10 Things to Do in Savannah in May

Everything blooms in spring, and Savannah is no exception. So during this spring season you can find amazing things to do as a family in the city.

Adrián Carrero

Adrián Carrero

11 min read

10 Things to Do in Savannah in May

Tren parado |©Pete Piszczek

Visiting this southern Georgia city in May is an ideal plan, not only because of the weather and the season, but also because of the amount of activities you can find there. Park and museum visits are some of the best things to do in Savannah, but what specifically is there to do in May?

For starters, it's Mother's Month, so it should come as no surprise that much of the city's activities this month pay tribute to mothers. Races and marathons, scary conventions and even food competitions are just some of the activities you can't miss during the fifth month of the year.

1. Enjoy Memorial Day Commemoration Events

Prohibition Museum: Savannah|©Carolyn
Prohibition Museum: Savannah|©Carolyn

The month of May is Memorial Month, and on Memorial Day weekend there aren't many attractions open because it's a national holiday when many businesses close their doors. However, there are a few attractions that are still open these days to delve into American history and what's behind Memorial Day.

During this weekend you can take a tour of all these historical sites, and for that you can sign up for one of the best trolley tours in Savannah, which will take you to learn a little more about the history of the United States. Here are some of the places you'll see on this tour.

  • The Prohibition Museum: It is a place fully dedicated to bringing back all the stories and legends of the prohibition era, as well as the mobsters and bootleggers who were profiting during that season. It is located in Savannah's popular City Market. You can also visit this place on your own.
  • River Walk: A good place to enjoy a nice view of the river, but also to admire and take pictures of the oldest buildings in the city. At the same time you can enjoy an amazing gastronomic experience.
  • Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum: This is one of the best museums in Savannah, where you can enjoy an unparalleled collection of ships, paintings and other treasures that tell the commercial history of England and America during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Interesting details

  • Price: The tour can be priced at approximately 55 euros per person and includes entrance fees to the sites you will visit.
  • Address: The starting point is at any of the Old Town Trolley stops.
  • Date: This is an ideal activity to do on Memorial weekend.

Experience the Old Town Trolley Bus Tour

2. Go learn about history on Ossabaw Descendants Heritage Day

Ossabaw Island|©Kristine - traveller, hiker and quilter
Ossabaw Island|©Kristine - traveller, hiker and quilter

Ossabaw Island is a pristine island about twenty minutes from Savannah, Georgia. It belongs to the city and can only be reached by boat. Going here is one of the best family experiences to do in Savannah.

Ossabaw Island Descendants Heritage Day is a very special day for those who have a connection to the island, either through their parents, grandparents, distant ancestors or themselves. It is a day when everyone is invited to the island to tour it and remember its history.

Don't worry if you have no connection to this island, it's also a great tour for those who just want to learn about African-American history and discover, in this case, what life was like on one of the largest barrier islands in the entire state of Georgia.

Ossabaw is not the only place to learn about African-American history, so if you want to learn more, it's a good plan to take a slavery history tour, which is one of the best tours in Savannah to learn about the city's past.

Details of interest

  • Price: you could pay around 35 to 55 euros per person to participate in this event.
  • Address: The island is located about 30 minutes from Savannah and faces the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Date: This event usually takes place on the first or second Saturday in May.

Take the African American history walking tour

3. Be terrified of Halloween in May during the Southeast Hollows Haunt Convention

Two Jack O'lanterns|©Toni Cuenca
Two Jack O'lanterns|©Toni Cuenca

An event to enjoy the best of Halloween long before the spooky season. Savannah provides the perfect setting for this experience year after year. It's a stage where different Halloween vendors come together to show the public what's new for the upcoming season.

TheSoutheast Hollows Haunt Convention isn't just a regular Halloween vendor fair, but you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy food and drink stands, a few talks about scary stories from the city, and even a costume contest where every year the participants try their best to get the best costume.

On top of everything else, during this convention there is a fun Halloween party where you can enjoy scary traditions, musical performances and other fun events. This is a family-friendly celebration, so it's one of the best things to do in Savannah with kids this season.

Savannah is an ideal place to do this kind of convention because it is one of the scariest cities in the United States, so a good plan after going to the convention is to do some of the best ghost tours in Savannah.

Interesting details

  • Price: Single day tickets can cost between 20 and 25 euros. But a three-day ticket can cost up to 45 euros.
  • Address: This celebration takes place at 1 International Dr. Savannah.
  • Date: Occurs over two or three days in the first week of May.

Take your ghost tour through the city of Savannah

4. Attend the War of Jenkins' Ear Commemoration events at the Wormsloe Historic Site

Wormsloe Plantation|©chelllebellle
Wormsloe Plantation|©chelllebellle

May commemorates the Battle of Jenkins' Ear, which was an armed conflict during the American War of Independence that escalated the conflict between England and Spain for dominion over the territory of what is now the United States. To commemorate it, it's a good idea to take one of Savannah's best historical tours.

Also during these days, the Battle of Jenkins' Ear Visitor Center at the Wormsloe Historic Site, also known as Wormsloe Plantation, is offering the public a demonstration of what the conflict was like. At the presentation you will not only be able to watch some audio-visual explanations of the armed conflict, but you will also see dramatisations and the hosts will be dressed in period costume.

In addition to all this, you will be able to take part in a tour that will take you to see some of the most important weapons that were in use during this conflict. There are gunpowder demonstrations and some parades and military exercises to pay tribute to those who took part in the conflict.

Details of interest

  • Price: Tickets for this event can cost between 2 and 10 euros per person, depending on age and condition.
  • Address: Wormsloe Historic Site Park is located on Skidaway Road, about 8 miles southeast of Savannah's historic district.
  • Date: The event usually takes place sometime during the penultimate week of May.

Visit Wormsloe Plantation

5. Celebrate Mother's Day at the Mother's Day Artist, Crafters and Entertainment Festival

Ellwood City Arts and Crafts Festival|©generation2photoblog
Ellwood City Arts and Crafts Festival|©generation2photoblog

This is one of **Savannah'**s most exciting Mother's Day festivals. A group of artists from different disciplines get together to offer mothers from all over the city and other cities in the state of Georgia, a high level exhibition of jewellery, ceramics, painting and other interesting arts.

It is also a good place to see the talents of sketchers and painters. Additionally, during the presentation of the entire show, you will have the opportunity to watch musical performances and sample some of the popular flavours of the south of the country, with the various foods that are available for purchase. All this amidst an atmosphere suitable for the whole family.

Details of interest

  • Price: admission is free, although inside the fair, you will have to pay for everything you want to consume, or take home.
  • Address: Held on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Date: This event takes place on the second weekend in May, in conjunction with Mother's Day.

6. Get a taste of Scottish culture at the Savannah Scottish Games

Savannah Scottish Games|©Pathless Woods
Savannah Scottish Games|©Pathless Woods

The Savannah Scottish Games are a real Scottish party. If you want to have fun while getting to know and interact a little closer with Scottish culture, this festival is the perfect time to do it. It's a show where you 'll be treated to different performances by traditional Scottish pipe bands.

You'll also get to see different types of sports such as heavy athletics. But additionally you will see a lot of Scottish cultural displays such as border collies and dog shows.

There are always a number of historical re-enactors at the show who will tell you about the history of Scotland. All of this comes together in a family friendly atmosphere with Celtic musicians and above all lots of Scots.

Interesting details

  • Price: Tickets to the event can be purchased for between 5 and 15 euros, depending on the type of ticket. Children under the age of 10 get in free.
  • Address: This event takes place at Bethesda Academy, located at 9570 Ferguson Ave. in Savannah.
  • Date: Occurs during the first week of May.

7. Test your performance by participating in the Mother Daughter Run 5K

two women running|©Fort Bragg, NC Paraglide
two women running|©Fort Bragg, NC Paraglide

This is one of the most special races in the city during the month of May, and that's because it pays tribute to mothers on their day. It's a race where the city's mothers can race together with their daughters and have a day out with a difference.

This event is not only about the 5K race, but also about the family atmosphere, live music, tastings of typical southern food and a host of activities for mothers, children and the rest of the family.

Details of interest

  • Price: The entry fee can vary from year to year, although it is clear that to sign up you have to pay an entry fee which gives you access to a welcome pack with everything you will need to participate.
  • Address: The race is held in Downtown Savannah, although the starting point may change from year to year.
  • Date: This event takes place on the second weekend in May as part of the Mother's Day celebration.

8. Take part in the eagerly awaited Annual Savannah Mile

Women's Run|©Rosemary Ketchum
Women's Run|©Rosemary Ketchum

As part of the Memorial Day commemorations, Savannah hosts a big one-mile walk or run, usually along Drayton Street Avenue. It's a fun sporting event for the whole family, as the race is open to everyone from children to experienced runners.

All the money that is raised from this activity goes to a charity fund of different organisations every year, to address the needs of a specific group of people. You can go just to enjoy the race, or you can take part in it, although you must register in advance to secure your place in the race.

Details of interest

  • Price: To participate in the race you must pay around 35 euros per person to register. Although prices may change for lifeguards and family groups.
  • Direction: The race takes place along Drayton Street from Forsyth Park to Broughton Street.
  • Date: This event is scheduled for the third week of May each year.

9. Go for a taste of barbecued meat at the King of the Hog BBQ Competition

person holding meat with tongs|©Min An
person holding meat with tongs|©Min An

This is a fun food competition where you can watch the contestants put it all on the line to win the title of King of the Hog. The best thing about this competition is that you get to taste the meats cooked by each of the participants and at the same time you get to choose which of them did the best.

During the whole event you will find a good atmosphere of friendship, familiarity and where children can also find their space thanks to the number of activities offered for them. All this is accompanied by live music and of course different alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The winners of this competition receive not only trophies for the best barbecue, but also cash as part of the prize money. This festival certainly counts as one of the best food tours in Savannah.

In addition, this competition is special because the proceeds raised during the event are donated to different organisations that support certain causes.

Details of interest

  • Price: The event is open to the public, although if you want to vote for the Hog BBQ king, you have to pay at least 10 euros for the voting tablet.
  • Address: The competition takes place at 1 Fort Argyle Rd. in Savannah.
  • Date: Usually this event is held sometime in the second week of May. Most often before the 15th of this month. It runs from 11:00 to 16:00, although it can sometimes change.

10. Meet Savannah's most important women at the Founding Mothers' Afternoon Tea

Fort McAllister State Park|©Coastal Georgia Camping and Hiking
Fort McAllister State Park|©Coastal Georgia Camping and Hiking

Year after year the women of the city of Savannah, Georgia, choose a woman founder of the nation who has been truly influential in the growth and development of the United States and pay tribute to her. In this way they honour the past and explain to the new generations how the process has been to get to the present day.

That one day a year of gathering to celebrate the nation's founding women is none other than the Founding Mothers' Afternoon Tea. It is usually held at Fort McAllister State Park and is open to the public, both visitors and locals who want to see reenactments of history.

But it's not just an event that focuses on American history and how women have contributed to it, the whole atmosphere is livened up with live music as well as various food and drink tastings. During the event you can sample cakes, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

Interesting details

  • Price: to participate in this activity you will have to pay around 25 euros per person.
  • Address: This event takes place at 3894 Fort McAllister Road in Richmond Hill.
  • Date: Almost always organised for the third weekend in May.

May temperatures in Savannah

People barbecuing|©RONALD COOPER
People barbecuing|©RONALD COOPER

Towards the end of May, temperatures begin to rise to welcome summer. Temperatures during the month vary between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius at night. During the day they can vary between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius.

As you can see, summer temperatures in Savannah can rise considerably. Sunshine hours increase considerably, with the longest day of the year being in May, with an approximate duration of just over 14 hours of daylight.

What should I pack for a trip to Savannah in May?

Travel Luggage|©Craig Adderley
Travel Luggage|©Craig Adderley

As it's early summer, you'll want to pack summer clothes, sandals and comfortable shoes. I also recommend packing warm pyjamas to help you cope with the cooler temperatures at night.

It is also important to pack sunglasses and a hat to protect you from the sun. Also, to protect your skin, it is important to bring sunscreen, considering that the sun is inclement all month long.