Savannah Historic District
A genteel Southern city of oak-shaded squares draped in Spanish moss - antebellum mansions, cobbled riverfront and one of the largest historic districts in America.
Updated 4 August 2026
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Savannah is one of the most beautiful old cities in the American South, laid out in 1733 around a grid of leafy squares shaded by live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Antebellum mansions, historic churches and a cobbled riverfront fill one of the largest historic districts in the country, genteel, atmospheric and steeped in Southern Gothic mood.
What you'll find
- The oak-shaded squares - the grid of leafy squares hung with Spanish moss.
- Forsyth Park - the great park with its famous fountain.
- Antebellum mansions - the historic house museums and church steeples.
- River Street - the cobbled riverfront of old cotton warehouses.
When to go
Spring for blooming azaleas and mild weather, and autumn for comfort; the St Patrick's Day celebration in March is huge. Summer is very hot and humid.
Good to know
Its beauty is gentle, squares and architecture and atmosphere, so it is a strolling city rather than a place of big-ticket sights. Summer heat and humidity are draining. The riverfront is touristy, so the quieter squares hold the real charm.
Nearby
Tybee Island's beach is nearby; Charleston lies up the coast in South Carolina.
What to pack for Savannah Historic District
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Strong insect repellent - DEET or picaridin; the jungle is where bites and disease risk are highest. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Long, light, quick-dry clothing - Covers skin from insects and sun without cooking you in the humidity. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
