Savannah area
Around Savannah area
Photo: P. Hughes · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Georgia · 649k people
Savannah area
Locals say Savannah · “The Hostess City of the South”, “The Coastal Empire”, “The Forest City”
Moss-draped oaks and riverfront charm.
Savannah Bananas yellowCoastal tealHistoric brick red
Welcome to Savannah, the Hostess City! Whether you're here for the squares, the food, or the river, you'll find a warm Southern welcome. Come for the history, stay for the hospitality.
Clubs for Savannah area
No clubs for Savannah area yet.
The room
Savannah area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Savannah's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Savannah. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Savannah area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Forsyth Park Iconic fountain and oak-lined paths
- River Street Cobblestone street with shops and river views
- City Market Open-air market with art, food, and live music
- Bonaventure Cemetery Historic cemetery with moss-draped oaks
- Tybee Island Barrier island with lighthouse and pier
- Wormsloe Historic Site Oak avenue and colonial ruins
- Outdoors Walk the riverfront
- Outdoors Kayak the marshes
- With kids Visit the Savannah Children's Museum
- With kids Ride the riverboat
- Evenings Live music on River Street
- Evenings Rooftop bars
- Locals love Historic squares
- Locals love Riverfront bars
Through the year
- Savannah Music Festival spring Multi-genre music festival with local and international artists
- Savannah Jazz Festival fall Free jazz performances in Forsyth Park
- Savannah Food & Wine Festival fall Tastings and chef demos across the city
- Savannah Book Festival winter Author talks and signings in the Historic District
- SCAD Savannah Film Festival fall Film screenings and industry panels
Savannah has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall, when temperatures are pleasant. Best: Spring and fall
Talk like a local
- “The Hostess City”
- Nickname for Savannah
- “The squares”
- The historic squares
- “Tybee”
- Tybee Island
- “The marsh”
- The coastal marshes
Getaways
- Hilton Head Island Beaches, golf, and biking
- Charleston Historic charm and dining
- Brunswick (St. Simons) Golden Isles beaches and marshes
- Statesboro Georgia Southern campus and local eats
Local flavour
Teams
- Savannah Bananas Coastal Plain League (collegiate summer)
- Savannah Ghost Pirates ECHL
- Savannah Clovers FC USL League Two
Also rooting for Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Georgia Bulldogs (NCAA Football)
Eat and drink
- Shrimp and grits A Lowcountry staple, often served with a rich gravy.
- Low country boil A one-pot feast of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes.
- She-crab soup A creamy soup with crab roe, a Savannah classic.
- Fried green tomatoes Often served with remoulade or pimento cheese.
- Pralines Sweet pecan candies, a Southern tradition.
- Sweet tea The unofficial drink of the South, served over ice.
Where people go
- Historic squares Savannah's 22 public squares are shaded, oak-lined gathering spots.
- Oak-lined streets Canopies of live oaks draped in Spanish moss create a dreamy, tunnel-like effect.
- Riverfront The Savannah River and its cobblestone streets, with riverboats and cafes.
- Seafood shacks Casual spots serving fresh shrimp, oysters, and crab.
- Coastal marshes Vast, serene salt marshes that change color with the tides.
Heritage and traditions
Savannah is proud of its beautifully preserved historic squares, its deep Southern hospitality, and its rich African-American and Gullah-Geechee heritage, all wrapped in a quirky, artistic spirit.
This time of year in Savannah area
- Savannah Craft Brew Fest Fall A fall tasting event for craft beer enthusiasts.
- Savannah Greek Festival October Greek food and dancing in October.
- Savannah Greek Festival October Celebrates Greek culture with food, music, and dancing at the Greek Orthodox Church.
- Savannah Craft Brew Fest Fall A tasting event featuring craft beers from across the region.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to do something
Festivals
- Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade March One of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S., with a huge parade and green-dyed fountain.
- Savannah Greek Festival October Celebrates Greek culture with food, music, and dancing at the Greek Orthodox Church.
- Savannah Scottish Games May Highland games, pipe bands, and Scottish heritage celebrations.
- Savannah Black Heritage Festival February Celebrates African-American history and culture with performances, lectures, and events.
- Savannah Craft Brew Fest Fall A tasting event featuring craft beers from across the region.
- Savannah Irish Festival January A celebration of Irish music, dance, and culture.
Landmarks with a story
- First African Baptist Church One of the oldest Black churches in North America, founded in 1773.
- Cathedral of St. John the Baptist A stunning French Gothic cathedral with beautiful stained glass.
- Temple Mickve Israel The third oldest synagogue in the U.S., with a Gothic Revival style.
- Owens-Thomas House A Regency-style mansion with original slave quarters, now a museum.
- Fort Pulaski National Monument A Civil War fort that saw the first use of rifled cannon.
- Green-Meldrim House General Sherman's headquarters during the Civil War; a Gothic Revival mansion.
Food traditions
- Benne wafers Sesame seed cookies brought by West African slaves; a Savannah specialty.
- Oyster roasts Winter tradition where locals gather to steam fresh oysters on a grill, often at the beach or riverside.
- Boiled peanuts Roadside stands sell these salty, soft peanuts, a Southern snack.
- Collard greens on New Year's Eaten for good luck and prosperity, often with black-eyed peas.
- Shrimp on Tybee Fresh shrimp caught off Tybee Island, often boiled or grilled.
Music and arts
- Gullah-Geechee heritage The coastal African-American culture with its own language, crafts, and traditions.
- SCAD's art influence The Savannah College of Art and Design brings a vibrant contemporary arts scene.
- Jazz clubs A strong jazz tradition, with live music venues throughout the city.
- Historic preservation movement Savannah's architecture and squares are a living art form.
A little history
- 1733 1733 founding by James Oglethorpe
- 1864 Sherman's March to the Sea ended with the city's surrender
- 1950s-1960s Civil rights movement led by W.W. Law
- 1970s Historic preservation movement saved the squares
- 1996 Hosted sailing events for the 1996 Olympics
Rivalries
- Savannah vs. Charleston Friendly competition for most charming Southern city
- Game day Savannah Bananas' Banana Ball
- Game day Savannah Ghost Pirates hockey games
- Outdoors Visit the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
- Outdoors Fish off the Tybee Pier
- With kids Tybee Island Marine Science Center
- With kids Savannah Bananas games
Savannahians speak with a slow Southern drawl, often using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The coastal influence adds a touch of Gullah vocabulary, and locals drop the 'g' in words like 'walkin' and 'talkin'.'
Only here
- The city has 22 historic squares, each with its own character.
- The fountain in Forsyth Park is a beloved gathering spot.
- Spanish moss drapes the oak trees, creating a signature look.
- The Savannah Bananas play 'Banana Ball' with quirky rules like no walks.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce it 'suh-VAN-uh' – not 'SAV-uh-nuh'.
- The historic district is walkable, but watch for one-way streets and squares.
- Expect hot, humid summers; bring an umbrella for afternoon thunderstorms.
- Parking is tricky downtown; use parking garages or the free DOT shuttle.
- Try the local seafood, especially shrimp and oysters.
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Areas in Savannah area
Nearby
Every areaBaxleyGeorgiaWhere the river runs through pine country.Hilton Head IslandSouth CarolinaSalt-washed days and sweet tea nightsSwainsboroGeorgiaPine-scented small towns and friendly faces.BrunswickGeorgiaWhere the marsh meets the seaWaycrossGeorgiaWhere the swamp whispers and the rails remember.VidaliaGeorgiaThe sweetest spot in GeorgiaBarnwellSouth CarolinaWhere the pines meet the Salkehatchie.FolkstonGeorgiaWhere the swamp whispers and the trains roll
Savannah-Hinesville-Statesboro, GA CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.