Savannah holidays

Founded in 1733, Savannah has history around every corner. The Bonaventure Cemetery and the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum offer glimpses into the city’s richly textured past. And you’ll find traces of the Underground Railroad in the First African Baptist Church. For lavish architecture and US Civil War history, visit the Green-Meldrim House, a historic military headquarters.

Savannah is a patchwork of architectural styles, with candy-coloured antebellum mansions sitting alongside Romanesque Revival houses and English Regency buildings. The Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist is a must-see during any Savannah holiday for its Gothic Revival spires. And the Victorian-style Gingerbread House looks like it came straight out of a fairytale.

With the city’s nearby state parks and historic sites, you can easily pair your holiday in Savannah with time in the great outdoors. Skidaway Island State Park is less than 30 minutes away, offering hiking trails through forests and salt marshes. And you’ll find the Civil War–era Fort Pulaski National Monument on the beach-lined Cockspur Island.

Savannah’s Historic District is the largest National Historic Landmark District in the country. Here you’ll find manicured squares, museums, restaurants and beautifully restored homes from the 18th and 19th centuries. When you need an air-conditioned break from all the outdoor scenery, stop by the Savannah History Museum and the Telfair Academy, the oldest public art museum in the American South.

Good for: Historic squares, art museums, restaurants

If you’re looking for a more low-key location, this is where to stay in Savannah. You’ll see Victorian and craftsman homes as you stroll towards Habersham Village’s boutiques, cafes and art galleries. And Daffin Park is always a popular spot with joggers. Love live sports? Catch a baseball game at Grayson Stadium and cheer on the Savannah Bananas.

Good for: Baseball, boutiques, parks

An artsy area packed with trendy coffee shops and cocktail bars, the Starland District is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Savannah. Colourful murals line the streets, and shops range from vintage boutiques and record stores to art galleries. For a culture fix, spend an afternoon at the Savannah African Art Museum.

Good for: Coffee shops, vintage boutiques, street art

Located less than 30 minutes from downtown, Tybee Island’s white sands and blue water offer plenty of fun for swimmers and sun-worshippers. Along with the ocean beach, you’ll find river beaches here too. There’s a chance to spot dolphins from Savannah River Beach to the island’s north. And Back River Beach is known for its fishing spots and fiery sunsets.

Savannah is full of great local eateries, offering everything from Southern classics to fresh seafood and barbeque. City Market has a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes. And Starland Yard’s food trucks are perfect for a casual bite. Looking for an authentic taste of Savannah? Try The Olde Pink House restaurant, located inside a mansion from 1771.

Broughton Street in downtown Savannah is known for its antique shops, independent boutiques and brand-name fashion stores. And the shops along River Street are excellent for picking up local souvenirs. Exploring the Historic District? Keep an eye out for shops tucked away in the area’s Georgian mansions.

Savannah’s rich history comes to life in its cultural institutions, from the American Prohibition Museum to the Jepson Center & Telfair Children’s Art Museum. For a full day of fun and learning, make your way to Tricentennial Park, home to the Savannah History Museum, Georgia State Railroad Museum and Savannah Children’s Museum.

You’ll find artisanal cocktail bars and late-night hipster hangouts in the Starland District. Historical pubs and taverns make the City Market area a go-to destination after dark. Don’t miss sipping a Chatham Artillery Punch, the city’s signature cocktail, made with rum, whisky, brandy and champagne.

The Savannah Botanical Gardens is free to visit, offering nature trails, a pond and an 1840s farmhouse. And nothing beats an afternoon stroll through sprawling Forsyth Park. If you’re a movie fan, head to Chippewa Square, where Tom Hanks famously uttered the line, “Life is like a box of chocolates”, in ‘Forrest Gump’.