Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit the “hostess city” of Savannah, Georgia. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to see on a trip to Savannah, our Savannah travel guide tells you what NOT to do so you can avoid making these common mistakes.
Don’t Visit Savannah in August
Or if you do, don’t freak out when you can’t breathe. My first time to Savannah, I literally couldn’t breathe when I stepped out of the airport. The air is so thick with humidity, it feels like you are drowning. We don’t recommend visiting Savannah in the summer months, but sometimes you have to travel when you can. If you can choose, the best time to visit Savannah is from October through April, when you’ll experience pleasant weather.
Don’t Forget Your Manners
Georgia is a Southern State, so you’ll need to mind your manners when you visit Savannah. In Georgia, people still say “yes, ma’am” and “no, sir” and they hold doors open for each other. If you want to blend in with the locals and be on the receiving end of that famous Southern hospitality, then don’t forget your manners.
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Don’t Forget Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Another feature of southeast Georgia is that it is hot and swampy. The sun is strong and even if you’re not at the beach, you’re still going to get sun just walking around town, so make sure you have sunblock and that you reapply it every couple of hours, no matter what you are doing outside. Likewise for bug spray, as there are lots of mosquitos, especially in the summer months. They also have sand gnats, palmetto bugs, and other annoying pests.
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Don’t be Surprised by Friendly Locals
People in Savannah will just strike up a conversation with you out of nowhere. It’s one of the reasons that Savannah is called “the Hostess City.” People will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and to share their Savannah travel tips with you.
Don’t Worry About Open Containers (downtown)
Savannah is one of the few cities in the US where you can walk around with an adult beverage out in the open. It has to be in a plastic cup, but otherwise you can enjoy your cocktails on the go. Restaurants will even ask if you want a TGC, or a to-go-cup.
Don’t Forget to Book Savannah Accommodation Early
Savannah is a very popular travel destination, so Savannah hotels book up quickly. For all the reasons we love Savannah, everyone else loves it too. It’s a popular place for girls getaways, romantic weekends, or just a great weekend destination for much of the Southeast States. St. Patrick’s Day is a huge holiday in Savannah, and hotels can fill up a year in advance for that weekend. There are lots of cool places to stay in Savannah, but don’t wait on your reservations!
Don’t Compare Savannah to Hilton Head Island
They may share airports, but the two destinations are very different and Savannah residents won’t let you forget it. Savannah is historic and charming, while Hilton Head Island has lots of golf courses and time-share resorts. They’re both popular destinations, but very different from each other. If you’re curious, they’re only 40 minutes apart, so you can make a day trip to check it out for yourself.
Take Some Day Trips from Savannah
While the historic downtown area is the best part of Savannah, there’s more to see beyond downtown. Some of the best day trips from Savannah include:
- The beaches at Tybee Island. You can’t come this close to the coast without a little beach time.
- If you like to golf, Hilton Head Island is a great day trip from Savannah, too.
- Bluffton, South Carolina is another great day trip, best known for their fantastic seafood restaurants.
- The Savannah Wildlife Refuge is just ten minutes outside of town, and you can explore on bike or by canoe.
Don’t Skip the Trolley Tours
It may seem super touristy, but the Savannah Trolley Tours are well worth it. It’s a great way to get the layout of the land, and they take you from one Savannah attraction to the next, so you can hop on and hop off without worrying about parking. Savannah has some of the best tour guides in the country. You can really learn a lot from a tour.
Don’t Be Spooked by Savannah
Savannah is one of the most haunted cities in America. When you visit Savannah, you can sign up for several different ghost tours or haunted accommodations. If you’re into supernatural occurrences, you’ll love Savannah.
Don’t Be Complacent with Safety in Savannah
Like many destinations popular with tourists, Savannah does have some petty thefts and small crimes occurring, especially downtown late at night. Use your usual travel smarts and don’t walk around alone at night in an area you are not familiar with. Don’t leave valuables lying out in your car where they can be seen.
Don’t Touch the Spanish Moss
Spanish Moss is part of what makes Savannah beautiful. It drapes from the trees and gives the parks and cemeteries a haunted feel. It’s cool to look at, but don’t touch it. There are tiny little bugs living in the Spanish moss and they will bite you and leave you itchy and bumpy. Believe us, kids will want to play with it, and it won’t end well!
Don’t Mix up the Squares and the Monuments
Part of Savannah’s charm are the monuments and squares throughout the city. But they don’t typically match up. For example, Johnson Square is one of the squares nearest to the downtown area. The monument inside the square honors General Greene from the American Revolution. So, don’t let it confuse you; just go by the square names rather than the monument names. Also, don’t hold up traffic when driving around the squares. They work just like a roundabout where you yield to anyone already in the square.
Don’t Expect Easy or Free Parking
Parking in Savannah is challenging. Don’t expect to find free or cheap parking that’s readily available, especially on the weekends. It’s worth it to spend a bit more on accommodation so you can easily walk around Savannah and not deal with the frustration of driving and parking. And don’t mess with the meter maids! They will get you if you let your meter lapse!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Savannah! It is a gorgeous place with beautiful architecture, great museums, historic homes, cool tours, and amazing food. Start planning your trip now at Visit Savannah. Want more travel tips for the southern states? Check out some of our other blog posts: