Savannah

Savannah is a coastal city on the Savannah River in Georgia, recognized for its grid of streets and public squares laid out in the 1700s. The downtown area centers on 22 landscaped squares surrounded by mansion houses, cobblestone roads, and tall oak trees draped with Spanish moss.

General James Oglethorpe founded the settlement in 1733 as the first capital of the British colony of Georgia, laying out a grid of streets and public squares. The town changed hands between British and American forces during the Revolutionary War and later survived the Civil War largely intact, preserving its original layout.

On weekends, residents gather in the historic squares where live music and impromptu picnics reflect the relaxed local way of life. Southern hospitality remains tangible in daily interactions, from conversations on front porches to communal celebrations that bring neighbors together throughout the year.

Public transport connects the downtown squares to surrounding neighborhoods and most sights within the historic center are within walking distance. The international airport sits roughly 13 miles (21 kilometers) west of downtown and offers regular connections to destinations across the United States.

Several historic homes still display original iron balconies that once served as ballast on ships arriving from Europe and were later repurposed as decorative railings. Beneath some downtown squares lie vaulted underground chambers from the 1700s, originally used as storage and workshops, that remain partly accessible to visitors today.