things to do between savannah and jacksonville

Why are hotel prices so high in March? I'm probably travelling along either I95 or Route 17. The zoo occupies approximately 117acre and has over 2,000 animals and 1,000 plants in its collection. In less than three hours, you can reach some of the most awe-inspiring mountains, waterways, and waterfalls on the east coast. Leaving SSI go west over the causeway and turn north on US17. Our picks for restaurant recommendations on the Georgia Coast exemplify that. With music for literally every taste, its impossible not to stay entertained in the glittering city of Atlanta. Before you hop on US-301, spend some time in the city! Drive to St. Marys, where youll find the ferry to take you to this gorgeous stretch of land along the ocean. Experience the gems of the Southeast on a leisurely drive. From hidden historical gems to scenic seashores, you wont have a minute to get bored. Amtrak provides direct train services between Jacksonville and Savannah, with two trips in each direction daily. Across the street is a small historic cemetery and then through the woods youll find Horton Pond. The top stops along the way from Savannah to Jacksonville (with short detours) are The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Tybee Island, and Fort Clinch State Park. Well certainly the best thing to see on that route is the Okefenokee Swamp but that would take a half day at the very least. Found in the renovated old riverside powerplant, the JW Marriott is full of art, gems and fossils on display for the public. Head to Brunswick for your last evening in the Golden Isles. Ideas of things to do with kids in Savannah. Check the web site for hours. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. Because Georgias barrier islands are so undeveloped and protected, there isnt a coastal road. In this blog, well tell you about four fun and often forgotten stops you should make to spice up your journey. You can get off on exit 29 on I95 turn right onto Rte 17 & 25 and drive through St Simons Island (follow signs), then come back to Rte 17 and head north to Darien and pick up I95 at the Circle K (turn left) just on the outskirts of town. Rome2rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need, Rome2rio has everything you need to know about travelling with Amtrak. To see all of the sites its a lot of ground to cover. The first stop, since weve been talking about so many forts is Fort Frederica National Monument. Heres the scoop though for having an incredible coastal Georgia road trip including Tybee Island, Savannah and the Golden Isles. Weve included some favorite spots from Savannah too, as Savannah is a primary destination for a Georgia Coast road trip. Once you get to Gainesville, what do you do? Jacksonville is one of the last stops on the highway before crossing into Georgia. The barrier islands to the south of Georgia stretch out into the Atlantic and form 150 miles of subtropical coastline that comprise of secluded sandy beaches and beautiful, ancient forests. As you explore Fort Frederica, youll walk down used-to-be streets ogling huge live oaks and checking to see if the oranges are ripe yet. Savor Savannah Tour is for avid foodies interested in Savannah's savory culinary scene. Peaches. ), each more beautiful than the last. Sorry - I should have included that it can be anything from eccentric (world's largest ball of twine) to delicious (a little known seafood shack) The only thing we're NOT interested in is a gator farm or snake sanctuary or anything reptilian in nature! If you can get them with jalapeos in them and served with honey butter then youve really hit to Georgia eats jackpot! Savannah or Charleston? Its not far from downtown Savannah so its easy to add to your Georgia Coast road trip. Plan to get your pinball on at the Pinball Palace (it really is a must) and then head to historic Brunswick for dinner. Our inn is just five minutes from downtown Savannah! Travel Between Savannah & Jacksonville. But thanks to its size, it extends far inland, and here is where you can find its hidden gems. This leaves you time to make stops along the way and turn the journey into a fun adventure. You can go two different ways: the scenic route through North Georgia or the main freeway. Fort King George is mostly reconstructed with a few historic ruins, like there are some mill ruins and a cool old cottage. Before you hop on US-301, spend some time in the city! Love breakfast? If it is the airport, that is north of town so you will have a good start. Check TripAdvisor reviews so you know which ones to avoid. Privacy Policy | Website Accessibility Policy. Its been a long day, so get some good rest tonight. We visit as many lighthouses as we can. Yes, wild horses! End the day with an arrival at your Golden Isles hotel or vacation rental. Videos featuring 2TravelDads webisodes, TV, promos and more! If youd prefer some peace and quiet and stunning views, head to the north side of the island. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Take the bus from Savannah to Jacksonville, Take the train from Savannah to Jacksonville. When were looking for restaurants, we look for local options that have fresh cooking and characterize the area. Brunswick, Georgia is a beautiful town complete with public squares, parks and fountain. The Historic District, Historic District South, and the Plant-Riverside District are each beautiful and fascinating. Savannah. Other popular stops include Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Driftwood Beach, and Forsyth Park. !Please verify all details before planning your trip. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Jacksonville FL is recommended. Have you ever done a Georgia Coast road trip? This site uses cookies. Its not even slightly crowded, except for people visiting Savannah over the holidays. US-17 also takes you near historic (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Here, rustic charm meets luxury service under the shade of immaculately manicured trees lining the streets, where extravagant and opulent homes are a common sight. St. Augustine is the most popular city on the route it's 3 hours from Savannah and 2 hours from Orlando. In the afternoon, climb the lighthouse and then do the scavenger hunt around the island to find the many spirit trees. Although you are permitted to drive your car down the main cemetery road, youll miss the special off-road sites. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is a museum located in Jacksonville, Florida. The small Cockspur Island Lighthouse has been under renovation in 2021, but when its finished is an easy walk from the visitor center. Greyhound USA operates a bus from Savannah to Jacksonville once daily. Jacksonville is the most populous city in Florida as well as the southeastern United States, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. Open for breakfast and lunch Monday - Saturday. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. When youre doing a Georgia Coast road trip, youre driving through the low country. A low country boil is a combination of local seafoods and corn, served as a basket or platter. Over the years, the tree bark has grown around the faces of many of the St Simons Island tree spirits, but searching for them is still a fun Georgia Coast road trip activity. Tickets cost $30 - $45 and the journey takes 2h 29m. Well nows your chance and you will love it! I95 is only one mile from there. You might think I-95 is pretty boring, but youd be wrong! Get my book, The Road Trip Survival Guide, to help create a memorable vacation! Its a great way to keep them interested is engaged. Our inn is one of the best places to stay downtown and for good reasons. Along the way, take side streets around each square, browsing through an eclectic mix of stores, art galleries and antique shops. I dont love writing about food, but it really is an integral part of travel, particularly in a place like Coastal Georgia. Theres plenty to do, including going to the beach and walking on the pier, having lunch at one of the many downtown restaurants, and even visiting the. Riding around on odd-looking upright vehicles is cool and definitely holds their attention. The rural community is characterized by gorgeous restored cottages and extravagant homes lining the streets. This adorable church was built in 1949 and makes for a great break. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105200740', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Savannah as there are so many places you could spend a couple of days. Take a look at our, , for example. To make sure you have enough time and get your moneys worth, be sure to catch the FIRST ferry to the island and that you can catch the LAST ferry back (or the 2:45pm boat if youre okay with shortened beach time). Its not walkable from the downtown area, but if you are bringing or renting bikes, its an easy ride. Take both routes by driving about halfway up Route 17 where you can hop on I-95 just beyond South Newport. Which should I choose? Segway Tour or Bike Rental. Starting in Savannah and heading south on the Coastal Georgia route: And moving onto Tybee Island restaurants: Favorite restaurants in the Golden Isles: Of course there are more great restaurants, but after several visits to the Georgia Coast, these are our top picks. More attractions and things to do in Savannah If so, youve landed on the right page. Heres How to Plan the Best East Coast Road Trip to Gainesville, FL! You might want to check the Hofwyl Plantation. Locals and visitors usually head to Coligny Beach, where you can rent bikes, play volleyball or simply relax at one of the many beachfront bars. If so, youve landed on the right page. Pay by the hour for unlimited play. to our guests each morning? Its a marvelous place to hike or spot some wildlife. Tybee Island is considered Savannahs beach and rightly so. Palmer's Cafe is probably the best local's place but across the street at Barbara Jean's you can get a wide array of food (best for their crab cakes) at lunch and dinner. From deer and waterfowl to crabs the state park is an oasis for animals and you can observe them from the various raised trails and platforms built throughout the area. To get a good idea of all the fun things to do near Savannah, GA, check out our list of cool places to go. Also on the river is the JW Marriott Plant Riverside, and its incredible. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Jacksonville FL? The cheapest way to get from Savannah to Jacksonville FL is to drive which costs $25-$40 and takes 2h 21m. Get answers to your questions about Savannah. Read on, take notes, and make your trip to Gainesville the most exciting it can be. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Rome2rio makes travelling from Savannah to Jacksonville FL easy. Visitor Info You do get to get on and off the bus but its limited to approved areas. The zoo has grown from its modest beginnings in Springfield to be considered one of the city's premiere attractions, with more than 1,000,000 visitors in the last year. It is the seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968. Ranking of the top 17 things to do in Savannah. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming events and specials in the area. It has a nice village shopping area by the pier. Museums of Art. Both of these forts are Georgia State Historic Sites so are covered by the pass. Positively overflowing with history, the town is home to beautiful colonial architecture, particularly in some of its churches, such as the gorgeous Huguenot Church. When travelling on R-17, does it go through any of those little towns you see where there's always a diner and everyone knows everybody? The ferry to Sapelo Island is a tour, and youll need to bring your own snacks, drinks and bug repellent. Enjoy a riverboat cruise on the Savannah River or have dinner at the historic Pirate House. The drive between Jacksonville and Savannah is around 140 miles, a little over 2 hours in good traffic. Whether youre driving from Atlanta to Savannah and then doing it or if youre driving up from Florida, youll enjoy the history and beauty with every turn. You cant do a Georgia Coast road trip if your car gets towed away. The top stops along the way from Savannah to St. Augustine (with short detours) are The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Tybee Island, and Fort Clinch State Park. One of the best ways to experience the scenery of the South is by driving along U.S. Highway 17, known as the Coastal Highway. More details, Home And it too is included with the Georgia State Historic Sites pass. As Isabill noted, Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island is a great place to visit and you won't find a more local's place than T-Rays. Explore here the many communities, each with a distinct personality and attractions, that make up our coastal region. Another must-visit spot is the Bonaventure Cemetery: the prettiest cemetery in Georgia. Its interesting because its mostly ruins and is just pretty to wander through. The distance between ATL and Savannah is about 270 miles, so its not just a quick jaunt. The route is very straightforward, following the I-95 north out of Jacksonville until it reaches the outskirts of Savannah, then onto the I-16 for the couple of remaining miles into the city. While heading to the coast is one of the best road trips from Atlanta, its not the best way to get to Savannah. Read our full guide to visiting Cumberland Island National Seashore! Included in: Savannah Small-Group Guided Historical Tour. Due to the warm climate, visiting Coastal Georgia in fall means that youll have pretty nice weather still with pleasantly warm beaches. It is also one of the venues used by the United States men's national soccer team. This, however, alongside the relative lack of development around this barrier island, means that the allure of untouched nature is virtually irresistible. If youre looking for some lively surroundings, hang around the pier, where most people congregate to eat or attend shows. As you can see, tons of options.. That's great thank you! Take a selfie at the iconic fountain. Plan around a hour or more to do the maritime museum and lighthouse, and then if the weather is nice do the walk along the waterfront path. If youve seen Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil the Bonaventure Cemetery will look very familiar. Outside of the historic downtown is our favorite stop in Brunswick, and one weve made several times now: the Pinball Palace. Jekyll has the Millionaire's Village historic area and the Sea Turtle Rescue Center as some of its highlights. End your day at Bonaventure Cemetery about 5 miles east of the Historic District. Part of the National Parks system, Cumberland Island National Seashore is another place thats tricky to get to. Add a few days to explore Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Saint Augustine or the Florida springs and you have a truly winning vacation plan. The Jacksonville metropolitan area has a population of 1,523,615 and is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Florida. Answer 1 of 3: Is there a shuttle service between Savannah and Jacksonville? The shortest journeys are of around 2 hours and 15 minutes, although some routes that detour to Hinesville take around 3 hours. Tickets cost $30-$45 and the journey takes 2h 29m. Doing Savannah and the historic coast sits and then doing the Golden Isles is a great way to split it. They do come very close and YOU are the one responsible for maintaining a safe distance. Check the citys website for current events at Forsyth Park. It really depends on where you are starting out in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Where to Go Georgia's Coast has it all, from miles of shoreline and windswept dunes to historic ports and towns. Both Jekyll Island and Saint Simons Island are iconic tourist magnets. Theres plenty to do, including going to the beach and walking on the pier, having lunch at one of the many downtown restaurants, and even visiting the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! Savannah Tourism The Ultimate Road Trip Between Savannah, GA, and Gainesville, FL, Your trip from Savannah, GA, to Gainesville, FL, mostly takes place along I-95 and takes around three hours to complete. more. The bus station is directly adjacent to downtown Savannah, and easily reached by public transit, taxi, or on foot. You might think I-95 is pretty boring, but youd be wrong! Map to recommended offbeat attractions, and road trip sights -- museums, monuments, tourist traps, folk art, pet cemeteries. The Riverside District was the center of the cotton trade in the 1800s, so there is a lot of history, including both the slave trade AND the Underground Railroad. Drive or bike to Bonaventure Cemetery for a walk through the historic burial ground. The Georgia Coast road trip route crosses marshes and rivers to get to the beaches. Show only these on map Museum of Aviation Save Museum Conference center Show 2 more Fort King George is just off US17. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Whatever you like, you will find it in Savannah. There are a few. There's plenty to do, including going to the beach and walking on the pier, having lunch at one of the many downtown restaurants, and even visiting the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express Savannah-Historic District, an IHG Hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Historic District, Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District. My favorite grits and gravy is at the St Augustine Fish Camp in our town, but Ive had it several places in Georgia too and its always good. Note: there are water filling stations several spots on the south end of the island, which is where youll be for 90% of your visit. For some of the most beautiful beaches along the east coast, take the relatively short drive down to Jacksonville, Florida; in two hours you can be strolling past palm trees through fine white sand. Theres a shorter way and a longer way to get to Savannah from Jacksonville. Locals enjoy grabbing a bite to eat here and watching the sun go down. i found oatland island and the kids enjoyed that but i am trying to find mulitple things to go and do with them.. if there are any suggestions, i would love to hear them.. i am tired of being cooped up in the house with them.. thanks.. kristen.keezer@att.net. Fort King Georgia is very different from any of the other forts weve included in our Georgia Coast road trip plan. However, if you want to be in line at Mrs. Wilkes at 10:30 am. At this point US is running parallel to I-95 so you can drive through Darien and get back on I-95 via GA 251 and up to Savannah. As I said, Georgia isnt like Florida when it comes to beaches. For a bit of local flavor, grab breakfast at The Pantry, Hibiscus Caf or McCormicks. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. American Prohibition Museum. National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force (Pooler, 12 miles) - The Eighth Air Force from WWII to the present day, with several historic military aircraft. Tip: watch for sea turtles when youre visiting Georgia beaches in the summertime. MORE. Visit Hanover Park and Square to enjoy live oaks, flower gardens and a beautiful fountain. As Isabill noted, Fernandina Beach / Amelia Island is a great place to visit and you won't find a more local's place than T-Rays. it's part of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They are located in an old gas station and definitely have a diner vibe. Beachfront hotels arent very common on the Georgia Coast, so if your road trip need a few nights ON the beach, St Simons is a good place to do that. Stroll along to Bluff Drive, where youll find unbeatable views over the Wilmington River as you walk under the shade of enormous moss-hung live oaks. Given the short distance separating the two cities, and the several alternative transport options, this will usually not be a convenient way to travel between them. Drive from Atlanta to Savannah or fly directly into Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) to begin your road trip. Walk around the edge of the lake, not on the path and you can find all kinds of cool stuff, turtles, baby ducks, etc. Savannah Amtrak station at 2611 Seaboard Coastline Drive, 3 miles west of the Historic District (See location on map). Its a pretty interesting drive but you would need to know the ferry schedule. Lake Mayer can be fun. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Guide to Forsyth Park: Things to Do, Events and the Neighborhood, [] that our tips and favorite places to eat near Forsyth Park are spot on. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? Be sure to make an early start though, as the drive can sometimes take upwards of three hours. Open for breakfast and lunch Monday - Saturday. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, located in Jacksonville, Florida, sits at the mouth of the Trout River. Consolidation gave Jacksonville its great size and placed most of its metropolitan population within the city limits. Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Historic Luxury Home - Casa Grace (Highly Recommended), Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank, Savannah to Marriott s Barony Beach Club Hilton Head Island, Savannah to The Pearl Hotel Rosemary Beach FL USA, Lexington Station KY USA to Jacksonville FL, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. Highway 17 in Georgia. Best stops along Savannah to Jacksonville drive. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. EverBank Field (originally Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and formerly Alltel Stadium) is an American football stadium in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida, and the home stadium facility of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Tip: try to get on a tour with Savannah Underground Tours to learn about abolition and the Underground Railroad in Savannah. The historic area along the Savannah River is really fun and beautiful. Though its home to the longest coastline in the country, theres plenty more to do other than hitting the beach. Pecans are BIG in the South and its easy to find candied pecans almost anywhere, whether its a gas station or a roadside stand. And the JW Marriott lobby collection includes an enormous replica of an Amphicoelias fragillimus, the largest dinosaur ever found. So many great road trip themes you can choose from! Bus travel between Savannah and Jacksonville is between the following locations: Jacksonville Greyhound Station at 1111 West Forsyth Street, near downtown Jacksonville .