Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

If the Savannah you imagine is replete with classical architecture, colorful history, and countless ghosts – all framed with Spanish moss – a visit to the actual city won't disappoint. You'll also find quirky characters, eclectic cuisine, and electric night spots aplenty. And that may be why so many tourists (close to six million each year!) flock here.

The city boasts a residential population of just over 125,000, and its strategic siting along the river means that much of its commerce centers around the Intracoastal Waterway, which handles the ships of more than 150 countries.

Weather

With a bounty of warm days and the average relative humidity reaching 72%, Savannah has weather than can best be described as sultry. Winters are mild, and temperatures rarely dip below freezing at night; sunny 60-degree days are pleasantly balmy. Late fall, late winter, and early spring are the best times to visit, because the heat is not so oppressive that it prohibits long walks in the middle of the day.

Holidays & Business Hours

Many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours on state and federal holidays. Policies vary, but these are generally observed:

Coming & Going

Savannah Hilton Head International Airport is located just off I-16, about 8 miles west of downtown. All major carriers stop there.

If you're planning to drive from points north or south, Interstate 95 passes within 10 miles of the city, and US 17 runs right through. From the west, I-16 ends in downtown Savannah, and US 80 runs through the city from east to west.

Amtrak stops at the station located just outside of downtown (2611 Seaboard Coastline Drive). Taxis are available there to get you into the city.

Making Your Way

"America's first planned city" was laid out in a series of grids that combines spacious streets with shady public squares and parks intended to serve as centers for business and town meetings. There were originally 24 squares, and 21 are still in existence. The city is perfect for pedestrians, and indeed, Savannah is one of the country's best places to go on walking tours.

The city is divided east to west by Bull Street. You'll find odd-numbered buildings on the south side, evens on the north side.

If you want to have wheels, your best bet is to rent a car. However, there is public transport by bus through Chatham Area Transit (CAT), not to mention plenty of cabs.

News & Views

The Savannah Morning News is the major daily paper filled with information about news, cultural events, and entertainment. Connect Savannah is an alternative weekly newspaper covering arts and entertainment, local news, and social and political commentary.

Quirks & Curiosities

The Historic Savannah Foundation was born of the perseverance of seven determined women who ultimately saved more than 800 of Old Savannah's 1100 historic buildings from the wrecking ball. Those sites now make up a "living museum" that is the largest urban National Historic Landmark District in the country. The area spans 2½ square miles and includes the remaining squares from General Oglethorpe's original plan.

While visiting, the last thing on your mind may be the snows of winter, but James Lord Pierpont, Savannah resident and music director of the Unitarian Church, composed the ubiquitous holiday tune "Jingle Bells" here in the 1850s.

Although it has been years since the publication of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, some Savannah icons that appeared in the book are still popular tourist destinations. Most notably, the "Bird Girl" statue was removed from its original spot in Bonaventure Cemetery and placed in the Telfair Museum's Academy.

Getting Your Bearings

For tourist information or to book tours, stop by Savannah's visitor center before you set out to explore the city. It's also where many coach and carriage tours begin.

Savannah Information Visitor Center
301 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
912-944-0455

If you should run into trouble, the emergency number for the police, fire department, or ambulance is 911. For the latest traffic advisories, log on to www.savannahga.gov/cityweb/trafficalerts.nsf.

Necessities - Post Offices

There are several post office branches in Savannah, as well as drop boxes throughout the city. Should you need to conduct serious postal business, stop by the main post office branch for the full range of services and resources.

3601 Montgomery St
Savannah, GA 31405
Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

Common Courtesies

Tipping is not an exact science but is customary if you are provided service that meets with your satisfaction. Restaurants consider 15% the standard, unless a gratuity is already included in your bill (it's frequently added automatically for groups of six or more). Bars in Savannah typically have a tips tray on the counter that allows you to show your appreciation.

You can offer taxi and limousine drivers anywhere from 10-20% of the cost of the ride, and you can tip a dollar or two to bag handlers and valet parking attendants.