The American South has its share of charming cities, but Savannah holds court as the belle of them all, with Spanish moss draping ancient oaks like nature’s own curtains. Founded in 1733, this coastal Georgia port combines historic preservation with contemporary culture so seamlessly that time seems fluid here rather than linear.
The grid of 24 park-like squares creates an urban layout that planners worldwide still study, while ghost stories flow as freely as sweet tea in the summer heat. Here’s a list of 20 experiences that capture Savannah’s unique blend of haunted history, creative energy, and Southern hospitality.
Forsyth Park Fountain
This cast-iron masterpiece channels Parisian elegance with its triton statuary and cascading water features that have welcomed six generations of locals. Weekends transform the surrounding 30 acres into an outdoor living room where frisbee games share space with wedding photographers.
The fountain appears in more local postcards than any other landmark, despite being a relatively recent 1858 addition.
River Street Cobblestones
Walking these original ship’s ballast stones feels like massaging your feet while discovering history. Cotton merchants once traded goods here directly from ships, creating wealth that built the city’s stunning homes.
Today, riverside restaurants and nightlife thrive in converted cotton warehouses, where local musicians keep rocking past midnight.
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Bonaventure Cemetery
Popularized by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, this Victorian burial ground predates the city itself. Live oaks create natural cathedral spaces, while Confederate soldiers rest beside sea captains and society ladies.
Johnny Mercer’s gravestone receives the most visitors, though thousands of interesting lives are commemorated in lesser-known plots.
Historic District Ghost Tours
Professional storytellers blend documented history with unexplained phenomena in America’s most haunted city. The Pink House restaurant maintains its reputation for flickering lights and moving furniture even when closed.
Tour guides avoid embellishing since real ghost stories outnumber invented ones.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Second only to New York City in America, Savannah’s Irish celebration turns fountains green and fills squares with 500,000 visitors. Multiple parades stretch across three days with formal and informal marching groups.
Pinch-protection green attire sells out months in advance, while hotels are booked two years ahead.
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SCAD Museum of Art
Contemporary art finds surprising harmony within historic Savannah College of Art and Design spaces. Rotating exhibitions showcase works by Andy Warhol alongside emerging artists from the university’s acclaimed programs.
The gift shop carries affordable student designs that make perfect souvenirs.
Wormsloe Historic Site
Oak trees form a tunnel leading to the tabby ruins of Georgia colony founder Noble Jones’ residence. Nature trails through the maritime forest reveal why early settlers chose this defensive location.
Costumed guides demonstrate colonial life skills, including musket firing, during weekend programs.
City Market Art Galleries
Four restored blocks house working artist studios where visitors watch creation processes firsthand. Local painters capture Savannah’s architecture with surprising interpretations beyond typical tourist art.
Live music fills the courtyards each evening while metalworkers demonstrate centuries-old techniques.
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Mercer Williams House
This Italian Renaissance mansion stands frozen in time from Johnny Mercer’s childhood visits through more controversial modern history. Docents share architectural details and family stories while carefully avoiding sensationalized crime tales.
The carriage house museum displays period furnishings and decorative arts.
Tybee Island Day Trip
A 30-minute drive brings you to Georgia’s most popular coastal retreat, where you can beachcomb, climb lighthouses, and watch dolphins. The pier attracts serious fishermen and casual strollers who spot sea turtles during the proper seasons.
Fort Pulaski’s moat and museum highlight Civil War engineering innovations.
Paula Deen’s Lady & Sons
Southern comfort food reaches legendary status with fried chicken, collard greens, and butter-laden recipes that attracted Food Network fame. The lunch buffet serves traditional dishes with portion sizes that explain Southern hospitality through calories. Arrive early or expect extended wait times.
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Juliette Gordon Low House
Girl Scouts worldwide make pilgrimages to their movement’s birthplace, where the first meeting happened in 1912. Original furnishings and family artifacts reveal the surprisingly progressive thinking behind this youth organization.
Interactive exhibits engage modern scouts while honoring Daisy Low’s legacy.
Factor’s Walk Overlook
Iron staircases connect River Street to Bay Street across historic warehouse rooftops. Merchants once oversaw cotton loading operations from these platforms while maintaining offices in the buildings below.
Sunset photography captures ship silhouettes against industrial architecture dating to the 1850s.
Savannah Bee Company Rooftop Garden
Local honey varieties are tasted while honeybees work among native flowers to create the product. The educational rooftop explains the importance of pollinators and sustainable beekeeping practices.
Mead sampling introduces an ancient beverage that is enjoying a comeback through craft brewing trends.
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Squares Tour by Bicycle
Twenty-four green spaces each tell different stories through monuments, fountains, and the surrounding architecture. Bike-friendly streets allow covering more ground than walking tours while avoiding parking headaches.
Each square’s unique character reflects different phases of city development.
Old Fort Jackson
The oldest standing fort in Georgia fires daily cannon demonstrations while interpreting maritime defense history. River views explain strategic placement for protecting Savannah from naval attacks.
The moat actually fills with tidal waters, making this an authentic working fortification.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
Model ships and nautical antiques fill a classical mansion showcasing Savannah’s maritime heritage. Garden rooms display ship figureheads while maritime art depicts harbor life across centuries.
The gift shop specializes in nautical books and navigation instruments.
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Savannah Rapids Park
Outside city limits, this park preserves old Augusta Canal remnants while providing modern recreation spaces. Kayaking opportunities navigate blackwater channels through cypress trees.
The visitor center interprets the canal’s role in southern industrial development.
Cotton District Food Scene
Historic warehous spaces now house James Beard-recognized restaurants pioneering new Southern cuisine. Chefs combine traditional ingredients with modern techniques while honoring local sourcing.
Reservations become essential as food tourism grows alongside the craft cocktail renaissance.
Midnight Sun Theatre
Evening ghost stories blend with dramatic performances in historic venues, where the line between reality and performance blurs intentionally. Local actors specialize in period-specific presentations, ranging from Civil War tales to prohibition-era mysteries.
Audience participation sometimes reveals genuine paranormal experiences.
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Living History Preserved
These 20 experiences demonstrate how Savannah thrives by maintaining its past while embracing contemporary culture. The city refuses to become a museum, choosing instead to remain a living destination where history happens daily.
Business continues in buildings older than the nation, while newcomers add fresh chapters to ongoing stories. Savannah’s secret lies not in resisting change but in integrating it thoughtfully, creating spaces where ghosts walk alongside college students and antebellum mansions house cutting-edge art installations.
Whether you spend days wandering squares or weeks exploring coastal islands, this Southern city reminds visitors that preservation and progress need not oppose each other.
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