forsyth park fountain

Things to Do in Savannah in the Spring

Could there be any more glorious sight than Savannah in the spring? We think not! The city is alive with the blooming flowers of spring, adding a wash of color everywhere you look.

If you are lucky enough to be in Savannah in spring, you’ll find plenty of fun and memorable things to do. You can join the locals as they stroll along the festive riverfront, have a drink at a genuine speakeasy, enjoy a spring festival or become a ghost hunter for a day. Be sure to wear green while you watch the world’s second-largest St. Patrick’s Day parade. On Saturdays, grab your shopping bags and head to the Forsyth Farmers’ Market in beautiful Forsyth Park. Spring in Savannah is also the perfect time to stop by the historic Bonaventure Cemetery to see what all the fuss is about and enjoy the annual spring Tour of Homes & Gardens. Savannah is most certainly a year-round destination, but spring is the most beautiful time of year.

American Prohibition Museum

A visit to this unique attraction is one of the top things to do in Savannah in March. The American Prohibition Museum in Savannah is the only museum of its kind. This is no dry and dusty museum. You’ll see the history of Prohibition in America through interactive exhibits, vintage stills, wax figures, a vintage beer truck, costumed guides and more. You’ll learn about the history of rumrunners, moonshine, flapper girls and gangsters. Find out why the Ford Model T car was so popular. At the end of the tour, guests are given the secret code to enter the on-site speakeasy!

Savannah Spring Festivals

The Savannah Music Festival

The Savannah Music Festival in April is an opportunity to shake off the end of winter and bring on the beauty of Savannah in spring. Since 1989, the festival has attracted 500 musicians to perform over 17 days, making this the largest musical arts event in Georgia. Musical genres include an eclectic mix of country, folk, jazz and chamber. Performances are held at various venues throughout the city, including the Charles H. Morris Center, Yamacraw Center, Johnny Mercer Center, Lucas Theatre, Trustees’ Garden, Ships of the Sea Museum, Trustees Theater and more.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

If you are looking for things to do in Savannah in March, the St. Patrick’s Day parade should top the list. Each year the parade route winds its way through downtown Savannah, beginning at Forsyth Park. Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is one of the largest in the world, with three hours of parading bands, soldiers, public servants, pipe and drum groups, families, societies, floats, and even the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Earth Day Festival

Every spring, in April, Savannah’s local government, nonprofit organizations, community groups and the public come together with the Earth Day Festival to celebrate being environmentally responsible in business and at home. If you are visiting in mid-April, add the Earth Day event to your list of great things to do in Savannah in spring. The annual event has been happening since 2000. The festivities include presentations, exhibits, music, electric car displays and more, all at Daffin Park by Grayson Stadium.

Activities and Tours

Take a walk on the riverfront like locals do and enjoy boutique shopping, amazing food, cobblestone streets, late-night bars and a fantastic view of the Savannah River. At one time, this area was a major southern port for barges carrying rice and cotton for export. Now, it’s a lively area for locals and sightseeing tourists alike. You’ll see some of the original buildings that were part of the lucrative cotton trade, including the Cotton Exchange and Factors Walk.

Forsyth Farmers’ Market

Savannah’s Forsyth Farmers’ Market is a year-round event that takes place every Saturday, with very few exceptions, under the ancient oaks at Forsyth Park. You won’t find tacky kitsch for sale here, as Savannah runs a food-only market. There are 35 vendors selling fresh produce, pastured meats, local honey, artisan dairy and cheeses, artisan bread and baked goods. All market vendors are local, coming from within a 200-mile radius. Hours are 9:00 am to 1:00 pm every Saturday.

Savannah Sightseeing With Old Town Trolley Tours

Enjoy a beautiful spring day with a Savannah Old Town Trolley tour. There are no bad seats on these open-air trolleys, which are perfect for picture-taking. A one-day ticket gives you unlimited access to hop on and off the trolley at all 15 scenic stops throughout historic Savannah. Live narration is provided for over 100 points of interest by knowledgeable conductors who share an entertaining collection of facts, trivia and humorous stories. Trolleys start at 9:00 am and run until 5:00 pm. If you decide to stay on the trolley for the full tour, it will last 90 minutes. You can hop off at any stop and catch the next trolley every 20 to 30 minutes.

savannah historic district

House Tours

During Savannah’s annual spring Tour of Homes & Gardens, visitors can take a peek behind the scenes at some of the city’s most impressive private homes. The 22 squares in Savannah’s Historic District spring to life with blooming trees and shrubs that are surrounded by ornate homes and churches. Most of Savannah’s legendary azaleas will be in full bloom. Self-guided tours are held over four days at select homes and gardens, with a different neighborhood featured every day. A limited number of tickets are allotted for each day, so purchase your tickets online in advance.

Ghost Tour

No visit to America’s most haunted city would be complete without a spooky ghost tour to give you the chills! The popular Ghosts & Gravestones tour of Savannah takes guests into the Historic District to see Savannah’s most haunted sites. Travel on the Trolley of the Doomed past bone-chilling cemeteries, historic mansions and sinister-looking squares. Your local guide will share stories of spirit sightings and paranormal activity that are very much a part of Savannah’s haunted history. Tales are told of spirits appearing seemingly out of nowhere, dressed in period-appropriate attire, and furniture moving unaided.

Savannah Comic Con

For two days, the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center becomes a sea of superheroes, cartoon characters and comic book personalities. For over eight years, Comic Con has visited Savannah with its comic book and pop culture show. Attendees can wander through the showroom to see the Vendor Marketplace, Game Zone, and Artist Alley. Celebrities and comic creators make an appearance, and many of the guests will be dressed in the costume of their favorite character.

Bonaventure Cemetery

No, this is not another spooky ghost tour recommendation! The Bonaventure Cemetery is more than a historic final resting place. It’s an outdoor sculpture garden with old-growth oaks covered in Spanish moss and Victorian grave markers, considered by many to be the most beautiful cemetery in the country. Bonaventure gained its fame when it was featured in the John Berendt novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Several monuments here pay homage to groups such as the American Legion, the Order of Railroad Conductors, the Veterans of the Spanish American War, and there is a Holocaust memorial. Visitors can pick up a map and guide to the cemetery from the visitor center.

Forsyth Park

It would be difficult to choose which scenic area of Savannah is the most photographed, but a strong argument could be made in favor of beautiful Forsyth Park. Located in the lovely Victorian District, Forsyth is one of the best things to do in Savannah in the spring. Best of all, it’s free. The 30-acre park is a popular gathering place year-round, and even more so when the trees and flowers are covered with colorful blossoms. When the azaleas are in bloom, the park is an explosion of pink. The best Instagram photo spot in Savannah is in front of the fountain at the north end of the park. The historic fountain is featured in many iconic images of Savannah. Step back from the fountain to capture the image of old-growth oak trees as they create a canopy covered in Spanish moss with the fountain at the center.

FAQs

Is Savannah popular for spring break?

A Savannah spring break is a fantastic experience. There are sunny spring days, great food, friendly people and plenty of outdoor activities. Spring break is definitely popular in Savannah.

Which is Better to Visit — Charleston or Savannah?

To compare the two is like comparing milk chocolate to dark chocolate. Both are great! But if you can only choose one, then go to Savannah.

Is Savannah a walkable city?

Getting around Savannah is certainly easier with a car. Visiting the many great attractions, and even getting to the outskirts of town, is best done by car. If you stay in a centrally located hotel, you could get around by bus, but you may need to use a taxi or shared car to get to a few of the outer areas.

What is the best month to visit Savannah?

The best time to visit Savannah is from March through the end of June, when the weather is warm without being too hot or humid and the flowers are in full bloom.