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Discover Places to Go and Things to Do
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Savannah, GA
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Savannah's enduring charm is a direct result of the city's respect for its past. Nowhere is this more evident that in the many small neighborhoods, which often seem more like pictures from a storybook than the corners of a 21st century city. With no skyscrapers, few modern-looking structures, and the shopping malls placed mercifully, inconveniently on the periphery of town, this burg of 150,000 souls keeps the soul of the Old South alive for residents and guests alike.
Historic District
This two-and-half square mile district serves as the functional heart of Savannah, and the historic status is not self-decreed. Bordered by the Savannah River to the north, Montgomery Street to the west, Price Street to the east, and Forsythe Park to the south, this area represents one of the largest National Historic Landmarks in the nation. Here is where you'll find the picturesque civic squares—23 of them—that make Savannah famous as well as street after tree-lined street of ancient churches, monuments and museums, including the Telfair, which now houses the famous “Bird Girl” statue featured on the cover of John Berendt's “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Historic District
This two-and-half square mile district serves as the functional heart of Savannah, and the historic status is not self-decreed. Bordered by the Savannah River to the north, Montgomery Street to the west, Price Street to the east, and Forsythe Park to the south, this area represents one of the largest National Historic Landmarks in the nation. Here is where you'll find the picturesque civic squares—23 of them—that make Savannah famous as well as street after tree-lined street of ancient churches, monuments and museums, including the Telfair, which now houses the famous “Bird Girl” statue featured on the cover of John Berendt's “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
The historic district includes the festive shops and restaurants of River Street at its northern extremity, as well as the stately businesses and churches that line Bay Street on the palisade above. Here, at the terminus of Bull Street, sits the golden dome of Savannah City Hall, the site where General James Oglethorpe first set foot on Georgia clay. As you wander south, you'll pass the verdant city squares that have played host to such Hollywood notables as Forrest Gump and Kevin Spacey's Jim Williams. As you move farther south through the oldest part of the city, you'll discover more than 2300 historic buildings—about 80 percent of which have been restored—representing architectural influences that range from Federal to Italianate, Regency to Victorian. Among the notable residences are the family estates of singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer, and Girl Scouts founder  Juliette Gordon Low .
The historic district is also home to many of the city's seasonal festivals, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a good number of Savannah's most revered restaurants and inns. Favorites include the ritzy Ballastone Inn, a former bordello that dates to 1838, the distinctively Victorian Gastonian and the more reasonably-priced Mulberry Inn , the nicest Holiday Inn you are likely to find.
Riverfront
As suggested by the name, this area runs along the length of the Savannah River, the city's northern border. Once the nerve center of Savannah's booming cotton trade, the neighborhood began to deteriorate after the yellow fever quarantine and subsequent depression of 1818. Abandoned for over a century, the riverfront was resurrected in 1977, as the sprawling brick warehouses and merchant buildings were transformed into a parade of shops, restaurants and art galleries.
Since then, the area has developed into the most popular destination for visitors, and maintains a festive atmosphere that lasts well into the night. Such popular restaurants as Huey's , the lively Shrimp Factory and the elegant Chart House sit alongside quaint shops peddling everything from nautical gear to kudzu soup mix. The cobblestone surface River Street also serves as ground zero for the city's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and celebration, and the monthly First Saturday Arts and Crafts Festival. If you're looking to stay in the center of the action, book a room at the extravagant Hyatt Regency at the west end of the street, or try the more historic River Street Inn a bit farther east.
City Market
Once the bustling center of Savannah culture, commerce and gossip, City Market also sits on the river, a bit north of River Street at Jefferson and West Julian. Like River Street, the brick warehouses of this small area languished in disrepair after the death of King Cotton, but have been reclaimed by the city and now host droves of tourists. Shops, restaurants and some of the Savannah's coolest clubs draw daily crowds, with frequent live music and performance artists lending a festive atmosphere to this busy corner of the city.
Victorian District
This 50-block neighborhood is situated just south of the historic district, between Martin Luther King Boulevard and East Broad Street. Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this area represented the first suburb of Savannah as the city spread out in the late 1800s. Largely residential, the neighborhood features examples of many architectural styles, with an unsurprising abundance of Victorian structures.
Midtown
Midtown is a large area that incorporates the Victorian District and points south as far as DeRenne Avenue. As the neighborhood progresses southward along Abercorn Street, the residences become more modern, businesses appear, and the charm of old Savannah fades rapidly. One exception, however, is the tiny town of Thunderbolt, a quaint fishing village just to the east on the Wilmington River. Midtown is home to much of Savannah's medical community, as well as Armstrong Atlantic State University and Savannah State University. Sports fans will want to visit Grayson Stadium, home to the city's minor league baseball team, the Savannah Sand Gnats .
Southside
It's hard to say where Midtown ends and Southside begins, but DeRenne Avenue is considered a fair mark. This is where the suburban sprawl of the 1950s and 1960s really hit, as evidenced by the uninspiring residential neighborhoods intermingled with countless strip malls, fast food joints, and car dealerships. Hunter Army Airfield, from whose enormous runway the US Army deploys servicemen worldwide, anchors the area.
Savannah's Islands
The low country surrounding the city harbors many small islands, including the residential boom areas of Wilmington and Whitemarsh, and the touchingly quaint Isle of Hope, whose antebellum homes and verdant lawns are the stuff of Dixie dreams. Nearby, Skidaway Island is the site of golfing communities, marinas, and miles of biking and nature trails. Skidaway is also home to the Wormsloe Historic Site , a comprehensive colonial settlement restoration.
Savannah's seaside playground, however, is Tybee. Just 15 miles east of downtown past Fort Pulaski National Monument , Tybee Island features a wonderland of crab shacks, expensive condos, party hotels and cheesy gift shops, as well as the oldest lighthouse on the South Atlantic seaboard.
James Redmond
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By Gabrieldeer67
4 days
Planning a family RV trip? This fun RV trip has lots of attractions! You'll start out in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina then head off to Hilton Head Island, Charleston, and just over the Georgia border to Savannah. Kayaking, jeep tours, pirates, river dogs...this trip has legs!
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By Taylorrk
4 days
This 4-Day trip to Savannah includes some fun pubs, & the beer-drinking festival... Oktoberfest (a celebration of German food and beer & one of the most popular locations in the city for festivals).
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20 people reviewed Savannah
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Top
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at 10:17PM May 28, 2008
A wonderful Old-South getaway! I went with my best friend during a period of intense profesional stress and by the end of our few days there, I was relaxed enough to return to work. The restaurants are wonderful, and the charming old houses and well-kept park squares are unlike anything else in the country. Being on a river and near the coast keeps it very mild, even in winter. Coastal Georgia is indeed a wonderful winter respite. I highly recommend it, especially when others are in such a mad rush to get to Florida!
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at 9:20AM October 17, 2009
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at 9:15PM September 11, 2008
Pretty town
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at 12:30PM September 2, 2008
borned and raised...
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at 3:30PM August 19, 2008
Similar to Charlestson, but in some respects better, because it is more "real," as opposed to touristy. The fabulous restaurants, beautiful old buildings, fascinating history are all here, but you don't have to fight the crowds so much, and the locals are much friendlier because of it.
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at 6:30PM June 22, 2008
We spent ten days had the best time. We went for Clifford and Jens wedding and we also got a chance to visit with my moms youngest sister Cathy
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at 6:24PM June 10, 2008
historic place
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at 5:21PM May 29, 2008
definitely a favorite. the history and the atmosphere here just suit me to a tee. not to mention i married my soul mate here. a beautiful city on the surface with lots of quirks and stories once you hang around. i dig it!
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at 5:39AM May 29, 2008
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at 4:09AM May 29, 2008
Very beautiful, especially the squares. Fun city for ghost tours, lots of history and good food.
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at 3:33AM May 29, 2008
wonderful for a long weekend trip
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at 2:50AM May 29, 2008
Went on our 3 year wedding anniversary. I loved this old historical city.
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at 7:36PM May 28, 2008
Fascinating history, and a beautiful city.
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at 5:37PM May 28, 2008
history, history!
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at 5:07PM May 28, 2008
My top destination.
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at 4:56PM May 28, 2008
Lived here in 2004 while working at Gulfstream
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at 4:29PM May 28, 2008
Loved it. Loved Tybee Island! Would love to go back.
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at 3:02PM May 28, 2008
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at 1:29AM May 28, 2008
Wonderful, beautiful city, with friendly folks. The many squares are truly beautiful, serene islands within the city. Great food, museums and homes. A must see city
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at 1:30PM May 27, 2008
Beautiful, charming, quirky.
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