (26 Bay St) — Lowcountry cuisine with River Street views.
• Zunzi's (108 E Congress St) — South African-inspired sandwiches, a local cult favorite.
• Vegetarian and vegan options are widely available, especially through SCAD-influenced restaurants.

• Crystal Beer Parlor (301 W Jones St) — Historic bar and restaurant, a Savannah institution since 1933.
• Artillery Bar (307 Bull St) — Craft cocktails in a refined setting.
• Jepson Center (207 W York St) — Rooftop bar with views.
• Savannah has no open-container laws in the Historic District; to-go cups are legal.
• Tap water is safe to drink.

• Budget: Savannah Hostel (307 W Henry St) — ~$35–50/night, dorm and private rooms.
• Mid-range: Cotton Sail Hotel (125 W Bay St) — Boutique hotel in a converted cotton warehouse, ~$150–250/night.
• Upscale: The Kehoe House (106 W Hannibal St) — Historic inn in a restored 1892 Renaissance Revival mansion, ~$300–500/night.
• Upscale: JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District (400 W River St) — Modern luxury on the river, ~$250–400/night.

• City Market — Art galleries, boutiques, and souvenir shops.
• River Street — Tourist-oriented shops, candy stores, and galleries.
• Broughton Street — Downtown shopping corridor with a mix of national retailers and local boutiques.
• SCAD student and faculty shops offer unique art, jewelry, and design pieces.
• Bargaining is not customary in Savannah.

• Tybee Island (18 mi east, ~30 min) — Popular beach town with a historic lighthouse and laid-back vibe.
• Hilton Head Island, SC (40 mi north, ~1 hr) — Upscale resort island with golf, beaches, and nature preserves.
• Beaufort, SC (45 mi north, ~1 hr) — Charming Southern coastal town with historic homes.
• Midway (30 mi south, ~40 min) — Historic Revolutionary War-era town.
• Jekyll Island (90 mi south, ~1.5 hr) — Barrier island with pristine beaches and sea turtle center.