America’s “Hostess City of the South” is Still the Most Beautiful Part of Georgia

Welcome to Savannah, Georgia

Located right on the edge of the Savannah River, this beautiful city was founded in 1733 and designed by James Oglethorpe back in the day. Walk down its cobblestone streets, wander through its 22 park-like squares, and you’re smack in the middle of a Southern vibe you can’t fake.

Here’s why we think it’s the most beautiful city in all of Georgia.

Savannah’s Historic District is a National Historic Landmark

The Historic District covers over 2 square miles and includes more than 1,100 historically significant buildings. 

It features over 20 cobblestoned blocks filled with antebellum mansions and historic churches that scream Georgian and Gothic Revival styles. You can visit landmarks such as the Owens-Thomas House and the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace. 

Recently, the Historic Savannah Foundation has been working overtime to preserve the city’s character. The latest addition includes new dining options like “Common Thread,” housed in a charmingly renovated Queen Anne-style house, offering a contemporary take on classic Southern cuisine.

Forsyth Park is a stunning 30-acre urban oasis

The park’s iconic fountain, installed in 1858, is a popular photography spot. Grab a shot amidst massive oak trees draped with Spanish moss lining the walkways. 

The park hosts a weekly farmers market showcasing local produce and crafts. It features a fragrant garden for the blind with Braille placards, highlighting its inclusive nature. 

The park’s bandshell hosts numerous concerts and events throughout the year. Watch out for major events such as the Savannah Jazz Festival and Sidewalk Arts Festival held in Forsyth Park. 

What’s cooking? The Trustees’ Garden Club is developing a master plan for the park to preserve its historic charm and protect the tree canopy, including upgrades to lighting and bathrooms.

River Street offers picturesque waterfront views

The street is lined with 19th-century cotton warehouses converted into shops and restaurants. You’ll even come across Cobblestone streets and iron walkways that add to the historic charm.

River Street comes alive with festivals year-round, like the popular Savannah Christmas Market. If you’re around in summer, head to downtown Elk Rapids for live music, food, and fun every Wednesday from June 26 to July 31.

Visitors can also watch massive cargo ships pass by on the Savannah River. The area is home to several monuments celebrating Savannah’s maritime history like the Waving Girl Statue, which honors Florence Martus. For 44 years, she greeted every ship entering and leaving port with a wave. 

Here’s a fun tidbit: In 2025, the AC Hotel by Marriott Savannah Historic District will open its doors, offering a rooftop kitchen and bar with stunning views of the Savannah River.

Bonaventure Cemetery is hauntingly beautiful

Just 20 minutes from downtown Savannah lies Bonaventure Cemetery, a spot that’s pure Southern Gothic. 

The 100-acre cemetery features ornate Victorian-era monuments and sculptures overlooking the Wilmington River. 

With live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and vibrant blooms in spring and summer, it’s hauntingly beautiful. 

The cemetery is the final resting place of many notable Savannah residents, including famous figures like Johnny Mercer and poet Conrad Aiken, adding to its historical allure. 

It gained fame after being featured in the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” The cemetery offers scenic views of the Wilmington River.

Now that it’s reopened, visit on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a free tour on the second weekend of every month.

Wormsloe Historic Site boasts a breathtaking oak-lined avenue

Also called Oak Alley, this 1.5-mile avenue lined with over 400 live oak trees, leads to the historic site. The site includes the ruins of Jones’ fortified house made of tabby, a museum, and the site of a Civil War fort. 

The site also hosts events year-round like the “Colonial Faire and Muster” in February. Wormsloe State Historic Site got a fresh update in January 2024 with the opening of a new 6,000-square-foot visitor center. In addition this this, a new trolley system now transports visitors from the center to Live Oak Avenue.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is an architectural marvel

Nestled near Lafayette Square, the cathedral’s twin spires are a prominent feature of Savannah’s skyline. The interior features stunning stained glass windows and intricate murals whilst its white exterior contrasts beautifully with Savannah’s greenery. 

Construction began in 1873, and the cathedral was completed in 1876 in Neo-Gothic style. It was nearly destroyed by a fire in 1898 but was rebuilt by 1899. 

Recent renovations have enhanced its interior beauty while preserving historical elements that date back to its original construction in the 19th century. In 2020, Pope Francis elevated it to the status of a minor basilica.

Tybee Island offers pristine beaches just minutes from downtown

Tybee Island’s laid-back atmosphere contrasts with Savannah’s urban setting. For one, it features five miles of public beaches with soft sand and clear water, surrounded by scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The historic Tybee Island Light Station is also Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse. This historical landmark features a museum located in Battery Garland.

Jones Street is often called the most beautiful street in North America

Jones Street, named for Major John Jones, aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh during the American Revolutionary War, stretches just over 1 mile from West Boundary Street to East Broad Street.

The street is lined with perfectly preserved Greek Revival and Italianate mansions, with massive oak trees forming a canopy over the brick-paved path. Many homes boast intricate ironwork and beautiful gardens.

Local events, like the NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens in April, take place along Jones Street, letting visitors explore private gardens of historic homes. While you’re there, don’t miss Leopold’s Ice Cream. It’s a local landmark and a must-visit for delicious treats.

Savannah’s squares create a unique urban landscape

Each of the 22 squares has its own character and historical significance like Chippewa Square, which commemorates the Battle of Chippewa and features a statue of General Oglethorpe. Chatham Square features 15 identical, four-story townhomes known as Gordon Row, designed in the mid-19th century.

Monuments, fountains, and lush landscaping can be found in each square, such as the fountain in Columbia Square, which was originally from the Wormsloe Plantation. They provide green spaces throughout the city, enhancing its beauty. For example, Chatham Square, designed in 1847, showcases beautiful townhouses and is a peaceful place to escape the city’s bustle.

The squares serve as community gathering spaces hosting everything from outdoor concerts to casual gatherings, making them essential to the city’s social fabric. They contribute to Savannah’s walkability and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere with streets like Abercorn and Barnard weaving through the squares, providing easy access to shops and restaurants.

The city’s abundant flora adds to its natural beauty

Azaleas burst into colorful blooms each spring, with Pulaski Square being a standout spot for vibrant displays. Magnolia trees, which bloom with large, fragrant white flowers, line many streets, including Jones Street and Forsyth Park.

The city sprawls with a mix of native plants like the striking Camellias, and its wetlands provide a habitat for various bird species. Large wading birds are often spotted in the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, especially during the warmer months. Daffin Park features natural areas that support wildlife and plant species typical of coastal Georgia, including birds like the Eastern Bluebird, Red-tailed Hawk, and Mourning Dove. 

Here’s the latest: Bald Eagles, once on the brink of extinction in the 1970s due to pesticide use, have been making a slow yet steady comeback in Georgia. Recently, two active nests were discovered in Savannah, marking a significant recovery milestone for these birds of prey.

Savannah’s waterways enhance its scenic appeal

The Savannah River, one of Georgia’s longest and largest waterways, defines most of the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina. It flows southeast for 313 miles across the Piedmont and the Upper Coastal Plain before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean downstream. 

Known for its high bluffs, some of which were the locations of prehistoric Native American villages, numerous tidal creeks and marshes surround the city, creating picturesque landscapes. These salt marshes, characterized by non-woody plants like grasses and succulents, are vital ecosystems. You might also spot rare plants and animals, including the swallow-tailed kite and the rocky shoals spider lily near the river basin.