Generally regarded as America’s first planned city, Savannah comprises an assortment of scenic squares oozing with southern charm. The city is known for its eclectic mix of architecture, hearty soul food and instrumental role in the American Civil War and the transatlantic slave trade.
Savannah has a striking blend of architectural styles on display, including Georgian, Regency and Romanesque Revival. The best way to explore the city’s mix of building styles is to take an architectural tour, leading you to the best sites and providing you with a historical overview at each stop. Highlights will include Federal buildings such as the Davenport House Museum or the Georgian-period Charles Oddingsells House.
Savanna’s wide collection of galleries and museums give a detailed overview of its culture and storied past. The Owens–Thomas House & Slave Quarters lets you walk through a historic mansion and explore the original slave quarters where up to 15 people lived and worked. Other key museums include the Wormsloe State Historic Site, the Pin Point Heritage Museum and the American Prohibition Museum. It’s also worth visiting Old Fort Jackson, the state’s oldest surviving fort with exhibits on the Civil War daily and cannon firing demonstrations.
Known as the ‘Hostess City of the South’, Savannah serves up traditional Southern and soul food. Classic dishes to try include fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and anything with the city’s most famous export – the Georgia peach.