A First-Timer’s Guide to Savannah: What You Should Know
Savannah is a bucket list item for many. People are drawn to the haunting yet enchanting beauty of the Spanish moss, the abundance of ghost stories, and the celebratory atmosphere of River Street. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Savannah’s roots run deep, and it has seen every significant milestone in the country’s history since the Revolutionary War. Named one of the “friendliest cities in the US” by CondeNast Traveler, it’s no surprise people are drawn to this Southern beauty and continue to return year after year.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a week, Savannah has no shortage of things to do. History enthusiasts will feel like they’ve hit the jackpot with the wealth of monuments, landmarks, and museums. Love art? Savannah has a strong arts and culture scene, especially as the home of the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD). Don’t be surprised to find art displayed in cafes and other local businesses by up-and-coming artists, most of which are available to purchase. Book lovers will find their happy place in shops featuring used, eclectic, new, and novelty collections. There’s even a bookstore with tomes dating back hundreds of years! Foodies should ready their appetites for a dynamite food scene. Dine in historic buildings or grab something to eat while venturing around. Check out City Market for a little casual shopping and great snacks (don’t skip Byrd’s!), visit the First African Baptist Church for a historical tour, shop along the vibrant Boughton Street, take one of the many haunted ghost tours, and plan to spend a few hours in Forsyth Park because it is absolutely gorgeous.
Spring and Fall are the best seasons to visit Savannah, with mild weather and a choice of spring blooms or fall colors, but those are the busier times of year tourist-wise. Summer is hot and humid, but if that’s not a deterrent, consider squeezing in a side trip to Tybee or Hilton Head Islands. If the sun is going to beat down, you may as well enjoy it at the beach! The low season is during winter when temperatures average around 60 degrees for a high! You’ll also meet thinner crowds, ideal for a more leisurely, quiet trip. Regardless of when you choose to visit, do a little research beforehand to create an idea of what you’d like to do and see, as well as make any necessary reservations.
Keep reading for a little background and history on the friendliest city in the US…
Quick History
Founded in 1733, Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and is considered the first “planned” city in the United States. Built using a grid system, it became a vital port city during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and found agricultural profit through cotton and rice plantations. The establishment of these plantations is largely responsible for Georgia moving from a free colony to legalizing slavery. This turned the city into a central location for the trans-Atlantic slave trade, which resulted in a brutal and dark history. Savannah has witnessed its fair share of challenges over the centuries, including two catastrophic fires, disease outbreaks, gruesome battles, and hurricanes. Still, the people have always found a way to rebuild. Today, Savannah welcomes millions of tourists visiting to experience the beauty of the Spanish moss, see the dozens of squares created through the famous grid system, and indulge in a rich culture that goes back generations – not to mention the famous hospitality that can only be experienced in this Georgian city.
What Savannah Is Known For
Savannah has received its fair share of representation in books and films, from the famous novel-to-film adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil to the beloved Tom Hanks hit, Forrest Gump. Savannah was the home to writer Flannery O’Connor and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Conrad Aiken and is filled with an infinite amount of haunted tales. Forsyth Park is the most photographed place in the entire city, and its famous fountain and historic squares are a must-see for any visitor. As if that weren’t enough, Savannah’s River Street is one of the city’s oldest areas with a complicated history but has become the most electric spot for tourists today.
In Pop Culture
Considered the “Hollywood of the South,” Georgia has been a popular filming location for decades, and Savannah is no stranger to a set. Forrest Gump and Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil are the films for which people will most likely recognize the city. Savannah has also gained popularity recently from Nicholas Sparks’ The Last Song, starring Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. You’ll find people recreating scenes from Forrest Gump for a photo, including Chippewa Square, where the bench Tom Hanks tells Forrest’s life story was originally located. Another popular thing to see is the famous Bird Girl Statue on the cover of John Berendt’s novel Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil. The statue was initially in Bonaventure Cemetery but has since been moved to Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences to preserve her while still being accessible to the public. Fun fact: the statue was created by a Chicago sculptor named Sylvia Shaw Judson.
Space for Gathering
Savannah’s founder, General James Oglethorpe, intended to build the city in a series of neighborhoods (then called “wards”). Squares were intended to connect each of these neighborhoods, serving as a space for gathering with greenery and shaded areas to relax and enjoy the company of friends. Savannah’s Squares are known for their beauty and strong historical significance. The four original squares created by Oglethorpe include Johnson, Wright, Ellis, and Telfair, and two additional - Oglethorpe and Reynolds - were built after he left the city. Six more were created towards the end of the 18th century, and the final 12 were established in the 19th century. Today, 22 out of 24 of those squares continue to beautify the city and preserve its history. While I haven’t explored all 22 of these squares, I have walked through nearly a dozen, and each has its own unique design. They’re filled with benches, trees, and statues. Many small tour groups use them as meeting locations, and you might catch an occasional performance from a musician. Quick Tip: use one of the squares as a starting point for your day of exploration so that if you get lost, you just return to the square where it all began.
Another hotspot in Savannah is Forsyth Park. The largest and oldest park in the city, Forsyth Park is famously identified by its iconic fountain. Spanning 30 acres, the park holds tennis and basketball courts, walking and bike paths, a weekly Farmers’ Market, the Garden of Fragrance, and Collins Quarter—a not-to-be-missed Australian-owned restaurant with quite possibly the best brunch in the city.
River Street
Over 300 years old, River Street is where settlers landed to establish the city of Savannah. As the original port location, this area saw the first imports and exports. The cobblestoned streets were paved using stones from around the world, and the first buildings were mainly warehouses to store goods moving in and out of the city, including the famous Cotton Exchange. Many consider River Street to be haunted due to fatalities from dangerous labor and the fact that some buildings were used to hold enslaved people. Today, River Street is the heart of Savannah’s spirit. It is popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties and features pub tours, ghost tours, and even the city’s famous St. Patrick’s Day parade. There’s a plethora of restaurants, shops, and historical landmarks. Plus, the view is incredible. Take a stroll during sunset to catch beautiful colors over the river as the city slows down for a brief moment before the nightlife festivities begin.
Where to Stay & Getting Around
Savannah has several distinct neighborhoods with many options depending on budget, group size, and accommodation preference. If you want to stay in the heart of everything, the downtown Historic District is the place to be. The center of Savannah’s bustling energy, the Riverfront is about as busy as it gets. Additional perks are beautiful sunsets and sunrises on the water.
If you’re looking to stay close to the main energy but not entirely in it, look in the part of the Northern Historic District that rests between Oglethorpe and Bay Streets. This part of town includes City Market, the popular Boughton Street, Marshall House, the Olde Pink House, and more. For a bit more distance from the bustle of River Street, the southern part of the Historic District between Oglethorpe and Forsyth Park is quieter but still within walking distance of all Savannah’s highlights.
If being close to the city center is not important to you and you would rather find a place to stay that has a lot of history or is off the beaten path, look in the Victorian District surrounding the southern half of Forsyth Park. A much more residential area, this section of town offers many rentals and boutique accommodations, such as old mansions that have been turned into bed and breakfasts. It’s a bit of a walk (30-45 minutes) to River Street, depending on where you stay, so plan to utilize their public transit system, map out a few garage towers for parking, or be ready to take a rideshare home at night.
Speaking of transportation, Savannah’s central downtown area is easily walkable, and the city has done a great job making it relatively accessible. However, something commonly overlooked is that Savannah is not a great city for driving. There are parking garages throughout the city, but they fill up quickly. Regardless, getting around in a car can be challenging. It’s best to explore on foot or use the city transit.
