Savannah
THE AMERICAS · CITY · SOUTHERN
Savannah was laid out in 1733 around 22 surviving public squares, each one a small park under live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. It's smaller and scruffier than Charleston, with an art school threaded through the historic buildings and an open-container law that means you can walk the squares with a drink. Tybee Island's beach is twenty minutes away.
The plan
Walk the squares
Start at Chippewa, work down Bull Street to Forsyth Park's fountain. It's about 3km and the whole point of the city.
Bonaventure Cemetery
Live oaks, Victorian statuary and Johnny Mercer's grave, on a bluff over the Wilmington River.
River Street and the Plant Riverside district
Cobbles, cotton warehouses and a rebuilt power station full of bars, right on the water.
Wormsloe Historic Site
A 2.5km avenue of 400 live oaks that is the single most photographed thing in Georgia.
Tybee Island
Twenty minutes east for the beach, the 1736 lighthouse and a fried-shrimp shack lunch.
Book before you fly
Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room
No reservations, cash only, and the queue forms before ten.
Bonaventure Cemetery tours
Small guided groups, booked a few days ahead.
St Patrick's Day
One of the largest parades in America; rooms book a year ahead.
Getting there
Fly Savannah/Hilton Head (SAV)
Twenty minutes from downtown with direct flights from most eastern hubs. Rideshare is about $30.
Fly Charleston (CHS) or Jacksonville (JAX)
Both about two hours away with more flight options if Savannah's fares are high.
Getting around
The historic district is entirely walkable and the DOT shuttle is free. A car helps only for Tybee and Bonaventure.
When to go
Best time to go
March to April for azaleas and 24°C, or October to November for warm days without the swamp air.
Cheapest months
January and February — mild, quiet and the cheapest rooms of the year.
Priciest & busiest
St Patrick's Day, when Savannah throws one of the largest parades in America and rooms triple.
If you've got one day
Morning
Walk the squares
Late morning
Bonaventure Cemetery
Lunch
Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room
Afternoon
River Street and the Plant Riverside district
Evening
Dinner at The Grey, then Wormsloe Historic Site
If you've got a week
Day 1
Arrive, settle in around The Perry Lane Hotel, and take it slowly — Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room for dinner.
Day 2
Walk the squares.
Day 3
Bonaventure Cemetery. Dinner at The Grey.
Day 4
Day trip — Charleston →.
Day 5
River Street and the Plant Riverside district. Husk Savannah at some point.
Day 6
Wormsloe Historic Site.
Day 7
Tybee Island. Finish with The Olde Pink House.
Staying longer?
Nearby & day trips
Under two hours north up the coast.
Tybee Island
Twenty minutes east for the beach and the lighthouse.
Hilton Head
An hour north for golf, bikes and a very different, resort-shaped coast.
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