Savannah

Savannah is a river port built around a 1733 grid of tree-shaded public squares. You explore the historic downtown entirely on foot, moving from park to park beneath spanish moss. The core stays compact, but heat and high humidity slow your pace by mid-afternoon. Plan indoor museum visits or riverfront drinks for the hottest hours of the day.

Savannah dining revolves around Lowcountry cuisine, which relies on coastal seafood, stone-ground cornmeal, and local pork. Regional staples like shrimp and grits, crab stew, and fried green tomatoes appear on menus across every neighborhood. High demand means popular dinner tables book weeks in advance, while traditional lunch rooms rely on physical queues.The city enforces an open-container policy across the historic district. You can purchase alcoholic beverages at restaurants or bars and exit onto public sidewalks, provided the drink remains in a plastic cup under 16 ounces. Drinking from glass containers or metal cans on streets remains illegal.

• Mrs. Wilkes payment rules

  Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House serves family-style Lowcountry lunches at shared tables. The restaurant accepts cash or personal checks only.

• Dinner reservations

  Anchor restaurants like The Grey accept reservations up to 30 days ahead. Weekend dinner slots fill minutes after release.

General James Oglethorpe founded Savannah in 1733 as the capital of the Georgia colony. His urban layout used a modular ward system built around central public squares. The city prospered through timber and cotton trading, operating a major sea port that relied on enslaved labor across nearby sea island plantations.The city survived the Civil War without major destruction, avoiding the fires that ruined other Southern ports. Mid-20th-century preservation efforts saved hundreds of 19th-century brick townhouses from commercial demolition, forming the modern historic core.

1. 1733

   City founded

   James Oglethorpe lands on the Savannah River bluff and establishes the city grid.

2. 1864

   Civil War surrender

   Union forces occupy Savannah without destroying the historic town architecture.

3. 1955

   Preservation movement

   Seven women form the Historic Savannah Foundation to prevent demolition of historic homes.

4. 1966

   Landmark designation

   The U.S. federal government designates the downtown core a National Historic Landmark District.

Select your hotel location based on noise tolerance and mobility needs. Historic District North puts you steps from riverfront dining and late-night nightlife, but street traffic and late crowds bring night noise. Historic District South offers quiet square-facing inns within walking distance of Forsyth Park.

• Nightlife and river walksHistoric District North — Close to commercial dining, riverfront views, and evening bar activity.
• Architecture and park walksHistoric District South — Tree-lined streets, quiet historic squares, and bed-and-breakfast inns.
• Extended visits and quiet nightsVictorian District — Residential streets south of Forsyth Park with larger historic house rentals.

Savannah is a compact, flat city designed for walking. The central historic district covers roughly one square mile, making cars unnecessary for daily sight-seeing. Public transit options cover the core for free, while rideshares handle longer trips south to Starland or east to Bonaventure Cemetery.

• The city runs a free bus shuttle called the Dot along two loops in the historic district every 10 minutes.

• Free passenger ferries cross the Savannah River between River Street and Hutchinson Island every 20 minutes.

• Walking across the entire historic core takes 20 minutes. Parking garage fees often exceed daily rental costs.

• Street meters run Monday through Saturday from 8:00 to 20:00. Pay using coins or the ParkSavannah mobile app.

Savannah costs align with mid-sized American tourist cities. Spring peak season drives accommodation prices up significantly. You save on local transportation by relying on walkability and free municipal transit routes.

• Dot shuttle trip: $0

  The city offers zero-fare transit across the historic core using the Dot bus shuttle service.

• Trolley day pass: $40–48

  Hop-on hop-off guided trolley passes cover all major historic squares for a single day.

• Draft craft beer: $7–9

  Local breweries charge standard pint prices across historic district pubs and bars.

• Lowcountry boil entree: $22–32

  Seafood restaurants price fresh coastal shrimp platters based on market availability.

• Summer insects

  Coastal sand gnats and mosquitoes become active at dusk near shaded parks. Insect repellent is necessary from May to October.

• Historic walking footwear

  Uneven brick sidewalks and cobblestone river streets cause trips. Flat walking shoes work far better than heels.

• Ghost tour sound curfews

  Walking tours operate under strict municipal noise laws after 22:00 near residential squares.

• Museum combo tickets

  Telfair Museums sell discounted combination passes covering Telfair Academy, Jepson Center, and Owens-Thomas House.

• Tidal river currents

  The Savannah River has swift tidal currents and heavy cargo ship traffic. Swimming along River Street is strictly prohibited.