Savannah is one of the few southern places that is truly southern. It's a pedestrian-friendly favorite for the whole family that's a bit less expensive than Charleston and a little more sedate than New Orleans.
When most visitors think of Savannah, the first picture that comes to mind is of cobblestone alleys bordered with moss-covered trees, and for the most part, this is not far from reality. However, Savannah is so much more than this. Take a look at some of our favorite sights and sounds in this city, and you'll understand why we return year after year.
Let's have a look at some of the finest things to do in Savannah:
1. Park Forsyth
Savannah's historic area is lovely on its own, but Forsyth Park certainly adds to the appeal.
It's a lovely, lush, green environment that's popular with visitors and residents alike, with 30 acres of trees, flowers, and other greenery.
Additionally, there is often always something going on here, from open-air concerts to a weekly farmer's market.
Additionally, Forsyth Park is home to one of the most photographed locations in all of Savannah – the massive, beautiful fountain is completely Instagrammable.
You will not want to miss this opportunity.
2. Trolley Tours of Old Savannah
On this hop-on, hop-off trolley tour, discover the most well-known sites in Savannah's historic area. This is an excellent choice if you're only in town for a few days and want to pack as much sightseeing into an afternoon as possible.
The trolley traverses 22 squares and highlights many of Savannah's most notable sites, including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Temple Mickve Israel, Sorrel Weed House, Juliette Gordon Low House, Forsythe Park Mansion, Mulberry Inn, and Pirates House.
There are 15 stations, and you may jump off the trolley anytime you wish to go exploring, knowing that another one will be right there to pick you up very immediately since they run every 15 to 20 minutes.
3. City Market
Easily accessible from all of Savannah's attractions, the City Market is four blocks of open-air shopping, surrounded by renovated warehouses filled with adorable additional shopping, eating, and art.
There are also many open-air concerts in the plaza, and it's a wonderful place to relax and people-watch.
Bear in mind, however, that the market has a few bars, and as a result, the nighttime crowd may get a bit rowdy.
If you're coming with children, plan to arrive early in the morning or early in the afternoon.
4. Owens-Thomas Mansion
If you're an architectural buff, you're probably already familiar with this Savannah institution, but even if you're not if you're a fan of luxury living and history, you may want to pay a visit to the Owens-Thomas House.
The home, constructed in 1819, is a classic example of English Regency architecture. It is big enough to occupy a full block. The house, designed by an English architect, was constructed by a Bermuda businessman and subsequently acquired by a congressman. It is now designated as a National Historic Landmark. The house's hours are a bit unusual, so you may want to double-check them before you visit.
Additionally, the carriage house, parterre garden, and one of the oldest surviving urban slave quarters are located on the house's block.
5. Telfair Art Museum
The Telfair Museum, the South's oldest art museum, is located in a classical Regency palace built by an English architect and bought by the Georgia governor's son. The house was built in 1819 and remained in the Telfair family until 1875 when the home and all of its furnishings were donated to the Georgia Historical Society by the last living Telfair family member.
Eight years later, the building was expanded to include a sculpture gallery and rotunda. The grand opening was a spectacular event that drew celebrities such as Jefferson Davis. When you come now, you'll witness meticulously restored interior spaces, works by German Impressionists and American French artists, as well as period furniture, silver, and other things.
Additionally, the museum contains the world's biggest public collection of Kahlil Gibran paintings, numbering over 80! The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist dubbed the most magnificent structure in all of Savannah, is guaranteed to make your mouth drop. Whether you're attending a religious service or taking a guided or self-directed tour, the towering spires and stained glass steal your breath away.
These excursions are offered Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 to 5 p.m. for a very reasonable fee of $2. The cathedral was constructed on its current site in 1876, but most of what was there was destroyed by a catastrophic fire in 1898. The cathedral was constructed in less than two years and today stands as a symbol of Savannah's religious heritage.
It bills itself as one of the top ten historic sites in the United States, and it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
6. Savannah's Historic Theatre
The Historic Savannah Theatre, the country's oldest continuously running theatre, opened in December 1818 with a comedy. Now, Chippewa Square, on which it is located, has become a significant element of Savannah's nightlife and entertainment, owing largely to the theatre.
While the theatre continues to provide weekly performances, it also offers something more for cinephiles. Outside, a benchmarks the location of many scenes from the film Forrest Gump. As you can guess, this is a very popular picture location today.
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