Savannah

A charming historic city featuring moss-draped oak trees, squares with fountains, historic homes, and cobblestone streets along the Savannah River. It offers a quintessential Southern atmosphere with excellent restaurants and galleries.

Things to do

• Forsyth Park — Stroll through Savannah's most iconic park featuring the famous fountain, live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and surrounding historic squares.
• Bonaventure Cemetery — Explore this hauntingly beautiful Victorian cemetery with moss-covered oaks, azaleas, and graves dating back to the 1800s along the Wilmington River.
• River Street — Walk the cobblestone streets along the Savannah River lined with antique shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars in restored 18th and 19th-century warehouses.
• Historic District Squares — Discover Savannah's 22 historic squares including Chippewa Square, Madison Square, and Monterey Square, each with unique monuments, fountains, and Spanish moss-draped oaks.
• Mercer Williams House Museum — Tour this 1860 Italian Renaissance mansion famous from 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' with period furnishings and fascinating local history.
• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist — View this stunning Gothic Revival cathedral built in 1876 featuring ornate stained glass windows and soaring architectural details on East Harris Street.

Food to try

• Shrimp and Grits — A signature Lowcountry dish featuring creamy cheese grits topped with plump local shrimp in a savory butter sauce, often with bacon and scallions.
• She-Crab Soup — A rich cream-based soup made with female crab roe that gives it a distinctive orange hue and briny, luxurious flavor unique to the Lowcountry.
• Fried Green Tomatoes — Crispy cornmeal-breaded green tomato slices served as an appetizer or side, often with a tangy remoulade sauce reflecting Southern tradition.
• Oysters Rockefeller — Fresh Gulf oysters topped with spinach, herbs, and butter then broiled until golden, a classic preparation found throughout Savannah's seafood restaurants.
• Lowcountry Boil — A one-pot feast of shrimp, corn, sausage, and potatoes boiled together with Old Bay seasoning, traditionally served family-style at casual restaurants.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Historic Preservation — Savannah takes its architectural heritage seriously; visitors should appreciate the city's commitment to preserving its 18th and 19th-century character and avoid treating historic homes merely as photo backdrops.
• Spanish Moss Etiquette — While the draped oak trees are iconic, avoid picking or removing Spanish moss as locals consider it part of the natural landscape and ecosystem.
• Southern Hospitality Pace — Embrace a slower pace of life and expect friendly conversations with strangers; locals appreciate genuine interest in the city's stories and history over rushed tourism.
• Evening Squares Tradition — Join locals in exploring the squares during late afternoon and evening when the Spanish moss glows beautifully in golden light and the city takes on a romantic, atmospheric quality.