Best Museums in Bluffton

"Absorb the Culture at the Museum Spend an afternoon wandering the Telfair Museums, comprised of the Telfair Academy (19th and 20th century art), the Jepson Center for the Arts (contemporary art, as well as the kid-friendly interactive ArtZeum) and the Owens-Thomas House (a historic home). Three-site admission is available for one-time entry to all three museums, allowing you to browse one today, and leave the rest for tomorrow."

"There’s hardly a better way to get a glimpse of a city’s historic significance than through visiting some of its most legendary buildings. In Savannah, Georgia, The Owens-Thomas House is a place of legend. It’s approximately 200 years old and continues to be a part of the city’s lore."

"Originally the site of the Central Georgia Railway Headquarters, the Roundhouse Railroad Museum was considered to be the most up-to-date, revolutionary facility of its time. Handling freight, passengers, maintenance and manufacturing at this single location, the Railway Headquarters was an indispensable site for a number of years. After being abandoned in the 1960’s, several local enthusiasts worked to save the buildings from destruction and today the railway is a National Historic Landmark, a “Save America’s Treasures” Site, and Georgia’s State Railroad Museum."

"Located in Tricentennial Park, Georgia State Railroad Museum is a beautiful National Historic Landmark located at the old Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities. With a fully operational turntable, you have the chance to explore historic railcars, experience the handcar, and go on guided tours."

"Right next to Savannah Children’s Museum and the Savannah History Museum is a railroad museum that exhibits a collection of restored trains from years to centuries past, as well as artifacts from Savannah’s railroading history."

"What: A part of the Telfair Museums complex, this historical art gallery was once a mansion built in 1818 by William Jay, and now showcases a plethora of American and European artwork, as well as two 19th century period rooms and some of the original family furnishings. Paintings, sculptures, works on paper…those who love the arts will enjoy a wander through this historical mansion. Highlights: Visiting the old mansion and seeing how the Governors once lived is interesting enough, but the permanent collections are seriously impressive too."

"You’ll get great value from your visit to the Telfair Museums!. With the purchase of one ticket, you gain access to all three museums and you can spread your visits out over a week. The Jepson Center opened in 2006 and houses many unique art exhibits and educational opportunities, with over 7,500+ square feet of gallery space."

"Another good reason to visit the Owen-Thomas house is that it’s operated by Telfair Museums, who also run the Telfair Academy and the Jepson Center, more on which below, and you can purchase a ticket with access to all three at a discounted price, saving yourself a bit of money."

"What: Those with a penchant for nautical history will relish an afternoon spent at this maritime museum. Once the house of William Scarborough (a merchant prince and one of the principal investors of the first steam vessel to cross the Atlantic, S.S. Savannah), the museum is now the proud home of an expansive collection of ship models, artefacts and memorabilia. Highlights: After exploring the history of America’s ships, head out onto dry land and discover the beautiful gardens."

"Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is a museum that features replicated model ships, located in Savannah, Georgia. The museum has nine galleries that contain maritime artifacts and paintings, and numerous ship models. A large majority of the models were commissioned to be replicated by the museum itself, to interpret Savannah’s fascinating maritime history."

"Savannah Children’s Museum was unveiled in 2012 as an adaptive reuse project in the old Central of Georgia Railway Carpentry Shop in downtown Savannah. The entirely outdoor museum features over a dozen exhibits and programs designed to expand the imaginations of children, including an... exploration maze, a reading nook and a sensory garden."

"Savannah Children’s Museum is an idyllic place for families to bring their children to play and explore in Savannah, Georgia. This children’s museum is situated within Tricentennial Park, and entirely outdoors as well. The museum occupies the upper and lower courtyards of the old Central of Georgia Railway Carpentry Shop."

"905 Port Republic St. | Beaufort (843)-379-7025 Visit Website"

"The A.T. Hun Gallery, “where the brush is mightier than the sword”. Savannah’s best outrageous Art Gallery. Location: 302 W St. Julian St, Savannah, GAPhone: (912) 233-2060"

"Get a deeper insight on military history, from the Civil War era through Desert Storm, by viewing this privately owned collection that helps humanize war through artifacts such as uniforms and personal effects."

"Located a short stroll from Savannah’s waterfront is the Telfair Academy; an attractive historic mansion that now houses one of the oldest public art museums in America. Built in 1818, it has superb statues of Rembrandt, Raphael, and Rubens among others dotted about its garden. Originally owned by the Telfair family, the townhouse was turned into a museum in 1886 with fine family furnishings and period pieces still adorning its elegant rooms."

"Considered Savannah's top art museum, the historic Telfair family mansion is filled with 19th-century American art and silver and a smattering of European pieces. The home itself is gorgeous and sunrise-hued – an... Top ChoicePark in Historic District & Forsyth Park"

"121 Barnard Street, Savannah (on Telfair Square)912-790-8800. Open Thursday-Tuesday, 10am-5pm. Adults $20, seniors/military $18, students (13-25) $15, children (6-12) $5, young children (0-5) free."

"During our morning walk we passed by many of Savannah’s historic homes, including the famous Mercer-Williams House. The house was built for General Hugh W. Mercer, great grandfather of singer/songwriter Johnny Mercer. In 1969, it was bought by Jim Williams who restored the house, as he would 50 others in Savannah."

"207 West York St., Savannah, GA 31401; https://www.telfair.org/visit/jepson-center/#artzeum. The Jepson Center for the Arts is home to ArtZeum, an interactive children’s museum space. More:'Never Spoken Again: Rogue Stories of Science and Collections' pushes boundaries at Jepson Center"

"Designed by the great Moshe Safdie, and looking pretty darn space-age by Savannah's standards, the JCA – rather appropriately, given its architecture – focuses on 20th- and 21st-century art. Be on the lookout for..."

"Clary’s Café is a cozy neighborhood café on Abercorn Street that serves Southern-style diner classics for breakfast and lunch in a quaint atmosphere. Famous for its appearance in the John Cusack movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the café offers a breakfast menu of favorites such as multi-egg omelets, house-made corned beef hash with eggs, biscuits, and grits, and country fried steak. Sweet delights include chocolate chip hotcakes and bacon, pecan caramel sticky buns, and stacks of pancakes accompanied by steaming ceramic mugs of hot coffee."

"As you look around Clary’s Café at all of the knickknacks, paintings, family pictures, and memorabilia that form its décor, you may wonder how a drugstore could have evolved into the world famous Clary’s Café. This quaint café was featured in the major motion picture,... “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” making it great stop for any movie buffs on your vacation."

"Centrally located on Abercorn Street in Midtown Savannah, the Diner of Abercorn is a classic diner that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and serves an extensive breakfast menu, which features eggs, pancakes, omelets, buttermilk biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, grits and gravy, and other traditional favorites. The menu also boasts unique plates such as grilled quail and eggs and fried catfish and eggs, and the extensive lunch and dinner menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, and Greek specialties like gyros, souvlaki, and spanakopita. The Diner on Abercorn offers daily specials like lasagna, crab cakes and popcorn shrimp, and decadent desserts and cakes."

"Ronnie's is my go to for tasty food and consistent, friendly service. As a family owned restaurant, there's a really relaxed vibe, even on week..."

"Kobe Sushi & Hibachi and Asian River are some popular evening go-to’s while Seasons of Japan, Tokyo Cafe, and Hirano’s are some popular midday go-to’s in Savannah for Japanese."