Where Can You Go Indoors When Looking for Things To Do in Savannah in Winter?

Winter brings mild weather to the historic district, Savannah and beyond, and it is a comfortable time to explore indoor attractions that offer steady warmth and plenty of time to learn something new. These spots keep you close to history, art, and hands-on exhibits without long walks in cooler winds.

American Prohibition Museum

The American Prohibition Museum® is one of the most popular things to do in Savannah in winter because it stays warm and full of activity. Guests move through galleries filled with vintage cars, recreated saloons, real photographs, and stories about life during Prohibition. Each room focuses on a different part of the era, which helps visitors understand how the movement impacted daily life in the historic district, Savannah. At the end of the museum, there is a quiet entrance to Congress Street Up, a 1920s-style speakeasy where bartenders prepare classic drinks for an additional charge. The space feels relaxed and inviting, which makes it a nice winter stop.

Historic House Tours in the Historic District, Savannah

Many visitors enjoy walking through the preserved historic homes that sit throughout the historic district, Savannah. Winter is a good time for this, since each home keeps guests indoors while offering guided stories and original objects. The Davenport House Museum, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, Harper Fowlkes House, and Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters all share different moments from Savannah’s past. Visitors learn how families lived, worked, and shaped the city, and each tour moves at a steady, comfortable pace. 

Telfair Museums

The Telfair Museums are another favorite indoor option for anyone visiting the historic district, Savannah. The combined ticket lets guests see the Telfair Academy, the Jepson Center, and the Owens-Thomas House. The Telfair Academy features classic art and sculpture, while the Jepson Center offers bright, modern galleries and a children’s area that families enjoy. The Owens-Thomas House adds deeper context about early Savannah life. These museums provide a calm setting that allows visitors to move at their own pace and spend as much time as needed with each exhibit. This makes them a reliable choice when planning things to do in Savannah in winter.

Specialty Museums

Specialty museums help round out a winter visit with detailed collections and interactive displays. The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum has hand-built ship models and stories about Savannah’s shipping history. The Savannah Pirates and Treasure Museum™ offers exhibits tied to maritime legends, early coastal trade, and artifacts from the Golden Age of Piracy. Families enjoy the hands-on elements, which make it easy for younger guests to stay engaged. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force sits a short drive outside the historic district, Savannah and features large aircraft, personal stories, and wide exhibit halls where visitors can spend a full afternoon indoors. 

Cozy Restaurants and Dining

Where Can You Enjoy Warm Food and Relaxed Spaces in Savannah?

Winter is a good time to slow down and enjoy the food scene in the historic district, Savannah. The cooler weather gives you an easy excuse to settle into a warm dining room, try a new dish, or grab a quiet drink before heading back out to explore more things to do in Savannah in winter. 

Historic Dining Spots

The Olde Pink House is one of the most visited restaurants in the historic district, Savannah. Guests come for the warm rooms, candlelit tables, and new southern dishes prepared with care. The setting feels rich with local history, and each room has a style that reflects the home’s long past. 

Another meaningful stop is the First African Baptist Church. While it’s not a restaurant, many visitors like to plan a meal nearby so they can pair it with a tour of the church. It’s known as one of the oldest African American congregations in the country, and the tours explain how the building shaped local life.

Speakeasies, Pubs, and Cafes

Congress Street Up sits inside the American Prohibition Museum and is an easy place to enjoy a warm drink in a quiet space. Many guests step inside after exploring the museum, and the bartenders prepare drinks inspired by the 1920s. The comfortable rooms, soft lighting, and calm music make it a relaxed winter stop and a popular addition to many things to do in Savannah in winter.

Savannah Coffee Roasters has been a local favorite for more than a century. Visitors enjoy hot coffee, fresh pastries, and simple meals on cool mornings. The shop’s friendly, easy to reach, and helpful for starting a day of museums or tours in Savannah.

Several small pubs near the squares and the English pub at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force also offer warm drinks and hearty meals. 

Unique Winter Tours and Festivals

What Winter Tours and Events Stand Out in the Historic District, Savannah?

Winter brings in local traditions, yearly festivals, and guided experiences that show another side of the city. Each one offers something specific to the colder months, and they give you clear ways to plan out the next part of your trip.

Old Town Trolley Tours

A ride with Old Town Trolley Tours® is an easy way to start your visit. The friendly and knowledgeable guides share live narration that helps you understand the stories behind the homes, parks, and landmarks around Savannah. The hop-on and hop-off feature lets you explore at your own pace so you can stop at places that catch your eye and skip long walks in the cold. The trolley passes more than 100 points of interest, which makes it a simple way to get a feel for the city. In winter, many guests also enjoy the Holiday Sights and Festive Nights® experience, a nighttime ride that includes lights and seasonal stories. It’s a relaxed addition to your list of things to do in Savannah in winter.

Winter Festivals

Savannah has several winter festivals that are easy to enjoy. The Savannah Black Heritage Festival takes place in February and includes music, lectures, theater, and family events. The American Traditions Vocal festival happens in January and brings singers from across the country to share classic American music. The Savannah Book Festival welcomes authors and readers, and the Trustees Theater hosts film events that draw people from all over. 

Seasonal Sports

The Enmarket Savannah Hockey Classic takes place around the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. It brings together college teams from Georgia and Florida and creates a lively setting for visitors. Many people enjoy the games as a fun break from museums and tours, and it fits easily into a winter trip. 

Holiday Experiences

What Holiday Events Can You Enjoy During Winter in Savannah?

Winter adds a holiday feel to Savannah, and visitors often enjoy seeing how the city dresses up for the season. The events below are popular each year and give your trip extra charm without feeling rushed.

December Nights and Holiday Lights

This seasonal event turns the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens into a bright nighttime walk filled with glowing displays, decorated paths, and themed areas. Families come to wander through light tunnels and colorful scenes. Guests can stop for s’mores, hot drinks, and snacks from the on-site market.

Savannah Christmas Celebration

The Plant Riverside District hosts a lively holiday market with music, food booths, decorated walkways, and visits with Santa. The riverfront lights reflect off the water, and the mix of shops and outdoor seating makes it an easy place to explore at your own pace. Visitors often browse the stalls before settling in to listen to live performances. It adds a cheerful stop to your list of things to do in Savannah in winter.

Holiday Performances at the Savannah Theater

The Savannah Theater presents its long-running show A Christmas Tradition, which blends music, comedy, and classic holiday songs. Many travelers return each year because the cast creates an upbeat and familiar atmosphere. The theater offers a cozy indoor setting, which makes it a nice break from walking the historic district, Savannah, during cooler evenings.

Savannah Bridge Run

The Savannah Bridge Run takes place on the first Saturday of December and brings locals and visitors together for a fun morning. Runners cross the Talmadge Memorial Bridge and enjoy views of the city and river from the top. Many wear light costumes or holiday colors, which adds to the excitement. The event includes several race options so people can join at the pace that suits them.

What Should You Know Before Planning a Winter Visit to Savannah?

Winter is a comfortable season for exploring the city. The weather stays mild most days, so it’s easy to move between museums, squares, and guided tours without dealing with heavy layers. Many visitors like this season because the streets feel calmer and it’s simple to work through a list of things to do in Savannah in winter without long lines or crowded sidewalks. Hotels and rentals often have lower rates, which helps travelers stay a little longer or pick a place closer to their favorite spots.

The historic district, Savannah, offers plenty of choices for shaping a full day. Some guests start with a warm meal or a house tour, then step outside to walk a square or browse local shops. Others mix in museums, art spaces, or community events as they go. The steady pace of winter gives visitors room to enjoy each stop without rushing, and the clear light this time of year makes photos around the parks and cobblestone streets look crisp and detailed. It’s a season that fits well with slow, simple planning and gives travelers an easy way to enjoy the city.

FAQs 

Is winter a good time to visit the historic district, Savannah?

Yes. The weather stays in the low 60s most days, and the lighter crowds make it easier to explore at a comfortable pace. Travelers enjoy having more room at popular stops and often take advantage of off-season lodging discounts. This creates a natural mix of indoor and outdoor things to do in Savannah in winter.

What’s a good indoor activity for a chilly day?

The American Prohibition Museum is a great place to start. Exhibits cover real stories from the era, and the recreated scenes help explain how life changed during Prohibition. Guests can also visit Congress Street Up, the connected speakeasy, for a warm drink. Its location in the historic district, Savannah, makes it easy to visit other museums and attractions nearby.

Are there major festivals in the winter?

Yes. The Savannah Black Heritage Festival brings music, art, and community events. The American Traditions Vocal festival features performances from singers who focus on classic American styles. The Savannah Book Festival and Mountainfilm Savannah also draw winter visitors.

What holiday activity stands out in December?

December Nights and Holiday Lights at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens is a popular pick. Guests walk through glowing displays, shop at small stalls, and enjoy snacks. Visitors also stop by holiday events in the Plant Riverside District for music and seasonal decorations.

How can I explore without walking too much?

Old Town Trolley Tours is a simple way to get around. The ride includes hop-on, hop-off service and friendly, knowledgeable guides who share stories about each stop. The route covers more than 100 points of interest throughout the city, so visitors can see a wide range of things to do in Savannah in winter without long walks or struggling to find parking.