Savannah Attractions: Historic Sites and Recreation in Savannah, Georgia
The city of Savannah, Georgia is a southern locale chalk full of compelling history, culture, architecture, and tradition. Visitors to Savannah will quickly realize that this city, branded Georgia’s first city, is an American town with a rich heritage to experience and explore. A wide variety of area museums, historic houses, and civil war sites are located in Savannah, Georgia. A trip to Savannah is like a trip through American history. And in addition to the sensational heritage sites and culture on display throughout Savannah, visitors to the area can enjoy recreational activities such as deep sea fishing, golfing and relaxing strolls along the beaches of Tybee Island and quaint waterfront shops.
One thing that makes Savannah, Georgia stand out from other popular southern cities is its unique reflection of American history. The city of Savannah was lucky enough to avoid major damage in The Revolutionary Way, the War of 1812, as well as the American Civil War. Like many southern cities, Savannah struggled, but was not crushed through the economic difficulty of the Reconstruction and various industrial and economic shifts. What has remained of various eras in American history in Savannah is truly remarkable. Today the city is a treasure trove of history, heritage, art, architecture, and culture.
Historic sites are front and center when it comes to major tourist attractions in Savannah, Georgia. Everywhere vacationers venture in Georgia’s first city they are confronted with vivid reminders of America’s rich cultural heritage. Some of the most popular government historic sites located in and around Savannah include: the Wormsloe Historic Site- the remains fortified home built by an English carpenter and physician in the mid 18th century, the U.S. Customs House- a site featuring Greek Revival style architecture and six granite columns. And located directly opposite the Customs House are the cannons presented by George Washington to Chatham Artillery in 1791, Scarbrough House – this is a National Historic Landmark building that was once the residence of William Scarbrough- one of Savannah’s richest men, and Old Fort Jackson – built in the early 19th century, this historic structure is one of a chain of nine forts that once lined the Savannah River.
Beyond the amazing heritage homes that line the streets of historic Savannah, this city also features numerous museums and information centers. Some of the most popular of these museums include: the Savannah History Museum at the Visitors Center – located on a major Revolutionary War battle site, this large museum covers Savannah history from its origins with James Oglethorpe in the 1730’s, the Tybee Island Lighthouse, Museum, this latter 18th century site features a gift shop, historic exhibits, and a sensational view of the area, Washington Guns – featuring two bronze cannons that were gifts from George Washington to the Chatham artillery in the late 18th century, and the Telfair Mansion and Museum – featuring famous paintings and sculptures, this house was built in 1818 for the son of Georgia governor, Edward Telfair.
The heritage homes and area Museums listed here are just a small sampling of the historic sites and structures littered throughout Savannah. Visitors to Savannah can spend days on end exploring the city’s impressive record of American history. But history is just one of many attractions featured in and around Savannah. The city also offers golfing, tennis, fishing, and riverfront shopping. Tybee, a seaside island located just 18 miles from Savannah, features a beautiful beach that runs for several miles as well as a southern pier and pavilion that regularly features live music and theatre. This area also features numerous gift shops, galleries, and restaurants for Savannah visitors to explore. In reality, the list of attractions featured in and around the city of Savannah, Georgia’s first city, is a long and accomplished one.
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