Savannah in April: Festivals, Experiences and Local Favorites

If you’re coming to Savannah in April, whether it’s for a spring getaway or around a conference like AASHTO or IMDA, you’ll find no shortage of classic Savannah springtime favorites plus a few under-the-radar surprises.

April is one of Savannah’s best months. It’s warm, but not hot, the azaleas are bursting with color and there are festivals and spots to explore around every corner. If your visit is at the end of month and extends into May you’ll also want to ready Savannah in May.

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you.

We love the city all year (read Best Time to Visit Savannah for the perks of each season), but April is truly an amazing time to visit and we’re here to show you why. Besides the iconic Savannah River Cruises and classic hot spots along River Street there is so much more and we love helping visitors discover those hidden gems and quiet corners.

We really like getting away from the crowded touristy areas and venturing back into the historic district and interesting neighborhoods. If that sounds appealing to you, then you must be our people!

Join us in discovering the real Savannah in April.

Stay up to date on everything happening in coastal Georgia from Savannah to St. Mary’s. We’re talking new restaurants, hidden gem boutiques perfect for treasure hunting, and events that’ll have you feeling like a local in no time. Join the DCG family here!

Spring Strolls: Savannah at its Most Walkable

April is prime walking weather and Savannah is a prime walking city. Yes, the squares and parks are exquisite, but we encourage you to wander beyond to the side streets and peek through garden gates. Take off on your own or choose one of these featured tours that will get you behind the scenes or off the beaten path.

• 2 hour Architectural tour highlights often overlooked and well known structures and focuses on the architects themselves.
• Ghosts of the Old Sorrel Weed House – This is a “ghost” tour unlike the others. Your guide will be a master storyteller and paranormal investigator and you’ll explore the darkest corners of the property while learning the stories of those still believed to haunt the house.
• History Walk by Savannah True History Tours – An in depth, comprehensive tour – this is the one you want if you want to really dig into the history behind this fascinating city.
• Savannah Dan – consistently rated tops, Dan is one of our personal favorites! Besides the better known spots and hidden gems he’ll share his favorite places to grab a bite or a cocktail. For something really special schedule a private tour with him.

If this is your first time in Savannah (or it’s been a long while) we do recommend in the article Our Favorite Things to Do in Savannah that you start out with a hop-on hop-off trolley tour. This will give you a good overview and be helpful in getting your bearings before you explore more deeply.

Fun Insider Tips:

Savannah in April is mostly about being outdoors, but we do have a couple of fun suggestions that will take you inside, too.

• Get a coffee from the adorable coffee shop Mirabelle and sit at one of the tables out front. Your view is of St. John the Baptist Cathedral Basilica.
• Visit our favorite speakeasy Alley Cat Lounge. It’s on Broughton Lane (behind Broughton Street), but that’s all we’re going to tell you. Finding it is half the fun.
• The Ships of the Seas Maritime Museum is a wonderful experience, but don’t overlook the gardens. They’re wonderful too!
• Get out on the water. How about a Sunset Dolphin Eco Cruise? There are loads of options, but whatever you do you don’t want to miss time on the water in April.
• Another great spot for coffee is the Coffee Fox on Broughton. It sits right on a busy corner and we love to grab a coffee and just watch the people go by.

Day Trips and Coastal Escapes Near Savannah

Maybe you’re adding even more time before or after your conference at the Savannah Convention Center – or maybe you want to just extend your vacation to take in more of our beautiful coast of Georgia. You are definitely our people and we’re here to guide you!

Tybee Island

Tybee Island is considered Savannah’s Beach and is only about 20 minutes away. It’s a small town (island) with great beaches and a boho sort of vibe. If you don’t have a car, we have 3 perfect ways to get to Tybee to help you out.

Darien

Darien is about 45 minutes south of Savannah and is a true hidden gem on the coast of Georgia. It’s a quaint little fishing village (actually more shrimping) with a picturesque waterfront, great restaurants and historical sites. If you decide to take the Scenic Route along U.S. Highway 17 it will take you more like an hour, but the drive is so much more interesting than the interstate.

Stay a night or two in Darien if you have time. We highly recommend Oaks on the River for a hotel stay or, if you really want to get off the beaten path check out Emma’s Driftwood Farm.

Check the calendar for the exact date, because the state’s biggest Blessing of the Fleet takes place in Darien in April.

Brunswick

Brunswick is the next town continuing south and this is where one of us (Sara) hangs her hat. While it’s often thought of as the gateway to the islands, and it is that, Brunswick is so much more.

A lovely waterfront downtown leads into a Victorian old town district. Brunswick is full of great restaurants and for a small town it has a pretty good variety of bars if that’s your thing.

If you stay the night we recommend the Kress Hotel right on Newcastle Street downtown.

St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island is home base for me (Pam) and I know this island like the back of my hand. I know all the great things to do, places to shop, places to play golf and bars to grab a drink.

There’s a good variety of places to stay at St. Simons Island. Sorry I don’t have much room at my house, but if you’ll drop a comment or dm me on Instagram I’ll come up with some hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path suggestions that you’ll love.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is just south of St. Simons and is a great place to get back to nature along the coast. There’s a great range of environmental and conservation minded activites available and we love booking a boat tour from Jekyll.

If you don’t have but an hour here be sure to plan a visit to Driftwood Beach. It’s a beach like none you’ve ever seen before.

If you have time, plan to stay a day or two. We recommend staying at the Jekyll Island Club Resort.

More information about Savannah

• How I Visit Savannah on a Budget
• How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Savannah
• Christmas in Savannah
• Your Guide to the Best Savannah Georgia Beaches
• Bellwether House: A Historic Savannah Hotel
• 17 Best Free Things to Do in Savannah
• Books About Savannah
• The Spookiest Haunted Houses in Savannah
• Your Guide to the Ultimate Bachelorette Weekend
• Where to Get the Best Burgers in Savannah
• Savannah’s Haunted Hotels
• Rooftop Bars of Savannah