Savannah Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Savannah, Georgia — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Savannah

• Savannah's 22 Historic Squares. General James Oglethorpe's 1733 city plan produced 22 park-like squares draped in Spanish moss and lined with 18th- and 19th-century architecture — a National Historic Landmark and one of the largest urban historic districts in America. Walking between them at your own pace, past fountains, mossy oaks, azaleas, and…
• Forsyth Park. Savannah's 30-acre centerpiece park is anchored by a cast-iron fountain dating to 1858, modeled on similar fountains in Paris, and framed by live oaks trailing Spanish moss. The Forsyth Farmers' Market fills the southern end every Saturday morning, and festivals, concerts, and picnickers keep the park alive year-round.
• Wormsloe State Historic Site. A breathtaking mile-long avenue of 400 live oaks draped in Spanish moss leads to the tabby ruins of a colonial estate built by Noble Jones, one of Georgia's first settlers, who arrived with Oglethorpe in 1733. The site also offers a 7-mile nature trail, a colonial-life museum, and costumed living-history…
• Bonaventure Cemetery. Set on a scenic bluff above the Wilmington River, this hauntingly beautiful Victorian cemetery is the final resting place of poet Conrad Aiken, lyricist Johnny Mercer, and Georgia's first governor — and was immortalized in John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Towering oaks, intricate stonework, and…
• First African Baptist Church. Founded in 1777 by the Reverend George Leile, this is believed to be the oldest continuously active, autonomously developed African American congregation in North America. The 1859 church building served as an Underground Railroad waystation — the holes carved in the sanctuary floor in the shape of an African prayer…
• Mercer Williams House Museum. Designed in 1860 and completed after the Civil War on Monterey Square, this Italianate mansion became the backdrop of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the best-selling novel that nearly doubled Savannah's tourism. Interior tours reveal Jim Williams's extraordinary collection of fine art, antique furnishings,…
• Tybee Island. Just 18 miles east of downtown, this barrier-island beach town offers more than three miles of Atlantic shoreline, the 1736 Tybee Island Lighthouse (178 steps to panoramic views), and easy-going coastal charm. It's Savannah's beach escape — ideal for a half-day or full-day detour.
• Savannah Riverboat Cruises. The Savannah River Queen and Georgia Queen paddle-wheel riverboats operate narrated sightseeing cruises, sunset dinner voyages, and Gospel Night cruises from 9 East River Street. Gliding past working container ships and the historic Cotton Exchange offers a unique vantage on a city built by the river.

Best time to visit Savannah

Late March through May (spring). WeatherSpark identifies 'early April to late May' as the top tourism-score window, with the first week of May as the annual peak. Spring combines the most comfortable temperatures (70s-low 80s°F), low humidity relative to summer, blooming squares and parks, and major events including the St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 17) and Savannah Music Festival (late March - early April). Fall (September-October) is a strong alternative once summer heat clears

Savannah weather by month

Getting to Savannah

The free DOT Shuttle runs every 15–20 minutes between 20 stops in the Historic Landmark District (7:30 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. weekends), making it easy to skip the car entirely. For late nights, use rideshare — the Downtowner app also offers free rides 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. within the historic area.

• SAV Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport — 15 min drive
• AGS Augusta Regional Airport — 130 min drive
• ATL Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — 245 min drive

Where to stay in Savannah

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• South Historic District. The quieter, more residential half of Savannah's Historic Landmark District, centered on Forsyth Park and the elegant squares south of Oglethorpe Avenue. Gas lanterns flicker outside Italianate row houses, and most top restaurants and museums are within a… Good for: Romantics, honeymoons, architecture lovers, and first-time visitors who want to walk everywhere.
• North Historic District / River Street. The northern edge of the Historic District, fronting the Savannah River along the famous cobblestoned River Street. Nights here are lively — bars, restaurants, live music, and the to-go cup culture are all on your doorstep — and Savannah Riverboat Cruises… Good for: Nightlife seekers, families who want maximum walkability to waterfront attractions, and travelers who love the energy of a working river port.
• Victorian District. Immediately south of Forsyth Park, this 50-block neighborhood of ornate Victorian homes is Savannah's first suburb and offers a residential, slightly quieter alternative to the Historic core. It borders the hip Starland District (coffee shops, vinyl record… Good for: Couples, art and food enthusiasts, repeat visitors who want a local-feeling stay with easy walkability to both Forsyth Park and Starland.
• Plant Riverside / Western Waterfront. The newly redeveloped riverfront west of the Historic District anchored by the Plant Riverside District and JW Marriott. Staying here puts guests inside a converted 1912 power plant with rooftop bars, live music venues, and a riverside promenade, while… Good for: Luxury travelers, design-conscious visitors, couples looking for upscale riverfront amenities.
• Midtown Savannah. A commercial hub about two miles south of downtown featuring national-brand hotels, neighborhood restaurants, and access to Daffin Park and Grayson Stadium. Prices run noticeably lower than the Historic District, and rideshares to downtown are quick and cheap. Good for: Budget-conscious travelers, families, and visitors with rental cars who prioritize value over walkability.
• Tybee Island. Eighteen miles east of downtown, Tybee is Savannah's beach town — laid-back, salty, and family-friendly, with B&Bs and vacation rentals steps from the Atlantic. Staying here makes sense if beach time is your primary goal; downtown Savannah is a 30-minute… Good for: Beach lovers, families with young children, and visitors who want to balance city sightseeing with genuine coastal downtime.

Where to eat in Savannah

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• The Grey. Historic District (MLK Boulevard corridor) · Port City Southern / New American — Chef Mashama Bailey's James Beard Award-winning restaurant in a lovingly restored 1938 Art Deco Greyhound bus…
• Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room. South Historic District (107 W Jones St) · Southern / American — A Savannah institution since 1943. Strangers share tables-for-ten and pass platters of daily-changing Southern classics — fried…
• The Olde Pink House. Historic District (Reynolds Square) · Southern / Lowcountry — Built in 1771, this coral-pink Georgian mansion is one of Savannah's most storied dining rooms, serving shrimp and grits, fried green…
• The Pirates' House. Historic District (20 E Broad St) · Southern / American — One of the oldest buildings in Georgia, established in 1753, just a block from the Savannah River. The rambling warren of dining rooms spans…
• Cotton & Rye. Starland District (1801 Habersham St) · Modern Southern / American — Set in a restored mid-century bank building, Cotton & Rye spotlights locally sourced ingredients in dishes like Savannah Crab…
• Common Thread. Victorian District (122 E 37th St) · Farm-to-Table / New American — From the restaurant group behind Farm Bluffton and Strange Bird, Common Thread operates in a restored Victorian home just south of…
• The Collins Quarter. 151 Bull St · 4.7★ (5,001 reviews)
• Vic's On the River. 26 E Bay St · 4.4★ (6,417 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Leopold's Ice Cream. Historic District (212 E Broughton St) · Ice Cream / Desserts — A Savannah landmark since 1919, Leopold's handcrafts more than 20 rotating flavors from scratch. Lines routinely stretch down…
• Treylor Park. Downtown / River Street corridor (115 E Bay St) · New American / Craft Cocktails — A lively downtown staple with a reclaimed-bowling-lane bar, antique chandeliers, and a beer garden. Famous for PB&J…
• Strange Bird. Victorian District (1220 Barnard St) · Mexican-Southern Fusion / Casual — Born as a food truck in a 1967 Airstream Ambassador, Strange Bird moved into a restored streamliner space in the Victorian…
• Better Than Sex - A Dessert Restaurant. 410 W Broughton St · 4.7★ (3,807 reviews)
• Goose Feathers Cafe & Bakery. 39 Barnard St · 4.5★ (3,282 reviews)
• Foxy Loxy Cafe. 1919 Bull St · 4.6★ (2,647 reviews)
• Savannah Coffee Roasters. 215 W Liberty St · 4.5★ (2,704 reviews)
• The Coffee Fox Roasting Co.. 102 W Broughton St · 4.5★ (2,225 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• Alligator Soul. Downtown / Telfair Square (114 Barnard St) · Southern / Fine Dining — An upscale yet unpretentious cellar restaurant on historic Telfair Square, Alligator Soul's seasonal menu showcases day-boat…
• Melting Pot. 232 E Broughton St · 4.7★ (3,305 reviews)
• Ruth's Chris Steak House. 111 W Bay St · 4.5★ (4,167 reviews)
• Chive Sea Bar and Lounge. 4 W Broughton St · 4.6★ (2,461 reviews)
• Alligator Soul Restaurant. 114 Barnard St · 4.6★ (2,414 reviews)
• Husk Savannah. 12 W Oglethorpe Ave · 4.4★ (2,088 reviews)
• Elizabeth's on 37th. 105 E 37th St · 4.7★ (1,174 reviews)
• Common Restaurant. 118 E Broughton St · 4.4★ (1,894 reviews)

A 7-Day Savannah Plan

1. Day 1 — Historic Squares & Southern Welcome. Begin your Savannah journey with a self-guided walk through the city's iconic historic squares, starting at Johnson Square and working your way south through Chippewa, Wright, and Telfair squares, soaking in the Spanish moss-draped live oaks and antebellum architecture.…
2. Day 2 — Sacred Spaces & African Heritage. Visit the First African Baptist Church on Franklin Square — one of the oldest Black churches in North America — for a guided tour that reveals its role in the Underground Railroad and the extraordinary story of its congregation. Travel south to the Pin Point Heritage Museum,…
3. Day 3 — Ancient Oaks & Coastal Marsh. Drive 10 minutes south to Wormsloe State Historic Site, entering through the breathtaking 1.5-mile Avenue of Oaks lined with 400-year-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss, then explore the colonial tabby ruins and marsh-front nature trails. Continue to Bonaventure Cemetery, the…
4. Day 4 — Art, Design & SCAD Culture. Spend the morning at the SCAD Museum of Art, housed in a stunning restored historic railroad depot, exploring its rotating exhibitions of contemporary art alongside works connected to the Savannah College of Art and Design. Wander the SCAD-influenced Broughton Street for lunch at…
5. Day 5 — River, Riverwalk & Savannah by Water. Start with breakfast at a riverside cafe on Factors Walk, then board a Savannah Riverboat Cruise for a narrated sightseeing tour along the Savannah River, learning about the city's role as a colonial port and cotton-trading hub. Disembark and explore River Street's…
6. Day 6 — Tybee Island Beach Day. Drive 18 miles east to Tybee Island, Savannah's beloved barrier island beach, arriving early to claim your spot on the wide sandy shore and climb the 154-step Tybee Island Light Station — Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse — for panoramic coastal views. Spend the afternoon…
7. Day 7 — Ghosts, Gaslight & Southern Nights. Spend a leisurely final morning revisiting your favorite squares, picking up pralines and peach preserves at the Savannah City Market, and browsing the independent boutiques and studios in the surrounding lanes. Take a midday tour of the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters…

Events & festivals in Savannah

• Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 17 annually). One of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the United States — the city's official website cites it as third-largest nationally, behind New York City and Chicago — drawing an estimated 500,000 attendees. The…
• Savannah Music Festival (Late March through early April (approximately two weeks)). Georgia's largest musical-arts event, held since 1989. Features jazz, blues, bluegrass, classical, and world music across multiple Historic District venues. Recent editions: March 27 - April 12, 2025; March 25 - April…
• SCAD Savannah Film Festival (October (approximately eight days)). Hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design and billed as the largest university-run film festival in the world. Draws more than 60,000 guests for screenings, gala premieres, workshops, and panels with industry…

Savannah travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Savannah?

Late March through May (spring).

What are the top things to do in Savannah?

Top experiences include Savannah's 22 Historic Squares, Forsyth Park, Wormsloe State Historic Site, Bonaventure Cemetery, First African Baptist Church.

Which airport is closest to Savannah?

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is the nearest, about 15 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Savannah?

Popular areas to base yourself include South Historic District, North Historic District / River Street, Victorian District, Plant Riverside / Western Waterfront.

How do I get around Savannah?

The free DOT Shuttle runs every 15–20 minutes between 20 stops in the Historic Landmark District (7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.