Rainy Day Activities in Savannah
What Are the Best Rainy Day Activities in Savannah?
A rainy day can be one of the best times to slow down and enjoy visiting Savannah, GA. The streets stay quiet, the air feels cool, and the city takes on a calm rhythm that fits its historical charm. Locals often use the time to duck into museums, grab a bite to eat, or explore the city’s many historic buildings. It’s a chance to see Savannah at an easier pace.
Planning a few rainy day activities in Savannah helps you make the most of any weather. Many of the city’s top attractions stay open all year, offering interesting exhibits, tours, and indoor settings that capture the city’s character.
What Indoor Museums Are Perfect for a Rainy Day in Savannah?
When rain begins to fall, Savannah’s museums offer a comfortable way to keep exploring without missing a thing. Each one focuses on a different side of the city’s past, giving visitors a clearer picture of how Savannah’s art, trade, and people have shaped its identity over time.
The American Prohibition Museum® is one of the most popular rainy day activities in Savannah. It takes guests through the rise and fall of Prohibition with life-size displays, detailed exhibits, and knowledgeable guides who share stories about life in the 1920s. Visitors learn about bootleggers, law enforcement, and how Savannah’s busy port made it a natural hub for hidden shipments. The tour ends with a stop at the Congress Street Up speakeasy, where you can enjoy a classic cocktail inspired by the period.
A short walk away, the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum highlights Savannah’s long connection to the ocean. Inside the Scarbrough House, guests find model ships, maritime paintings, and maps that tell the story of trade and travel along the Georgia coast. When the rain lets up, the garden behind the museum is worth visiting. It’s quiet, green, and feels worlds away from the nearby streets.
Families visiting Savannah, GA, often head to the Savannah Pirates and Treasure Museum® for something hands-on. Children can follow clues, open treasure chests, and hear real stories about the pirates who once sailed these waters. The mix of sound effects, short exhibits, and lively displays keeps the experience fun for kids and adults alike.
Art lovers often spend the afternoon at the Telfair Academy, located in a grand 19th-century mansion. The museum showcases paintings, sculptures, and regional art that reflect Savannah’s cultural side. It’s easy to pair a visit here with a stop at the nearby Jepson Center or Owens-Thomas House, both part of the same museum group and just a short walk away.
Where Can You Eat, Drink, and Laugh Indoors in Savannah?
Many of the best rainy day activities in Savannah happen around food, conversation, and good company.
The Congress Street Up speakeasy, next to the American Prohibition Museum, is one of the best places to spend a rainy afternoon. The space feels like an old-fashioned lounge with framed photos, soft light, and quiet music. Bartenders mix classic drinks and often share a quick story about Savannah’s past. People stop in for a cocktail and end up staying longer than they planned while the rain falls outside.
Savannah’s comedy scene also offers an easy way to spend the night indoors. Front Porch Improv and The Savannah Comedy Revue host small casual shows that feature local and visiting comedians. The jokes often touch on everyday life in Savannah, and the crowds are friendly. The Savannah for Morons tour is another way to enjoy a laugh while under the cover of the trolley.
City Market is another great option, rain or shine. Its covered walkways make it easy to wander between restaurants, shops, and galleries without getting soaked. You might hear live music under the awnings, smell barbecue from a nearby café, or stop for a slice of pie while you wait out the storm. Many visitors end up spending hours here, taking their time and soaking in the laid-back atmosphere.
What Indoor Experiences Make Rainy Days in Savannah Memorable?
Rainy weather is the perfect time to enjoy the local art, food, and culture. Art studios across the historic district welcome walk-ins who want to try painting or pottery. Some are tucked inside old houses or restored storefronts, where artists are happy to chat while they work. You can spend an hour learning something new or just enjoy the quiet hum of creativity while you stay dry.
Savannah also has plenty of cozy cafés and bakeries that feel made for rainy afternoons. Many offer fresh pastries, warm drinks, and small bites that make it easy to settle in and relax. It’s a simple way to enjoy local flavors without worrying about the weather outside.
If you’d rather browse, antique stores and bookshops along Bull Street and Broughton Street are full of surprises. Many sit in historical buildings with tall windows and creaky floors that add to their charm. You’ll find shelves stacked with vintage books, dishes, and furniture that give a glimpse into Savannah’s long history.
What Are the Best Indoor Historical Tours in Savannah?
Savannah’s historical sites make rainy days easy to enjoy. Many of the city’s top attractions are indoors, from grand homes and churches to theaters and covered tours that keep you dry while still showing off the city’s history. These places give you the chance to explore Savannah’s architecture, stories, and traditions while staying comfortable, even when the weather changes.
Grand Historic Houses
Some of the best rainy day activities in Savannah take place inside its historic homes. The Andrew Low House showcases Greek Revival design and offers guided tours that show what daily life looked like in the 1800s. Visitors can see original furniture, preserved rooms, and stories that tie to Author Juliette Gordon Low. The Owens-Thomas House, built in 1819, features elegant architecture and one of the city’s most respected art collections. The Harper Fowlkes House adds 1840s charm with antique décor and detailed woodwork. Each home has guides who know the stories behind every corner and enjoy sharing them. Many of these homes sit along tree-lined streets, so even the walk between them feels like stepping back in time.
Architectural Beauty
The Basilica of St. John the Baptist is one of the most striking landmarks for anyone visiting Savannah, GA. Completed in 1876, it’s filled with stained-glass windows, carved details, and an atmosphere that draws visitors in. It’s a quiet, beautiful place to experience on a rainy afternoon. Visitors are welcome to attend short self-guided tours or take a moment to admire the artistry that fills this space, often described as one of the most photographed churches in the South.
Dining in a Historic Setting
The Olde Pink House offers another way to stay indoors while enjoying Savannah’s history. The 18th-century mansion turned restaurant serves southern dishes in elegant rooms filled with fireplaces and chandeliers. Guests can enjoy a meal surrounded by the same walls that have stood for generations. Servers often share stories about the building’s past, including its role as one of the city’s earliest private residences.
Theatrical Experiences
For an evening indoors, the Savannah Theater hosts live musicals and plays in one of America’s oldest operating theaters. The Lucas Theatre for the Arts, built in 1921, screens films and holds concerts and cultural events throughout the year. Both make great options for anyone looking for rainy day activities in Savannah that mix history, comfort, and entertainment. Visitors can grab a drink at the lobby bar, settle into plush seats, and experience a show inside buildings that have welcomed audiences for over a century.
Covered Trolley and Ghost Tours
If you’d rather keep exploring without getting wet, ride the Old Town Trolley Tours®. The covered trolleys travel through downtown while friendly, knowledgeable guides share live narration about the city’s past and its landmarks. The Ghosts & Gravestones® Frightseeing® Tour is another option, giving guests a look at Savannah’s haunted side from the comfort of a covered trolley. Both are easy, enjoyable ways to keep sightseeing while staying dry, and the stories told by the guides add a personal touch that helps bring Savannah’s past to life.
Why Savannah Shines on a Rainy Day
Rain brings a different kind of energy to Savannah. Streetlights reflect off the cobblestones, and the city’s indoor spaces feel even more inviting. Museums, historic homes, and restaurants stay lively, creating plenty of ways to experience the city. Locals often say that Savannah looks its most atmospheric under gray skies, when the oak trees drip with Spanish moss and the old brick streets glisten in the rain.
These rainy day activities in Savannah prove that the weather never gets in the way of a good visit. Each museum, show, and guided tour adds something unique to the experience. No matter when you arrive, visiting Savannah, GA, is always filled with history, culture, and charm that carries through every season.
FAQs
Q: What is the best museum for rainy day activities in Savannah?
The American Prohibition Museum is one of the most popular rainy day activities in Savannah. It tells the story of the 1920s with interactive exhibits, vintage displays, and stories about Prohibition and bootlegging. After exploring, visitors can stop next door at the Congress Street Up speakeasy for a handcrafted cocktail. Staff members often dress in 1920s attire, creating a full experience that blends education with entertainment.
Q: Can I still take a tour while visiting Savannah, GA, when it’s raining?
Yes. The Old Town Trolley Tours and the Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tour both operate covered trolleys that make sightseeing comfortable during the rain. Guides share stories, fun facts, and bits of local history that make each ride feel like a moving experience rather than just transportation. Each tour offers a chance to see landmarks like River Street, Forsyth Park, and the historic homes that define the city’s charm.
Q: Are there any historic houses open for tours?
Several historic homes stay open year-round for anyone visiting Savannah, GA. The Andrew Low House, Owens-Thomas House, and Harper Fowlkes House each offer guided tours filled with stories about the city’s early residents and architecture. Visitors can see preserved rooms, art collections, and antique furniture that bring Savannah’s past to life.
Q: Where can I shop indoors in Savannah?
City Market is one of the easiest rainy day activities in Savannah for shoppers, with covered walkways, local art galleries, and small restaurants. Broughton Street also offers plenty of boutiques and specialty shops that are easy to explore while staying dry. You can find antiques, handmade jewelry, local art, and small cafés that make the experience even better.
Q: Is the Rose Hill Plantation House one of the rainy day activities in Savannah?
The Rose Hill Plantation House is in Bluffton, South Carolina, just outside Savannah. It’s known for its architecture and peaceful atmosphere, making it a nice day trip for visitors who want to explore beyond the city. While it isn’t part of the rainy day activities in Savannah, it’s still worth visiting if you’re interested in regional history or traditional Lowcountry architecture.
