Things to Do in Savannah in May

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Stay in Savannah in May

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May in Savannah is the last comfortable outdoor month before coastal Georgia's subtropical summer settles in for good. Daytime highs reach about 28°C (83°F), manageable enough before 10 a.m. but sticky once the humidity layers on in the early afternoon. The live oaks across the Historic District have hit full canopy by now, and Spanish moss hangs low and thick over the 22 landmark squares that James Oglethorpe laid out in his 1733 city plan. Mornings feel genuinely pleasant. Afternoons, you start to understand why locals invented the wide front porch.

The spring tourist peak has passed. Savannah's St. Patrick's Day celebration draws over 400,000 visitors to a city of roughly 150,000, and March is the busiest month of the year by a wide margin. The Savannah Music Festival runs through most of April. By May, hotel availability loosens, restaurant waits shrink, and you can photograph the Forsyth Park fountain without a crowd of 30 people in the frame. The city scores 8.2/10 for family friendliness (see the TTDI Family-Friendliness Index), and the reduced foot traffic makes the park-heavy grid particularly manageable for families. Memorial Day weekend at month's end is the one exception, when River Street and Tybee Island fill back up for a few days.

Afternoon thunderstorms start appearing with regularity in May. They tend to be theatrical, dropping heavy rain and sometimes lightning for 30 to 45 minutes before clearing into washed-out golden evenings. Total monthly rainfall sits well below what July and August deliver, so a flexible schedule handles it fine.

Why visit in May

The 400,000-visitor St. Patrick's Day surge is 2 months gone, so the Historic District's 22 squares feel calm and walkable, with open benches and shorter lines at every historic house and museum
Peak Vidalia onion season means Georgia's famous sweet onion appears on menus across the city, from fried preparations at riverside spots to caramelized dishes at white-tablecloth restaurants in the Victorian District
Tybee Island water temperature reaches roughly 24°C (75°F), warm enough for swimming, while the dense summer crowds that pack the island from mid-June onward are still weeks away
Late-afternoon light through the live oaks is at its most photogenic, with full canopy coverage and golden-hour sunsets around 8:15 p.m. EDT

Worth knowing

Humidity makes afternoon outdoor walking noticeably uncomfortable by mid-May, with the heat index pushing perceived temperature 3 to 5°C above the actual reading
No-see-ums and mosquitoes emerge along marsh areas near the Wilmington River and in the Thunderbolt neighborhood, especially at dusk and dawn
No major citywide festival anchors the month, so if you want an event-driven trip, March or late October would serve better
Afternoon thunderstorms can interrupt outdoor plans on nearly half the month's days, typically between 2 and 5 p.m.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 28° / 19°C 88mm rain · 13 rainy days · 73% humidity rains perceptibly ~1.3h/day · 88% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Lightweight cotton or linen clothing in light colors. A packable rain jacket works better than an umbrella since storms can arrive with sudden wind gusts. Breathable walking shoes with rubber soles for uneven cobblestones. A sun hat for midday exposure in open stretches between squares.

Mornings typically start warm and clear in the upper teens Celsius, then climb steadily through the day. By early afternoon the heat and moisture build together. Roughly 13 days bring rain, almost always as afternoon or early-evening thunderstorms that blow through within an hour. Evenings cool to a range that feels easier than the daytime peak, and outdoor dining stays comfortable well past 9 p.m. Wind off the coast stays light, rarely above 15 km/h (9 mph), which means the moisture lingers rather than clearing.

Seasonal caution

Afternoon thunderstorms regularly produce cloud-to-ground lightning, which is especially dangerous on Tybee Island beach and in the open sections of Forsyth Park. If you hear thunder, move indoors immediately. Lightning remains the leading weather-related cause of injury along the Georgia coast.
UV index reaches 9 to 10 on clear late-May days, high enough to cause sunburn in under 20 minutes of unprotected exposure. Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes if you are outdoors through midday.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Savannah
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	16	6	79
Feb	19	9	77
Mar	22	12	110
Apr	25	15	69
May	28	19	88
Jun	31	22	132
Jul	32	24	156
Aug	31	24	232
Sep	29	21	126
Oct	25	16	72
Nov	21	11	78
Dec	18	8	83

Holidays and festivals in May

Public holidays

Truman Day(Truman Day)8 May 2027
Memorial Day(Memorial Day)31 May 2027

Best things to do in May

Morning walking tour of the Historic District squares

sightseeing

Savannah's grid of public squares dates to the city's 1733 founding. A full circuit covers roughly 4 km (2.5 miles) of shaded paths, fountains, and monuments, including Chippewa Square, Monterey Square, and Lafayette Square near the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (1873).

May mornings offer comfortable walking temperatures before summer's oppressive midday heat arrives in June. Tour-group density drops significantly from March and April levels, and you can linger.

Booking tipSelf-guided is free. Guided walking tours run about 90 minutes and fill faster on weekends. Book 3 to 5 days ahead for Saturday morning departures.

Bonaventure Cemetery at dawn

sightseeing

This cemetery on the Wilmington River bluff, established in 1846, gained international attention through John Berendt's 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.' Its live oaks, Spanish moss, and Victorian-era statuary occupy a bluff overlooking the tidal marshes east of downtown.

May's early sunrise (around 6:30 a.m. EDT) and full tree canopy create soft, filtered light ideal for photography. Summer's intense overhead sun washes out the contrast that makes the cemetery so striking.

Booking tipOpen dawn to dusk, free entry. Arrive before 8 a.m. for the best light and near-total solitude.

Kayaking the tidal creeks near Skidaway Island

outdoor

The salt marsh creeks south of Savannah wind through cordgrass and tidal flats. May's warmer water draws dolphins, ospreys, and fiddler crabs into the shallows. Launches at Skidaway Island State Park put you into the marsh within minutes of the parking lot.

Water temperatures reach comfortable paddling range, dolphin activity increases in the inshore waters, and the dangerous July and August heat has not yet made midday paddling risky.

Booking tipGuided tours run 2 to 3 hours. Weekend morning slots fill a week or more ahead. Weekday availability is usually same-day.

Tybee Island early-season beach day

outdoor

Tybee Island sits about 30 km (18 miles) east of downtown. The beach stretches roughly 5 km (3 miles) along the eastern shore, with the Tybee Island Light Station, first established in 1736, at the northern end.

Ocean temperatures reach swimmable levels, but the dense summer crowds that pack the island from mid-June through Labor Day have not arrived yet. Parking is still available on weekday mornings without circling.

Booking tipAvoid Memorial Day weekend if you want a quieter beach experience. Midweek days in early-to-mid May feel almost private compared to summer.

Forsyth Park Saturday Farmers Market

food

The weekly market runs Saturday mornings along the south end of the park, with vendors selling seasonal produce, local honey, baked goods, and prepared Lowcountry food. The park covers 12 hectares (30 acres) and was established in 1840.

May marks the arrival of peak spring produce, with Vidalia onions and early stone fruit appearing in stronger variety than at the winter and early-spring markets.

Booking tipArrive by 9:30 a.m. for the best selection. Popular vendors sell out before 11 a.m.

Evening stroll through the Victorian District and Starland District

sightseeing

South of the Historic District, these neighborhoods feature late-1800s residential architecture, independent galleries, coffee roasters, and local bars along Bull Street and Habersham Street. The feel is more residential and less tourist-oriented than the squares to the north.

May evenings cool enough for a long, comfortable walk. The Starland District hosts First Friday gallery openings that draw a local crowd, and outdoor seating at bars and cafes is pleasant without summer's dense humidity.

Booking tipFirst Friday events run from about 6 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. No booking needed, and most galleries are free.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

history

This pentagonal masonry fort on Cockspur Island, built starting in 1829, played a pivotal Civil War role when Union forces proved that rifled cannon could breach brick fortifications. The fort sits at the mouth of the Savannah River, about 24 km (15 miles) east of downtown.

May's longer daylight, with sunset past 8 p.m., gives you time for both the fort interior and the surrounding salt marsh trails. Summer brings heavier crowds and stronger afternoon storms that can cut a visit short.

Booking tipArrive by early afternoon to allow 2 to 3 hours for the fort, museum, and nature trails.

Wormsloe Historic Site live oak avenue

sightseeing

A 2.4-km (1.5-mile) avenue of roughly 400 live oaks leads to the tabby ruins of Noble Jones's colonial estate, first settled in the 1730s. The canopy forms a green tunnel that is among the most photographed sites in the American Southeast.

The oaks reach their fullest leaf density in May, creating the deepest shade corridor of the year. Morning light filtering through the canopy has more texture and contrast than the flat overhead sun of midsummer.

Booking tipOpen 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The avenue photographs best in the first hour after opening, when the angled light reaches under the canopy.

What to eat in May

In season: fruit

Early Georgia peaches
First-of-season varieties start appearing at the Forsyth Park Farmers Market and roadside stands in the last 2 weeks of May. They tend to be smaller and firmer than the full June and July harvest, with a sharper tartness.

On menus now

She-crab soup
This cream-based Lowcountry soup made with blue crab meat and orange roe peaks in spring and early summer, when female blue crabs carry the roe that gives the dish its color and richness. May is likely the last month for full-quality roe before summer spawning.
Lowcountry boil
A one-pot communal meal of shrimp, corn on the cob, smoked sausage, and new potatoes, all boiled in Old Bay seasoning. Hosts dump the finished pot onto newspaper-covered tables outdoors. The tradition ramps up as warm weather returns in May.

In markets

Vidalia onions
Georgia's official state vegetable hits peak sweetness in May and June. These onions are grown within a legally defined 30-county radius around Vidalia, GA, about 3 hours west of Savannah. You will find them grilled, caramelized, battered, and stuffed on menus across the Lowcountry.
Local white shrimp
Georgia's shrimping season opens in late spring. Boats dock at Thunderbolt and along Lazaretto Creek on Tybee Island with fresh-caught white shrimp, often served within hours of landing at restaurants across the city.

Regular events in May

First Saturday on the RiverFree

River Street's monthly open-air festival with live music, food vendors, and local artisans along the cobblestone Savannah River waterfront. The event draws a mixed crowd of locals and visitors and runs through the afternoon and evening.

First Saturday of May

Memorial Day ceremony and Tybee Beach Bum ParadeFree

Savannah holds a Memorial Day observance at Emmet Park near the riverfront, and Tybee Island hosts its annual Beach Bum Parade along the island's main road on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Locals dress in costume, and the parade has a deliberately low-key, self-deprecating spirit.

Friday before Memorial Day weekend (parade) and last Monday of May (ceremony)

SCAD Senior ExhibitionsFree

Graduating students from the Savannah College of Art and Design display thesis work across the college's gallery spaces in the Historic District and Victorian District, including shows at the SCAD Museum of Art, which opened in 2002. Work spans painting, sculpture, photography, industrial design, and digital media.

Throughout May, typically concluding before Memorial Day weekend

Best places this May

Forsyth Park
park
The 12-hectare (30-acre) park at the southern edge of the Historic District reaches full canopy in May. The 1858 cast-iron fountain anchors the north end. Saturday mornings bring the farmers market along the south perimeter, and the park's interior paths stay shaded through mid-afternoon.
Historic District
Bonaventure Cemetery
cemetery
On the Wilmington River bluff east of downtown, this 1846 cemetery rewards early-morning visitors with filtered light through centuries-old live oaks. The Victorian statuary and moss-draped paths have drawn photographers and writers for over a century.
Thunderbolt
Telfair Museums and Jepson Center for the Arts
museum
Savannah's oldest public art museum organization, founded in 1886, operates multiple buildings. The Jepson Center on York Street offers Moshe Safdie's modern architecture and air-conditioned galleries that become a practical retreat on humid May afternoons.
Historic District
Mercer House
historic house
This 1868 Italianate mansion on Monterey Square gained attention from 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.' May's comfortable morning temperatures let you explore the surrounding square and neighboring streets at a relaxed pace before the afternoon heat builds.
Historic District
Starland District galleries and shops
neighborhood
South of the Victorian District along Bull Street and Habersham Street, this neighborhood serves as Savannah's independent creative corridor. Small galleries, coffee roasters, and bars cluster within a few walkable blocks. First Friday openings in May draw a crowd that skews local.
Starland District
Wormsloe Historic Site
historic site
The 2.4-km live oak avenue leading to the tabby ruins of a 1730s colonial estate reaches peak canopy density in May. Nature trails through maritime forest and salt marsh extend beyond the avenue for a longer visit.
Isle of Hope
River Street waterfront
waterfront district
The cobblestone stretch along the Savannah River, lined with converted cotton warehouses, sees lighter foot traffic in May than during the spring peak. Weekday evenings offer open seats at waterfront spots without the wait that defines March.
Historic District
Congregation Mickve Israel
historic site
Founded in 1733, the same year as the colony of Georgia itself, this is one of the oldest Jewish congregations in North America. The Gothic Revival synagogue on Monterey Square houses colonial-era Torah scrolls and correspondence from George Washington.
Historic District

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Packable rain jacketAfternoon storms in May hit hard but pass in under an hour. A hands-free jacket beats an umbrella, especially if you are on Tybee Island beach or walking the open stretches of Wormsloe's oak avenue where wind gusts accompany the rain. Shop
Breathable cotton or linen shirtsSustained humidity makes synthetic fabrics feel suffocating by midday. Linen wrinkles but breathes. Cotton dries slowly but stays cooler against the skin. Light colors reflect heat better in the open stretches between squares. Shop
SPF 50+ sunscreenThe UV index hits 9 to 10 on clear late-May days, strong enough to burn unprotected skin in under 20 minutes. Reapply every 90 minutes if you are spending time in the open sections of the park or at the beach. Shop
DEET-based insect repellentNo-see-ums, the tiny biting midges native to coastal Georgia, become aggressive near marsh areas at dawn and dusk starting in May. Standard citronella sprays are largely ineffective against them. DEET or picaridin is what locals use. Shop
Sturdy walking shoes with rubber solesThe Historic District's original cobblestones and uneven brick sidewalks get slippery when wet from afternoon rain. Leather soles and fashion sneakers lose grip quickly on the damp stone. Shop
Refillable water bottleStaying hydrated matters when humidity runs above 70% and you are walking 4 to 6 km across the squares. Several of the squares have no shops nearby, so carrying water saves detours. Shop
Light cardigan or wrap for indoor spacesRestaurants and museums in Savannah run their air conditioning hard against the outdoor warmth. The temperature gap between the street and a dining room can be 8 to 10°C, enough to make a light layer worthwhile. Shop
Wide-brim sun hatShade disappears in the open stretches between squares and along the River Street waterfront. A hat makes midday walking tolerable when the sun is directly overhead and you are between canopy cover. Shop

Insider tips

The Saturday morning Forsyth Park Farmers Market has the best Vidalia onion selection in the first 3 weeks of May. Arrive by 9:30 a.m. and park on the south side, approaching via Park Avenue rather than fighting for spots on Drayton Street.
Thunderbolt, a fishing village about 10 minutes south of downtown on the Islands Expressway, has shrimp boats that sell their catch dockside. Prices for fresh white shrimp run well below what Historic District restaurants charge for the same product.
The squares north of Liberty Street, like Oglethorpe Square, Wright Square, and Reynolds Square, tend to be quieter than the heavily toured southern squares around Monterey and Madison. If you want to sit under a live oak without a tour trolley rolling past every 10 minutes, walk north.
Most locals avoid River Street on weekend evenings in favor of Congress Street or the Starland District. The cobblestones, converted-warehouse bars, and tourist density make River Street more of a visitor corridor after dark, while the neighborhoods south of the Historic District have the places regulars frequent.

Avoid these mistakes

Planning a full outdoor walking itinerary between noon and 3 p.m. in late May. The heat index during those hours can push the felt temperature to 33°C (91°F), well above the comfortable morning reading. Schedule museum visits, lunch, or hotel downtime for that window and walk before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Booking a Memorial Day weekend hotel at the rates you found for the rest of May and assuming easy availability. That last weekend brings a short, sharp price and occupancy spike, especially near Forsyth Park and on Tybee Island. Reserve at least 3 weeks ahead for that stretch.
Skipping insect repellent for a Bonaventure Cemetery visit at dusk. The cemetery sits on the Wilmington River bluff, prime habitat for biting midges and mosquitoes that peak at exactly the golden-hour window most photographers want.
Driving to Tybee Island on a Saturday morning without leaving before 9 a.m. U.S. Route 80 is the only road in and out, and weekend beach traffic backs up along a single-lane stretch near the bridge. Leaving by 8:30 a.m. avoids the worst of it.

Practical tips for May

Book hotels and guided tours for Memorial Day weekend at least 3 weeks ahead. For the rest of May, 5 to 7 days of lead time is usually sufficient for midweek stays. The Forsyth Park Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is cash-friendly, though most vendors accept cards. If driving to Tybee Island on weekends, leave before 9 a.m. to avoid the bottleneck on U.S. Route 80. Dress codes in the Historic District are relaxed; smart casual covers nearly every restaurant at dinner. Parking downtown uses metered spots and a few garages along Bryan and State Streets, and meters are free on Sundays. The city's CAT bus system covers limited routes. For reaching Thunderbolt, Skidaway Island, or Tybee Island, a car or rideshare is more practical. Solo travelers should be aware of the city's 6.2/10 solo-traveler safety rating (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index) and exercise normal urban caution south of Victory Drive and east of the Historic District after dark.

FAQ

Is May a good time to visit Savannah?

May is a solid shoulder-season choice. The spring crowds from St. Patrick's Day and the Music Festival have cleared, hotel rates ease off their highs, and temperatures stay in the high 20s Celsius (low 80s Fahrenheit). The tradeoff is climbing humidity and regular afternoon thunderstorms, but mornings and evenings remain comfortable for walking the squares. It ranks around 5th out of 12 months, behind October, April, March, and November.

What is the weather like in Savannah in May?

Warm and increasingly humid. Highs average 28.2°C (83°F) with lows around 18.9°C (66°F). Humidity sits near 73%, which makes the heat feel more intense than the raw temperature suggests. About 13 days see rain, almost entirely as afternoon thunderstorms that drop heavy rain for 30 to 45 minutes before clearing. Total monthly rainfall is 88mm, well below the 232mm that August delivers.

Is Savannah crowded in May?

Moderate. The massive spring influx, especially St. Patrick's Day, is finished, and summer family-vacation traffic does not ramp up until mid-June. Midweek visits in early-to-mid May feel noticeably quiet in the Historic District. The exception is Memorial Day weekend, when River Street and Tybee Island see a short surge for 3 to 4 days.

What should I wear in Savannah in May?

Light, breathable fabrics in cotton or linen. A packable rain jacket for the afternoon storms. Sun protection including SPF 50+ and a hat for open stretches. DEET-based insect repellent if visiting Bonaventure Cemetery or the marshes near Thunderbolt at dusk. A light layer for heavily air-conditioned restaurants and museums, where the temperature can drop 8 to 10°C from the street. Sturdy shoes with grip for the cobblestones in the Historic District.

Are there major festivals in Savannah in May?

May is a quieter month on the festival calendar. The Savannah Music Festival wraps up in April, and the larger summer programming starts in June. The main draws are the Memorial Day observances and the Tybee Beach Bum Parade on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, the monthly First Saturday on the River event along the waterfront, and the SCAD Senior Exhibitions at gallery spaces across the city. Savannah's biggest event month is March, centered entirely on St. Patrick's Day.