Visiting Savannah for the first time? You’re in store for a treat! This enchanting Southern city holds something for everyone, from families to couples. We’re taking the guess work out of planning a first-time visit. Browse our suggestions and book your Savannah vacation rental for the ultimate Georgia getaway. We’ve got everything you need to know during your visit, including top sites to see.
The first thing you should know is that Savannah is a walking city. Bring comfortable shoes and prepare to enjoy life in the slow lane, well, sidewalk…just like any good, Southern city.
Take your time exploring the Historic Landmark District. Covering 2.2 miles, it is one of the largest in the country. You’ll discover Forsyth Park. You can’t miss it, it’s huge and you’ll recognize its landmark fountain. It also includes pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, two playgrounds, a garden, visitor information center, and is home to a Saturday morning Farmer’s Market.
Next, take one of the Old Town Trolley Tours. Get tickets at the Visitor’s Center on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Liberty Street. There are more than a dozen stops where you can hop off to explore, then catch the next trolley to continue your tour.
Shop City Market, a destination for entertainment, dining, art and boutiques and shops.
You’ll also find a multitude of bars, Savannah restaurants and stores as you stroll River Street, a district made up of 100-year-old buildings that once served as cotton warehouses.
Once you’ve explored the streets by foot and trolley, hop aboard a riverboat and experience Savannah from a whole different point of view. The Georgia Queen offers a unique glimpse of Savannah life on the water.
Another well-recognized site is Bonaventure Cemetery at 330 Bonaventure Road in Thunderbolt (three miles from downtown Savannah). Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, Bonaventure is filled with live oak trees, beautiful azaleas and camellias with the Wilmington River providing a picturesque backdrop. Take a free tour given by the Bonaventure Historical Society the second weekend of each month. On the second Saturday, tours begin at 2 p.m. On the second Sunday, tours begin at 2, 2:30 and 3 p.m.
After you’ve seen and done it all, leave the city and treat yourself to a bonus Georgia excursion. Take a 20-minute drive east of Savannah to Tybee Island, where you can kick back and enjoy five miles of public beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. The small beach town welcomes thousands of families to its shores each year and offers its own type of charm.
Reserve your Savannah vacation rental today….and start planning your first trip to this historic city!