10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Savannah

Savannah’s Historic District truly takes the cake when it comes to architecture, art, and epicurean experiences. The largest National Historic Landmark District in the United States, City centre teems with 18th-century homes, shady landscaped squares, boutique galleries, and over 100 bars and restaurants.

Stroll the quaint cobblestone streets to marvel at the manicured gardens, grand old oak trees, and wonderfully preserved homes that span styles from Federalist and Georgian to Greek and Gothic Revival. Must-see River Street is a Savannah rite of passage with its charismatic eateries and independent retail.

Midtown Savannah isn’t one area per se, it’s more a collective of wholly unique districts that cater to all kinds of predilections and tastes. Here, one can easily admire the city’s 19th and 20th-century buildings on tree-lined streets that drip with Spanish moss, before enjoying a memorable meal in fashionable Habersham Village.

From Thomas Square to Live Oak, Midtown’s alluring blend of history, culture, and cutting-edge commerce gives City centre Savannah a run for its money. For an authentic Southern Gothic experience, wander the evocative Laurel Grove Cemetery where melancholic stone angels and Civil War ghosts hover around the elaborate ironwork and crumbling headstones.

Only minutes from lush and leafy Forsyth Park, Savannah’s Starland District is home to emerging artists, indie businesses, and quirky little coffee shops. Eccentricity is embraced here so expect to find innovative new retail and dining experiences at venues such as Graveface Records & Curiosities and the Water Witch Tiki bar.

Stop by Savannah African Art Museum to peruse an extraordinary collection of ceremonial and spiritual artefacts from West and Central Africa (including Guinea and Tanzania). Afterwards, head to Picker Joe's Antique Mall & Vintage Market to grab yourself a bargain. The place is renowned for its architectural salvage, Mid-Century furniture, and an old-school Coca-Cola bar that’s straight out of the 1950s.

Sitting smack dab next to the Historic District and overlooking the sinuous Savannah River, Yamacraw Village draws visitors with its assemblage of cultural attractions including Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, SCAD Museum of Art, and the Georgia State Railway Museum. While not as well known for its gastronomic offerings as some of its immediate neighbors, foodies will delight in the literary-themed American restaurant, Poe’s Tavern.

Stop by the veteran-owned Service Brewing Company for an unbeatable selection of year-round, seasonal, and small-batch beers (check their online calendar for taproom events). Alternatively, swing by the spine-tinglingly creepy Savannah Underground tour for an immersive exploration of the city’s dark history.

Set on a compact island 8 miles from city centre Savannah, Isle of Hope is a coastal-riverside community with roots that reach back to the early 19th century. Here, strands of Spanish moss hang like ghostly scarves over Greek Revival and Neoclassical mansions and historic homes edged with white picket fences.

Visit the magical marina to watch the yachts bob on the water before heading to a nearby restaurant to experience the very best in Low Country seafood. Try Wyld Dock for garlic butter oysters and flash-fried clam rolls or Castaway’s Sandfly for calamari chimichurri.

One of Savannah’s most distinguished conservation districts, Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent spans an impressive 400 acres and showcases significant architectural styles including American Movement, Revival, and Late Victorian. In 1985, the area was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places thanks to its collection of notable houses dating back to the 1800s and 1900s.

One can easily while away an afternoon strolling the tree-lined streets while taking in the buildings’ romantic wrap-around porches, sleepy shuttered windows, and giant Doric columns that resemble freshly-iced wedding cakes. Finish the day with a trip to Daffin Park that’s famous for its 80 acres of emerald lawn and tranquil lakeside walking trails.

For a walk on Savannah’s wilder side, head to Moon River – a district that’s steeped in regional history and natural beauty, just 20 minutes from City centre. From its unique museums to its saltmarsh, woodland, and waterside adventures, this centuries-old region has something for everyone.

Visit the Pin Point Heritage Museum to learn about the Gullah Geechee community or venture into Skidaway Island State Park to explore its immense coastal marshlands and maritime forest. At the Wormsloe Historic Site, you’ll witness the world’s longest avenue of live oak trees that create a shady green tunnel for over 1.5 miles.

Set on the banks of the Vernon River, Southside Savannah offers the best of both worlds with its idyllic natural beauty and all the modern conveniences you could want in a area including direct access to the airport and a wealth of big box retailers. Surprisingly, this suburban stretch is home to some fabulous food and drinking joints too, serving everything from barbeque and seafood to beer, cocktails, and whisky.

Visit Liquid Café for a luminous daquiri and large helpings of Cajun cuisine including seafood jambalaya and crispy pineapple chicken. The Shell House Restaurant dishes up coastal classics in laidback surroundings – try the grilled mahi or the fried catfish.

Popular since the 1800s, Tybee Island is a perennial favourite amongst Low Country folk thanks to its white sand beaches, warm gentle waters, and world-class accommodation. Known for its historic lighthouses, ice cream parlours, and wild bottlenose dolphins, it’s the perfect place to spend a weekend or your entire summer holiday.

A biker’s paradise, Tybee Island boasts innumerable trails to pedal away the days including verdant Jaycee Park and unspoiled Back River Beach. Kayakers can paddle to Little Tybee Island (an uninhabited preserve only accessible from the water) that’s home to an abundance of flora and fauna – including a number of endangered bird species.

Located in Chatham County, Georgia, Whitemarsh Island offers visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of central Savannah and immerse themselves in Low Country culture. Bordered by quiet creeks and peppered with affluent architecture, Whitemarsh is a haven of swaying palms, private piers, and manicured lawns.

For a belt-busting meal with river views hit up Tubby’s Tank House in the area of Thunderbolt, famed for its freshly caught seafood and soulful Southern favourites. Feast on bacon-wrapped scallops and crab cake sandwiches before indulging in pecan pie and praline cheesecake.