Savannah: A Last Minute City Guide

Founded by General James Oglethrope and a group of 120 colonists in 1733, the city of Savannah, Georgia was the last British colony to form in North America.

Over time, settlers from around the world, including Ireland, England, Scotland, Austria, Italy, and several other countries, began to flock towards this stunning city’s shores. Today the city presents a sophisticated face to visitors – full of southern charm and hospitality, old colonial architecture, and dozens of historic and cultural attractions.

When to Visit Savannah

Located along the southern section of the east coast of the United States, the city of Savannah is generally warm throughout most of the year. There is a joke that says that Savannah’s seasons are “warm and hot” but there are four seasons when it comes to times to visit.

The spring months, between March and May, are very busy and are relatively expensive times to visit Savannah. This is because the dogwoods and azaleas blooming during the spring months are gorgeous and people flock south to see them in bloom every year. The Savannah Music Festival is usually held during this time of year as well.

The summer months, between June and August, are usually very warm and very busy but there are tons of things to see and do. You’ll find that the city is usually overrun with young travelers during June and July as Savannah is a favorite destination for Girl Scout troops visiting Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace.

The fall months are a great time to visit as temperatures begin to drop, but October is very busy. If you visit during September of November you’ll have an easier time finding a Savannah hotel at a discounted rate.

If you’re only going to visit for a couple of days, consider visiting mid-week. Hotel rates skyrocket on the weekends as people flock to the city to enjoy Savannah’s hot weekend nightlife.

Transportation throughout Savannah

The city of Savannah is gorgeous and you’ll find that most of the area’s main attractions are within walking distance of your hotel. This southern town is relatively laid back, despite its big city façade, so there’s no reason to rush from place to place. Pedicabs, small driving tours, and trolley rides are popular methods of transportation as well.

The Savannah River ferry is another great way to see the city. The 20 minute ride up the river will give you stunning views of the city and, best of all, is free. Taxi cabs and paid trolley tours are available as well. You could easily rent a car but it might prove a waste of your hard earned money.

Tipping Etiquette in Savannah

Tipping is a confusing thing, especially in the United States. Some states require restaurant owners to pay their service staff the same minimum wage that all workers earn while others let restaurants pay a considerably lower wage to their workers. This means that in many places your service staff will rely on your tips for survival. They even pay taxes on what you give them as a tip.

The average tip in any restaurant is 10 – 20 % depending on the time of day and the level of service you received. The average tip is around 15% and you can decide whether to pay more or less depending on how happy you are. If you’re with a large group of people the restaurant may add a “gratuity” to your bill. If this is the case you do not need to leave an additional tip. You are not required to tip in fast food restaurants, even if you do see a tip jar on the counter.

Visiting Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day

Despite not receiving a lot of public recognition, Savannah is an incredibly popular city for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, second only to New York City, NY. If you plan on visiting during the month of March, but don’t care about this particular holiday, you may want to arrange for travel during a different time of the month. Hotel rates will double or triple and you’ll be required to book a minimum 2-3 night stay.

Almost 400,000 people will flock to the historic district of Savannah on St. Patrick’s Day for the parade and celebration. It is always held on March 17^th, unless the 17^th is a Sunday, in which case it is celebrated on the 16^th.  There is a parade, lasting 3 ½ – 4 hours, and you’ll find hundreds of people camping out along the parade route, some as early as 2 days in advance.

The city of Savannah is historic, cultural, sophisticated, and fun. Visit any time of the year for a fun and exciting adventure in one of the country’s oldest and most respected cities. You’ll never forget your trip!