Information
City: SavannahCountry: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Savannah, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Savannah, Georgia, brims with history and charm, its cobblestone streets and moss-draped oaks making it one of the Southeast’s most captivating cities.Savannah’s cobblestone lanes, shaded by oaks heavy with Spanish moss, lead past grand antebellum homes into a lively coastal scene, where Old South charm meets a fresh, creative energy.Georgia’s oldest city, founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, once bustled as the colonial capital, its streets echoing with the sound of horse-drawn carts.Here’s a closer look at Savannah-its storied past, winding streets, lively squares, buzzing markets, rich flavors, warm weather, and more.Savannah holds a special place in American history as the first settlement of the Georgia colony, laid out with a bold plan of squares and wards-an early and striking example of urban design, where sunlit oak-lined parks still trace the vision of its founders.American Revolution and Civil War: During the Revolution, the British held Savannah, their red-coated soldiers patrolling its cobblestone streets.During the Civil War, Union troops marching to the sea left the city untouched, struck by its beauty-white-columned porches gleaming in the winter sun-prompting General Sherman to offer it as a Christmas gift to President Lincoln in 1864.In the 20th century, the city became a driving force behind one of the nation’s earliest and most successful preservation efforts, keeping its old brick buildings and shaded squares safe from the wrecking ball.Number two.Savannah’s urban design is famous worldwide for the Oglethorpe Plan, devised by founder James Oglethorpe-a neat grid of streets anchored by 22 leafy historic squares, each framed by stately homes, old churches, and dignified public buildings.Spanning more than two square miles, Savannah’s Historic District ranks among the largest in the country, with cobblestone streets leading past 18th- and 19th‑century buildings, shady squares, splashing fountains, and graceful old monuments.River Street runs along the Savannah River, its worn cobblestones leading past old brick warehouses now home to bustling shops, cozy cafés, and bright art galleries.Three.Forsyth Park stretches across 30 acres in the city’s heart, where a white fountain sparkles in the sun and winding paths lead past wide, open lawns.Locals and visitors alike love this spot, where the air smells faintly of coffee and the view never gets old.The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, with its glowing stained-glass windows and intricate ceilings, is often called the “Sistine Chapel of the South.” In the Savannah Historic District, you’ll find house museums like the Mercer-Williams House from *Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil*, along with the Owens-Thomas and Davenport Houses.Bonaventure Cemetery is hauntingly beautiful, with twisting live oaks draped in Spanish moss and marble statues that have found their place in both literature and art.City Market stretches across four bustling blocks, an open-air hub alive with colorful art, sizzling street food, and the sound of music drifting through the crowd-capturing the city’s vibrant spirit.Savannah College of Art and Design, a renowned art school, has breathed new life into the city and continues to fuel its cultural energy, from bustling gallery nights to murals brightening old brick walls.Number four.Savannah’s cultural life runs deep, blending old traditions with fresh ideas; thanks to SCAD, the streets hum with a modern artistic energy.The city’s full of art-galleries buzzing with visitors, bold installations tucked into street corners, and student shows that spill color across campus walls.Music and performance thrive here, with the Savannah Music Festival, Savannah Jazz Festival, and Savannah Philharmonic filling the air with classical elegance, smoky jazz, driving blues, and vibrant world beats.At the Lucas Theatre and the Trustees Theater, you can catch a play, watch a film flicker across the screen, or sit in for a thought‑provoking lecture.Savannah’s cobblestone streets and moss-draped oaks make it a favorite spot for filmmakers drawn to its historic charm.John Berendt’s *Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil* drew crowds to the city, sparking national fascination with its shadowy squares and moss-draped oaks.Five.Savannah’s food scene blends deep Southern roots with the fresh flavors of the coast, serving up favorites like creamy shrimp and grits, crisp fried green tomatoes, hearty crab stew, a steaming low country boil, and warm, flaky biscuits.Seafood’s a staple here-thanks to the coast, you’ll find briny oysters, sweet blue crab, and wild Georgia shrimp on just about every menu.Fine dining in Savannah comes alive at spots like The Grey, set in a restored Greyhound bus terminal with gleaming tile walls, Elizabeth on 37th, and Husk Savannah, where classic recipes meet inventive twists.The Olde Pink House, tucked inside an 18th-century mansion with creaky wooden floors, serves up a true taste of Savannah with its rich Southern flair.Sweets and markets: Stop by Leopold’s Ice Cream, scooping sundaes since 1919, and swing over to Byrd Cookie Company for crisp, buttery Southern treats.Number six.Savannah comes alive with events that celebrate its deep-rooted traditions and love of the arts, from the roaring green waves of its St. Patrick’s Day Parade-one of the biggest and most spirited in the country-to the Savannah Music Festival, a weeks-long gathering of world-class performers spanning every genre.SCAD Savannah Film Festival is a top showcase for student and professional films in the Southeast, where audiences pack into theaters to catch fresh, award-worthy stories.Savannah Food & Wine Festival brings the city’s rich culinary heritage to life with sizzling chef demos, flavorful tastings, and perfectly paired wines.The Savannah Book Festival draws well-known authors to share their stories in the city’s sunlit squares and cozy theaters.Seven.Savannah’s natural setting comes with a humid subtropical climate-summers are hot and sticky, often climbing into the 90s, and by late afternoon, thunder rumbles through heavy clouds.Winters are mild and brief, with frost or snow showing up only now and then-just a light dusting on the grass before it melts by midday.Spring and fall are the ideal seasons to visit, with mild air and hillsides dotted with fresh blossoms.Close to the Atlantic and edged by wide, quiet marshes, the city thrives in a blanket of rich, green foliage.Live oaks hung with silver Spanish moss, bursts of azalea blossoms, and sweeping riverfront views come together to form one of the South’s most breathtaking scenes.Number eight.Only twenty minutes from downtown, Tybee Island greets you with sandy beaches, a towering lighthouse to climb, and plenty of ways to get out on the water.With the city’s easy reach to the Savannah River and winding coastal estuaries, people flock here for kayaking, boating, and spotting dolphins cutting through the silver water.Nearby, you’ll find several golf courses and nature parks, among them Skidaway Island State Park and Wormsloe Historic Site, where a long, oak-lined avenue arches overhead in deep green shade.Number nine.Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport makes travel easy, with nonstop flights to big U. S. cities-step off the plane and the warm coastal air greets you.Historic Trolley Tours let visitors roll past shaded squares and centuries-old buildings, all while a lively guide shares the city’s stories.Walking or taking a carriage ride is easy here-the Historic District’s small, winding streets make it perfect for exploring at a relaxed pace.
Landmarks in savannah
