Savannah is the fifth largest city in Georgia, at the northern end of thestate's coast. It's famous for having one of the largest historic districts in the country.

Savannah, the historic riverside birthplace ofGeorgia, was settled in 1733 by British colonists led by General James Oglethorpe and Colonel William Bull. In 1864, when General William Tecumseh Sherman and his Union Army marched in, the mayor of Savannah gave Sherman's men run of the city in exchange for leaving it untorched. As a result, Savannah is one of the few major cities in the South with antebellum charm and architecture remaining intact.
Southerners joke that inAtlanta, the first thing locals ask you is your business; inCharleston, they ask your mother's maiden name; and in Savannah, they ask what you want to drink. It's partly that ethos that keeps the city tourism industry flourishing, along with a little help from what locals call "The Book":Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (also a feature film). The local art school,Savannah College of Art and Design, also keeps the city awash in accessible, affordable art.
Savannah's climate is classified as humid subtropical. Winters are short, and summers are long, hot, and humid. The typical summer heat index averages around 99 °F (37 °C) during the day and 77 °F (25 °C) at night. Periods of high heat and humidity can see heat index climb upwards to around 110 °F (43 °C), not going below 81 °F (27 °C) at night.
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I-95 andI-16 are readily accessible to the city.
Amtrak operates a passenger terminal at Savannah.Silver Meteor trains (once daily) run betweenNew York City andMiami,Florida;Palmetto (once daily) runs the same route to the north, but its southern terminus is Savannah.Floridian (twice daily, once in each direction) is a temporary route that combined two older routes while access to New York City is restricted due to tunnel construction; it runs fromChicago to Miami viaWashington, D.C. and Savannah. The modernist32.08367-81.1484042Savannah Station is located on 2611 Seaboard Coastline Dr, almost five kilometers outside downtown Savannah. Bus 29 offers limited services to the station.
Greyhound - The Greyhound station is on W. Oglethorpe Ave. inside CAT's Joe Murray Rivers, Jr. Intermodal Transit Center, about a half mile from River St.

The major east-west street through the Historic District is Bay Street, and the major north-south street is Abercorn, which begins at Bay Street and extends south through the city. Parking in the Historic District can be challenging but there are several public parking garages including an underground 1100-space parking garage beneath Ellis Square. On-street parking in the city at metered spaces is free on the weekends, but the spaces fill quickly beginning around mid-morning. Parking spaces nearest to River Street are the fastest to be filled.
Horse and carriage is a relaxed option (though not for the horses) for seeing the city at a more leisurely pace and is abundant throughout the historic district.



Gen. Oglethorpe and Col. Bull laid out their new settlement in 1733 in a series of wards, in which commercial and residential buildings surround a public square. The original four public squares were Johnson, Ellis, Telfair, and Wright. By the mid 19th century, there were 24 public squares in Savannah. Two squares, Elbert and Liberty, both along Montgomery St., have been lost to modern construction, and a third one, Ellis, once lost, is being restored.


Savannah is called the "Hostess City of the South" and as such, there are no shortages of watering holes; from hole-in-the wall joints to upscale bars. In downtown Savannah, it is legal to consume alcohol in public. Ask the bartender or doorman for a "go cup" (a "traveller" if you're a local) to pour your libation in.
Savannah's Historic District is safe for exploring the area during the day, with at least one other person - a normal safety precaution. Outside the historic district crime is prevalent. While exploring the Historic District, remember this is a tourist area and there are those who prey on tourists - be cautious, especially at night. Savannah-Chatham County Police patrol the downtown area frequently on horseback and in patrol cruisers. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is prominent throughout the downtown area. SCAD's Security frequently patrol areas near their buildings on bicycles and vehicles.
River Street area is good for drinking and fun but watch your back on a busy weekend. Anything and everything goes.
| Routes through Savannah |
| Fayetteville←Charleston← | N | →END |
| Fayetteville←Charleston← | N | →Jacksonville→Orlando |
| Raleigh←Columbia← | N | →Jacksonville→Orlando |
| Fayetteville←Port Wentworth← | N | →Midway→Jacksonville |
| Charleston←Ridgeland← | N | →Midway→Jacksonville |
| Columbus←Macon← | W | →Tybee Island→END |
| Thiscity travel guide toSavannahis ausable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but pleasefeel free to improve itby editing the page. |
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