Savannah’s famous historic squares capture most visitors’ attention with their moss-draped oaks and antebellum architecture, but the city’s true character emerges in neighborhoods, waterfront areas, and cultural sites that locals treasure. These lesser-known destinations reveal layers of history, creativity, and Southern charm that extend well beyond the well-trodden tourist paths through downtown’s 24 squares.
The real Savannah exists in places where artists create, families gather, and communities preserve traditions rooted in generations of Georgia coastal life. Here’s a list of 15 must-see spots that showcase the authentic spirit of this historic city beyond its most famous attractions.
Bonaventure Cemetery
This sprawling Victorian cemetery overlooks the Wilmington River, where moss-draped oaks create cathedral-like spaces among elaborate monuments and family plots. The cemetery gained fame through the novel ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,’ though its beauty and history deserve recognition independent of literary connections.
Guided tours reveal stories of yellow fever epidemics, Civil War heroes, and prominent Savannah families whose legacies shaped the city’s development. The peaceful atmosphere and stunning river views make this an unexpectedly moving experience that showcases Southern funeral traditions and artistic memorialization.
Tybee Island
Just 20 minutes east of downtown Savannah, this barrier island offers three miles of beaches where locals escape city heat during summer months. The Tybee Island Light Station, built in 1736, provides panoramic views of the coastline after visitors climb 178 steps to the top.
Local seafood restaurants serve fresh shrimp and fish in casual atmospheres where sand-covered floors and plastic chairs create authentic coastal dining experiences. The island’s laid-back vibe contrasts sharply with Savannah’s formal historic district, revealing the relaxed coastal lifestyle that defines Georgia’s barrier islands.
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The Starland District
This revitalized neighborhood south of downtown has become Savannah’s creative hub, where artists, entrepreneurs, and young professionals are transforming former industrial buildings into studios, galleries, and innovative businesses. Local art galleries showcase work by regional artists, while coffee shops and restaurants create gathering spaces for the community’s creative energy.
The district’s monthly art walk brings together residents and visitors to explore studios, meet artists, and experience Savannah’s contemporary cultural scene. Vintage shops and design studios occupy restored buildings, creating an authentic alternative to downtown’s tourist-focused retail.
Wormsloe Historic Site
The tabby ruins of Georgia’s oldest standing structure create one of the South’s most photographed landscapes, where a mile-long avenue lined with live oaks leads to the remains of Noble Jones’ colonial estate. The visitor center explains the challenges faced by Georgia’s earliest colonists while exhibits showcase artifacts from archaeological excavations.
Walking trails wind through salt marsh and maritime forest ecosystems that have remained largely unchanged since colonial times. The site represents the intersection of human ambition and natural beauty that defines much of coastal Georgia’s appeal.
Savannah College of Art and Design Campus
SCAD has transformed numerous historic buildings throughout Savannah into art studios, galleries, and classrooms that blur the line between education and cultural attraction. The SCAD Museum of Art features rotating exhibitions of contemporary and classic works in a beautifully restored railroad depot.
Student-created public art throughout the city adds contemporary flair to historic streetscapes while demonstrating the school’s impact on Savannah’s cultural evolution. Campus tours reveal how the adaptive reuse of historic buildings can preserve architectural heritage while serving modern educational needs.
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East Bay Street
This waterfront avenue preserves the commercial architecture that made Savannah a major 19th-century port while offering unobstructed views of the Savannah River and shipping activity. Factor’s Walk, a network of iron bridges and stone ramps, connected the bluff-top commercial district to riverfront warehouses where cotton and other goods were loaded onto ships.
Today, the area houses restaurants, shops, and offices while maintaining its historic character through careful preservation efforts. River Street’s tourist crowds thin out along East Bay, creating opportunities for peaceful walks with excellent photo opportunities.
Pinpoint Heritage Museum
Located in the community where Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas grew up, this museum preserves the history of Gullah Geechee culture in a restored oyster and crab cannery. Interactive exhibits explain how African Americans created sustainable communities on Georgia’s coast while maintaining cultural connections to West Africa.
The museum’s location in a working waterfront community provides context for understanding how traditional livelihoods shaped coastal Georgia’s development. Demonstrations of traditional crafts and storytelling sessions bring Gullah Geechee culture to life through authentic presentations by community members.
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
This 175-acre nature preserve protects native Georgia habitats while providing educational opportunities to learn about coastal plain ecosystems and wildlife conservation. Walking trails wind through different habitat types, from salt marshes to maritime forests, where visitors can observe native animals in naturalistic settings.
The center’s focus on Georgia species creates opportunities to see animals like bobcats, alligators, and bald eagles that many visitors never encounter in the wild. Educational programs explain the ecological connections between barrier islands, salt marshes, and inland forests that support coastal Georgia’s biodiversity.
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Skidaway Island State Park
Six miles of hiking trails wind through maritime forest and along salt marsh boardwalks that showcase the natural beauty of Georgia’s coastal islands. The park’s interpretive center explains how Native Americans, Spanish missionaries, and British colonists used these islands while displays showcase artifacts from different historical periods.
Camping opportunities allow visitors to experience barrier island environments overnight while remaining close to Savannah’s urban amenities. The park represents the type of landscape that covered much of coastal Georgia before development altered the natural environment.
Historic Savannah Theatre
America’s oldest continuously operating theater has entertained audiences since 1818 in a building that survived fires, wars, and changing entertainment preferences. The current revue-style shows blend comedy, music, and Savannah history while maintaining the intimate atmosphere that makes live theater special.
The building’s architecture reflects multiple renovation periods while preserving the essential character that has made it a community gathering place for over two centuries. Local performers often get their start here before moving to larger markets, creating connections between past and present entertainment traditions.
The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens
The University of Georgia operates this 51-acre research facility that showcases plants suitable for Georgia’s coastal climate while conducting agricultural research that benefits the entire region. Themed gardens demonstrate different approaches to landscaping with native and adapted plants that thrive in coastal conditions.
The bamboo collection includes species from around the world, though the giant timber bamboo groves create the most dramatic visual impact. Educational programs explain sustainable gardening practices while connecting visitors to the agricultural heritage that sustained coastal communities for generations.
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Moon River Brewing Company
Housed in a restored 1821 warehouse, this brewery combines craft beer production with a paranormal reputation in one of Savannah’s most atmospheric buildings. The building served as a hotel, lumber warehouse, and office building before becoming a brewery that honors its history through architectural preservation and ghost tours.
Local ingredients appear in seasonal beer recipes, while the restaurant menu features elevated pub food that attracts both beer enthusiasts and history buffs. The rooftop terrace provides views of the Savannah River while creating a social atmosphere that brings together locals and visitors.
Isle of Hope
This residential community southeast of downtown preserves the atmosphere of a Southern coastal village where Spanish moss and antebellum homes create picturesque neighborhoods along the Intracoastal Waterway. The Wormsloe Plantation ruins anchor the community’s historical significance, while modern marinas and waterfront restaurants serve boaters exploring Georgia’s coastal waters.
Local seafood markets sell fresh shrimp and fish caught by area fishermen while maintaining traditions that connect contemporary life to maritime heritage. The community’s peaceful streets and waterfront views provide insight into how wealthy Savannahians have lived for generations.
Savannah Bee Company
This local business has grown from a single beekeeper’s passion into a company that produces honey, beauty products, and educational experiences that celebrate the importance of bees in agriculture and natural ecosystems. The flagship store offers honey tastings that reveal how location and flower sources influence flavor, while educational displays explain bee biology and hive management.
Products range from raw local honey to sophisticated beauty treatments that incorporate bee-derived ingredients. The company’s success demonstrates how traditional agricultural practices can evolve into modern businesses while maintaining connections to natural processes.
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Old Fort Jackson
This brick fortification, built in 1808, represents the oldest standing fort in Georgia and one of the few places where visitors can experience authentic cannon firings. The fort’s strategic location on the Savannah River allowed defenders to control access to the port during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
Interactive exhibits explain military engineering and daily life for soldiers stationed at remote coastal fortifications. The surrounding grounds provide excellent views of the Savannah River and container ships that continue making Savannah one of America’s busiest ports.
Coastal Character Endures
Savannah’s appeal extends far beyond its famous squares to encompass barrier islands, creative neighborhoods, and cultural institutions that preserve both natural beauty and human heritage in ways that feel authentic rather than manufactured for tourism. These destinations reveal how the city has evolved while maintaining its essential character, from Gullah Geechee communities that preserve African American coastal traditions to young artists who are creating Savannah’s next chapter.
The combination of historic preservation and contemporary creativity creates a dynamic cultural landscape where past and present coexist in ways that feel both comfortable and exciting. Visitors who venture beyond the squares discover a Savannah that locals have always known—a place where Southern charm emerges naturally from communities that value both tradition and innovation.
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