3 Best Sights in Savannah, Georgia

The heart of the city's outdoor life, Forsyth Park hosts a number of popular cultural events, including film screenings, sports matches, and the annual Savannah Jazz Festival. Built in 1840 and expanded in 1851, the park was part of General Oglethorpe's original city plan and made possible by the donation of land from Georgia governor John Forsyth. A glorious white fountain dating to 1858, Confederate and Spanish-American War memorials, a fragrant garden, multiple playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, and an old fort (which houses the gorgeous Collins Quarter Forsyth Café, with indoor/outdoor seating) are spread across this grand, green space. Be sure to stop by the south end on Saturday mornings for the bustling farmers' market. The park's 1-mile perimeter is among the prettiest walks in the city and takes you past many beautifully restored historic homes.

In 1824, officials chartered a project to use African American and Irish laborers to dig a 16-mile canal between the Savannah and Ogeechee rivers—by hand. Although it was once used to float lumber and other commodities via a series of tidal locks, only the small portion between Highway 204 and the Ogeechee River remains open to the public. Take the tow path toward the river, and you might see hawks, owls, snakes, and other wildlife; just don't touch the crumbling bricks. Be sure to stop into the on-site museum to chat with Connie the Canoe Lady. If the museum is closed, you can leave the admission fee in the honor box; better yet, PayPal a donation to  [email protected].

Winding trails through maritime forest and along the Intracoastal Waterway invite hikers, naturalists, and wildlife seekers into a 588-acre world of natural beauty and history. Pack a picnic to explore saw palmettos and the old moonshine still, or reserve a camping spot to marvel at the night sky over the Skidaway Narrows. RV hookups, group shelter, and cabins available.