RV Road Trip: Savannah, Georgia
Explore History (and Mystery) by the Sea
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Getty
Savannah is a city best savored slowly. To walk the beautifully preserved neighborhoods is to stroll through history. It is easy to see why numerous movies have been filmed here, as the narrow streets and architecture make a stroll here feel like walking into a time capsule from the 1700s and 1800s. Savannah is so steeped in the past that the entire city is a National Historic Landmark District and so famed for its gracious charm that it’s sometimes called “the Hostess City of the South.”
General James Edward Oglethorpe, founder of the province of Georgia and the city of Savannah, had the foresight almost 300 years ago to lay out the city in a grid pattern with 24 squares. Though originally designed for the militia, the remaining 22 squares exist today as gathering places filled with lush vegetation and history. The squares are surrounded by homes of the era, many of which are open for tours or have been converted into shops and restaurants.
Some say that Savannah is the most haunted city in America. Ghost tours can tell some of the sordid history behind the lore. The city’s cemeteries also are fascinating and beautiful to visit, with Spanish moss dripping over weather-worn monuments.
Whether you want to tour historic homes, hunt for ghosts, learn important history, or experience Southern charm and hospitality, Savannah should be high on your itinerary.
Weekend Warriors
Must-Do
Marvel as you drive beneath a canopy of 400 live oaks on your way to Wormsloe State Historic Site. The tabby ruins (made from oyster shells, sand, and water) are what’s left of the Colonial estate of Noble Jones, one of the first settlers from England in the area.
Photo Credit: American Prohibition Museum
Off the Beaten Path
The American Prohibition Museum shines a light on the roaring 20s. Learn about flappers, gangsters, and rum runners of this wild decade and have a drink at their speakeasy.
Photo Credit: The Olde Pink House
On the Menu
Sample traditional Southern comfort food at the Olde Pink House. Built in 1789, the original owner applied white plaster over the red clay bricks, but as the plaster wore away, the house turned pink. The house became famous for its unusual color, and the current owners embrace keeping the restaurant pink!
Stay Here
Good Sam approved Red Gate Farms RV Park is located on a large farm. Horseback and horse-drawn carriage rides offer a unique way to explore the beautiful grounds. Guests also can walk or bike the trails and use the fitness room as well as the playground.
Family RVers
Must-Do
Leave the RV behind and let Old Town Trolley Tours navigate Savannah’s narrow streets. The tour’s narration provides a feel for the city, and the colorful characters that hop aboard are a fun addition to the ride.
Off the Beaten Path
Visit Fort Pulaski National Monument to see impact craters in its masonry walls from a Civil War battle. Here it was discovered that traditional masonry fortifications would no longer hold up to “modern” artillery. Take time to explore the miles of trails through the marshland.
Photo Credit: The Pirate House
On the Menu
The Pirates House is a fun restaurant to take the younger set. Kids will love the menus that turn into pirate hats and the family-friendly atmosphere. Try the mouth-watering fried chicken and see if you can spot a real pirate!
Stay Here
While Creek Fire Campground’s awesome splash park and lazy river are closed Nov-Feb, there is still plenty to do there. Dine at the Lakehouse Restaurant, and play ping pong, darts, pool, tennis, or pickleball. The Good Sam park’s sites are large and clean.
Retired RVers
Photo Credit: Telfair Museums
Must-Do
The Telfair Museums consist of three separate facilities and could easily take a day or more to tour. Telfair Academy houses American and European paintings and sculptures. The Jepson Center displays modern art; the Owens-Thomas House preserves 19th-century furniture and former dwellings of enslaved people.
Photo Credit: Savannah Tours
Off the Beaten Path
Spend an entertaining evening with Savannah Tour’s Ghosts & Gravestones Tour. Costumed narrators regale guests with stories while riding on the Trolley of the Damned.
On the Menu
For authentic Southern cuisine, visit Sweet Potatoes Kitchen. Try favorites like chicken gumbo and blackened freshwater catfish. Be sure to save room for their famous banana pudding!
Stay Here
Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks has nice amenities, such as an arcade and pool tables. They have a variety of site options to accommodate most rigs.
Full-Time RVers
Photo Credit: Mercer-Williams House
Must-Do
A must for any trip to Savannah is a historic home tour. The Mercer-Williams House has an extensive collection of priceless art and provided the setting of the book and movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Afterward, visit the Juliette Gordon Lowe House, the birthplace
Off the Beaten Path
The eerie beauty of Bonaventure Cemetery makes it a unique place to visit. See the gravesite of Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer as well as the final resting place of other prominent Savannah citizens. The cemetery can be confusing to navigate, so opt for a golf cart tour with Savannah Cruizers.
Photo Credit: Betty Bombers
On the Menu
Betty Bombers All-American Eatery has a throwback feel with WW2 décor and a welcoming ambiance. Their extensive menu includes burgers, fries, salads and more. Be sure to try one of their famous shakes.
Photo Credit: River’s End Campground
Stay Here
River’s End Campground is on lovely Tybee Island, known as Savannah’s Beach. The Good Sam Park is located a half-mile from the beach, yet only 15 miles from downtown.
