Are you planning to visit Savannah in winter?
With the oak-lined streets, abundant historical sites, and museums filled with stories, Savannah is a city like no other.
It has the privilege of being the oldest city in Georgia, and it paints a perfect picture of Southern hospitality, featuring great experiences for travelers and visitors throughout the year.
But Savannah in winter is a one-of-a-kind experience because of its cool, misty, and mild atmosphere. It offers a special kind of silence and a moody vibe that you can only experience during the colder months.
The winters here are never too extreme, making it a perfect place to spend some winter holidays with family, your beloved, or by yourself.
Here, I’ll tell you more about what Savannah in winter is like, along with other essential information that might help you on your next winter Savannah trip.
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Is Winter A Good Time To Visit Savannah?
The Savannah winter has a mind of its own, but it’s never too extreme.
Some days, you’re lounging in your PJs and t-shirts, while other days, you’re wrapped in layers and drinking hot cocoa.
What makes visiting Savannah in winter so great is that it becomes less crowded, less noisy, and more serene.
In winter, you get to see what life in Savannah is like up close, even if you’re just there for one day.
Besides, winters in Savannah rarely dip below the 40 Fahrenheit mark, so the temperatures are fit for a vacation.
Not only that, but the Savannah Halloween is also a different kind of experience since the city has a bit of spooky history.
Some places in Savannah, like the Bonaventure Cemetery, are said to be haunted, which makes for an exciting adventure if you’re a bit of a risk-taker.
It’s one of the Best Places to Visit for Halloween!
Does It Snow in Savannah, Georgia?
No, it doesn’t typically snow in Savannah except on rare occasions. The city may see a snowstorm every few years or so, and it may go for decades without seeing a single snowfall event.
During the 2010s, it only snowed in Savannah once in 2010 and once in 2018. In both times, the snow didn’t reach two inches.
Average Savannah Winter Weather
The winter experience in Savannah is typical of those Southern winters—humid and cold.
If you aren’t accustomed to this kind of winter, it won’t take you very long to adapt. The constant moisture in the air can make the cold seem colder than it really is.
Despite that, the days are sunny, even in the winter months.
Even though the city does get its share of rain and overcast weather, it mostly has clear blue skies.
Average Winter Temperatures in Savannah
These are the average temperatures in Savannah in the winter months:
- Average Temperature for Savannah, Georgia in December: 66°F high and 45°F low
- Average Temperature for Savannah, Georgia in January: 61°F high and 39°F low
- Average Temperature for Savannah, Georgia in February: 67°F high and 44°F low
Related post: Beautiful Places to Visit in Winter in the USA
How To Get To Savannah In Winter?
Savannah’s airport offers direct flights from many cities in the US and is only located a few miles from downtown.
Apart from air travel, people can also travel to Savannah using Amtrak from major Eastern Seaboard cities.
If you’re traveling from a city across Southeast and further, you can always use Greyhound’s bus network.
The road network is also well established in and around Savannah, making it easier to travel from Atlanta and many East Coast cities.
How To Get Around Savannah In Winter?
As far as intercity transport goes, the first on the list is the Old Town Trolley Tour.
Though it’s not a transport service, it’s your best option to travel around the major sites of Savannah in winter without a hassle. Plus, it offers narrated tours, which is a bonus!
Next up is the DOT—a downtown transportation system that covers a considerable amount of city area.
This system includes the Express shuttle that makes 11 stops in and around the Historic District and departs every 20 minutes. The River Street Streetcar is also a part of DOT. It makes six stops by Historic River Street.
Aside from the DOT, there is also the Savannah Belles Ferry.
It has three landing spots that connect the downtown to the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center and Hutchinson Island.
If you want to experience the true taste of the city, you can always travel around Savannah using Pedicabs. They are bicycles, and the drivers are people looking to stay fit while giving you a relaxing bike ride around the city.
It is worth trying, if only for the fun of it!
Top Things To Do In Savannah During The Winter
1. Ice Skating at The Civic Center, one of the best activities in winter in Savannah GA
Ice Skating is probably the best thing to do in Savannah in winter. The weather is mildly cold, and you’re just flowing on the ice wrapped in layers while nothing else matters!
For this kind of ice skating experience, head to the Savannah Civic Center. It’s perfect for families, groups, couples, and even a lone globetrotter.
Every year, between December and January, the Civic Center arranges the skatefest and incredibly transforms the Martin Luther King Junior Arena into a skating rink. You can adjust the timing of your trip to match if you want to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
2. Jepson Center For The Arts
Jepson Center for the Arts is heaven for every art enthusiast. It is a famous art museum, probably topping the list, and its included in the Savannah Tour Pass.
By Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) – Own work
It spans over more than 7500 square feet, featuring all the great artists from around the globe. On top of that, it always hosts permanent and traveling exhibitions, so you may want to check the schedule before your visit.
Even if you aren’t into the arts much, this place has the potential to turn your aesthetic sensibilities on!
3. Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
The best part of the mild Savannah winters is the opportunity to visit the incomparably beautiful, gorgeous, and stunning botanical gardens.
The Coastal Georgia botanical gardens are spread across an area of about 10 acres, and between 25th Nov and 24th Dec, they get transformed into a truly magical place.
During this time, the gardens are lit with 1,000,000 twinkling lights, and Santa and Mrs. Claus visit in all their glory to fuel the children’s excitement!
The magic doesn’t stop here; you can enjoy the holiday treats and hot chocolate offered at the kiosks for a true Savannah experience.
Things to Do in Savannah Ga in January
Because the major festivals don’t start until March, January is often a quiet month in Savannah. If you prefer the quiet, you can plan your trip in January and enjoy the Polar Plunge on Tybee Island, watch ice hockey tournaments, or go on a boat ride.
Visit Tybee Island
The Polar Plunge is one of the major events that you can enjoy in Savannah during January, and it takes place on Tybee Island, Every year on New Year’s Day, people gather to take a cold water swim at the pier, and the event is celebrated by parades and costume contests.
If you don’t want to get wet, you can enjoy your surroundings on the island and watch the natural spaces.
Enjoy Ice Hockey
During January, Savannah hosts the Enmarket Savannah Hockey Classic, which is a popular college tournament that attracts many Americans to watch.
The tournament spans over a weekend, and the winning team gets the Thrasher Cup. If you’re a true hockey fan, you’ll enjoy the thrill of this spectacle in the Enmarket Arena!
Go on a Boat Ride
If you want to get a classic Savannah experience, you can always go on a boat ride in the Savannah River. During Late December and Early January, particularly between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the boats get dressed up with lights and decorations, and tourists line the decks up for rides.
From the boat ride, you’ll have a spectacular view of the city’s skyline!
Now that you know everything there is to know about what Savannah is all about in winter, we suggest you book your flight! If you wait longer, you may miss the magical time of December and January in the city!
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