The Best Day Trips From Savannah, Georgia

Interestingly half of this park, established in 1927 on the remains of a rice plantation, actually lies in South Carolina. The refuge is home to a wide array of animals and over 250 species of bird life. With 40m (64km) of trails and a driving loop, a whole day can be spent searching for glimpses of ospreys, owls, bald eagles, deer, bobcats, otters and lots of alligators. It’s a mere 10 minutes from town to the visitor center, which is open from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday through Saturday. Admission is free.

In a channel of the Savannah River lies Cockspur Island, named because of its bent shape. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, landed on the island in 1736 and a monument now marks the spot. The island is also home to Fort Pulaski National Monument, a Civil War landmark, and the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse can be viewed from afar, perched among marshy grassland it makes for some picturesque photographs. Within Fort Pulaski hiking, biking and walking trails are abundant and offer scenic vistas of the mainland. A 20-minute drive from downtown Savannah puts you on the island.

On the banks of the May River, lies quaint Bluffton. Stroll the beautiful Old Town Bluffton, then head over to the Heyward House Museum to tour of the eight Antebellum homes left in the town. Picnic in Oyster Factory Park for lunch and afterwards tour the neoclassical Church of the Cross. End your day at the rustic-chic FARM, the best place to sample small plates of locally sourced seafood. Make sure to book a seat at the chef’s table that enables diners to have a full view into the kitchen. Bluffton is just under an hour’s drive from downtown Savannah.