Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Savannah

Chris O

Savannah, or at least its historic downtown, is very walkable. Wear comfy shoes when you hit the streets.

onemoreroad

The "real" Savannah can be found by strolling her 22 squares. Wander from Bay street to Forsyth Park and come back a different route.

ScoutandBoo

The highlight of Savannah is those beautiful squares, shaded with enormous live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. You can walk in the shade almost anywhere, and most of the squares have some kind of seating.

julesencore15

There are historic house museums and art galleries to visit during rainy weather (or anytime, really) plus the Savannah Visitor’s Center has the Savannah History Museum … Savannah's rain doesn’t last all day but tends to come and go. Don't let the rain keep you from enjoying the city.

onemoreroad

Stroll River Street for a few minutes and duck into one of the candy shops for a free praline sample. Don't spend all of your time on River Street because there's a lot more to Savannah than just River Street.

Chris O

Make dinner reservations, and don’t be surprised if popular breakfast and lunch spots have lines out the front.

Angela A

Make sure you leave time to simply wander the cobblestoned streets. The most popular areas are easily accessible on foot, and getting just a little lost is always a romantic adventure!

In the words of those who've been there before ...

lewbar

For us, it is beautiful, historic, eerie, romantic, sultry and truly southern because of its general atmosphere. A real walking city with great people, great seafood and excellent sweet tea.

h6p8gv

For me Savannah is a town that is littered in both history and ghosts; it is not known as America's most haunted city for nothing.

wings1980

A wonderful blend of the Old South and young art students.

MZVikkee

If you're looking for a laid back city with a little quirkiness thrown in, Savannah is the place.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

Savannah/Hilton Head Island International Airport is 10 miles from the city center. Rental cars, shuttles, and taxis are available on the lower level.

Train:

Amtrak’s Palmetto and Silver Service trains run between New York and Miami with three southbound and three northbound trains stopping at the station every day.

Do I need a visa?

If you’re visiting Savannah from overseas, use the State Department’s Visa Wizard to see if you need a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring: A great time to visit Savannah is from March to May when the magnificent azaleas and dogwoods are blooming and the city is alive with St. Patrick's Day celebrations and the Savannah Music Festival. High temperatures in this season are between 65°F and 79°F (18°C - 26°C). Spring does, however, bring crowds, high rates, and booked-out hotels. An alternative is to visit between September and November when it is much quieter and daily high temperatures go from 86°F (30°C) in September to 69°F (20°C) in November.

Walking

The Historic District is easy to explore by foot, though you should limit your exploration to the daytime.

Pedicab

If you tire of walking, you can page or call a pedicab. These usually cost $1 a minute for a ride.

Car

Driving is usually fairly easy in Savannah but note that finding parking around the Historic District can be challenging.

Bus

Chatham Area Transit operates buses around the city as well as the free dot Shuttle (Route #5) around the Historic District; the free Savannah Belles Ferry, and a free streetcar along River Street on weekends.

For more information about the network and fares, see here.

Ridesharing

Uber and Lyft are available in Savannah on your smartphone.