Don’t leave town without checking off these must-see attractions.
SAVANNAH’S SQUARES
Savannah’s squares – small parks with verdant year-round greenery, stately sculptures and plenty of room to relax for a picnic – are one of the city’s most iconic features. Wear a pair of comfortable shoes and see all 22! Chippewa Square, which features a bronze statue of Savannah founder General James Edward Oglethorpe, was also featured in the film “Forrest Gump” during the beloved film’s bus stop scenes. Although Forrest’s bench is no longer on the square, visitors can find it at the Savannah History Museum.
FORSYTH PARK
A 30-acre green space in the heart of town, Forsyth Park is home to one of Savannah’s most photographed sights: the Forsyth Fountain, erected in 1858. Forsyth also features basketball and tennis courts, two playgrounds, a half-shell amphitheater and a bustling Saturday farmers market. With plenty of space to play and unwind, it’s a great place to bring kids, pups or a picnic.
WORMSLOE STATE HISTORIC SITE
Drive down a corridor of live oaks to find the tabby ruins of the plantation home of Noble Wimberly Jones, a key figure in Savannah’s founding. Since the mid-1730s, Wormsloe has been a military outpost, plantation, country home and farm. Now, visitors enjoy exploring the maritime forest via winding nature trails, learning more about Savannah’s history in the museum and seeing the tabby ruins of the original mansion.
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
An architectural gem, this cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the state of Georgia. Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour and admire the soaring steeples, gilded arches, luminous stained glass, ornate murals and Italian marble.
JONES STREET
Lined with towering trees, Greek Revival homes and 19th century architecture, Jones Street makes for a picturesque stroll and has been called “the prettiest street in America.” In addition to homes, the street also features shopping in the Downtown Design District and dining, including the world-famous Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room, a family-style Southern fare destination for more than 75 years.
BONAVENTURE CEMETERY
The final resting place of many noteworthy Savannahians, including songwriter Johnny Mercer and poet Conrad Aiken, Bonaventure Cemetery is full of stories. Stroll among stunning monuments and take in Bonaventure’s natural beauty. Come springtime, it’s a perfect place to enjoy Savannah’s azaleas and the Wilmington River, which flows just beyond the gravestones. For an in-depth exploration, take a tour with Bonaventure Dash Tours, Bonaventure Cemetery Journeys or Bonaventure Cemetery Tours.
TELFAIR ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
The oldest public art museum in the South, Telfair Academy features a celebrated collection of fine and decorative art, displayed within the stunning 1818 architectural masterpiece designed by William Jay and Detlef Lienau.
RIVER STREET
Beautiful views of the Savannah River await on Savannah’s most famous cobblestone street. Grab a freshly made praline in one of the candy shops or brunch at Huey’s Restaurant before wandering the boutiques.
CITY MARKET
This four-block pedestrian-only market is home to restaurants, shops, live music and a large collection of art for sale, from Savannah landscapes and sweet- grass baskets to stunning pottery and unique glasswork. You may even get to see some of the artists in action.
Getting Here
AIR: Eight airlines serve the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport with around 60 daily nonstop departures and several additional seasonal nonstop flights (see map to the right). Savannah is a 40-minute flight to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
RAIL: Amtrak’s Silver Service/ Palmetto trains offer daily service between Savannah and New York; Washington D.C.; Charleston, South Carolina; and Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami and Orlando, Florida.
INTERSTATES: I-95 runs north/ south and I-16 runs east/west. Getting Around Town
Getting Around Town
WALKING: America’s first planned city, Savannah was designed by Gen. James Oglethorpe with 24 tree-lined squares meant to serve as public gathering spaces. Today, 22 squares remain, still used as gathering spaces, as well as the perfect respites and walking areas. Be sure to observe crosswalks.
DRIVING: Traffic around the squares flows counterclockwise and always has the right-of-way; all other traffic should yield. Be watchful of one-way streets. Also, keep your cell phone tucked away – Georgia is a “hands-free” state.
PARKING: There are more than 3,000 metered spaces in downtown Savannah; five public garages (Bryan, Liberty, State, Whitaker streets, and the Robinson Parking Garage on Montgomery Street) for paid parking; three parking lots on River Street; and parking lots at the Savannah Civic Center and the Official Savannah Visitor Information Center. The ParkSavannah app, available free from the App Store, Google Play or parksav.net, lets you pay for parking with your smart- phone. The app warns you when you are running low on meter time and allows you to extend your payment if your visit runs longer than expected. A Visitor DAYPASS is available for $24 for two days or $15 for one day and can be purchased with cash at the Visitor Center, 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; and at Parking Services, 100 E. Bryan St. Be sure to bring your license plate number. For RV parking, please see our members listed under Places to Stay.
BIKING: With its flat terrain and multiple bike lanes, Savannah has been named a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Rent a bike from Sekka Bicycles on Broughton Street and explore downtown in style.
BUS: The DOT provides free, convenient passenger service from the Chatham Area Transit Center to the Savannah Visitor Center and many downtown hotels, historic sites and restau- rants. The express shuttle serves 24 stops, every 10 minutes or less; and the Chatham Area Transit (CAT) offers bus routes throughout Savannah and Chatham County. Fare for local one-way service is $1.50, and discounted weekly and monthly passes are available.
FERRY: The free Savannah Belles Ferry connects River Street with Hutchinson Island, site of the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa, and the Savannah Convention Center. Check connectonthedot.com for route schedule information.
OTHER TRANSPORTATION: Various taxis, Lyft (lyft.com), Uber (uber.com), horse-drawn carriages, trolley tours and pedicabs are available.
More things to do in Savannah
