We recently visited Savannah, and Ellis Square was one of the public parks we enjoyed. It's close…read moreto the market area with lots of shopping, restaurants, and bars, but also close to the water. It's very open without many trees or a lot of shade, and we loved how the city made use of the green space. If you're walking around downtown Savannah and want to get off your feet for awhile, grab a snack, ice cream, or coffee, and come here. Ellis Square has plenty of spots to sit, relax, and people watch, as well as bathrooms and a staffed visitor's center booth.

Ellis Square is a really nice spot right in the middle of everything. It's clean, open, and a great…read moreplace to sit and take a break while exploring downtown. There's usually something going on, which keeps it lively.

A nice square with a monument honoring Haitians who joined in the defense of Savannah. Adjacent to…read morean historic church with daily tours.

We came upon Franklin Square after checking out Savannah's adjacent historic City Market:…read morehttps://www.yelp.com/biz/city-market-savannah This is one of Savannah's 22 squares. It's named after Benjamin Franklin, who - I learned after visiting this square - was appointed by the Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts colonies to be their agent to the Crown circa 1765. What makes this square special is the Haitian Monument featured in the center. It honors more than 500 Haitian soldiers who fought alongside American colonial troops in the Second Battle of Savannah. That was in 1779, during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). At that time, that part of Haiti, where the soldiers came from, was known as the French colony of Saint-Domingue. The monument in this square depicts six soldiers. The drummer is Henri Christophe (1767-1820). Christophe was a leader in the Haitian Revolution, where Haiti gained independence from France (1804). He was later proclaimed Henry I, King of Haiti. Of Savannah's squares, Franklin Square is the northernmost square. It's four blocks south of River Street and is part of the row that's closest to the Savannah River. Unlike several of the squares farther south, Franklin Square is located in a more touristy, commercial part of town. Along with the aforementioned City Market, there are restaurants, bars, hotels, stores, and attractions (e.g., museums) nearby. Also unlike a lot of the other squares, this one is mostly brick with barely any grass, relatively speaking. Like the other squares, it has plenty of park-bench seating, picturesque trees, and classic-looking lampposts. During our late-afternoon Friday visit, the square was active with people coming, going, and resting. It was clean and felt safe. It was loud compared to the other squares because of music and noise from surrounding businesses, horses, trolleys, and cars. Franklin Square was the eighth square to be built overall, in 1790. For reference, the original four squares were laid out in 1733. The square was destroyed in 1935 due to routing for the federal Coastal Highway (US 17). It was restored in 1985.

We smoked a nice cigar by the statue. It's right on the water. Such a sad story, she waited too…read morelong for that guy!

A charming and iconic piece of Savannah's riverfront history…read more The Waving Girl statue, located along River Street, is a touching tribute to Florence Martus, who spent decades waving to ships entering and leaving the Savannah harbor. It's a beautiful bronze sculpture that captures both her story and the spirit of Southern hospitality.

Savannah is one of those places that just sticks with you. Walking through the historic squares…read moreunder the oak trees with the Spanish moss feels like stepping back in time. Everything is clean, scenic, and full of character. There's a great mix of history, food, and things to do. Whether you're exploring downtown, eating at local spots, or just taking it all in, it's hard not to enjoy yourself. My family and I had an awesome time and I'd go back again without thinking twice.

I only had about eight hours to spend in Savannah, and that was nowhere near enough--but it was…read morejust enough to fall in love. As a world traveler and former airline employee, I'm not afraid to get lost in a city and explore, and Savannah felt like the perfect place to do exactly that. From the moment I arrived, the entire vibe was romantic, historic, and visually stunning. The Spanish moss draping from the trees, the cobblestone streets, and the gentle rhythm of the river along River Street created an atmosphere that felt both timeless and welcoming. One of the highlights for me was seeing the beautiful span of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge and wandering through the iconic squares--each one peaceful, shaded, and thoughtfully designed with fountains and tree-lined pathways that almost form natural archways overhead. The city grid is laid out so well that it makes exploring easy and enjoyable, even if you're short on time. What really struck me was the architecture. The homes, the gas lanterns on porches, the historic buildings--it all felt like a refined throwback to another era. Elegant, charming, and full of character. You can sense the pride in preservation here. And seeing the presence of SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) throughout the city adds another layer of creativity and energy that makes the whole place feel vibrant and alive. Savannah embodies what I imagine when I think of Southern lifestyle--gracious, beautiful, and a little bit magical. Bottom line: Savannah is a city meant to be savored, not rushed. I barely scratched the surface in my short visit, but it left such a strong impression that I already know I'll be back--next time with more time to wander, explore, and most definitely eat my way through this gorgeous city.

I was visiting my daughter- who attends SCAD- and she needed to renew her passport, but could not…read moredo it via mail. THIS WAS BY FAR THE BEST EXPERIENCE WE HAVE EVER HAD AT A PASSPORT OFFICE. Desiree was sooooo helpful and cheerful. There was no wait at all. Never had such a pleasant time at a courthouse in my life.

This is a tough one. It's hard to know what kind of "Service" to expect from a courthouse. We…read moreemployed their services so the better half and I could become legally wed. The first thing you encounter is the "No Nonsense" Security. They ARE NOT messing around. If you are a visitor from out of town, this can seem incredibly off putting. They don't care if you are a tourist, they don't want to make your stay in Savannah the best it can be. They want to get you the heck through security safely. Be ready. Don't expect service with a smile. Second, the person responsible for our marriage license did seem to be a joyless bureaucratic machine, but we did get our license completed with no fuss or muss. The person after us was there to renew his carry permit and he also went away with what he came for. In-between we had some random person who wanted to ask "A quick question". She disallowed this to continue to focus on the business at hand and directed them to someone who was not involved in an activity. So while I don't disagree with Karen D's assessment, I think they do provide the customer the service they arrived for, they just rarely do it with a smile.

Lafayette Square is gorgeous…read more We dropped by and between the trees with their spanish moss sweeping low over the green grass and brick pathways--we were charmed. It's also home to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which we stopped by while were were there as well. There's a beautiful fountain in the center of the square that makes for a lovely focal point. There are plenty of benches along the brick pathways for lingering as well. We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon here of reading in lovely weather while listening to the sound of the fountain in the distance.

Nice spot we visited that had Statues and things to look at. Nice easy walk that is worth a visit…read morewhen you are in town

Interesting Plaza, with history, nice building, sculptures and beautiful waterfront. Great…read morerestaurants with high reviews around it. It's worth to stop by and learn about the history, enjoy beautiful view and good food.

A nice historic area of Savannah that's easy to walk around. The Georgia Queen is pretty and a…read moredefinite photo opp. Was able to walk along the riverfront and stretch the legs out after a long drive. Mostly everything one way for driving and can be a bit tricky. Make sure you have your location set before driving around.

The staff made a generally annoying process not as bad. Fair - & helpful. They were about to get me…read morein & out for an out of state registration in around 30 minutes.

Such a pleasant surprise…read more First class operation. Made appt, greeted by a professional, my tag rep was friendly, knowledgeable, and honest. Make your appt online and bring what you're supposed to and you'll have a pleasant visit as well.

Oak trees are most likely included in any description or picture of Savannah. That's what makes up…read morethe charm of this city, coupled with the Spanish Moss draping over the oak's large canopy and it makes even the not-so-nice parts of town, still so pretty! Candler Oak, however is a special oak tree. It is one of the oldest living landmarks in Savannah and os estimated to date back to around the 1700s. Thankfully, in the 80's, a group of citizens formed a group when the tree was at a risk of dying and have made great efforts in keeping this tree alive and protected. History was made when the group obtained the first conservation easement on a single tree. - Parking - Street parking. - Location - It's located right next to Forsyth Park, on Drayton and E Gaston Street, on SCAD's Ruskin Hall's property. There is an iron gate that surrounds the tree that is kept under lock and key. You can't get past the gate. As we visited it today, there were a group of workers, repaving the cement walls that surround it from the street. It looks like the cement walls have slowly collapsed over the years and there were quite large cracks to the foundation. The information board is also contained inside the gated area. According to the board, the last time they measured the tree was in 2003 and it is as follows: Diameter - 65 inches Circumference - 17 feet Height - 54 feet Width of the canopy - 110.25 feet - Fun facts - 2001 - Designated a Georgia Landmark & Historic Tree 2004 - Placed on National Register of Historic Trees Tip: There is actually a Dot bus stop right in front of it and Dots are free to ride in Savannah. If you're walking around Forsyth Park, it's definitely worth going over to the end of Forsyth Park to see this beautiful tree.

I was walking back from Forsyth park when I discovered this magnificent oak tree located on the…read morecampus of the Savannah College of Art and Design. The Candler Oak is believed to have taken root in the early 1700's before James Oglethorpe arrived in Savannah in 1733 and laid out the city. It is 300 years old making it one of the oldest trees in Savannah. The tree is 54 feet tall, 16.85 feet in circumference, and the crown spread is 110 feet. This tree has witnessed a lot of Savannah's history. The surrounding land around the tree was a seaman's hospital built in 1803. In 1819 a poor house and a hospital was built on the land. In 1854 it became the headquarters of the Medical College of Georgia. During the Civil War it became a Confederate hospital named Camp Davidson. In 1863 stockades below the tree held Union prisoners of war. General Sherman seized the hospital in 1864 when he arrived in Savannah and used it for Union soldiers. From 1930 until 1980 it was the Warren A. Candler hospital. By the 1980's, the Candler Oak was sick from years of pollution and construction. It was given a life expectancy of only 20 years. The Savannah Tree Foundation was formed in 1982 to protect the Candler Oak and the other trees in Savannah. The group made history in 1984 by getting the first conservation easement of a single tree in the nation. Huntingdon II, Ltd. purchased the building and donated the easement to the Savannah Tree Foundation so they could care for the tree. In 1985 asphalt was removed over the trees roots. In 2001 the tree was designated a Georgia Landmark and Historic Tree by the Georgia Urban Forest Council. In 2004 it was named added to the National Register of Historic Trees. In 2012 the Savannah Law School purchased the property and restored the historic buildings and set aside four parking spaces around the tree to protect it. Today the Candler Tree is regularly visited by arborists who have judged the tree to be in good health and it is expected to last for the next century. A fence now surrounds the tree in order to protect it.