Visit Savannah

Centuries-old oaks draped in Spanish moss, some twenty shaded squares laid out in 1733, facades with wrought-iron balconies and cotton wharves along the river: Savannah is best explored slowly, on foot, over two days, with an escape to the beach at Tybee.

Why visit Savannah?

Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, Savannah has kept its grid plan dotted with squares almost intact, a layout unique in the United States. Its Historic District, one of the largest in the country protected as a National Historic Landmark, can be explored entirely on foot, in the shade of moss-covered oaks.

Savannah must-sees

Parks, a romantic cemetery, historic wharves and oak avenues, best seen early in the morning.

Forsyth Park

The city's main park and its white 1858 fountain, ringed by oaks, with a farmers market on Saturday mornings.

Bonaventure Cemetery

A former plantation turned cemetery on the Wilmington River, famous for its oak alleys and Victorian funerary sculptures.

River Street

A cobbled quay lined with former cotton warehouses turned shops and restaurants, where container ships glide past on their way to the port.

St. John the Baptist Cathedral

A Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral with twin white spires, adorned with stained glass and murals, open to visitors outside services.

Wormsloe

A historic site south of town whose entrance avenue, lined with hundreds of oaks for over two kilometers, is Savannah's signature image.

What to discover in Savannah, from downtown to the islands?

The Historic District and its squares

Oglethorpe's plan arranges the city around square plazas, 22 of which survive today, each framed by houses, churches and monuments. Chippewa, Madison, Monterey and Lafayette Squares can be linked in half a day's walk, passing the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and its stained glass, or the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts. The free DOT shuttle serves the whole district, but everything is walkable: each square is just a few minutes from the next.

The Victorian District and Starland

South of the city's main park, the Victorian District lines up late 19th-century wooden houses with porches and painted gingerbread trim, more modest than downtown's mansions but very photogenic. Further south, Starland, taken over by students of the SCAD art school, gathers cafés, murals, breweries and thrift shops around Bull Street. Allow two or three hours to stroll through both areas, ideally in late afternoon, when the heat eases and the terraces open.

Tybee Island and the coastal marshes

About thirty minutes' drive east, Tybee Island is Savannah's beach: a rebuilt 18th-century lighthouse, a pier, a long sandy shore and a relaxed seaside-town feel. The road crosses salt marshes where herons and egrets feed, and Fort Pulaski, a Civil War national monument, can be visited along the way in an hour. One day is enough. Hurricane season, from June to November, can disrupt island stays; to continue south, Orlando is about four and a half hours' drive away.

Frequently asked questions about Savannah

How many squares are there in Savannah and should you see them all?
22 of the 24 squares in the historic plan remain. No need to tick them all off: walking up Bull Street from the river to Forsyth Park takes you through the finest, Johnson, Wright, Chippewa, Madison and Monterey, in an hour and a half at an easy pace.
Can you visit Bonaventure Cemetery freely?
Yes, entry is free and the cemetery is open daily during the day. It lies about fifteen minutes' drive from downtown. Volunteers offer free tours on some weekends, and a map helps you find the most famous graves, including that of lyricist Johnny Mercer.
Can you visit Savannah from Charleston in a day?
It is possible, as the two cities are about two hours apart by road, but the day would be short for Savannah, which deserves at least one night to enjoy its squares in the quiet of evening and morning. Many travelers pair the two cities over four or five days.
What to see in Savannah linked to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?
The Mercer-Williams House on Monterey Square, where the events told by John Berendt took place, can be visited on a guided tour. Bonaventure Cemetery, featured on the book's original cover, completes the trail. The statue shown there has been moved to the Telfair Museums.
What is the closest beach to Savannah?
Tybee Island, about 30 minutes by road, is the only beach reachable without a boat. Parking is paid and fills up fast on summer weekends: arrive before 10 am. The lighthouse and Fort Pulaski, along the way, turn it into a full day.

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