Things to Do in Savannah: Neighborhoods, Food, Museums, and Outdoor Activities
Sep 9, 2026 / Public Storage
Savannah, Georgia, is a city that combines historic charm, Spanish moss-draped oaks, and a lively arts and food scene. Its cobblestone streets, historic squares, and vibrant waterfront make it a destination that feels both timeless and inviting. From guided ghost tours and riverfront strolls to locally sourced cuisine and boutique shopping, Savannah offers an unforgettable Southern experience for every traveler. A trip here can be a journey through history, culture, and relaxation all at once.
With a population of around 150,000, Savannah is compact and walkable, yet full of character. Its location near Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport makes it easy to reach, while the city’s streets, trolleys, and bike paths provide charming and convenient ways to explore. Savannah’s warm climate and rich Southern culture give visitors a distinct sense of place, unlike anywhere else in the United States.
Plan your visit around the Historic District, River Street, Forsyth Park, Starland District, Victorian District, and Tybee Island to combine nearby attractions in one day.
Savannah Travel Essentials:
- Walk through Savannah’s historic squares, including Chippewa Square, Monterey Square, Columbia Square, and Lafayette Square.
- Visit Forsyth Park, River Street, City Market, and the Savannah Waterfront.
- Explore the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, SCAD Museum of Art, and Telfair Museums.
- Try Southern food, Lowcountry seafood, shrimp and grits, bakeries, coffee shops, and local restaurants.
- Visit Starland District, Victorian District, River Street, the Historic District, and Tybee Island.
- Take a walking tour, riverboat cruise, ghost tour, or guided coastal excursion.
- Use walking, biking, trolleys, rideshare, or a car based on your route.
Savannah Travel at a Glance:
What Are the Best Things to Do in Savannah?
The best things to do in Savannah include walking through the Historic District, visiting Forsyth Park, exploring River Street, touring historic homes, and trying Southern and Lowcountry food. Visitors can also take a ghost tour, visit art museums, attend local events, or plan a day trip to Tybee Island.
Plan each day by area. Combine the Historic District, Savannah squares, Forsyth Park, and City Market in one itinerary, then schedule River Street, Starland District, or Tybee Island for another day.
What Can You Do in Savannah’s Historic District?
Savannah’s Historic District offers public squares, historic homes, museums, restaurants, galleries, and walking tours. The district is compact and works well for a self-guided walk or a guided history tour.
Historic District attractions include:
- Chippewa Square: Historic square known for its appearance in Forrest Gump
- Monterey Square: Historic homes, monuments, and nearby museums
- Forsyth Park: Fountain, walking paths, gardens, and open green space
- Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters: Historic house museum and exhibits about Savannah history
- Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace: Girl Scouts founder’s childhood home and museum
- Telfair Museums: Art collections, historic sites, and contemporary exhibitions
- City Market: Restaurants, galleries, shops, and evening entertainment
What Museums and Cultural Attractions Are in Savannah?
Savannah museums and cultural attractions include SCAD Museum of Art, Telfair Museums, Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and Savannah History Museum. The city also offers theater, galleries, art walks, and seasonal cultural events.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Savannah?
Savannah outdoor activities include walking tours, riverfront strolls, biking, beach visits, kayaking, sightseeing cruises, and park exploration. Forsyth Park, the Savannah Waterfront, Bonaventure Cemetery, and Tybee Island provide common starting points.
Popular outdoor activities include:
- Walking through Savannah’s historic squares
- Visiting Forsyth Park and its fountain
- Exploring River Street and the Savannah Waterfront
- Taking a riverboat cruise
- Kayaking through nearby coastal marshes
- Visiting Tybee Island beaches and lighthouse areas
- Taking a walking or biking tour through the Historic District
- Visiting Bonaventure Cemetery for history, monuments, and tree-lined paths
Bring water, sun protection, and lightweight clothing during warm-weather visits. Check weather, tide conditions, tour schedules, and beach guidance before outdoor activities.
What Can You Do on Savannah’s Riverfront?
Savannah’s Riverfront offers shopping, restaurants, galleries, river views, and sightseeing opportunities. River Street is known for cobblestones, former warehouse buildings, local shops, and access to riverboat cruises.
Riverfront activities include:
- Walking along River Street
- Shopping at local boutiques and galleries
- Trying seafood, Southern food, and local desserts
- Taking a Savannah River sightseeing cruise
- Visiting nearby City Market for art, dining, and entertainment
- Watching cargo ships move along the Savannah River
- Listening to live music at selected restaurants and venues
What Food Is Savannah Known For?
Savannah is known for Southern food, Lowcountry seafood, shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, oysters, crab cakes, pecan pie, and local ice cream. The Historic District, River Street, Starland District, and nearby Tybee Island offer varied dining options.
Common Savannah food experiences include:
- Shrimp and grits
- Lowcountry boils
- Fried green tomatoes
- She-crab soup
- Fresh oysters and seafood
- Southern comfort food
- Local bakeries, coffee shops, and ice cream
- Restaurants and food stops in the Historic District, Starland District, and River Street
Plan meal stops around your route. Pair River Street sightseeing with waterfront dining, or combine a Starland District art visit with a local restaurant or brewery.
Which Savannah Neighborhoods Should Visitors Explore?
Savannah neighborhoods offer different options for history, food, art, shopping, nightlife, parks, and coastal access. The Historic District, Starland District, Victorian District, River Street, City Market, and Tybee Island are practical places to start.
Consider these areas:
- Historic District: Squares, museums, historic homes, restaurants, and walking tours
- River Street: Riverfront dining, shops, galleries, and sightseeing cruises
- Starland District: Art, breweries, cafés, restaurants, murals, and local businesses
- Victorian District: Historic homes, tree-lined streets, and neighborhood walks
- City Market: Restaurants, galleries, music, shopping, and evening entertainment
- Thomas Square: Local restaurants, cafés, historic streets, and Starland District access
- Tybee Island: Beach access, coastal food, lighthouse visits, and outdoor recreation
What Family Activities Can You Find in Savannah?
Savannah family activities include visiting Forsyth Park, exploring local museums, taking riverboat cruises, walking through the Historic District, and spending time at Tybee Island. Families can also visit seasonal markets, parks, gardens, and local events.
What Ghost Tours Can You Take in Savannah?
Savannah ghost tours cover local legends, historic sites, cemeteries, former inns, and neighborhood stories. Walking tours, trolley tours, and themed evening tours provide different ways to explore the city after dark.
Choose a tour based on its route, age guidance, duration, and storytelling approach. Ghost tours also provide historical context about Savannah’s streets, buildings, and past residents.
How Should You Get Around Savannah?
Use walking, biking, trolleys, rideshare, public transit, or a car to get around Savannah. The Historic District, River Street, City Market, Forsyth Park, and parts of Starland District are easy to explore on foot when you group nearby stops.
A car or rideshare can help with Tybee Island, Bonaventure Cemetery, coastal attractions, and destinations outside the Historic District. Check parking, tour schedules, and weather before traveling.
Plan Your Savannah Visit or Move.
Explore Savannah by combining historic squares, riverfront attractions, local food, museums, parks, and neighborhood stops into a clear daily route. Public Storage can help you put away permitted, clean, dry household items while you organize a move or settle into a Savannah home.
Start in the squares. Stay for the river.
Savannah Travel FAQs
What Are the Best Things to Do in Savannah?
Popular Savannah activities include exploring the Historic District, visiting Forsyth Park, walking River Street, touring museums, taking a ghost tour, and trying Southern food. Visitors can also take a riverboat cruise or plan a day trip to Tybee Island.
What Food Is Savannah Known For?
Savannah is known for shrimp and grits, Lowcountry boils, fried green tomatoes, seafood, oysters, she-crab soup, pecan pie, and Southern comfort food. River Street, the Historic District, Starland District, and Tybee Island offer varied dining options.
What Neighborhoods Should First-Time Visitors Explore in Savannah?
First-time visitors can explore the Historic District, River Street, City Market, Starland District, Victorian District, Thomas Square, and Tybee Island. These areas offer museums, food, art, shopping, historic architecture, beaches, and entertainment.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Savannah?
Savannah offers walking tours, riverfront strolls, biking, riverboat cruises, kayaking, park visits, and beach activities. Forsyth Park, River Street, Bonaventure Cemetery, and Tybee Island provide common outdoor options.
Do You Need a Car to Visit Savannah?
You can walk, bike, take trolleys, or use rideshare services for many Historic District and riverfront destinations. A car or rideshare is useful for Tybee Island, coastal activities, and locations outside central Savannah.
