Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Savannah, GA

There are more than 8,700 hotels in Georgia, according to Booking.com. Need help filtering for a fresh and memorable stay?

Southern Living released a list of the 10 Best New Hotels of 2025 including two in Georgia. Here's what we know:

How did Southern Living determine the best new hotels?

Southern Living writer Lisa Cericola said the top 10 were selected based on the Southern Living team's own experiences as guests, customer reviews, and the value they offer travelers. They are reportedly all worth a trip as they look amazing and treat guests like royalty.

What is the best new hotel in Savannah?

One of Southern Living's favorites was the Hotel Bardo in Savannah on Drayton Street. They called it an Instagram-worthy spot and said "Design lovers will swoon over every photogenic detail of this 1888 mansion turned boutique hotel with its delightfully retro pool and pastel-hued interiors. Enjoy the coastal Italian-inspired dishes and drinks at restaurants Saint Bibiana and Bar Bibi."

What is the best new hotel in Atlanta?

The other Southern Living favorite was FORTH in Atlanta on Rankin Street NE. They called it "The Big City Hideaway" and said "This honeycomb-shaped high-rise has a prime location right off the busy Atlanta Beltline and Historic Fourth Ward Park, but inside, it feels blissfully tucked away. With three restaurants, a pool, a bar, and a spa, you might not even need to venture out."

What are the best new hotels in the South?

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email atmlegoas@gannett.com.

Brunswick can likely expect a lot more summer travelers this year.

Multiple news outlets have confirmed Georgia's next Buc-ee's is set to open on July 1, which is about a month sooner than the company's projections earlier this year.

Where is the new Buc-ee's in Brunswick?

The Brunswick Buc-ee's will be located at I-95 and State Hwy 99. This is a little more than 60 miles south of Savannah and a little more than 20 miles north of Jekyll Island.

Is the new Buc-ee's in Brunswick hiring?

As of Tuesday, there were listings for the following positions at the new Brunswick Buc-ee's:

Where is the nearest Buc-ee's?

Currently there are two open Buc-ee's in Georgia: The Calhoun location in Adairsville at 601 Union Grove Rd. SE and the Warner Robins location in Fort Valley at 7001 Russell Pkwy.

Are more new Buc-ee's coming to Georgia?

A fourth Buc-ee's is being built in Monroe County which is set to open in early 2026. The chain was celebrated with Buc-ee's Day at the Georgia State Capitol in March, during which the company's senior director of operations Richard Sebastian said how much they love doing business in Georgia, so fingers crossed for more locations to come.

What is Buc-ee's?

For those who haven't been to one, Buc-ee's is a chain of gas stations/convenience stores with a ton of branded merchandise depicting their beaver mascot. They are also a popular spot for good food, with some of the favorites being the 'Beaver Nuggets,' 20 jerky variations, and the 'Texas Roundup' sections offering brisket, pulled pork, sausages, turkey and roasted cinnamon nuts.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.

Lovers of raptors, warblers, shorebirds—unite! Springtime in the Southland brings the magic of migration as millions of birds fly back to North America for a warm, fleeting season of breeding. If walking in the woods, identifying plants, learning about animal species and their unique habitats and, of course, delighting in the antics of our dear avian friends set your heart aflutter, you’ll have ample opportunity to do what you love this month.

Through May 16, Atlanta-based Birds Georgia celebrates its 10^th annual Georgia Birds Fest. From birding to hiking, boating, taking nature photos and learning how to cultivate a bird-friendly backyard, affordable outdoor learning experiences abound across the state.

The event’s highlight, Georgia Bird Fest Summit, happens April 25 and 26 on Jekyll Island, about 90 miles south of Savannah. This two-day, eco-extravaganza offers multiple chances to learn about wading and shorebirds as well as a half-day excursion to Cumberland Island. Award-winning, New York Times Notable Book author and poet Janisse Ray delivers this year’s keynote address.

Birding events planned throughout Georgia

Dottie Head, senior director of operations, has been soaring with the organization for more than 10 years. In late 2023, she and her team were instrumental in the nonprofit’s rebranding from Georgia Audubon to Birds Georgia, and during her tenure, she’s also learned what works to entice beginner birders and keep fastidious life-listers coming back for more. Having been involved with the festival’s coordination since its launch, Head emphasizes the importance of curating a diverse range of activities.

“We host between 40 and 50 events each year as part of this month-long festival,” said Head. “We are a statewide organization working to offer bird-centric opportunities throughout Georgia, so we also coordinate with seven local Audubon chapters to introduce people to birds and birding. Photo workshops, family events, boating, biking, novice hiking trails and moderate ones offer different ways for people to get outdoors and see birds.”

On Saturday, April 19, attendees can opt for a three-hour “Bio Blitz” at Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge, Georgia. The event is free and up to 35 participants will serve as citizen scientists identifying as many different kinds of plant and animal species as possible within a designated area and time frame. All species information is then uploaded to the iNaturalist app where data is kept for future reference and tracking.

More locally, the festival features “Shorebird Weekend on the Georgia Coast,” April 25 through April 27. Adam Betuel, senior director of programs, leads participants on bird outings around Brunswick, Jekyll, St. Simon’s and Little St. Simon’s Islands, where migrants like marbled godwits, oystercatchers, northern parulas, painted buntings and more are likely to be feasting on the coast this time of year. Tickets for the three-day opportunity range from $380 to $430.

Acclaimed Georgia-born author Janisse Ray and her feathered friends

That same weekend the Georgia Bird Fest Summit takes place with acclaimed author Ray.

Ray, whose formative years rolled and tumbled among busted cars and discarded automotive parts in her father’s you-pick junkyard near Baxley, Georgia, alchemized her austere, sometimes painful experiences into nonfiction gold with her debut book, “Ecology of a Cracker Childhood.” In it, she combines memoir and nature writing to create a work both bold and vulnerable. In 1999, “Ecology of a Cracker Childhood” was recognized as a New York Times Notable Book, and since then, Ray has published six works of nonfiction and two volumes of poetry.

But this isn’t the first time she has worked with Birds Georgia. A few years back, Ray headlined as featured author with the organization for a book reading at Sweetwater brewery in Atlanta. At this year’s bird fest summit, she looks forward to skipping the city and heading directly to the tidal marshlands.

“The Georgia Coast is a hotspot for migratory birds, like the red knot,” emphasized Ray. “Jekyll is so amazing because people had the foresight to save so much of it. I go as often as I can, which is not often enough, and I am involved with Jekyll because I am in the fight to keep it wild and not developed to the hilt. The campground, driftwood beach, these are beautiful spots.”

After the morning’s keynote, Ray leads a brief afternoon writing workshop. From her involvement in different communities and her teaching experiences with university students, Ray believes most people want to engage with writing but often lack time or the initial encouragement to begin. She envisions this session as an invitation.

“People are really hungry for a space to be creative with self-expression in art and in life,” reflected Ray, “I’ll provide writing prompts and create a welcoming, loving, generous space for people to open their hearts about how they feel about nature. I really think people want to be heard, to be in community with other people who share their values.”

Georgia Bird Fest continues for another three weeks after the Jekyll Island summit. Opportunities to bird by bike in Dekalb County, explore Phinizy Swamp near Augusta, and hop on a webinar about transforming backyards into bird-friendly havens are just a few of the remaining events in the festival.

Head, who considers the health of birds as bellwether for the greater condition of the planet, notes the findings in this year’s U.S. State of the Birds Report. Published in March, Cornell University along with a coalition of national conservation groups emphasize that North American bird populations continue alarmingly downward.

“If birds aren’t doing well, ultimately people aren’t doing well,” said Head. “Habitat loss and climate change persist as driving factors negatively affecting birds. Georgia Birds does a lot of habitat restoration across the state. Birds need plants for food and shelter, and part of our mission is building places for birds and people to thrive. And whether sitting on your back porch watching the birdfeeder, or out paddling on Altamaha River, you’re just as much a birder. Our goal through the annual festival is to help connect people with as many opportunities as possible to be a birder.”

If you go >>

What: Georgia Bird Fest 2025

Where: Locations throughout the state

When: Now through May 16

Info: Check Georgia Birds website for list of events and ticket costs, birdsgeorgia.org/birdfestevents.html

After 30 years of existing as an unpermitted event on Tybee Island, the Orange Crush Festival is back this weekend, permit in hand. Though the permit is for a one-day festival on the beach on April 19, there will be other events in and around Savannah and South Carolina on Friday and Sunday.

Orange Crush will hold its official kick off at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 18, with a ribbon cutting event and check in for attendees at Henry Street Bistro, 1301 Montgomery Street, in Savannah. Following the "opening," several other venues are tapping into the Spring Break atmosphere.

Here is the full schedule:

Friday, April 18, Pre-parties

Saturday, April 19, Orange Crush Festival, Tybee Island Pier

Sunday, April 20, Celebrity Brunch, Car/Bike and Fashion Show, Progressive Recreational Center, 5321 Ogeechee Road, Savannah

Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News, covering the municipalities, and community and cultural programs. You can reach her at DAmbus@gannett.com

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The City of Savannah will be hosting a series of evening community engagement meetings in late April to gather input from residents and share information about a proposed Stormwater Utility.

The meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the proposed utility, ask questions, and provide feedback. The individual meetings are being held in each Aldermanic District, April 21 – April 30 at 6 p.m.

The City says Savannah faces numerous challenges related to stormwater drainage including aging and expanding infrastructure, flood mitigation, and a changing climate that has produced more intense storms.

In the past, the City has used a combination of funding sources including federal grants, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds, and general fund appropriations to address drainage issues in the past. Now, City staff are exploring the creation of a dedicated funding mechanism through a new utility to help alleviate the long-term financial burden of future stormwater management.

They say the proposed Stormwater Utility would fund all services within the Stormwater Management Program with a focus on drainage system maintenance, reduction in flooding, water quality management, and regulatory compliance. The new utility would reduce reliance on General Fund appropriations, according to the City.

They say like other City utilities, the Stormwater Utility will be funded through a user fee—assigning costs more equitably based on the impact of each property and the service delivery demand that the property imposes on the City’s Stormwater Department.

The City says a property with more pervious areas, like a lawn or garden, would pay lower fees in stormwater utility costs due to their ability to absorb stormwater runoff. Properties with more impervious surfaces, such as parking lots and rooftops, generate greater stormwater runoff and require more service, resulting in higher stormwater utility fees.

In May 2024, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a study to examine the level, cost, and extent of services currently being provided and how they would change under a new Stormwater Utility. In August 2024, City Council approved a $300,000 contract with Stantec Consulting Services to conduct the new study.

For more information about the proposed Stormwater Utility and the upcoming meetings, visit savannahga.gov/stormwater.

View a list of meetings below:

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