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Known as the Hostess City for its welcoming southern hospitality, Savannah, Georgia appeals to all sorts of travelers. Easy to reach by car, train, or by air, this city is a great option for an affordable getaway.
The city of Savannah’s story began when General James Oglethorpe landed on the Savannah River and named the final American colony after England’s King George II. Originally meant to protect South Carolina from any Spanish or French advances, Savannah became America’s first planned city. Because the city’s layout allowed for wide streets and accounted for meeting places and locations for business from the start, 22 of the 24 squares constructed still exist and draw visitors from around the world.
Today, Savannah’s beauty shines even brighter after efforts of many to preserve the city’s history by maintaining its architecture, ironwork, and squares.
The city’s layout can be attributed to how easy it is to wander through Savannah’s Historical District without a tour guide. It’ll seem like an endless line of beautiful squares interwoven between streets filled with charming cafes, art galleries, quirky shops, beautiful homes, and of course, SCAD’s buildings thrown into the mix.
If you’re looking for a more structured approach, why not start at the city’s most well-known green space, Forsyth Park? The park’s iconic fountain is one of the most photographed locations in the city, so don’t forget your camera! Enjoy a walk through its 30 acres, and if you’re visiting on a Saturday morning, stop by the south end of the park to check out the farmer’s market.
If you were to follow directions to just the generic, Savannah, Georgia, chances are your GPS will drop you off at the famous River Street or close by it. This long, cobblestone street parallels the Savannah River (hence the name) giving you an up-close seat to the massive cargo ships that cruise by. You’ll also find delicious restaurants and sweets, great shopping—especially for souvenirs—and art galleries here. There is an ADA-accessible outdoor elevator close to City Hall, but otherwise watch your step if you decide to descend the historic, “Stone Stairs of Death” or other very steep, very tall, and very old staircases down from the street above.
Continue to walk far enough, and you’ll run into Savannah’s newest spot, the Plant Riverside District. Once a power plant, this location is filled with restaurants, bars, shops, a hotel, and is considered a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue. The hunt for the best rooftop bars to visit on your trip to Savannah is made even easier by stopping by Plant Riverside District. Families will love the Ultimate Dinosaur Adventure, a unique experience where children of all ages can play games and learn more about science and history.
Those traveling with children won’t want to pass up the perfect way to see the sights without getting too hot or too tired. Old Town Trolley Tours in Savannah is an unlimited hop-on and hop-off mode of transportation that’ll get you to the best landmarks in the city in addition to giving you more information you would’ve never learned otherwise. They offer a helpful app that allows you to locate each trolley stop with ease.
Away from the river, you’ll find another must-see street called Savannah City Market. This courtyard is very family friendly during the day and becomes a lively location by night. Local musicians bring City Market to life daily, with additional events celebrated throughout the year. You’ll find the American Prohibition Museum located here, along with award-winning restaurants and numerous local artists.
Savannah is known to be as haunted as it is beautiful, and is considered to be the most haunted city in America. Don’t let this scare you off, but those looking to learn more about these literal local haunts may take tours specifically designed for it. And there are plenty to choose from. Some visitors opt for the ghost tours in lieu of a general one to escape the sometimes-brutal summertime humidity.
So, you want to visit Savannah and are hoping to go during your children’s summer vacation. If you’re used to the heat and humidity, it’s certainly doable, but just be warned if you’re from a drier state on the west coast perhaps, you may want to head back to the drawing board. When Savannah gets hot and humid, it gets hot and humid there’s no doubt about it. Luckily, there are beaches located on Tybee Island or even Hilton Head Island that will cool you off during the day and let you return to explore Savannah by night.
Another precaution when planning your trip to Savannah is hurricane season. From June to November, you run the risk of a pesky storm wreaking havoc on your vacation plans. As long as you are aware of the potential risks and purchase travel insurance, don’t stress too much about it.
The absolute best time to go to Savannah is in spring or fall, as there are plenty of activities to do and events to attend, the city is beautiful, and rainfall is low. That being said, bring an umbrella or rain jacket with you just in case!
For far fewer crowds and to escape the heat, a winter getaway to Savannah may be just what you need. Temperate weather allows for plenty of the same activities you’d want to experience throughout the year, all with a little less sweat on your brow.
Affordable accommodations will most likely be outside of the Historic District, which isn’t a bad option for those with access to a car or even want to use ride-shares to get around as they’re normally easy to find. There are many hotels close to the airport that are a little far out but are great options to make catching an early-morning flight a breeze.
Staying in the center of all the action will be a little pricier, but worth it to many. If your home base is located in the Historic District, chances are your views will be unparalleled. There’s nothing like waking up and walking down the street to a charming bistro or café for a cup of coffee to start your day. History buffs might also want to take advantage of staying in a historic home or landmark to appreciate its architecture.
You may go so far as turning your Savannah getaway into a beach vacation and staying on Tybee or Hilton Head Island, or plan to stay move around a bit and stay in all three! It’s a great way to explore more of the sea islands and maximize your fun and relaxation.
