10 Notes On Visiting Savannah, Georgia

I’ve been through Savannah several times, but never on an extended trip. In May, I got to visit for a few days and really see the city. Here are a few notes.

1. The City Really Is That Charming & Walkable

The city is hilariously scenic. It really is as peaceful and walkable as the travel guides make it out to be. It’s a rare city that is nice just to be in – even without an itinerary.

2. The Churches Are Beautiful

Savannah has some truly lovely churches. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, for instance, is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture that’s as breathtaking inside as it is from the outside.

3. The Cemeteries Are Lovely To Explore

Cemeteries in Savannah aren’t just resting places; they’re gateways to the past. Bonaventure Cemetery, with its hauntingly beautiful statuary and tombstones, is more akin to a garden than a graveyard.

It’s a peaceful place for walking around, and the historical tours available offer a deep dive into Savannah’s storied inhabitants – like Mr Edwin Bacon –

4. Lots of Kid-Friendly Museums & Shops

Savannah is a great place to vacation as a family. The Georgia State Railroad Museum has fun historic trains, while the Savannah Children’s Museum punches way above its size for fun and interesting exhibits. The same goes for Savannah’s history museum. It’s much more well-done than other museums in a city Savannah’s size.

There’s also an old Civil War era fort that is fun to explore.

5. The River View Is Really Fun (especially coming from Atlanta)

Trading Atlanta’s river of downtown Interstate for the slow-flowing Savannah River is a breath of fresh air. River Street, with its odl eateries and shops, is the perfect vantage point to watch massive container ships glide by.

6. Tybee Beach Is Super Close – with a View of Freight Ships

Just a short drive from downtown, Tybee Island offers sandy beaches and a laid-back old-school beach town vibe. It’s a delightful detour for visiting the beach, with the added bonus of watching freight ships navigate the Savannah River.

7. Window Shopping Is Interesting & Unique for a City Savannah’s Size

I’m not usually a shopping type of person, but Savannah does have a surprisingly interesting main street with unique shops with everything from handcrafted jewelry to honey and yaupon tea.

8. There Are Several State Parks Nearby (Wormsloe, Skidaway, etc)

Savannah is surrounded by natural beauty with marshes and rivers, with state parks like Wormsloe Historic Site and Skidaway Island State Park a stone’s throw away.

10. The Food Scene Is Eclectic & Delicious

From Southern comfort food to fresh seafood, Savannah’s food scene doesn’t get all the press that Charleston gets, but it’s so much more accessible.

The city is absolutely worth a visit.