Immerse yourself in the history of the Deep South in the city of Savannah, Georgia. Known for its striking architecture, historic cemeteries, and public squares, the city offers things to do for visitors all ages. Enjoy activities ranging from tours and culinary delights to museums and wildlife. Th majority of Savannah vacation rentals are situated in historic locations nearby the best attractions. Check out the top 15 things to do in the charming city of Savannah.
1. Ride a Trolley
See the city’s best attractions from a historic trolley with Old Savannah Tours. Choose from several different tour options to whisk you around the city. Take the Historic Overview tour for a 90-minute trip, or opt for the on/off tour, which lets you get on and off at certain stops.
2. Take a Ghost Tour
Its long history makes Savannah a prime location for ghost tours at nighttime. Ghosts and Graveyards takes passengers throughout the historic district to see haunted landmarks on the Trolley of the Doomed. Enjoy spooky stories about the haunted side of the city while you ride along. Ghost City Tours takes guests on walking tours of haunted locations while weaving in history of the city. If you’re feeling daring, ride in a hearse with the Hearse Ghost Tours company.
3. Visit with an Artist
The City Market area of historic Savannah boasts several shops, including art galleries. You can often chat with artists in the shops while you choose your next piece of artwork. Look for owner and artist Chuck Hamilton at A.T. Hun Art Gallery if you prefer edgy, non-traditional art. He and other artists frequently pop up in the store. Chuck is known for his comedy, piano-playing skills, and approachable personality, making the stop even more fun.
4. Stop by a Historic Site
Feel like you’re traveling back in time at the Wormsloe Historic Site. Spanish moss drips off the live oak trees that line the road leading to this colonial estate, making it a popular place to stop for photos. Take a guided tour of the plantation grounds, which feature burial sites, monuments, and tabby ruins. Be sure to check out the on-site museum and theater. Catch a reenactment to feel completely immersed in history.
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5. Explore Art
Home of the Savannah College of Art and Design, the city is no stranger to art. Three buildings making up the Telfair Museums are a good place to start. The Telfair Academy houses 19th- and 20th-century artwork from America and Europe inside a renovated mansion. If you prefer contemporary art, stop by the Jepson Center, which includes an interactive family gallery called ArtZeum. Visit the Owens-Thomas House, another home-turned-museum that is part of the Telfair Museum group; the home’s English Regency architecture makes it a stunning site. Inside, explore the decorative arts collection on display.
6. Tour Cemeteries on Segways
Savannah is full of historic cemeteries worthy of a visit. Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the most popular options, with several photographers, songwriters, poets, and other famous people buried there. Beautiful sculptures and historic headstones make the cemetery interesting to explore. Segway of Savannah takes you on a tour of the cemetery on Segways, for an unusual twist. Tours also visit other cemeteries and historical sites, so get used to those wheels.
7. Learn More About the Girl Scouts
Visit the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace to learn more about the woman who founded the Girl Scouts. Decorated in 1886 period style, this home is a National Historic Landmark and is open for tours. In addition to the period furnishings, things owned by Low are available for viewing, and the site encourages you to delve into more information about her.
8. Sample the Culinary Scene
Savannah overflows with delicious food served at well-known restaurants. Get an overview of the options on a Savannah Taste Experience tour, and sample food at several restaurants during a walking tour that mixes in the city’s rich history. If you prefer to strike out on your own, The Olde Pink House, The Wilkes House, Alligator Soul, Elizabeth on 37th, and Back in the Day Bakery are popular options.
9. Discover Sea Creatures
Make a stop on Skidaway Island to explore the University of Georgia Aquarium, a small facility with an educational focus. The aquatic animals on display in the museum are native to Georgia’s coast. Adults and kids alike delight in the opportunity to make contact with some of the animals in the aquarium’s touch tanks. Be sure to check out fossils of extinct animals from the area.
10. Visit a Historic Fort
Tour a historic military site with a stop at Old Fort Jackson, one of the oldest remaining brick fortifications along the East Coast. Find the fort along the Savannah riverfront to take in an immersive history experience with tours, daily cannon firing, and interactive programs.
11. Check Out a Wildlife Center
Oatland Island Wildlife Center houses about 50 different animal species in natural habitats. Walk along the nature trail that travels through forest areas and marshlands to see the animals. Some of the animals on display include alligators, cougars, birds, and farm animals.
12. Discover Maritime History Secrets
Delight the ship lovers in your group with a stop at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. Located inside a historic Savannah home, this museum displays model ships, paintings, and artifacts related to 18th- and 19th-century ships throughout nine galleries.
13. Play Around Trains
Head to Tricentennial Park for several things to do, including visiting the Georgia State Railroad Museum. The museum features a fully operational turntable, historic train cars, and other train artifacts. Hop on the handcart, and pump it to make yourself move down the track. Take a tour of the area on a train pulled by a steam or diesel locomotive. Even people who aren’t obsessed with trains enjoy the interactive displays and activities.
14. Hop on a Boat
Board the Georgia Queen or Savannah River Queen to enjoy an excursion through Savannah Riverboat Cruises. The paddlewheel riverboats sit along the historic riverfront bordering River Street when they’re not touring the local waterways. Choose a lunch, dinner, sunset, harbor, or seasonal cruise to see Savannah from a different perspective.
15. Sample Sweet Treats
Savannah delights the taste buds with many sweet treat options. Stop by Savannah’s Candy Kitchen on River Street or in City Market for a sample of their famous pralines. Leopold’s Ice Cream serves up a Savannah tradition with each scoop of its homemade ice cream. Founded in 1919, the shop features original decor and movie memorabilia for an old-time soda fountain feel.
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