Savannah, Georgia

Overview

Savannah, Georgia, a historic coastal city of 150,000, hides an offbeat allure where quirky museums, secret haunts, and ghostly oddities draw adventurous travelers beyond its Spanish moss-draped squares, attracting over 15 million visitors yearly. Founded in 1733 as Georgia’s first city, this Southern gem sits 110 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina, and 250 miles northeast of Jacksonville, Florida, cradled by the Savannah River and Atlantic marshes. Beyond Forsyth Park and riverboat cruises, Savannah offers eccentric treasures like a museum of Prohibition relics, a hidden speakeasy in a former bank, and vibrant street art in the Starland District. It’s an offbeat coastal playground where colonial history, Gullah culture, and quirky creativity collide, perfect for those craving unique adventures over tourist staples.

Top Attractions (Prohibition, Murals & Ghosts!)

American Prohibition Museum

Explore 6,000 artifacts on River Street, including a quirky, working speakeasy and authentic 1920s moonshine stills.

Starland District Murals

Discover colorful street art where quirky, Gullah-inspired designs paint the walls of this revival zone on Bull Street.

Telfair Museums – Jepson Center

A modern art hub featuring quirky kinetic sculptures and a significant collection of Southern outsider art pieces.

The Vault Kitchen + Market Speakeasy

A hidden bar located in a historic 1912 bank, serving creative cocktails with a quirky and authentic vault vibe.

Bonaventure Cemetery

A 100-acre Gothic graveyard famous for its haunted statues and the final resting place of songwriter Johnny Mercer.

Savannah History Museum

Home to artifacts from 1733, including the actual bench from "Forrest Gump" and quirky Revolutionary War relics.

Unique Stories & Facts (Speakeasies, Benches & Bird Girls!)

• Prohibition Hideout: The speakeasy inside the American Prohibition Museum actually served illegal moonshine during the 1920s and still pours quirky cocktails today.
• Starland Revival: Originally a dairy district, Starland’s art boom in the 2010s turned old barns into vibrant mural canvases where Gullah pride now shines.
• Cemetery Stardom: The iconic 1868 “Bird Girl” statue from Bonaventure Cemetery became world-famous after appearing on the cover of the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."
• Gump’s Bench: The actual park bench used in the movie "Forrest Gump" was filmed in Chippewa Square and is now preserved as a quirky movie relic in the Savannah History Museum.

Best Travel Seasons (When to Visit Savannah!)

Popular Activities (Beyond the Squares!)

• Prohibition Touring: Explore the American Prohibition Museum and enjoy a drink in its quirky, authentic 1920s speakeasy.
• Mural Strolling: Wander through the Starland District to see how vibrant Gullah-inspired art pops on the walls of Bull Street.
• Art Viewing: Dive into the Jepson Center to see quirky kinetic sculptures and other unique works of Southern art.
• Speakeasy Sipping: Slip into The Vault, a hidden bar inside a historic 1912 bank, for creative cocktails.
• Cemetery Wandering: Stroll through Bonaventure Cemetery to see the haunted “Bird Girl” statue and other Gothic graves.
• History Browse: Visit the Savannah History Museum to sit on Forrest Gump’s bench and see other Revolutionary oddities.

Casinos Nearby (~30 Miles)

There are no land-based casinos within 30 miles of Savannah due to Georgia law. The nearest option is a casino boat that sails from Brunswick, approximately 70 miles away. For local thrills, it's better to explore the city's ghost tours or murals.

Oddities Nearby (~20 Miles - Savannah's Quirky Side!)

Haunted Tourism Nearby (~20 Miles - Ghosts of the Hostess City!)

• Bonaventure Cemetery:** The ghosts of songwriter Johnny Mercer and others are said to sing and roam near their plots in this 1868 graveyard.
• The Marshall House:** This 1851 hotel served as a Civil War hospital, and the spirits of soldiers are said to still linger in rooms like 414.
• Moon River Brewing Company (City Market):** The basement of this 1859 brewery is famously haunted, with frequent reports of phantom footsteps.