Sep 26

Sep 26 5 Awesome Day Trips From Savannah, Georgia

Savannah Georgia is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Georgia and the United States. It’s embarrassing to admit but despite growing up down I 95 from the Hostess City I never visited until well into my 20s. During my graduate program at the University of Georgia, we spent a week down there pounding the pavement weaving through the city squares, combing through many house museums, and finding time to eat some good food too. If you’re planning an extended stay in Savannah, check out some of these nearby destinations for a fun day trip.

tybee island, georgia — Tybee Island, Georgia

#1 Tybee Island

Travel time: 30 minutes

Tybee Island is the closest and easiest day trip from Savannah. If you’re staying in Savannah and need a beach day, head to Tybee Island. There’s a daily ferry and plenty of sand to stretch your legs. Pack a beach picnic for the day and hit happy hour at the local favorite, A. J’s Dockside or The Crab Shack. If decide you can’t bear to leave and need a few nights on the island, check out historic Mermaid Cottages. I stayed in the cutest historic beach house just steps from the ocean over the summer and my girlfriends and I had a blast.

#2 St. Simons Island, GA

Drive time: 1.5 hours

My hometown of St. Simons Island, Georgia is of course on my list. This coastal gem has the perfect blend of things to do but there are plenty of stretches of beach to do absolutely nothing and feel great about it. History buffs will love exploring Christ Church, Fort Frederica, and the Lighthouse. If you’ve never been to St. Simons Island, I have some helpful tips for first-time visitors.

sunset at saint simons island georgia — Marsh view in St. Simons Island, Georgia

If you want to give your credit card a workout, spend your afternoon shopping on Market Street. Don’t miss the Tibi store which features runway samples and major discounts on this contemporary clothing line. Redfern Village is a fun place to shop too!

#3 Darien, GA

Drive time: 1 hour

Darien, Georgia has one of the largest estuarine systems in the country brimming with seafood that’s harvested locally. Winding through the beautiful marshes and rivers on a half-day paddle is one of my favorite things to do in this area. Check out the local kayaking companies (Altamaha Coastal Tours or Southeast Adventures) in the area for rates and availability. History enthusiasts will enjoy touring Fort King George. From 1721 until 1736, Fort King George was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America. Before heading back to Savannah, grab some Wild Georgia Shrimp at Skipper’s Fish Camp!

#4 Charleston, SC

Drive time: 2 hours

It must be said that Charleston needs way more than a day. But, if that’s all the time you have, do it! You could easily spend the day shopping and eating on King Street and in the super cool Cannonborough Neighborhood. Another fabulous way to explore Charleston is to explore the history and architecture. Check out the Historic Charleston Foundation and some of its exquisite museums. If you prefer a self-guided type of day, check out this downtown architecture guide in downtown Charleston. I created this guide after spending hours wandering around the city on my own.

#5 Macon, GA

man and woman standing in front of historic home with guitar — Rock Candy Tours in Macon, Georgia

Drive time: 2.5 hours

This drive is a bit longer than the others but I think it’s worth it if you’re into music history. I’m a huge music nerd. So much so that I wrote my master’s thesis on Georgia’s music history. If you don’t know, Macon was once the home of early R&B stars like Little Richard and Otis Redding and Southern Rock’s Allman Brothers, and many more.

Visit the birthplace of Southern Rock and tour Capricorn Sound Studios & Museum. Lead by Macon locals and music historians, if you want the ultimate Macon music experience I’d highly recommend Rock Candy Tours (walking or bus) to learn about Southern Rock and R&B in Macon

Have you visited any of these day trip destinations near Savannah? Let me know in the comments!