The Best Day Trips From Savannah Georgia

From gorgeous islands to historic towns, there is no shortage of options for a day trip from Savannah, Georgia.
Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Charleston, South Carolina

A two-hour drive from Savannah lies the charming town of Charleston, known for its hospitable residents and well-preserved architecture. Sample the local specialty: she-crab soup, a delicious creamy bisque made with Atlantic blue crab meat and crab roe. History and nature lovers alike will relish walking in the downtown area with its historic houses and secret gardens. Admire the pastel-colored houses of Rainbow Row, visit one of the oldest public market in the US – City Market, and finish off with a look at the Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park. There will not be a shortage of activities in the day to keep busy.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort has served as the location for a number of hit movies such as GI Jane (1997), Platoon (1986), Forces of Nature (1999) and the most famous of all, Forrest Gump (1994). Of course this is not the only reason to visit Beaufort, but film buffs will love it. It is recommended to invest in a guide to tour the many Antebellum homes, of which Verdier House in particular is an excellent example. Amble through the waterfront Henry C Chamber park admiring the sea views, or the Beaufort National Cemetery, one of the first cemeteries established during the Civil War and one of the most beautiful. Beaufort is a 55-minute drive from Savannah.

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

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.

Cockspur Island

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.

Bluffton, South Carolina

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.

Skidaway Island

This leafy residential island is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Savannah. Not only a home to a beautiful neighborhood, it offers a natural escape at Skidaway Island State Park. It’s uniquely located on salt flats, marshland and forest with 6mi (10km) of raised hiking trails, an observation tower and a boardwalk that overlooks the Georgia Intercoastal Waterway. The park is full of wildlife with opportunities to spot deer, egrets and even crabs from platforms throughout the area. Instead of walking the trails there is also the option to rent bicycles at the park’s office. The park is open from 7am to 10pm daily and charges a $5 parking fee.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.