Situated along the Georgia coast, Savannah blends historic charm, oak-shaded squares, and vibrant artistic energy. The city's famous National Historic Landmark District features 22 public squares draped in Spanish moss and lined with antebellum architecture. Visitors can stroll cobblestone streets to River Street's waterfront shops, walk beneath Forsyth Park's iconic fountain, or explore galleries fueled by the Savannah College of Art and Design. Pairing classic lowcountry cuisine with an open-container walking policy in the historic district, Savannah delivers an atmospheric Southern escape.
Spanning over two square miles, Savannah's Historic District stands as one of the largest National Historic Landmark districts in the United States. Its famous grid layout features 22 public squares filled with live oaks, Spanish moss, historic monuments, and restored antebellum mansions. Visitors can explore cobblestone streets on foot, marvel at centuries-old architecture along Jones Street, or stroll toward the bustling River Street waterfront. Packed with historic house museums, grand churches, and shaded parks, the district offers a timeless look into Georgia's rich coastal past.
Lining the Savannah River, East River Street is a historic waterfront promenade built along multi-story 19th-century cotton warehouses and century-old stone ballast streets. Visitors can explore local candy shops, art galleries, and seafood restaurants, or walk the elevated walkways of Factor's Walk. Cargo ships glide past the brick paved walkway, while sightseeing paddlewheelers launch scenic riverboat tours from the docks. Known for its open-container policy and lively outdoor dining, the riverfront bridges Savannah's commercial shipping history with vibrant modern nightlife.
Spanning four blocks in the heart of the historic district, City Market has served as Savannah's commercial and social hub since the 1700s. The pedestrian-only courtyard features restored 19th-century brick warehouses filled with open-air dining, praline shops, and working art studios on the upper Art Center floor. Visitors can browse handcrafted goods from local makers, enjoy outdoor seating at casual bistros, or listen to live courtyard music. Day or night, this central marketplace showcases the city's creative culture and lively Southern hospitality.
Covering 30 acres at the southern edge of the historic district, Forsyth Park serves as Savannah's largest public green space. The park's famous centerpiece is its white 1858 cast-iron fountain, modeled after Paris's Place de la Concorde. Visitors can walk shaded pathways under giant live oaks draped in Spanish moss, explore the aromatic Fragrant Garden for the blind, or relax on broad recreational lawns. Hosting a popular Saturday Farmers Market, outdoor concerts, and seasonal art shows, the park remains a favorite gathering spot for locals and travelers alike.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is one of Savannah's most striking architectural landmarks. Founded by French Catholic émigrés, the current 1876 French Gothic Revival structure features towering twin spires, whitewashed exterior brick, and ornate stone carving. Inside, visitors can marvel at 84 stained-glass windows imported from Austria, hand-carved altar rails, a massive Great Rose Window, and vibrant ceiling murals painted in the early 1900s. The historic cathedral remains an active place of worship and a top destination for architecture enthusiasts.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Wilmington River, Bonaventure Cemetery is celebrated worldwide for its Southern Gothic beauty and Victorian funerary art. Originally a 600-acre plantation, the historic cemetery features winding paths shaded by giant oaks draped in Spanish moss and vibrant spring azaleas. Visitors can explore elaborate marble monuments, obelisks, and family vaults, including the graves of songwriter Johnny Mercer and poet Conrad Aiken. Famous for its feature in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Bonaventure offers a hauntingly look into Savannah's past.
Famous for its breathtaking 1.5-mile entrance road lined with over 400 live oaks draped in Spanish moss, Wormsloe Historic Site offers a glimpse into Georgia's early colonial history. The estate was founded by Noble Jones, one of Georgia's original English settlers who arrived in 1733. Visitors can walk scenic trails along the salt marsh to explore the tabby ruins of Jones' fortified home, the oldest standing structure in Savannah. The site features a visitor center museum, artifact displays, and costumed living history interpreters demonstrating colonial crafts.
Savannah Riverboat Cruises offers sightseeing and dining excursions aboard red, white, and blue paddlewheel vessels like the Georgia Queen. Passengers can relax on open-air top decks or inside climate-controlled dining rooms while gliding past River Street, Old Fort Jackson, and the bustling port of Savannah. Captains provide narrated commentary detailing the city's maritime history, civil war naval battles, and river trade. Options include daytime harbor tours, gospel Sunday brunches, and evening sunset dinner cruises featuring live entertainment and traditional lowcountry cuisine.
Situated along the Savannah River, Old Fort Jackson is Georgia's oldest standing brick fortification, constructed between 1808 and 1812. The fort played a vital role in defending the city during the War of 1812 and later served as a Confederate stronghold during the Civil War. Visitors can tour the powder magazines, examine historic military artifacts, and walk along the brick ramparts overlooking river traffic. Costumed interpreters conduct interactive living history programs, culminating in daily cannon firings using authentic 19th-century artillery pieces over the water.
Located just 20 minutes east of downtown Savannah, Tybee Island is a relaxed barrier island known for its three miles of sandy public beaches. The island's historic centerpiece is the Tybee Island Light Station, Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Coast from its 178-foot lantern room. Visitors can stroll along the oceanfront Tybee Pier, rent kayaks to explore surrounding salt marshes, or spot wild dolphins on boat tours. Casual seafood shacks and a laid-back vibe make it a popular coastal retreat.
