Savannah: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Southern Flavor

By Dirk Ebener

My first visit to Savannah felt like stepping straight into a Southern storybook. I arrived with no real plans, just a curiosity about the city I’d heard so much about. On my first evening, I found myself on a ghost tour, walking down cobblestone streets lit by flickering gas lamps. The guide spun eerie tales of haunted mansions, restless spirits, and Savannah’s storied past, and I couldn’t help but feel a chill despite the warm night air. There was something captivating about the way history seemed to linger in every shadow.

The next morning, I wandered into one of Savannah’s many independent bookstores, the kind of shop where creaky wooden floors and tall shelves invite you to stay awhile. I flipped through local history books, novels set in the city and even signed copies of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Chatting with the owner felt like talking to an old friend, as she shared her favorite Savannah haunts—both the literary kind and the real ones.

Those first days were a perfect mix of history, mystery, and quiet moments of discovery. Between ghost stories and stacks of books, Savannah started to reveal its layers to me—one charming square, one friendly conversation, and one unforgettable experience at a time.

There are few cities in the United States where history and hospitality blend as effortlessly as they do in Savannah, Georgia. My first visit began on a warm spring morning as I wandered beneath centuries-old oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on cobblestone streets, and I felt as though I had stepped into another era. Around me, horse-drawn carriages rattled past elegant row houses, and the scent of magnolias mingled with the distant aroma of freshly baked pralines. It was here, among the city’s 22 iconic squares, that I began to understand why Savannah is called the “Hostess City of the South.”

A Walk Through Centuries of History

Savannah’s story began in 1733, when British general James Oglethorpe founded Georgia’s first colonial settlement. His visionary Oglethorpe Plan created a grid of streets and public squares—many of which remain the heart of the Historic District today. Each square feels like a small park, shaded by towering oaks and surrounded by stately mansions and churches that have stood for centuries.

The city played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, most notably during the 1779 Siege of Savannah, one of the war’s bloodiest battles. Later, during the Civil War, Savannah was famously spared destruction when General William T. Sherman presented it to President Abraham Lincoln as a “Christmas gift” after his March to the Sea. Because of this, Savannah’s architecture—Georgian, Federal, and Gothic Revival—remains remarkably intact.

Walking through the Historic District feels like stepping into a living museum. The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, with its ornate stained glass and twin spires, is one of Savannah’s most photographed landmarks. Nearby, the Olde Pink House, built in 1771, offers refined Southern cuisine served in candlelit rooms where history and ghost stories seem to mingle in the air.

Majestic Giants of the South: The Iconic Trees of Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia, is as famous for its trees as it is for its history and Southern charm. Towering live oaks, some hundreds of years old, line the city’s squares and streets, their sprawling branches draped with Spanish moss that sways gently in the breeze. These oaks have become an iconic part of Savannah’s identity, framing picturesque views and providing welcome shade during the city’s warm summers. Many of these trees date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, serving as silent witnesses to Savannah’s long and storied past.

Forsyth Park, one of Savannah’s most beloved green spaces, is a prime spot to admire these magnificent oaks. The combination of the park’s famous fountain and the moss-draped trees creates one of the most photographed scenes in the city. Walking under the oaks feels almost otherworldly, as though you’ve stepped into a living tunnel of history and nature intertwined. Spanish moss, though not a true moss, adds an ethereal touch to the landscape, making Savannah’s streets and squares look like scenes from a Southern Gothic novel.

Beyond the oaks, Savannah is also home to stately magnolias, fragrant with their large, creamy white blossoms in late spring and summer. Crape myrtles add bursts of color in shades of pink, purple, and white during the hot months, while palms and camellias contribute to the city’s lush, subtropical feel. The combination of these trees creates a year-round tapestry of beauty that defines Savannah’s landscape.

Many of the city’s most famous spots, including Bonaventure Cemetery and Wormsloe Historic Site, are celebrated for their breathtaking tree-lined avenues. These trees don’t just add beauty—they are part of Savannah’s heritage, protected and cherished by locals and visitors alike. To stroll beneath Savannah’s trees is to walk through living history, where nature and culture exist in perfect harmony.

Art, Culture, and Celebration

Savannah is not just a city that preserves history—it celebrates life in every form. Much of its cultural revival can be credited to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), which restored many historic buildings and transformed the city into a hub for art, design, and creativity. Galleries, boutiques, and art spaces dot the city, while SCAD’s annual events, like the Savannah Film Festival, bring international attention.

Throughout the year, Savannah hosts vibrant festivals. The Savannah Music Festival draws world-class performers each spring, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade—one of the largest in the country—turns the entire city into a sea of green.

But Savannah is equally famous for its ghostly past. Frequently named one of America’s most haunted cities, Savannah offers nightly ghost tours through cobblestone streets and centuries-old cemeteries. Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, captivates visitors with its moss-draped oaks and hauntingly beautiful tombstones.

A Culinary Capital of the South

Savannah’s food scene reflects its layered past, blending Gullah Geechee influences, coastal seafood traditions, and a growing community of innovative chefs. With over 250 restaurants, the city is a playground for food lovers.

Lunch at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room is an experience steeped in tradition. Guests gather at communal tables to pass platters of fried chicken, collard greens, and biscuits—comfort food that feels like home, even to first-time visitors.

Another landmark is The Grey, a former Greyhound bus terminal transformed into one of the country’s most celebrated restaurants. Chef Mashama Bailey’s award-winning menu honors Southern roots while embracing global influences, making The Grey a symbol of Savannah’s culinary evolution.

For classic elegance, Elizabeth on 37th, housed in a grand Southern mansion, serves refined dishes like pecan-crusted fish and Lowcountry bouillabaisse. Those seeking history with their meal often visit The Pirates’ House, a 1734 tavern with deep maritime roots, while brunch lovers flock to The Collins Quarter, where café culture meets Southern staples.

The Gullah Geechee Influence

Many of Savannah’s signature dishes—shrimp and grits, gumbo, and okra stews—can be traced to Gullah Geechee traditions. Descendants of enslaved Africans who lived along the Southeastern coast preserved a rich culinary heritage, and today, their flavors continue to shape Savannah’s identity. A Lowcountry boil, brimming with shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes, is a communal feast that embodies this heritage.

Craft cocktails, rooftop bars, and local breweries add to Savannah’s thriving dining scene. Whether sipping a seasonal ale at Service Brewing Co. or enjoying a nightcap at a candlelit speakeasy, evenings in Savannah are as flavorful as its history.

Leopold’s: Savannah’s Sweet Tradition

No trip to Savannah is complete without a visit to Leopold’s Ice Cream, a city institution since 1919. Founded by Greek immigrant brothers, Leopold’s still uses original recipes to create its handmade ice creams.

The shop is famous for flavors like Tutti Frutti, a rum-based ice cream with candied fruits and roasted pecans, once favored by Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer. Other classics—like butter pecan and lemon custard—capture the taste of tradition. Lines often stretch down the block, but the reward is more than worth the wait.

Time in Savannah Well Spent

The best way to experience Savannah is at a leisurely pace. Start with coffee and pastries at a café near Reynolds Square, then stroll down River Street, where praline shops tempt with warm, sugary treats. Admire the iconic fountain at Forsyth Park, take a guided trolley tour to soak in local history, or browse art galleries that reflect the city’s creative spirit.

For lunch, choose a communal feast at Mrs. Wilkes’ or a seafood platter at The Pirates’ House. In the afternoon, wander City Market, enjoy live music, and perhaps join a ghost tour as the sun begins to set. Dinner at The Grey or The Olde Pink House is the perfect way to end the day—followed by one last indulgence: a scoop (or two) at Leopold’s.

Where History, Flavor, and Southern Charm Meet

Savannah is more than a destination—it’s a story you live as you walk its streets, taste its food, and listen to its history whispered through moss-draped oaks. It’s a city where every square holds a chapter, every meal tells a tale, and every encounter feels like a warm Southern welcome.

Whether you’re savoring pralines on River Street, sipping a cocktail in a rooftop bar, or wandering beneath the moonlit Spanish moss, Savannah leaves an impression that lingers long after you leave.

This is the essence of Savannah—where the past and present coexist beautifully, and where every visit becomes part of the city’s ongoing story.

Dirk Ebener is the founder and creator behind the Food Blogger Journey website, drawing on over 40 years of international travel across more than 60 countries. His global adventures have deepened his understanding of regional cuisines, local customs, and the powerful connection between food and culture. From bustling street markets in Asia to quiet vineyard dinners in Europe, Dirk captures authentic culinary experiences through immersive storytelling. Through Food Blogger Journey, he invites readers to explore the world one dish at a time.

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