Important Things To Know About Savannah Before Visiting the City
• It features the country's finest colonial architecture from its earliest days, as well as grand hotels and public buildings from the era of the American Civil War.
• Tourists should not miss the Forsyth Park, where you can take a walk along its wrought iron fences or through its many gardens, monuments and statues.
• In addition to that there are many attractions worth visiting close to Savannah including Tybee Island (the closest beach), Wormsloe Plantation Historic Site (the most preserved plantation in Georgia), and Jekyll Island (the state’s largest coastal island).
• Savannah is a great destination for people who want to explore unique culture and incredible history.
• There are also many interesting museums waiting to be explored throughout the city including: The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, Savannah History Museum, Wormsloe Plantation and more!
Best Places to Visit In Savannah
Savannah is a beautiful, southern city that is full of history and culture. There are many different places in Savannah that will be worth visiting. Some of them are:
Tybee Island: Tybee Island is the largest and most populated island near Savannah. The island has a few attractions such as the Tybee Lighthouse and the Fort Pulaski National Monument. The beach is one of Savannah's best features, so people from all over visit just to enjoy it.
It has a population of around 4,000 people, which makes it an easy to get around town because there are not too many cars on the roads.
Wormsloe Plantation Historic Site: The Wormsloe Plantation Historic Site is a preserved 18th century plantation in Coastal Georgia that offers tours and educational programs. The site is open to the public year-round, Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm
The plantation grounds of Wormsloe Plantation have been preserved and restored to provide an immersive opportunity for visitors, who can experience life in rural Georgia during the 18th and 19th centuries.
It was originally established as one of three experimental plantations for the American Colonization Society.
Jekyll Island: Jekyll Island is a place of breathtaking beauty - with a wide variety of natural habitats. From salt marshes to maritime forests, sandy beaches to osprey nests, this 12-mile-long finger-shaped barrier island is brimming with wildlife.
The island's shifting dunes are home to more than 50 types of flowers, trees and bushes. Salt marshes provide a habitat for waterfowl, while maritime forests create corridors where elusive deer and fox can roam in peace. The sand dunes hold ebb and flow in their currents as they move inland then back out again on the ocean side. Jekyll Island State Park is an extraordinary place for you or your family to visit for a fun-filled vacation in Georgia.
The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace: The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is a historic house museum in. The home was the birthplace of founder of the Girl Scouts of America, Juliette Gordon Low.
The exterior of the house reflects many architectural styles from the past 300 years. Visitors will also find a library and study inside, which were used by Mrs. Low and her husband Francis "Frank" Arthur Low to store their extensive book collection and hold meetings with various artists, writers and scholars who visited them at their home.
The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences: Built in 1819 by the wealthy merchant Edward Telfair, it was originally called as the Telfair Mansion. The museum contains a number of exhibits which feature arts, maritime history and natural sciences.
It was constructed to create an institution where young people can learn about the arts and sciences. Located on the banks of Savannah's historic riverfront, The Academy offers visitors with access to rare paintings, sculptures, decorative art objects from different periods around world as well as maritime history and natural sciences exhibits.
Savannah History Museum: The Savannah History Museum is a place where you can walk through a 150-year-old plantation, experience the sights and sounds of the 18th century, and even smell what it smelled like back then.
This museum offers an interactive visit which includes an audio-guide. In this way, visitors can get an insight into the history of Savannah, Georgia as well as explore exhibits like the Plantation House.
This is a must visit if you are visiting Savannah and want to know more about its history.
Wormsloe Plantation: Wormsloe Plantation is the oldest private home in Georgia. It was constructed in 1736 and has been occupied ever since. The plantation has a lot of history from when the founder William Wormley Johnson migrated to America from England with his family.
In 1735, Johnson and his family moved to Savannah, Georgia by way of Pennsylvania, where he had been living for four years. The grounds comprise of an 18th century mansion, a four-acre garden, and acres of Georgia Lowcountry landscape.
River Street District: River Street District is a 3.2-acre mixed-use development in Savannah, that has revitalized the downtown area. The district is home to a variety of tenants including a local bookstore, two upscale restaurants, and offices for local businesses.
The project features an outdoor plaza with outdoor dining and retail options as well as an indoor seating area in front of a massive window overlooking historic River Street and City Hall Square which serves as both an office space for those in need of space but also doubles as exhibition space showcasing the work of local artists
Savannah Theater: The Savannah Theater is located in the heart of Savannah, Georgia, adjacent to Forsyth Park. This theater has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It was where I saw my first movie and it was also the place where I saw my first Broadway play.
This theater is a beautiful historical landmark that has been called 'the crown jewel' of Savannah's cultural scene by our illustrious newspaper, the 'Savannah Morning News'.
There are many things to do at the theater like going to see plays or traveling on a museum tour. They have something for everyone and I would recommend visiting them if you have time!
Bonaventure Cemetery: It is a public cemetery that many people travel to in order to reflect on their lives and those around them, as well as for enjoyment. There are many trees inside and outside of the graveyard that give visitors a sense of peace and tranquility.
The Bonaventure Cemetery is also home to some unique history and beauty, as there are many statues on gravesites inside that vary from angels to religious figures and more eclectic pieces like knights riding on horses or children playing with rabbits.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens: Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens is a perfect place for an afternoon of relaxation and reflection.
Constructed in the 1930s by Catherine Littlefield, Coastal Botanical Gardens’ first president, the gardens were created with both beauty and function in mind. The design was inspired by the English Country Garden style often used in early 20th-century America. It has been preserved throughout the decades as one of Savannah’s most popular destinations for locals and visitors alike.
The best part about this garden is that it features rare species such as magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, Japanese maples and more that are native to coastal Georgia. There is also a rose garden with over 50 varieties of plants to explore all year long!
Why Hop On Hop Off Bus Is Best To Explore Savannah?
The best way to explore Savannah is by taking the Hop On Hop Off bus. It is a tour bus that takes travelers around the city and offer them tours of places they would not get to see otherwise.
You can hop on and hop off as many times as you want from the buses, which makes it affordable for families to spend time together without burning through their vacation budget. The bus has stops for all the popular places in Savannah like Martin Luther King Jr Park, Forsyth Park, City Market and more.
Visiting Savannah by bus can be quite overwhelming as you will not get an idea of where to go if you want to explore the city. Hence, hop on hop off buses are best to explore Savannah- they offer convenience and a way to see all that this beautiful city has to offer without worrying about logistics or navigation!
Best Time To Visit Savannah
The best time for your visit depends on what you are looking for. If you are planning on visiting during spring/summer months (April-October) then you will be able to enjoy all that Savannah has to offer.
The variety of plants, trees and flowers blooming in the spring will make your trip even more memorable. You will also be able to take advantage of warmer temperatures and low crowds which means less waiting in lines and more time enjoying your vacation.
If you want to visit during fall/winter months (November-March) then that's not a problem either! Savannah has gorgeous foliage during this season and you'll still be able to enjoy great food while dodging crowds at tourist attractions.
