As far as tourist destinations go, Savannah, Georgia, is high on the list of places to visit when yearning for a getaway. It’s true. In July 2024, Travel + Leisure reported that the historic city was named one of the top three to visit in the United States (behind Charleston, South Carolina, and Santa Fe, New Mexico) in its yearly World’s Best Awards (WBA) survey.
WBA puts a spotlight on areas with the best hotels, cruise ships, spas, airlines, etc., and more than 186,000 people participated in the survey. A considerable amount favored Savannah as their go-to destination, as it earned the third spot with an overall reader score of 85.27. It also nabbed the title of WBA Hall of Fame honoree, which goes to cities that’ve been consistently voted on the list in the last 10 years.
What is it that makes Savannah such a hotspot for travelers? T+L says that “readers adore Savannah for its leafy parks, great shopping, carriage rides, and cemetery tours.” But that’s not all that we gathered when speaking with travel experts, who specifically raved about the summertime in the “Hostess City of the South.”
They had a lot to say about the town’s unique attractions, savory restaurant scene, cozy lodging, and why August is particularly a great time to visit despite the soaring temperatures. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend by the pool or to partake in activities all over the city, there’s something for everyone in Savannah. Just ask these folks below.
Boat Excursions
As we said, August can get unbearably hot in Savannah (daily temperatures climb to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Weather Spark). Luckily, the city has plenty of attractions to keep you cool that are more affordable and less crowded than peak seasons (the spring and fall, per Savannah’s official website).
Some that are off-the-typical-tourist-track are the various water excursions. Val Streif, Marketing Manager for GetMyBoat, the world’s largest boat rental platform, encourages out-of-towners to consider experiencing Savannah on the river.
This can be done via the Tiki Boat Booze Cruise, which is ideal for large parties (holds 20 guests) and provides a different view of the city than you could get on land. On this floating tiki bar, guests can enjoy specialty cocktails mixed by their own personal bartender and dancing to music during a 90-minute tour. Additional information for booking and costs can be found on their website.
Streif also suggests taking advantage of luxury yacht charters on a 40-foot Axopar, allowing them to disconnect and take in the calming sound of the water. Big groups can also hop onboard a party beach catamaran (seats up to 20 people), which includes a cooler filled with ice-cold water, a 14-speaker sound system, and stops along several beaches if requested. Visit their website to reserve your spot.
Hotel Bardo
Hotel Bardo was a popular attraction included in T+L‘s list of places to visit within Savannah, and after speaking with Amy Siegal, Luxury Travel Advisor with Valerie Wilson Travel, we understand why. The property only opened in February 2024, and it’s already making significant strides in the hospitality scene, including being elected as one of the best new hotels by Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes, T+L, and Southern Living.
While the rooms are spacious and inviting, Hotel Bardo is especially attractive in the summer because of its central courtyard, which has a large pool surrounded by a jasmine-wrapped fence. There are also dining options and places to sit in the shade outside the pool, offering the perfect setting to wind down.
Did we mention they also offer cooking classes on the premises? Check out more of Hotel Bardo’s amenities on their website and consider booking a room for your next Savannah hideaway.
Tasty Bites
While many people travel to Savannah for its Historic District, Southern live oak trees, and art scene, there are many other unique offerings that tourists might not know about. Traveling musician and hospitality expert, Alissa Musto, reveals some spots that she often visits when in town, like Savannah Smiles Dueling Piano Bar, an affordable late-night saloon that has live music, fun cocktails, and a pub-style menu.
Musto also recommends taking a drive to nearby Tybee Island, home of The Crab Shack, which is considered to have the best seafood in Savannah and provides the ultimate waterfront dining experience.
One-of-a-Kind Attractions
Guests are also encouraged to check out the Graveface Museum, featuring interesting oddities from “serial killers, cults, side shows, hoodoo, and more,” per TripAdvisor. The museum is on Musto’s list of worthwhile attractions, as well as The Pinball Palace in nearby Brunswick (about a one-hour drive from Savannah). According to their website, it was voted as one of the top pinball arcades in the world in 2019 and 2020, and in 2022, it grabbed the second-place ranking.
For those interested in shopping, Musto insists on checking out Wright Square Vintage and Retro Mall, and the many other vintage shops around town. There you can find retro dresses, model cars, figurines, and the like, that are rare collectibles.
Plan Your August Trip
Savannah is a desirable location for many looking for a weekend getaway or, for locals, even an exciting day trip. While many vacationers are seeking colder locations to beat the summer heat, August is the perfect opportunity to check out the attractions that Savannah has to offer (on the water and air-conditioned, that is) sans the usual crowds that encompass the town during peak seasons.
Use these recommendations of indulgent and cheaper options to plan your next trip to Savannah, and in just a few short months, you can enjoy a relaxing getaway, and likely rethink skipping the city in the summer.
