🌳🏛️ Exploring Savannah, Georgia: History, Nature & Southern Charm on a Budget 💰🌿
- Switching Gears RV Diary
- May 12, 2024
- 4 min read
Last time, we took you to the southern tip of the Georgia coast near St. Marys. This time, our journey leads us to one of the South’s crown jewels 💎: Savannah, Georgia.
Known as the oldest city in the state and the most visited city in the South, Savannah's blend of deep history 📜, lush landscapes 🌳, and vibrant culture 🎨 makes it a must-see — and yes, we explored it without breaking the bank 💵.
🏕️ Setting Up Basecamp: Skidaway Island State Park 🌲🚴♀️
Before diving into the city’s charm, we settled into a peaceful retreat just 15 miles from downtown Savannah — Skidaway Island State Park.
🎟️ Entry: $5 per vehicle🌳 What’s here?
Picnic spots 🍉
Playgrounds 🛝
Miles of scenic nature trails 🚶♂️🚴
Affordable cabins for longer stays 🛏️
🎤 Pro tip: Check for ranger talks or programs — they add rich insight to the local ecology & wildlife 🦆.
📜 A Walk Through History: Savannah’s Origins & Layout 🏘️🗺️
🗓️ Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, Savannah was built as a fresh start for the working poor. His rules?❌ No slavery❌ No lawyers❌ No hard liquor
The city’s layout is what really makes it shine 🌟 — the first planned city in America, built around 24 beautiful squares 🟩 (22 still remain).
🏛️ These squares, once militia drill grounds, are now serene gathering places with fountains ⛲, monuments 🪦, and plaques 🧾 sharing Savannah's storied past.
💡 Each square tells its own tale — some honor historic figures, others commemorate key moments in Georgia’s journey.
🚶 Getting Around Savannah: Tips & Tricks 🛴🅿️
📍 The Historic District is compact and walkable — but be ready for:
Uneven sidewalks 🧱
Steep stairs at spots like River Street
🛴 Prefer wheels?
Bike & Segway rentals available
Hop-on/hop-off buses 🚌 (some include free parking with ticket)
⛴️ Want something more scenic? Hop aboard the Savannah Belles Ferry 🚢, which takes you across the Savannah River — bikes & strollers welcome!
🛍️ River Street & Beyond: Shops, Eats & Culture 🎨🍤
Strolling River Street is like stepping back in time — with a side of shopping and seafood 🍤.
🛍️ Don’t miss:
River Street for local goods
Broughton Street for boutique + national retailers
City Market (since 1755!) for artisan treasures 🎨🖼️
🎓 With SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) in town, expect to see creative flair everywhere 🎭, from murals to galleries.
🏛️ Architectural Marvels & Historic Buildings 🏰✨
Savannah’s skyline is a storybook of design:
A building once owned by an Arabian sheik 🤴 and later by Henry Ford 🚗
The City Hall dome glimmers in gold 🏛️✨
🕍 Don’t miss the First African Baptist Church, a stop on the Underground Railroad.
🪧 With over 2,500 inventoried buildings, 40% have historical significance, thanks in part to Sherman sparing the city in 1864 — a true “🎁 Christmas gift” to President Lincoln.
🌳 Jones Street, often called the most beautiful in America, is lined with majestic oaks and grand homes 🏡.
📸 Every corner of Savannah is a photo op waiting to happen!
⚰️ A Fascination with Cemeteries: Southern Gothic Vibes 🕯️🌿
🪦 Colonial Park Cemetery (1750):
Duel victims ⚔️
Early settlers ⛪
Prankster soldiers changed headstone dates to read "died at 540 years old" 😆
🪦 Bonaventure Cemetery (1846):
Perched above the Wilmington River 🌊
Stunning sculptures and stories of Savannah’s elite 💐
Both offer quiet, haunting beauty and deep dives into Southern history 👻.
🌸 Nature & Outdoor Beauty: Gardens, Trails & Oaks 🌳🌺
🌿 Savannah Botanical Garden
Free entry 🆓
Formal beds + wild nature
Peaceful 2-acre pond 🪷
🚴 Skidaway Island Trails
7 miles of trails through salt marshes & forests 🌾🌲
Bike rentals available 🚴♂️
🌳 Wormsloe Historic Site
Iconic 1.5-mile avenue of live oaks & Spanish moss 🌿
Noble Jones' colonial estate ruins 🏚️
Dog-friendly trails 🐾
📸 Fun fact: Spanish moss isn’t moss — it’s related to pineapples 🍍!
🏰 Fort Pulaski National Monument 💣🧱
Between Savannah and Tybee Island lies this Civil War-era fort, a game-changer in military history thanks to the Union’s rifled cannons.
🎟️ Admission: $10 (or FREE with America the Beautiful Pass)🎯 Ranger tours, cannon firings, and bikeable trails 🚴♀️ make it a must-see.
🎉 Recently celebrated 100 years as a National Monument!
🏖️ Beach Day at Tybee Island 🐚🌊
Couldn’t resist the call of the ocean! 🐬🏖️ Tybee’s sandy beaches offer the perfect escape.
📍 We parked near the Tybee Lighthouse — Georgia’s oldest and tallest, standing 90 feet tall. 🗼
🌅 Touring it offered stunning views and insight into coastal life through the centuries.
🎬 Savannah in Pop Culture: “We Were There!” 🎥🍿
Movie buff? You’ll love knowing Savannah has starred in:
🎩 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
🧢 Forrest Gump
You’ll spot familiar spots and say "We were there!" more than once!
💭 Final Thoughts & Next Steps 🚐🌄
Savannah delivers a perfect mix of charm, culture, and affordability 💛. Whether you're:
Sipping sweet tea under mossy oaks 🫖
Strolling art-lined streets 🎨
Exploring haunted cemeteries 👻
Or just enjoying a budget-friendly adventure 💵—this city has it all.
Next stop: Hilton Head 🏖️, then onward to the country music capital: Nashville 🎸🎶!
💬 Have you been to Savannah? What’s your favorite square, café, or hidden gem? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear your picks! 👇
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