Making the most of Savannah
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The ship will dock alongside River Street within walking distance of all the major sites.
Few if any cruise ships dock here. Plans are underway to make Savannah a real cruise destination.
Printable map to take along.
Southerners joke that in Atlanta, the first thing locals ask you is your business; in Charleston, they ask your mother's maiden name; and in Savannah, they ask what you want to drink.
From the Savannah cruise port, visitors may start a tour of Savannah along River Street; it is a lovely place for gazing at the ships that arrive from around the world.
City Market is a mixed use project in the northwest corner of the Historic District. The rehabilitation of the four block area began in 1985. The result is a physical facility that economically could not be replicated today.
Getting around
Savannah's Historic District is a good area to see in the daytime by walking.
There are several private bus tours that wind through the Historic District with running commentaries. They can be found at the Visitors' Center and numerous places throughout the Historic District.
River Street Streetcar - A 1 mile long historic streetcar line in the Downtown Historic District. For tourists, locals and train fans alike.
Food and shopping
River Street a popular cobblestone street (one way east) along the south bank of the Savannah River, is lined with numerous tourist-targeted shops and restaurants. The sculpture of the Waving Girl is towards the east end of River Street. The rest of the Historic District is on a bluff above the riverfront and is connected with River Street via stairs or ramps.
Money
The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol;$). ATM's everywhere.