If you’re dreaming of blooming flowers, dripping Spanish moss, delicious food, and comfortably walking around outside in December, January, or February, it may be time to plan a winter trip to Savannah!
Nestled in the Lowcountry near the Georgia coast, Savannah shines in the winter months.
Winter is one of my favorite seasons to visit the Hostess City, and I highly recommend it as a (usually) sunny and mild winter getaway in the USA.
Here’s what to know about planning a trip to Savannah this winter!
Table of Contents
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Savannah in Winter
Savannah’s winter weather is generally so mild that I could easily fill up this guide with just about all of the best things to do in Savannah.
I’ll (try to) resist the urge to get too detailed here, though, instead focusing on Savannah attractions that I think are particularly wonderful in December, January, and February!
If you’re looking for more ideas, though, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Savannah, and here’s our recommended 3-day weekend itinerary.
Enjoy dining al fresco.
If you are dreaming of outdoor dining in January, then Savannah is the place for you!
As long as the weather cooperates reasonably well, dining al fresco in Savannah is a year-round experience–and in fact, it can be much more pleasant in the winter than the summer!
Places where we’ve personally dined outside in Savannah during the winter include but certainly aren’t limited to Gallery Espresso (day and night), The Collins Quarter (I have a photo of myself wearing a tank top here while enjoying avocado toast in February), Six Pence Pub, Vinnie VanGoGo’s, and The Public.
On a non-winter-specific note, I find Savannah to be one of the most pleasant cities to dine outside in the US, especially when you exclude waterfronts.
While there is, of course, some vehicle traffic in Savannah, the squares and city layout mean that the whole experience generally feels much more relaxed than the “eating a meal next to a suburban parking lot/heavy city traffic” vibe that you find in most places in the US.
Take a long walk through Savannah’s best squares (without sweating).
I could easily fill up this blog post with a very long list of “do this iconic thing in Savannah without sweating”, but the squares are so incredible that they’re worth mentioning!
Originally laid out in 1733, Savannah’s 23 town squares (down from an original 24) have been preserved for centuries and are one of the most incredible features of the city.
Each square operates as a mini-public park, with blooming flowers (yes, even in winter!), oak trees, Spanish moss, and statues/various public art projects.
Exploring them on foot is easily one of the best things to do in Savannah year-round!
A few of my personal favorites include Chippewa Square (AKA the Forest Gump square), Madison Square, Wright Square, Pulaski Square (for a laid-back, out-of-the-way option), Lafayette Square, and Monterey Square.
Sample a warm praline right from the oven.
Pralines are easily one of the best things to eat in Savannah year-round, but there’s no denying that a warm sample fresh from the oven is even more delicious when it’s cold(er) outside!
The most iconic places to nab pralines in Savannah include Savannah’s Candy Kitchen and River Street Sweets.
They’re both delicious and, in fact, are part of the same company today (though that hasn’t always been the case).
Both brands have a couple locations, though I’m partial to Savannah’s Candy Kitchen in City Market and River Street Sweets on River Street just for the atmosphere.
Bundle up for a ghost tour.
If there’s one thing Savannah does well, it’s ghost tours, and that’s especially true in the winter when you can wrap yourself up in a coat with a warm drink in your hands.
Want a light-hearted ride in a hearse? They’ve got that.
A grisly late-night tour where drinking is recommended, and kids are required to be left at home? Yep, got that too.
Paranormal activity tour? Check.
Whatever flavor of ghost tour is for you, and whether you’re a true believer or a die-hard skeptic like me, ghost tours in Savannah are a great way to get to know the legends of the city, and I highly recommend enjoying one during your winter vacation in Savannah!
If you’re looking for a classic walking ghost tour, this option gets great reviews.
Prefer a more supernatural bent? Try this popular paranormal activity tour (skeptics welcome)!
Want the scariest possible option? The Dead of Night tour is what you’re looking for!
Enjoy some of Savannah’s best restaurants with less competition.
When I first started visiting Savannah many years ago, we were able to book our restaurants more or less once we arrived in town.
Zoom forward in time, and friends started telling me they had to plan weeks ahead to get into famous spots like The Olde Pink House!
If you have your heart set on experiencing some of the city’s trendier and/or more famous spots, visiting Savannah in winter is a great way to ensure that the competition for restaurants is far less than average!
Savannah also participates in Restaurant Week in January/February, when some local restaurants offer prix fixe menus at competitive prices to encourage patrons during a traditionally slow season.
In 2026, Savannah’s Restaurant Week will run from January 28 to February 8.
Admire Christmas decor in the historic center.
From garlands wrapped around lightposts in the city’s squares to historic homes that go all-out with Christmas trees on their porches, there’s no doubt that Savannah looks gorgeous dressed up for Christmas!
We love enjoying the festive atmosphere that Savannah takes on in December and early January, and the thrill of getting to experience Christmas decor without (always) being cold is lovely too!
Take a day trip to Tybee Island and climb the lighthouse.
As one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Savannah, a visit to Tybee Island is a delight year-round.
Sure, you probably won’t want to go swimming in December, January, or February, but a long walk on the beach and a plate of seafood served with the scent of salt water in the air is still a delight!
Winter is also a fantastic time to climb the Tybee Lighthouse, which is open year-round.
The lighthouse and keeper’s cottage don’t have air conditioning, which means that ascending the 178 steps to the top is generally much more pleasant in January than in July.
If you’re lucky enough to catch a sunny, warm day, winter can also be an excellent time to explore Tybee by bike!
Savor blooming flowers in the depths of winter.
In the Lowcountry, you don’t have to wait until spring for beautiful blooms!
Camellias in particular are winter-blooming flowers in Savannah, and you’ll find them dotting the city squares.
Toward the end of winter, you’ll also see azaleas start to bloom, which is a very welcome sight for us during late-February visits!
Savannah’s oak and magnolia trees don’t go bare, and for those curious about Spanish moss, don’t worry: the iconic moss drips from tree branches year-round.
Tour some of Savannah’s historic homes at their best.
Fewer crowds and cooler interiors? Sounds like the perfect time to tour one of Savannah’s many house museums!
Savannah is absolutely full of house museums, AKA mansions-turned-museums that tell the stories of different aspects of the city.
While most house museums in Savannah have some air conditioning these days, it’s not always in every room or cool enough to meet modern preferences.
Plus, since winter (especially January and February) is the low season for tourism in Savannah, you have good odds of ending up with a smaller group.
The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is an excellent starting point, both because it does an excellent job at highlighting just how much labor enslaved people put into maintaining these illustrious homes, and because a tour of the home is included in a ticket to the Telfair Museum and Jepson Center.
Different homes focus on different topics, though, and you might also like to visit the Mercer-Williams House (of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame, though since the sister of the man accused of the murder owns the house, you won’t hear a thing about it on the tour!), the Andrew Low House (birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of America), the Davenport House (the first Savannah mansion to be restored), or the Sorrel-Weed House (often considered to be haunted and the focus of several ghost stories).
Separate from Savannah’s public house museums, if you happen to be someone who is in town on the correct date in December and considers peeking into normally closed homes worth a splurge, the Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes might be of interest to you!
Visit the Savannah Christmas Market.
It may not be quite like visiting Germany or Austria in winter, but there’s a reason that USA Today named Savannah’s Christmas Market one of the best in the country!
Located in the Plant Riverside District, during the holiday season you can stroll along the Savannah River while enjoying the Savannah Christmas Market’s festivities and lively atmosphere.
With European styling and the best of American traditions (hello, Santa photo ops!), it’s a spot not to miss in Savannah during the holidays.
Next season’s market will run from November 19, 2026 to January 1, 2027.
Museum-hop through Savannah’s iconic and lesser-known spots.
If you happen to catch a cold or rainy day during your Savannah winter vacation, it’s time to head inside to a museum!
Luckily, Savannah has plenty to choose from.
The Telfair Museum (home to the bird girl statue) and Jepson Center (modern art) are part of a combined ticket and definitely worth seeing.
The American Prohibition Museum (which, naturally, includes a speakeasy and optional cocktail classes) is also a popular spot.
Other options include but aren’t limited to the Savannah History Museum, the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, the Graveface Museum, the SCAD Museum of Art, and the Georgia State Railroad Museum (a huge hit with our toddler, and great for train-loving adults too).
Attend the Savannah Book Festival (for free).
The Savannah Book Festival is a fun winter event in Savannah, and if you happen to arrive at the right time, you can attend for free!
Festival Saturday, one day of the 4-day event, includes free author talks and book signings spread across the city’s historic squares.
Relax in Forsyth Park.
Savannah’s Forsyth Park, with its famous 19th-century fountain, is one of the most photographed corners of the city, and a fantastic stop when visiting Savannah in winter!
This falls under the umbrella of places that are wonderful year-round… but are even better when you’re not sweating while enjoying them.
For your first visit, we recommend approaching from the north side of the park–this is where you’ll find the famous fountain, along with plenty of green space, benches, and shaded views.
Continue further south, and you’ll come to a beautiful, wide-open lawn, a small blooming garden, a playground, and the second location of The Collins Quarter.
The fountain in Forsyth generally runs through the winter, though word on the street is that it’ll be turned off in the rare event of a freeze.
Where to Stay in Savannah This Winter
For us, there’s only one place to consider staying when in Savannah: in the historic district (or at least as close to it as you can get).
Forget downtown–it’s a lovely place, but miles away from the tourist attractions that will fill up your 3 days in Savannah.
The Starland District and Midtown are closer, and definitely valid options these days, but still too far from the best things to do in Savannah for our preferences. When we visit Savannah, we want to walk everywhere, and that means being in the center of the action!
Stick with the historic district, and you’ll be able to walk to most of the top attractions in Savannah (barring some outside the center that everyone has to drive to, like Bonaventure Cemetery).
From a haunted bed and breakfast to a modern hotel, here are some highly recommended places to stay in Savannah!
Unlike some of our city guides, these Savannah hotels are a bit closer in price than you might think.
Savannah has a shortage of extreme budget properties like hostels, but historical bed and breakfasts can be an excellent value for the experience you receive.
We’ve also included a beautiful apartment rental that we’ve personally stayed in and can recommend… with one caveat.
Budget
Best Western Savannah Historic District — If you’re looking to stick to a budget during your weekend in Savannah while still being in a walkable area, the Best Western Savannah Historic District is a great option!
Featuring parking onsite, an included breakfast, and easy access by foot to all the historic district highlights, we were completely satisfied with our stay in this hotel and would be happy to stay again if we were looking for something with a similar budget.
Check rates & book your way at Best Western Historic District!
Mid-range
The Marshall House — Located on trendy Broughton Street (and dangerously close to Leopold’s Ice Cream), the gorgeous Marshall House is a fantastic option for those looking to stay in a historical inn in Savannah while sticking to a reasonable budget.
Featuring a popular included breakfast, a fantastic location in the heart of Savannah’s historic district, and phenomenal reviews, you can’t go wrong with a stay at The Marshall House!
Check rates & book your stay at The Marshall House!
Luxury
Foley House Inn — Easily my favorite hotel that I’ve stayed in while in Savannah, the Foley House Inn is absolutely beautiful inside and out, and has a perfect location right on Chippewa Square.
The included breakfast is delicious (as are the included afternoon treats–don’t miss the lemon pound cake!), the service excellent, and the decor absolutely gorgeous.
Though there isn’t parking onsite, street parking is plentiful and easy to find.
I’d be thrilled to stay here again–even if it is potentially haunted (the Foley House Inn is featured in many of Savannah’s ghost tours!).
Check rates & book your stay at the Foley House Inn!
Apartment Rental
Kasa Jules Savannah — Want to feel like you’re living in Savannah in the best way during your trip?
Kasa Jules offers apartment rentals in a perfect location and has you covered!
Housed in a beautiful 19th-century building on Chippewa Square (next door to the Savannah Theatre and mere steps from Gallery Espresso), this is one of the most beautiful apartment rentals we’ve ever stayed in.
The historic building, modern comforts (including cozy beds and excellent bathrooms), and sleek and well-stocked kitchen were the perfect combination.
The only downside? Some issues with noise at night from McDonough’s around the corner.
We found that some nights were noisier than others, and that the provided sound machine and ear plugs were sufficient, but it may depend on your tolerance and the exact apartment you’re in. We stayed in the two-bedroom apartment.
Check rates & book your stay at Kasa Jules today!
Tips for Enjoying Winter in Savannah
Check the weather constantly as your trip approaches.
While typical winter weather in Savannah is extremely mild (more on that in another section), occasional cold snaps where the high temperatures dip into the 40s or 50s do happen!
The best way to be prepared is to keep checking the weather as your trip gets closer, and be prepared for variety.
If you are able to plan at the last minute and are eager to enjoy some warm weather, waiting and planning a trip when the forecast looks favorable is always a great way to travel!
Know that SCAD students have a fairly long winter break.
The Savannah College of Art and Design closes for 6 weeks or so between their fall quarter (which ends before Thanksgiving) and winter quarter (which generally starts the first week of January).
Depending on your plans, the lack of student life may be a positive or a negative, but there’s no doubt that the city is noticeably quieter when SCAD is closed for the holidays!
Keep in mind that some small businesses will close in January.
Once Christmas is over and most visitors head home until spring, some local businesses will shut their doors for a short break.
It isn’t enough to make a marked difference in how planning a trip to Savannah feels, but it’s something to keep an eye out for!
Perhaps most notably, the famous Mrs. Wilkes closes from early January through mid-February each year.
Pack plenty of layers!
This is true of many places in winter, of course, and it’s definitely true for Savannah!
There’s a good chance you’ll want to spend part of your Savannah winter trip wearing short sleeves during the day and then shrugging into a jacket at night.
Personally, I have brought a coat to Savannah out of caution before and never once worn it, but occasional cold snaps do call for them!
Don’t overthink the season too much.
More than most places in the US, visiting Savannah in winter is generally a very “normal” travel experience.
You’ll probably be doing most of the same things you would in the spring or fall, just with fewer crowds to contend with!
Of course, there’s always a chance that you happen to visit during a cold snap or extremely rare bout of snow, but odds are much higher that you’ll be walking around in a t-shirt or light jacket.
Typical Winter Weather in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah averages very mild weather over the winter.
Average temperatures in January are the coldest, with typical highs of 62°F and lows of 42°F.
December is slightly warmer than that (64°/45°), and February warmer still (65°/45°).
Each month averages a mere 5-6 days of precipitation.
Of course, averages don’t tell the whole story. Highs in the 40s and 50s will generally occur at some point most winters, and on the opposite end, we enjoyed balmy highs in the 70s during our most recent January trip!
Does it snow in Savannah?
Savannah averages “zero inches of snow per year”, and it is rare enough that a small snowfall in 2018 is still considered the most recent snow event in the city as I type this in 2026.
Of the top 5 biggest snowfalls in Savannah’s recorded history, the most recent one happened in 1989!
Ice and sleet are more common than snow, though still unexpected.
Read More About Visiting Savannah + Beyond
Excited to continue planning your trip to Savannah?
If you found this Savannah winter guide helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your travel planning here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse all our blog posts about the US South here, or check out these guides:
- 3 Days in Savannah: The Perfect Long Weekend in Savannah Itinerary
- USA Bucket List: 50 Best Places to Visit in the US
- 3 Days in Miami: A Magnificent Long Weekend in Miami Itinerary
- 7+ Best Day Trips from Savannah, GA
- How to Spend One Charming Day in Charleston, SC (Itinerary + Tips!)
About Kate Storm
Kate is the founder and primary author of Our Escape Clause. Since 2016, she has been following her curiosity across the globe and turning her experiences into detailed trip planning advice for you. Her travels have taken her to 50+ countries, most regions of Italy, and most US states. After 4+ years of full-time travel, she enjoyed chapters calling Lisbon, New York City, and Texas home before deciding to base herself in North Carolina (between trips). She lives with her husband and business partner, Jeremy, their son, and their fluffy sidekick, Ranger.