Davenport House
The characteristic pink homestead at the heart of Savannah's
historic district was the first of the city's architectural
treasures to be saved for posterity. Visitors to the house can tour
the building both day and night, and partake in high tea at Mrs
Davenport's. The house was built between 1815 and 1820 by Isaiah
Davenport, a master builder. It features a semi-circular staircase
with wrought-iron trim leading up to the recessed front door.
Inside the polished hardwood floors gleam and the mansion is
furnished befitting the period with Hepplewhite, Chippendale, and
Sheraton pieces.
Address:
324 East State Street
Davenport House
Cybersquire79
Savannah History Museum
The Savannah History Museum gives an excellent introduction to
the city, its exhibits reflecting the city's history from its
founding to the present day. The museum is housed in a restored
railway station that dates from before the Civil War and is one of
Georgia's 43 National Historic Landmarks. Visitors can enjoy an
exhibit on Girl Scout founder Juliet Lowe, as well as sit on the
bench used for the filming of 'Forest Gump'. Just across the street
in the Battlefield Memorial Park, a memorial to the second
bloodiest battle of the American Revolution.
Address:
303 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Savannah History Museum
Jud McCranie
Telfair Museum of Art
The Telfair Museum of Art is the oldest public art
museum in the South, fittingly housed in an important historic
building, the Owens-Thomas House. The house, overlooking Oglethorpe
Square, was designed by William Jay, a young English architect, who
introduced the British Regency style to America. The art museum's
permanent collection includes paintings, works on paper, sculpture,
and decorative arts by both American and European artists. The
museum encompasses the art gallery, restored rooms in the historic
house, and the Jepson Center for the Arts. Guided tours are offered
daily, included in the admission price.
Address:
207 W York Street.
Telfair Academy
Jud McCranie
Fort Jackson
A short distance to the east of central Savannah stands
Georgia's oldest standing fort, surrounded by a deep tidal moat.
The fort was preceded by a mud battery, the brick fort having been
built in 1808. It was the headquarters for the Confederate river
defences during the Civil War, when it was enlarged and
strengthened. The fort today contains numerous exhibits about the
war. Live historical re-enactments and cannon firings are staged
daily in spring and summer. The fort also offers picturesque views
of Savannah's skyline, and the grounds are a good place for a walk
on a pleasant day.
Address:
1 Fort Jackson Road
Fort Jackson
MArcin K.
Savannah enjoys a humid subtropical climate that makes outdoor
activities possible year-round. Summers (June to August) are hot,
though the heat is often moderated by thundershowers, with August
usually receiving the most rainfall. Average temperatures in summer
hover between 70°F (21°C) and 92°F (33°C). Winters (December to
February) are short and fairly mild, with temperatures averaging
between 38°F (3°C) and 64°F (18°C), and snow is rare. Savannah is
at risk for hurricanes, though less than most other cities on the
Atlantic coast. To avoid the extreme heat and muggy, rainy weather,
try visiting in September or October when the days are balmy and
not stiflingly humid.
Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport
Location: The airport is located 11 miles (18km) northwest of the
central business district of Savannah.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday
in November).
Getting to the city:
Both Chatham Area Transit and Coastal Regional Coaches operate
daily from the airport to many locations in the Savannah area.
Taxis are available, as well as Uber and Lyft.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies operating from the airport include Avis,
Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available from the airport. Meter rates are regulated
and charged at $2.50 for the first sixth of a mile (1.6km), and
$2.28 per mile thereafter. A surcharge of $1 to $2 may be levied on
airport fares, and there may be extra fees for additional
passengers. An approximate fare to the Savannah Historic District
is $28.
Facilities:
Airport facilities include an information centre, USO facility
and military reception centre, ATMs, luggage carts, gift shops, and
restaurants.
Parking
Hourly and Long-term parking is located in the garage opposite
the terminal, and costs $1 per hour, $12 per day and $60 per week.
Economy parking, located farther from the terminal, has a daily
rate of $8 and a weekly rate of $40. The SAV value park, which is
slightly farther from the terminal than the Economy Lot, costs only
$5 per day and $35 per week.
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Savannah's Historic District is best explored on foot but the
DOT (Downtown Transportation) is a free shuttle that loops through
that specific area. But visitors should note that paths and steps
down to the waterfront can be steep. There are countless walking
and biking tours on offer. Savannah's CAT (Chatham Area Transit)
provides a convenient shuttle service connects shops, hotels,
attractions, and other bus routes. CAT also provides a fixed route
bus service throughout the city and surrounding county. Old Town
Trolley tours allow for self-paced sightseeing on and off the
orange trolly buses. The free Belles Ferry connects downtown to
Hutchinson Island at regular intervals. The city has numerous car
hire and taxi companies. Cycling is also a popular means of taking
in the city.
Savannah is the oldest city in the state of Georgia
and a favourite among visitors to the old South. Known for its
eccentricities and its old-world style, this coastal city promises
hundreds of hours of entertainment and culture.
Established in 1733, Savannah is rich in history. For
those with a keen interest in the history of the city and one of
the largest National Historic Landmark districts in the US, there
are many wonderful museums and galleries.
The Savannah History Museum gives visitors an
excellent introduction to the city of Savannah, while Fort Jackson,
Georgia's oldest standing fort, offers historical demonstrations
and cannon firings for a dynamic historical experience.
Savannah is home to some historic homes, with
stand-out favourites including Owens-Thomas House. The Cathedral of
St John the Baptist, constructed over many years beginning in 1873,
will also delight architecture buffs. Lovers of the arts should
definitely visit the Telfair Academy and the Jepson Center which
both house highly renowned art collections.
History, culture, and architecture aside, Savannah is
also known for its exciting nightlife, with the streets being
filled with restaurants and jazzy entertainment. River Street is a
great place to start for those in search of historic charm as well
as a good selection of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Okefenokee Swamp
The Okefenokee Swamp comprises of 700 square miles
(1,813 sq km) of marshy wilderness stretching across the southern
part of coastal Georgia. The largest peat-producing bog in North
America, Okefenokee provides a refuge for thousands of animals and
plants that thrive in its lakes, islands, and wetlands. The park
consists of different environments, from towering cypress standing
in still waters to vast prairie grasslands in other areas. Visitors
have four parks to choose from: three of the parks are on the east
side of the swamp and one on the southwestern side. All three offer
sightseeing, boating, and fishing opportunities. The southwestern
park is Stephen C. Foster State Park, featuring cypress swamps, at
the headwaters of the Suwannee River. South of Waycross Okefenokee
Swamp Park contains alligators, snakes, and other swamp wildlife in
easy-to-see captivity for a quick swamp experience. And the
Suwannee Canal Recreation Area near Folkston provides access to the
prairie environment of the swamp, offering nature boardwalks and
historic sites.
Address:
2540 Memorial Drive
![Alligator in the Okefenokee Swamp]()
Alligator in the Okefenokee Swamp
Jonas N. Jordan
Darien
A short drive south of Savannah lies the charming old
town of Darien, established in 1736 on the banks of the Darien
River as a military outpost. Today it is a favoured tourist
attraction. Its historic shopping enclave specialises in unique
gifts and antiques, and the picturesque waterfront is filled with
shrimp boats. A series of walking and bike paths, lined with
Spanish moss-draped oak trees, connect the downtown waterfront with
Fort King George, which houses a museum and plays host to living
history pageants. Other diversions include paddling the river and
tidal creeks in kayaks or canoes, and dining on shrimp. The area
around Darien in McIntosh County is particularly scenic, dotted
with quaint fishing villages like Valona and Shellman Bluff. Just
offshore, accessible by ferry across Doboy Sound, is the pristine
barrier island of Sapelo, which boasts one of Georgia's most
beautiful beaches and a restored lighthouse.
![Darien Waterfront Park]()
Darien Waterfront Park
Jud McCranie
Tybee Island
The small barrier island of Tybee, 18 miles (29km)
east of Savannah, is a popular seaside resort. The three-mile (5km)
long beach has rolling sand dunes, with a pier and pavilion at the
south end of the island that offer a pleasant stroll, usually
accompanied by live band music. The island also has sightseeing
opportunities including Fort Screven, a historic Tybee lighthouse
dating to 1773, and Fort Pulaski. There is a selection of
restaurants, hotels, motels, inns, and cottages available.
![Tybee Island]()
Tybee Island
L Church
Davenport House
Cybersquire79
Savannah History Museum
Jud McCranie
Telfair Academy
Jud McCranie
Fort Jackson
MArcin K.
Alligator in the Okefenokee Swamp
Jonas N. Jordan
Darien Waterfront Park
Jud McCranie
Tybee Island
L Church
