10 Things to do in Savannah, GA for First Time Visitors
Savannah can claim the distinction of being the first city founded by British settlers in what would become the state of Georgia. Combined with its strategic location on the Atlantic coast, it is no coincidence that it remains one of the biggest cities in the state even in modern times. Generally speaking, people visit Savannah because of its historical importance, but it is important to note that it has other sites of interest as well that its visitors should consider checking out.
1. Tybee Island Light Station
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tybee Island Light Station can be found on Tybee Island, which might be more familiar to some people as Savannah Beach. In short, Tybee Island Light Station is interesting because it is one of seven lighthouses that have existed since the colonial era, thus making it a place of considerable historical if perhaps not practical value.
2. Georgia Historical Society
There are various ways to learn more about history, but there are reasons why nothing can replace the role of reading. For those who are fascinated by the state’s history, there is the Georgia Historical Society, which was founded in Savannah and retains a considerable presence there in present times.
3. Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is a town. To be exact, it is a picturesque town that plays an important role in the state’s shrimping industry, which in turn, means that it makes for an excellent place to visit. In part, this is because of its scenery. However, its seafood restaurants are great as well.
4. Isle of Hope
Speaking of which, there are a number of local communities that serve as summer resorts for Savannah and the rest of the surrounding region, with an excellent example being Isle of Hope. Generally speaking, they offer interested individuals an excellent combination of both natural beauty and historical interest.
5. Savannah Civic Center
The Savannah Civic Center can be found in the Historic District, where it serves as a multi-purpose facility. On its own, it isn’t particularly interesting, but on an annual basis, it is host to something along the lines of 900 events, meaning that people who are visiting the city might want to check out its schedule to see whether there is something that catches their eye.
6. Johnson Square
In total, Savannah is home to 24 squares. However, none of them can match Johnson Square when it comes to size. Besides this, Johnson Square has a rather formal character, which makes sense considering that it is the burial grounds for Nathanael Greene, who is remembered as one of George Washington’s most reliable officers in the American Revolution.
7. First Bryan Baptist Church
There are a number of historic churches that can be found in the city of Savannah. One excellent example is the First Bryan Baptist Church, which is an African-American church founded in 1794. Due to this, it should come as no surprise to learn that the church has had an important role in the African-American experience, particularly because of its age as well as its location.
8. Juliette Gordon Low Historic District
The Juliette Gordon Low Historic District consists of three buildings, which are connected to Juliette Gordon Low. For those who are unfamiliar with that name, she was the founder of the Girls Scouts of the USA, which is why her birthday of October 31 is still celebrated by said organization as Founder’s Day.
9. Telfair Museums
Telfair Museums was the first example of a public art museum that was founded in the Southern United States. Nowadays, its facilities are home to more than 4,500 works of art, which are housed in a total of three buildings. Said buildings include the Telfair Academy, which was the Regency style mansion that served as the institution’s original home.
10. City Market
The City Market is the central market of the city, which has turned into a site of some interest in Savannah’s nightlife. For people who are curious, it offers plenty of opportunities for shopping in addition to both small eateries and street entertainment, meaning that it isn’t a bad place to visit for people who are interested in something more casual in nature.
