Move over, Nashville and New York! There’s a new must-see American city quickly climbing the tourism ranks, and its name, of course, is Savannah.
Dripping in history around every corner; the state of Georgia’s first-ever town was founded in 1733 along the Savannah River, officially deeming it the oldest city in The Peach State. As one can imagine, most things revolve around this moment, especially evident in the city’s historic district.
It was also America’s first planned city, founded by General James Edward Oglethorpe. There are endless museums to uncover, old forts, mansions and even a set of officially preserved old-school inns to stay at, transporting guests back in time in an instant.
Cruise down the iconic Savannah River, or enjoy a pirate tour, and a little fun fact… Savannah is the birthplace of the Girl Scouts!
With ample opportunities to explore nature; a rich history full of conflict, controversy, and paranormal behavior; plus endless bars and restaurants, there’s no longer any excuse to leave Savannah off your bucket list!
If you’re looking for things to do in Savannah, look no further!
1 – Take a ghost tour of Savannah
Savannah has a rich, and sometimes macabre, history with war, crime, and mysteries of all sorts lining its streets.
The cobblestone alleys and historic squares once played host to many spooky tales, so let your ghoulish guide take you through them one night!
During the day, tour the eerily beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery for more insight into Savannah’s enigmatic past.
2 – Spot dolphins and alligators on Tybee Island
Tybee Island has plenty of local wildlife and spectacular scenery.
Travelers love taking a guided tour (with fresh seafood lunch included) before seeing the exotic birds, alligator ponds, and bottlenose dolphins playing around Tybee Island!
The landmarks are great too, with Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island Lighthouse, and the Tybee Island Lighthouse — which looks out over the Atlantic Ocean — all being crowd favorites.
3 – Cruise down the Savannah River
Cruising on a clear day over the dazzling river with the wind in your hair is a great way to feel the city’s charm, with sights along the way of elegant Victorian mansions and Old Fort Jackson.
For a different perspective, cruise at night and enjoy dinner onboard as you see Savannah under the lights!
In fact, there is a plethora of trips to choose from along the Savannah River, depending on how long you’re keen on spending on water and the types of activities to do and see. For example, there are private sightseeing boat tours, sunset expeditions, half-day ventures to nearby islands, lunch sails and even a gospel dinner cruise!
4 – Tour the Wormsloe Plantation
Skip breakfast and start with a southern feast of pulled pork, ribs, and brisket!
When you’re full, a scenic drive awaits through the Isle of Hope Historic District — reminiscent of a trip back in time with Greek columns and old oak trees.
Then, at the Plantation, you’ll discover its vast history, connection to slavery, and relation to the Civil War.
5 – Visit the Andrew Low House
This pristine Italian-style 19th century home is easy on the eyes on the outside and inside, but opens visitors’ eyes to period life in Savannah.
This frozen-in-time house was built for a wealthy cotton farmer — take this opportunity to learn just how he made his fortune and how the fortunate family lived day-to-day before tragedy struck.
The interiors have been immaculately preserved so you truly feel as if you’re traveling back in time to 1849 when the Low family first moved in. Mosey through the rooms and have a gander over its collections like family treasures and antiqued furniture.
The home was purchased in 1928 and has operated as a museum open to the public since 1966.
6 – Take a hop-on hop-off trolley tour
Exploring the historic districts tops the list of things to do in Savannah.
Travelers love the old-timey trolleys, riding along the old town’s cobblestone roads, with costumed guides who narrate almost 300 years of the city’s history and landmarks along the way.
The trolley operates daily and you can get on and off as you please! Jump off to investigate iconic monuments and landmarks, like Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, Mercer Williams House Museum, Massie Heritage Center, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Columbia Square and many others!
For something extra spooky, ahem, out-of-the-ordinary, book a Savannah “ghosts and gravestones” trolley tour!
7 – Tour Savannah’s Historic District on a segway or bike
Segways and bikes are a great way to cover a lot of ground while not stuck behind the window of a tour bus!
Tours of the Historic District’s cobbled streets, historic squares and gardens contain everything from Forrest Gump’s bench to preserved homes of Civil War generals, and the Mercer-Williams home from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — in other words, there’s plenty to see!
8 – Watch history come alive at Fort Pulaski National Monument
Make sure to head to nearby Cockspur Island for a perfectly preserved Civil War fortification (where rifled cannons were first used!).
Here, role-playing historians bring the fortress to life, highlighted by artillery demonstrations!
Around the monument, you’ll find 5,000 miles of marshland and trails, while a little further out rest Tybee Island’s dolphins and alligators.
9 – Go on a scavenger hunt across Savannah
Turn your trip into an Amazing Race: turning up the thrill of a sightseeing tour by including clues, challenges, and local trivia — all from your smartphone!
Start in the heart of the city, get taken through historic buildings and along the waterfront, through a cemetery, and try to find all the hidden gems along the way.
Playing as a group (or if you’re traveling as a massive group, race against one another), there are epically themed scavenger hunts to choose from. Unravel the city’s pirate-y past during a dedicated pirate-centered game, try the ghostbusting hunting version, or pick the historic Savannah tour where knowing local facts comes in handy!
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Experience a live concert by candlelight in Savannah
Catch live performances on piano, violin and cello of classical music and tributes to your favorite modern bands and musicians, from Mozart to Vivaldi and Taylor Swift to Queen. Candlelight concerts take place in scenic venues across the city that don’t typically host concerts and events for an unforgettable backdrop to live renditions of your favorite tunes.
10 – Take your binoculars to Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Wolves, bobcats, alligators, and cougars are just some of the animals native to Georgia and visible at the Oatlands Island Wildlife Center.
This 175-acre environmental educational center has a 2-mile nature trail through forests and animals in their natural habitats.
With historical buildings to boot as well, there’s something exciting to see at every turn.
11 – Eat your heart out on a foodie tour
Foodies, look no further! Savannah is packed full of gastronomic delights: meat lovers’ mouths will water over chicken sandwiches en papillote and pork belly sliders — with enough BBQ around to satiate the soul.
But it’s not just meat: shrimp and grits are each Southern classics, adored by locals, while fried green tomatoes and local honey are also must-tastes.
12 – Browse the SCAD Museum of Art
The SCAD showcases the best in contemporary art.
With a permanent collection of over 4,500 pieces and several rotating exhibits, there is something for everyone to love. The Earle W.
Newton Center traces the complex British/American relationship and the Costume Collection has designs by Saint Laurent and Chanel; elsewhere, look out for Dali, Picasso, Andy Warhol, and more.
13 – Travel through time on a carriage tour
Take a step back into the past with a guided history tour on a horse-drawn carriage!
With the choice of either private or public tours, you’ll be carried through eight of Savannah’s beautiful squares, seeing all the unique landmarks and historic homes.
The rich history, lively narration, and beautiful horses make it an unforgettable and educational experience.
14 – Live their stories at Webb Military Museum
The Museum is not just exhibits on display behind glass.
Walking through the artifacts from the Civil War to Operation Desert Storm is a testament to the men and women of uniform, each piece taking you into the stories behind the servicemen and into their sometimes exciting, sometimes tragic experiences.
This is not to be missed!
15 – Go hiking at Fort McAllister State Park
A former Civil War fortress that saw tense battles, Fort McAllister now serves as a popular and peaceful hiking destination.
Sitting on the Ogeechee River, the place is about as tranquil as they come. Youngsters will love the cannons, barracks, and sturdy oak trees; while adventurers are sure to find a hiking trail, fishing spot, or and shaded playgrounds to kill a few hours.
Overall, it’s a great place to stop off for a day-trip or overnight camp.
16 – Sit on Forrest Gump’s bench on a movie locations tour
Savannah is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get!
The city is a favorite for shooting movies including Forrest’s bench where he shares his chocolates, the house from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and scenes where Dennis Quaid and Julia Roberts light up the screen in Something to Talk About.
If you want to see the iconic Forrest Gump site, head to Chippewa Square in the city center (one of the town’s 15 historic squares). Although the bench has been moved to the Savannah History Museum for safekeeping (the museum is within the same complex) you can still stand at the famous locale.
17 – Discover African culture at the Savannah African Art Museum
Calling all art and culture buffs!
This Museum has over 1000 objects from West and Central Africa, mostly traditional ceremonial and spiritual artifacts which really bring home the power, diversity, and spirituality of African culture and art.
Entry to the museum is free, although the guided tour upgrade option is always a good choice.
18 – Watch the cannons fire at Old Fort Jackson
At over 200 years old, Old Fort Jackson has lived through plenty of conflicts. Today, it offers grown-ups and kids an interactive glimpse into the life of a soldier.
Visitors can learn the routines, routines and drills of the military men and women — but nothing beats the booming cannon show! In the evenings, the fort sometimes hosts dinner parties.
19 – Browse through Jepson Center for the Arts
Outside Savannah’s many historic buildings, the gleaming and grandiose Jepson Center for the Arts glass building houses a bright and dynamic collection of art including photography, African-American art, and Southern art.
No trip is complete without a visit to the serene rooftop sculpture terrace (visible from the nearby streets) where you can take a reflective moment with a good book.
20 – Visit the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
This lovely-looking house in Savannah’s historic district holds a dark secret: it’s one of the best-preserved urban slave quarters in the nation.
Now a complex and enigmatic museum, visitors can explore the period rooms filled with art decor and hear the stories of the free and the enslaved inhabitants of the house from 200 years ago.
21 – Explore Telfair Academy
This super-elegant mansion contains stunning nineteenth and twentieth-century period rooms with art decor and a permanent collection of American Impressionist art.
Bookworms, however, will recognize Bird Girl from the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. This stylish masterpiece is a great addition to your list of things to do in Savannah!
22 – Smell the Fragrant Garden for the Blind at Forsyth Park
The tranquil and lush Forsyth Park gives 30-acres of stunning greenery along with the gorgeous Forsyth fountain and courts for tennis, basketball, soccer, and frisbee.
The highlight, however, is the Fragrant Garden; created for blind people to enjoy the park, the Garden holds plants with aromatic scents and unique texture sure to stimulate all the senses.
23 – Go ghost-hunting at Sorrel-Weed House
The Sorrel-Weed House runs plenty of tours of both historic Savannah and of the house itself, with its rich architecture and exotic exterior.
More recently, the House shot to fame in television’s Ghost Hunters and If These Walls Could Talk due to repeated paranormal sightings and its spooky past.
So take a ghost tour… if you dare!
Learn more about the best Savannah ghost tours.
24 – Explore Savannah’s religious sites
Nearly 300 years old, this historic city has seen generations and various communities call the town home, resulting in many different religious sites from a multitude of faiths.
The striking Cathedral of St. John with delicate ornate paintings and stained glass windows impacts many a traveler, the historic First African Baptist Church was a safe house for slaves and later where blacks and whites mingled during the segregation, and the monolithic Mickve Israel Temple has the oldest Torah scrolls in the nation.
Other sights worth investigating include the 1733-founded Christ Church Anglican and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah.
25 – Catch a live show at the Savannah Theatre
The nation’s longest-running theatre for live shows has had some incredible acts grace their stages and halls.
Travelers love the traditional Christmas Show full of festive singing, dancing, and music; otherwise, during the year, the Theatre’s curtains raise for musicals, comedy shows, and other productions.
Theatre-lovers, add this to your list of things to do in Savannah!
26 – Visit William Scarbrough House and the Maritime Museum
The house’s elegant Greek Revival architecture and its lush gardens — which take up a whole city block of downtown historic Savannah will draw you to the museum inside.
As a testament to the voyages and riches of the 18th and 19th centuries, the house is full of model ships and maritime artifacts from that period to scratch that nautical itch.
27 – Tour the eerie Mercer Williams House Museum
Like so much of Savannah, the famous mansion from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil has a gripping and somewhat grim story behind it.
Story aside, however, the three-story red brick house with iron railing is an aesthetic marvel on the inside and out; step in the front door and you’ll also find 500 years of artwork and antiques.
28 – Try the local beers
With so many noteworthy breweries and bars, Savannah is a prime destination for craft beer lovers.
Moon River operates out of a 200-year-old building that once housed Lafayette of Hamilton fame; Service Brewing is owned by veterans and offers up curious concoctions like jalapeno lime lager; at Ghost Coast, two friendly Bernese Mountain Dogs named Hank and Holly will greet you at the door, and World of Beer hosts regular events like trivia and live music.
29 – Read the Davenports’ scrapbooks at Davenport House Museum
This stylish-looking house spent a lot of time as a decrepit rooming house in a dodgy neighborhood, but it’s made quite the turnaround since (as you’ll see!).
After admiring the style of the house, take a guided tour to hear about its complicated history and how it kept changing hands.
For first-hand recounts, read the two original 1830s scrapbooks about life in the House and in greater Savannah.
30 – Find Waving Girl at River Street Market Place
This recreation of the mid-1800s riverside open-air market is full of delightful sounds, sights, smells, and tastes!
There are plenty of souvenirs available with quality clothes and jewelry, otherwise, decorate yourself with a henna tattoo or dine as you watch the ships.
A Savannah tradition, be sure to find the Waving Girl statue that depicts a lady in love with a sailor who never returned.
31 – See a show at Lucas Theatre for the Arts
Boy, are we glad the theatre narrowly escaped demolition in the 1970s! Instead, it was restored and preserved, and today it showcases the best of Broadway and the West End, along with an on-site arthouse cinema.
Still, no trip to the Lucas is complete without dropping by the SCAD French cafe, a local staple slinging sweet and savory crepes, pastries, coffee, and tea.
32 – Spend an hour or two in nature at the Savannah Botanical Gardens
Botanists and green fingers, treat yourself to an afternoon of pure bliss and Mother Nature’s finest during a visit to the Savannah Botanical Gardens. Comprising 10 acres, uncover manicured themed gardens inside, as well as some historical landmarks and pinpoints.
Mosey through the rose gardens (one with its grandeur fountain, the other filled with English roses and the third is the Fragrant Rose Garden), the Vegetable Garden, Herb Garden, Native Plants Garden, the Perennial Garden, the Camellia and Azalea Garden and others!
There is also a dedicated Children’s Garden. Around the pond and meandering between the various landscapes are nature trails. Sometimes, special light installations are designed up and projected in certain gardens.
The historic Reinhard House is within the grounds, constructed in 1840! Its original location was initially in the downtown area, but the pivotal building was later relocated to the botanical park in 1990. Many of the city’s garden clubs convene here.
33 – Get a scoop at Leopold’s Ice Cream
Since 1919, the family-owned Leopold’s ice cream has riled Savannah with its unique flavors and creamy ice cream — using the same recipe for over 100 years!
Every month, a new special flavor brings lines to the doors; it’s no wonder it was named one of the top 10 ice cream parlors in the world!
Start salivating over flavors like butter pecan, lemon custard, rum bisque and chocolate chewies and cream. They also serve mouthwateringly delicious sundaes, splits and ice-cream sandwiches!
34 – Experience the Art and Soul of Savannah at the City Market
The massive four-block City Market is a favorite of locals and tourists alike.
Shopping for a souvenir is easy with a myriad of shops selling everything from shoes to cigars and bracelets to dog biscuits — all nestled in between art galleries and nightlife entertainment!
There’s no need to leave the market for a snack either, with plenty of dine-in and takeaway food options.
35 – Go on a Civil War tour of Savannah
Savannah was famously spared from being razed on the March to the Sea, meaning plenty of Civil War-era buildings and infrastructure are preserved for us today.
Travelers will get the most out of a guided tour of the city pointing out its vast history and how the Civil War shaped the nation as a whole.
Icon sites to see en route include Warren Square and Green-Meldrim house. Tours last between one and two hours, depending on how much you want to learn and see, and are led by qualified historians.
For when history gets boring; book a super fun and knowledge-inducing civil war pub crawl tour!
36 – Enjoy a Girl Scouts cookie at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
The birthplace of the founder of the Girl Scouts is one of Savannah’s most treasured attractions.
Visitors follow the path of Juliette Gordon Low’s life and the virtues of the Girl Scouts: courage, confidence, leadership, citizenship, and compassion — which Low exemplified and which continue to be instilled into young girls today.
To this day, the museum house is operated by Girl Scouts of the USA. Guided tours are offered by the museum, where you can meander around the house and marvel at personal items, Girl Scout artifacts, art and architecture, then move onto the garden outside.
37 – Wander through Broughton Street
Broughton Street is like falling down the rabbit hole and finding more than you ever could have imagined!
Gutstein Gallery holds free, rotating artistic displays, while Leopold’s Ice Cream is a real treat for the tastebuds.
Swing by Civvies for trendy clothes, but also make sure to check out the Paris Market!
38 – Do an Escape Room!
Savannah’s Escape rooms are as unique as they come, with themes spanning between Pirate Island, Zombie Apocalypse, and the spooky Haunted Room.
On top of the eerie storylines, mind-boggling riddles, and the ticking clock, these rooms include interactive actors who hold the clues to your escape!
Requiring brain power and problem-solving skills, you have one hour to make your grand escape… or else! The rooms are well-favored in Clearwater thanks to the spot-on, hyperrealistic designed room sets and props.
39 – Go kayaking down Moon River
Winding through marshes and countryside, the Moon River and Skidaway Narrows is a quiet stream to an uninhabited island off the beaten path.
Let your guide lead the way as you take in the nature around you, looking out for eagles and ospreys soaring overhead, or dolphins and otters playing in the water.
Moon River is located in Moon River District (roughly 20 minutes from downtown). Whilst you’re here to kayak the river, seize the opportunity to visit the historic buildings and landmarks located in this part of Savannah.
Wormsloe Historic Site is here as well as the Bethesda Academy (established in 1740) and the Pin Point Heritage Museum.
40 – Find Charles Manson’s sweatpants and some vinyls at Graveface
Here’s one of the weirdest things to do in Savannah: Browse original art from serial killers and taxidermy at Graveface Museum; then buy vinyls, toys, and games at Graveface Records & Curiosities.
The museum also has plenty of pinball machines for free play to lighten the mood after engrossing exhibits on the nation’s infamous serial criminals.
41 – Learn about local sea life at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium
Visit UGA Aquarium and learn about Georgia’s fantastic marine life.
Why settle for seeing fish behind glass? Board the Sea Dawg with real scientists and sail out to the river where you help identify, sort, count, and record the sea life they find in the wild!
On this unique opportunity, talk directly to the local scientists about their fascinating work and their results.
42 – Dream of being a pilot at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force was established in 1942 to push the Nazis out of Europe.
Since then they are a beacon to the world and this Museum tells their incredible against-the-odds story.
After the fascinating and interactive, but intense, activity of the Museum; the Memorial Garden is a fitting way to pause and appreciate the sacrifice made.
43 – Raise a glass (of water) at the American Prohibition Museum
Follow the gun-toting gangsters, the bootleggers, the scandalous women who bobbed their hair, the Congressmen sweating under their collars and the jazz soundtrack playing through it all.
This is the nation’s only museum on Prohibition and bootlegging, but the best part is the functional speakeasy slinging drinks on Friday and Saturday nights! There are even cocktail classes available at the bar.
You’ll learn all about how and why alcohol was abolished in 1920 in America, and all the events leading up to it. Apart from spotting the posters, pamphlets, and propaganda on the walls, there are 20 exhibits, some interactive.
44 – Take a cooking class from one of the best
There’s no better way to learn than the hands-on approach as Chef Darin has sought to educate all on the art of cooking.
Book for either an individual or group lesson where you can immerse yourself and discover the secrets to some of the best dishes in the area (as you prepare them yourself!).
So, come on: ditch the takeout and explore new techniques and flavors at home!
45 – Dine at an old bus terminal
Established in Historic Downtown Savannah and occupying a 1938 Art Deco Greyhound Bus Terminal that was restored to its original beauty, the Grey offers a food, wine, and service experience that’ll delight your palate.
Mashama Bailey, the executive chef and partner, puts her personal take on each dish, transforming them to have deeper, richer, and more soulful flavors.
46 – Go full steam ahead to Georgia State Railroad Museum
The colossal Georgia State Railroad Museum, run out of an old railway roundhouse, has plenty of old-school locomotives on display, but it goes one immersive step better!
Tour the historic railcars, take the guided tour around the facilities (obviously on a train), and sit in the engine as you test the handcar out yourself!
If you’re a traveling family troupe, this endeavor is a two-for-one kinda experience. Located in Tricentennial Park (at the Georgia State Railroad Museum) is the outdoor Savannah Children’s Museum. Allow your little ones’ minds to wander and imagine as they explore the garden, maze, reading nook and over 12 exhibits.
47 – Have a picnic and a siesta in nature
Take your picnic setup up a notch.
Instead of a tattered rug, sit on a customized and decorated tablescape complete with insect repellant and Bluetooth speakers, not to mention picnic baskets full of gourmet food and activities.
Then put your feet up with the blankets and plush pillows to take that perfect post-food, midday nap.
48 – Take to the skies in an Amphibian Air Flight
Calling all adrenaline junkies! You can now take an introductory flight in an open-cockpit, powered hang glider!
It’s a hands-on learning experience where visitors are able to enjoy and appreciate not only the aircraft but the miracle of flight itself.
It’s one of the most exhilarating things to do in Savannah, Georgia.
49 – Dine at the Olde Pink House
This pretty-in-pink building, which started life as a mansion in 1771, is now an iconic and swanky-yet-affordable restaurant open for lunch and dinner!
Among the delectable food on the menu, the Arches Bar has a great selection of beer and wine along with some cocktails — diners can’t go past the Pink House’s ‘Pink Lady’!
Focusing on new Southwestern cuisine, try the goat cheese stuffed artichoke fritters, strawberry arugula salad, jumbo sea scallops or famous “Southern sushi.” Keep your cameras close by — snapping countless pics of the food and interiors!
50 – Keep hydrated on a pedal pub
Pedal with mates on a handcrafted Dutch party bike to some of the best breweries, bars, and restaurants in town!
Work up a thirst as you pedal, then quench your thirst by pouring yourself a cold one fresh from the tap as you zip through downtown Savannah.
If you’re traveling solo, it’s a unique social event perfect for meeting fellow like-minded partygoers.
51 – Find spirits on a haunted pub crawl
What do you get when you cross America’s most haunted city with one of America’s best party towns?
You get Savannah (and probably a bit tipsy!).
Your guide will take you through Savannah’s best bars, sharing the spooky stories that inhabit them — perhaps none more noteworthy than the haunted 200-year old Moon River Brewing Company building.
How to get to Savannah?
Whether it’s your first time in Savannah or your third, one of the most convenient ways to travel from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is booking pre-organized airport transfers before your trip begins.
This eliminates the hassle of worrying about taxis after you’ve left the airport gates, especially stress-free for families with young children.
Ensuring you have nothing to stress about when leaving the airport, once you’ve collected your bags and completed your admin, exit the gates where your private driver awaits you — holding a sign with your name on it!
Hop into your private vehicle and be transported directly to your stay in Savannah. Transfers are available back to the airport if required.
Where to stay in Savannah?
Choosing where to stay is an important part of any trip. Here are some of the best hotels, boutique stays and inns in Savannah to take your pick.
Champagne, late-night snacks and interiors that look like they’re straight off of a trendy Pinterest board; Bellwether House is a stunning boutique bed & breakfast hotel and a fabulous option for couples.
A gorgeous mix of old meets new and with its super insta-worthy rooftop, fall in love with the beautiful decor of The Drayton Hotel, as well as its attention to detail in every corner from interiors to service.
The Hyatt Regency Savannah is a premium sleek and stylish option, and rooms boast contemporary interiors and amazing views of the river and bridge. Become instantly charmed by Azalea Inn and Villas from its plushy furnished rooms (hello super comfy beds) to the outside garden and pool to the all-day snacks, and welcome sherry.
Situated right on the river (and with incredible views, naturally) the room options at Marriott Savannah Riverfront are all really spacious, bright and light. Elegant and refined with rich finishings and furniture to suit the town feel, book a night at the historic Marshall House Hotel — built in 1851!
Feel like absolute royalty when spending a night at the exquisite Mansion on Forsyth Park… We’re talking bath butler service, room service, and luxuriously soft pillows…
Another one from the mid-19th century, Eliza Thompson House is one of the most famous buildings in the city, constructed in 1847. Reimagine what life of the wealthy was like back in the day at the super special, adults-only stay.
Where to travel next?
For when your time begins to draw to a close in Savannah, consider extending your trip and head off to a nearby city, and there are many other things to do in Hilton Head Island, Charleston and Jacksonville (all destinations under two hours to reach).
A perfect option for a day trip or to spend the night (or three), Hilton Head Island is a 40-minute drive from Savannah and is located in South Carolina.
Discover Atlantic beaches, go looking for alligators or tackle the Gullah Heritage Trail and learn about local history and the Gullah People of South Carolina en route. Or set sail on the ocean, chartering a private yacht for the day.
Charleston is just short of two hours from Savannah by car, also in South Carolina. Famous for its cuisine and step dance, the Charleston (which originated here in the early 1900s), discover its national monuments and museums.
It’s also steeped in history and with a thriving arts and entertainment scene.
Travel two hours to Jacksonville in Florida for a completely different vibe, and with a great mixture of things to do for adults and kids. Spend the day at the waterparks, beaches and interesting museums, hike the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail and enjoy spending time in nature.
Final thoughts
This underrated city proves time and time again that there are so many epic things to do in Savannah, whether you’re a history buff, architecture aficionado or ghost geek, you’ll find yourself mega intrigued.
Have you ever visited Georgia’s first city before? What are some of the reasons you love Savannah? Let us know in the comments.
As always, happy and safe travels to Savannah!