I had the opportunity to take a quick trip to Savannah, and if you haven't been there, I highly recommend it. It is fun to explore and easy to get around. Savannah holds the distinction of being the first city in the colonies, and General Oglethorpe, who named the state of Georgia, meticulously planned its layout. The city follows a grid-like pattern, with each neighborhood featuring a central public square, most of which still exist today. This design makes it a fun place to explore, especially because they are within the downtown historic district.
I should note that my observations are from using a manual wheelchair, but I believe an electric wheelchair would provide better mobility and enhance accessibility in a city like Savannah.
During our stay, we stayed just a block away from the riverwalk, making it easy to navigate around. We spent time walking around some of the squares, which are quite unique. There is an abundance of things to see and do, even if it's just people-watching. The squares are surrounded by restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and cafes, creating a vibrant atmosphere. This city is full of beautiful old trees dripping with moss that create a canopy over many of the streets, sidewalks and parks,
Forsythe Park is a favorite in Savannah. It’s a huge 30-acre park with a magnificent fountain, playgrounds, and an event space. There are sidewalks throughout the park for easy navigation. They have a really cool splash park that is flat, so if you're in a manual wheelchair and feel adventurous. go for it!
Wright Square has a large boulder that is a monument to Tomochichi. Tomochichi was the chief of the Yamacraw Indians who welcomed the settlers when they arrived in Savannah. You’ll also find a monument honoring the founder of the Central of Georgia Railroad.
While there are wheelchair ramps at all street crossings, not all of them are in good condition. This is where an electric wheelchair or scooter would come in handy. The smaller wheels of my manual chair got stuck in the dips and old cobblestone surfaces, which are prevalent in this historic city. Savannah is an old city, so some of the buildings may not be wheelchair accessible. I noticed a few buildings that had steps into the entrance and appeared not to have wheelchair access, but my daughter noticed that many had accessible back entrances through alleyways, (my daughter enjoyed a drink in a café while I waited outside because it was not accessible....LOL it's ok- she was waiting for out dessert order! )
The Riverwalk itself is definitely worth spending some time on. It offers a delightful mix of interesting people, such as a man crafting flowers out of palm fronds or another singing and playing guitar. A leisurely stroll along the riverwalk at dusk, with the Georgia Queen setting off on its sunset cruise or the distant sound of a foghorn from a container ship heading out to sea, provides a relaxing experience as the nightlife begins to come alive.
Accessing the riverwalk can be a bit challenging, as there is a cobblestone hill leading down to it. There are also stairs. However, these are NOT recommended! LOL- I did not attempt the stairs!.. Instead, there is an elevator located next to the Hyatt Regency that takes you down to the riverwalk level. The main difficulty lies in crossing the cobblestone street. The cobblestones are large, with significant gaps between them, causing my wheels to get stuck. My daughter had to pull me across. There is one section of the street that is paved with bricks and easier to navigate, but unfortunately, there was a bus blocking it on our way back, so we had to find an alternative route.
The visitor’s center on River Street has handicapped restrooms available for public use.
One highlight not to miss is the JW Marriott hotel. It features beautiful rock displays throughout its first floor, including giant rose quartz, clear quartz, and amethyst, to name a few. Additionally, there is a massive metal dinosaur skeleton suspended from the ceiling, creating a fun experience as you navigate through the hotel.
Even with the cobblestones and the disrepair of some of the street crossings/ramps, Savannah is a wonderful place to visit. It’s a fun city to wheel around and explore each of the squares, candy shops, cafes, shops, and too many things to mention!
The Georgia Queen Riverboat is wheelchair accessible. There is a ramp to the main level, an elevator, and handicap-accessible restrooms. The Savannah River Queen is wheelchair accessible to the main deck only. There is NO ELEVATOR and NO HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS.
The Georgia Queen is definitely the better option, and they offer brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises, sightseeing, and sunset cruises. You can check them out here.
Overall, Savannah is mostly wheelchair friendly, But like any old city, they have their quirks and access issues. But there is plenty to do in the historic district of Savannah! Enjoy!
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