In 2026, Savannah’s celebration is expected to be even bigger as communities across the country mark America’s 250th anniversary, making the holiday weekend one of the most exciting times to visit the Hostess City of the South.

The centerpiece of Savannah’s Fourth of July celebration is the annual Waterfront Independence Day Celebration along River Street. Crowds gather early in the evening around Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, Plant Riverside District, and Eastern Wharf to enjoy live music, street performers, family activities, and riverfront dining before the fireworks begin. The fireworks are typically launched from a barge on the Savannah River around 9:30 p.m., creating a spectacular reflection across the water and historic skyline.

One of the best things about watching fireworks in Savannah is that there are so many different viewing experiences.

Visitors who want the full festive atmosphere usually head directly to River Street. Thousands gather along the waterfront to see the show. Here, lawn chairs and blankets are allowed. (Note: At some specific venues like The Park at Eastern Wharf, blankets must be water-permeable and tarps are not allowed). Try to get there early to secure your spot along the riverfront with a clear view across the water.

For travelers looking for a more elevated experience, rooftop venues and riverfront hotels provide incredible panoramic views. Spots near Plant Riverside District have become especially popular thanks to their modern rooftop lounges and unobstructed river views. Some visitors even reserve balcony rooms overlooking the Savannah River so they can watch the fireworks above the crowds.

Transportation tip: Take the Old Town Trolley

Old Town Trolley Tours® of Savannah will be open on the 4th of July, operating a regular schedule. Take advantage of Old Town Trolley’s hop-on and -off services to see the best attractions and enjoy all the Independence Day decorations in Savannah. They can take you to almost every 4th of July Celebration around the city, allowing you to hop on and off to enjoy the best of the best. Old Town Trolley’s WEBSITE.

CLICK HERE FOR AN OLD TOWN TROLLEY COUPON!

Another unforgettable option is taking a fireworks cruise aboard the iconic Savannah Riverboat Cruises.

These special Fourth of July cruises combine dinner, live entertainment, and front-row views of the fireworks from the water itself. Watching the bursts of red, white, and blue explode above the Savannah skyline while floating on the river creates a truly memorable holiday experience.

Because the event draws tens of thousands of people each year, planning ahead is important. Parking downtown fills quickly, and River Street closes to vehicle traffic at around 6:00-6:30 PM. Many experienced visitors choose to park near the Savannah Convention Center and take the ferry across the river to avoid some of the post-show traffic. Bringing water, comfortable shoes, and arriving well before sunset can make the evening far more enjoyable in Savannah’s summer heat.

What truly makes Savannah special on the Fourth of July is the atmosphere surrounding the fireworks. The city blends Southern hospitality, historic charm, and waterfront beauty into a celebration that feels both exciting and timeless. Whether you spend the evening on crowded River Street, relaxing on a rooftop terrace, or cruising along the river beneath the fireworks, Savannah offers one of the South’s most memorable Independence Day experiences in 2026.

Please note:

• Coolers: Generally discouraged or prohibited on River Street.
• Prohibited Items: Glass containers, personal fireworks, skateboards, and bicycles are not allowed.
• Alcohol: No outside alcohol is allowed. Drinks must be bought from vendors and consumed within the designated To-Go Cup Zone.

The post Savannah Celebrates the Semiquincentennial 4th of July in 2026 appeared first on Savannah, GA | Savannah.com.

Savannah is a city built on layers of stories. From the quiet majesty of the moss-draped squares to the lively energy of River Street, there is a lot to take in. However, for many visitors, the logistics of ticket prices and planning a daily schedule can quickly become a burden that distracts from the experience itself.

In 2026, there is a better way to handle the “Hostess City.” The Savannah TourPass has changed the game for anyone wanting to see the top sites without the stress of gate prices. Their latest feature, a digital Savings Calculator and Itinerary Planner, is exactly what the modern traveler needs to cut through the noise. It turns the often confusing process of “what should we do?” into a simple, data-driven plan.

You can find this tool directly on their website, and it is remarkably simple to use. Instead of guessing which pass you might need.

You just put in your group size and your specific touring style. Some people want to hit every museum, historic home, and ghost tour on the list. Others want a more relaxed pace with plenty of time for a slow lunch and some people-watching. The calculator takes these personal goals into account and builds a plan that actually fits your life.

As you browse through the 30-plus attractions included in the pass, the calculator updates your total savings in real-time. It compares the TourPass cost to standard gate admissions, making it very clear how much you are keeping in your pocket. You can even filter options by what you care about most, such as local history, nature, or family-friendly activities. It takes the guesswork out of budgeting.

The real benefit of the TourPass is the flexibility it offers.

Your phone acts as your universal key, so there is no need to keep track of physical tickets or paper printouts. If you decide you want to swap a walking tour for a trolley ride at the last minute, the system makes it easy to adjust on the fly.

If you are planning a trip to Savannah, Charleston or St. Augustine, head to www.tourpass.com. Run the numbers yourself and see the difference. It is the most logical way to ensure your time here is spent enjoying the scenery rather than worrying about the budget. Get your pass HERE!

The post Savannah TourPass – The Smart Traveler’s Guide to Seeing Savannah for Less appeared first on Savannah, GA | Savannah.com.

Since 2001, the company has guided visitors through Savannah’s atmospheric squares, moss-draped streets, and historic cemeteries while sharing tales of ghosts, legends, and real historical events that shaped the Hostess City of the South.

What makes Cobblestone Tours stand out is its blend of theatrical storytelling and historical research.

Their candlelit walking tours explore some of Savannah’s most famous haunted locations, including the area surrounding Colonial Park Cemetery and the city’s historic district. Guides often appear in period costume, creating an immersive experience that feels part history lesson and part Southern Gothic adventure.

Savannah’s reputation as one of America’s most haunted cities gives these tours an unforgettable atmosphere. Cobblestone Tours leans into the city’s eerie charm by sharing stories of tragic romances, Civil War spirits, mysterious happenings, and unexplained encounters that have become part of local folklore. Their tours are designed to be entertaining for both believers in the paranormal and visitors simply interested in Savannah’s rich past.

Beyond ghost stories, the tours also highlight the architecture and beauty of historic Savannah.

Guests stroll beneath towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss while hearing stories connected to elegant mansions, hidden alleyways, and centuries-old landmarks. The combination of history, mystery, and Savannah’s unmistakable ambiance creates a memorable nighttime experience for travelers of all ages.

Cobblestone Tours has also earned praise from many visitors and travel writers for its engaging guides and authentic storytelling style. Savannah’s walking tour culture is a major part of the city’s tourism scene, and Cobblestone Tours remains a favorite for visitors wanting to experience the darker side of Savannah’s history in a fun and fascinating way.

Cobblestone Tours:

• Website
• (912) 508-8452 or (912) 209-5588

The post Cobblestone Tours: Sharing Tales of Ghosts, Legends and History of Savannah appeared first on Savannah, GA | Savannah.com.

Griffith is a multihyphenate entrepreneur. She also owns a behavioral health center, a restaurant that she operates with her husband, and a pharmacy. She and her husband have thrived in the community of Kenova, West Virginia, since 1891. At the same time, she’s loved Tybee Island and the Coastal Empire for over 30 years now. Therefore, Griffith splits her time between Tybee and Kenova. The couple also owns The Venue on Tybee. The Venue is a historic home hidden away on a road just beyond the iconic Welcome to Tybee sign. The home hosts weddings, retreats and reunions, among other stylish events.

“I’ve always wanted to live in Savannah. We started coming there in the early 1990s,” she said. “It took me until about three years ago to finally make the move there, but I had just been enthralled with Savannah.”

One Beautiful Year of Normal is equal parts family saga, mystery and psychological thriller.

Set in the Hostess City, the book follows the story of August Caine. Her father’s murder sends her mother into a downward and dysfunctional spiral of severe psychotic mental illness. Little is known about the circumstances of her father’s murder. August, in her quest to uncover the truth, experiences a series of dramatic events. These test familial bonds, unearth generational secrets, and radically challenge everything she thought she once knew.

One Beautiful Year of Normal is a fascinating exploration of the mother-daughter bond. It also delivers a striking portrayal of mental illness, a subject with which Griffith is intimately familiar.

“I’ve worked primarily with severe psychotic disorders and have always been interested in delusional disorders,” she said. “You can talk to someone and they seem completely normal and they can function pretty normally, but then you get to one area that either isn’t possible or probable.”

Griffith’s doctoral dissertation was on the subject of stalking, which arises out of a person’s delusion. Delusion is a key part of August’s mother’s characterization.

“In the case of the mother’s delusion, she thinks that if she speaks, something bad is going to happen, so she stops talking completely,” Griffith explained.

Having received praise from reviewers, One Beautiful Year of Normal is a captivating read.

It’s a tale of found family with a bit of mystery and heart-racing thriller mixed in.

“I joked that if The Secret Life of Bees and Liz Moore’s Long Bright River had a baby, One Beautiful Year of Normal would be something in this category.”

An admittedly slower read with a pace that mimics life in Savannah, this book is the first for Griffith but certainly not the last. She has recently penned a second novel with a faster pace and a nail-biting plot to satisfy readers who enjoy spellbinding page-turners. Information on that novel will follow, but in the meantime, readers can find One Beautiful Year of Normal, distributed by Simon and Shuster, at local bookstores like E. Shaver Booksellers as well as online via big retailers like Books A Million, Barnes & Noble, Target and Walmart.

Article By Chantel Britton

Learn more about Griffith and order One Beautiful Year of Normal at www.sandrakgriffith.com.

The post Debut Author Sandra Griffith Captures Life’s Quiet Magic in “One Beautiful Year of Normal” appeared first on Savannah, GA | Savannah.com.