Feel the whoosh of a 2,000-degree furnace, watch molten glass bloom into color, and—if you’re game—add your own gentle breath to shape a keepsake you’ll cherish back at your rig. Just 40 easy minutes from Savannah Lakes RV Resort, Savannah’s glass hot shops and the Jepson Center’s glittering galleries turn an ordinary day trip into a front-row seat (or hands-on spot) at the art of fire and sand.
Key Takeaways
Before you scroll deeper, here’s the snapshot that keeps logistics straight and excitement high. Each point below answers the first questions travelers usually ask on the resort Wi-Fi, from drive time to parking to that all-important cool-down corner. Skim them now, reference them later, and slide into the rest of the guide knowing the basics are locked in.
• Easy trip: About a 40-minute drive from Savannah Lakes RV Resort to downtown Savannah.
• First stop: Jepson Center has cool, quiet art rooms, full wheelchair access, and benches for rests.
• Ticket prices: Jepson costs $22 adults, $19 seniors, kids under 6 free.
• Hot shops to choose: Hostess City Hot Glass (lively, music, kids’ tools) or Drayton Glassworks (calm, small groups, evening demos).
• Class cost: Most beginner glass classes run $75–$110 per person.
• Book early: Reserve your spot about 2 weeks ahead, especially in spring and fall.
• Safety gear: Eye shields, heat gloves, and kid-size pipes are supplied; wear cotton clothes and closed-toe shoes.
• Heat warning: Furnace areas stay near 100 °F; drink water and use the cool-down corner if you feel hot.
• Take-home plan: Finished glass cools overnight—pick up next day or ship for $15–$25.
• Parking tips: Three downtown garages fit pickups and SUVs; street parking is free after 8 p.m. and all day Sunday.
Those bullet points give you the headlines, but the details turn a good outing into a flawless one. Read on for specific demo times, hidden-gem lunch breaks, and road-tested hacks from RVers who’ve already felt the furnace roar.
Wondering if Grandma’s wheelchair fits beside the kiln, if the kids get goggles, or whether your Class B van can squeeze into downtown parking? Stick with us. In the next five minutes you’ll get demo times, family and senior pricing, accessibility notes, cool-down breaks, pickup or shipping options for your finished piece—and a ready-made itinerary that pairs fiery creativity with Lowcountry calm. Let’s step into the glow.
Fast Facts for Planners
Savannah can feel like a maze of moss-draped squares, but the essentials are straightforward when you keep RV life in mind. From the resort, budget thirty-five to forty-five minutes of drive time via I-95 and I-16; add an extra ten on festival weekends. Once downtown, Whitaker Street Garage works for the Jepson Center, Liberty Street Garage hugs Drayton Glassworks, and City Hall Garage sits closest to Hostess City Hot Glass—all three accept full-size pickups and most SUVs.
If you like numbers before narratives, skim this list and you’re already halfway packed. Drive time averages 35–45 minutes (rush hour adds ten-plus). Jepson admission runs $22 for adults, $19 for seniors, and kids under six stroll in free. Introductory glass classes cost $75–$110, wheelchair access is strong at all venues, and the best booking window lands two weeks ahead of peak spring or fall weekends.
Morning Inspiration: Cool Galleries Before the Heat
Begin where the climate is gentle and the ideas are bold. The Jepson Center for the Arts showcases contemporary work inside an airy marble-and-glass building that feels like an ice cube against Savannah’s humidity. Through June 30, 2024, the exhibition Shattered Illusions: Reconsidering Glassware through the Lens of Care re-imagines heirloom goblets and coastal bottle shards in wild new forms, a show local press covered at Savannah Tribune. Cool, well-lit galleries invite slow strolling, and benches appear every forty feet for easy resting.
Accessibility gets genuine follow-through here. Automatic doors, two roomy elevators, and complimentary wheelchair loaners ensure every visitor reaches the top-floor glass exhibition without a stair in sight. Monday mornings between ten and noon stay whisper-quiet, a sweet spot for crowd-averse retirees or families with sensory-sensitive kids. The on-site café pours espresso and offers strong Wi-Fi, letting digital nomads upload a reel before diving into the furnace later.
Choosing the Right Hot Shop for You
Two studios share Savannah’s spotlight, each with its own rhythm. Hostess City Hot Glass sits in the funky Starland District and pumps indie music while small groups (max ten students) tackle 60-minute ornament sessions or 90-minute pint-glass workshops; kid-sized blowpipes and Kevlar sleeves come standard, as confirmed on the calendar at Hostess City Hot Glass. The 4 p.m. weekday slot dovetails perfectly with an 11 a.m. Jepson visit and a leisurely lunch in between.
Prefer a slower tempo? Drayton Glassworks in Historic District South caps ratios at one instructor for every three guests, winning praise for its calm coaching on TripAdvisor. Friday nights at seven feature spectator demos where photography (no flash) is welcome—ideal content fodder for the culture-seeking remote professional. Multi-week residencies and torch-work classes attract hobbyists hungry for deeper skill dives.
Reserve Like a Pro
Savannah’s spring azaleas and autumn festivals swell class rosters fast, so place that booking at least two weeks out—call if your party tops four and you may score a private slot after hours. Expect to sign waivers, pick color palettes, and hear the safety rundown fifteen minutes before the furnace fires; latecomers often watch until the next step to keep workflow smooth. Confirmations arrive via email within minutes, so double-check spam folders to avoid surprises at check-in.
Dress for both heat and movement. Natural-fiber clothing, closed-toe shoes, sleeves above the wrist, and hair tied tight prevent surprise sparks. Hydrate early—the hot-shop zone hovers around 100 °F even in February. Phones and plastics warp quickly, so leave valuables in the rig or a studio locker while you wield the blowpipe.
Staying Safe and Comfortable Around the Furnace
Safety training sounds formal but runs friendly and clear. Instructors map out furnace temperature zones, point to first-aid kits, and rehearse exit routes before anyone approaches the gather. Keep two arm-lengths of distance from an active pipe, and steady your non-dominant hand on the bench rail while marvering to avoid dropped glass.
Eye protection is non-negotiable. Standard clear shields come free, while shade-three or shade-five lenses soothe light-sensitive guests. Children under twelve usually observe; when allowed to blow, they work with lighter pipes and constant adult supervision. Feeling flushed? Cool-down stations sit a few steps away—raise a hand and step back rather than soldier on.
Your Artwork’s Journey from Kiln to Coach
Glass cools slowly in an annealing oven, so no one leaves with a fresh piece the same day. Most studios open a 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. pickup window the following afternoon; plan your Savannah schedule accordingly or swing by on your return to the resort. Traveling onward? Double-boxed shipping runs fifteen to twenty-five dollars and reaches most U.S. addresses in three to five business days.
If you’d rather cradle your creation yourself, ask for bubble wrap and a cardboard cell box, then stash it near your RV’s center of gravity where vibration is lowest—usually a cabinet over the axle. Snap a quick photo of the finished work before packing; it serves as proof of condition should any unfortunate bumps occur. Many travelers find that sliding the wrapped piece into a canvas tote adds yet another layer of shock absorption.
Getting There Without the Stress
The drive itself is scenic simplicity: I-95 South to I-16 East, then Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for Hostess City and Drayton or Montgomery Street for the Jepson Center. Downtown lanes narrow quickly, so leave your Class A coach parked lakeside and either hop the resort’s courtesy shuttle—reserve 24 hours ahead—or rideshare for about thirty-five to forty-five dollars round-trip. Tow-vehicles under seven-foot clearance fit easily in the highlighted garages.
Traffic swells during SCAD graduation, Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon, and Savannah’s legendary St. Patrick’s Day parade. Add fifteen minutes, and bookmark the city’s live parking map for real-time space counts. Street meters turn free after eight p.m. and all day Sunday, a wallet-friendly perk for evening demos and downtown dinners.
Four Sample Itineraries to Copy or Customize
Savannah rewards tailoring your pace, so choose the outline that mirrors your crew. Retirees might savor a 10 a.m. Jepson visit, a courtyard bistro lunch, a 2 p.m. Drayton observer session with padded stools, and a sunset return to the resort firepit. Families chasing a rain-proof adventure can snag Jepson scavenger cards at eleven, picnic under Forsyth Park oaks, blow ornaments at three, and finish with ice cream on Broughton Street.
Remote professionals juggle work and wonder by logging a full Wi-Fi-powered day at the resort clubhouse, driving in at five-thirty for latte and uploads, then catching Drayton’s seven-o’clock demo before free street parking at eight. Hobbyist travelers stitch art and outdoors together: hike Skidaway Island on day one, tackle a three-hour private workshop that afternoon, pick up the cooled piece next morning, shop SCAD galleries, then paddleboard the resort lake by sunset. Both groups wind down under moss-draped oaks, proving that Savannah’s tempo flexes for every schedule.
Answers to the Questions You’ll Ask on the Drive Down
Questions bubble up faster than molten glass, so here are the biggies. Yes, advance tickets are essential in March–May and September–November. Jepson is fully wheelchair friendly, and both studios feature ramps or observer seating—call ahead to confirm floor-space needs. Kids six and up can blow ornaments at Hostess City; younger ones watch behind the safety line with goggles provided.
Eye shields, heat gloves, and sleeves come with every class fee. Photo-video is allowed at Jepson (no flash) and during Drayton’s evening demos; always ask live-fire instructors before filming inside a class. Wi-Fi flows freely at the Jepson café and multiple coffee shops within three blocks of both studios. Seniors shave three dollars off Jepson admission, and studios run family bundles during the off-season—good to know when budgeting fuel, lunch, and that extra pint glass you suddenly want.
From spark to sparkle, Savannah’s glass scene delivers the thrill; Savannah Lakes adds the Lowcountry calm. After a day coaxing molten color into life, roll back to a spacious full-hookup site, dip into the heated pool, and share furnace-lit photos over strong lakeside Wi-Fi while fireflies echo your new keepsake’s glow. Modern comfort, family-friendly fun, and pet-ready trails—every traveler finds a spot to shine here. Give your creative getaway the perfect finishing touch: reserve your stay at Savannah Lakes RV Resort today and let the glow of inspiration follow you all the way home.
Frequently Asked Questions
New to glassblowing or to Savannah altogether? The quick answers below clear up schedules, costs, and comfort so you can focus on the fun parts—choosing colors and snapping photos. If something still isn’t covered, the resort front desk and studio staff pick up the phone faster than you can say “gather and blow.”
Q: What time do the glassblowing demonstrations start and how long do they run?
A: Jepson Center hosts 20-minute furnace talks at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., while Hostess City Hot Glass runs 60-minute ornament sessions on the hour from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Drayton Glassworks stages spectator demos Fridays at 7 p.m.; most hands-on classes last 60–90 minutes, so plan on a two-hour window door-to-door including check-in and cool-down.
Q: Do I need to purchase tickets or reserve a spot before driving in from Savannah Lakes RV Resort?
A: Yes—spring and fall weekends sell out quickly, so book museum admission and any hot-shop class online at least two weeks in advance; walk-ins are sometimes accepted on slow mid-week mornings, but the safest play is to reserve before you leave the resort Wi-Fi.
Q: How much will the experience cost for my group?
A: Expect $22 per adult, $19 for seniors, and free entry for kids under six at the Jepson; hands-on glass sessions range from $75 for a basic ornament to $110 for a pint glass, with 10 percent off for active military, seniors, and family bundles during the January–February off-season.
Q: Is the Jepson Center fully wheelchair and stroller accessible?
A: Absolutely—the museum offers automatic doors, two large elevators, barrier-free restrooms, and loaner wheelchairs at no extra charge, while both hot shops have ramped entries; call ahead so staff can position floor space beside the bench for a wheelchair or stroller.
Q: Where can I park a full-size pickup or tall van downtown?
A: Whitaker Street, Liberty Street, and City Hall garages all accept vehicles up to seven-foot clearance and sit within a five-minute walk of the Jepson and both studios; larger Class A coaches should stay at the resort and guests can rideshare or use the resort shuttle for about the same cost as garage fees.
Q: Can my children actually blow glass or will they just watch?
A: Kids six and older may blow an ornament or small bubble at Hostess City under constant instructor supervision, while younger ones watch from the safety line with goggles; Drayton allows ages twelve and up to handle pipes during workshops and welcomes all ages as observers.
Q: Are protective goggles, gloves, and sleeves provided or do we bring our own?
A: Every studio supplies ANSI-rated eye shields, heat-resistant Kevlar sleeves, and leather gloves at no extra charge, and instructors insist on wearing them from the first gather to the final reheat.
Q: How crowded does it get and is there seating if I need a break?
A: Mid-day classes cap at ten participants and Jepson furnishes benches every forty feet, while both hot shops keep folding stools near the action so anyone with mobility limits can rest without missing the show; Monday and Tuesday mornings are the quietest times.
Q: Are there evening demonstrations that fit around a remote-work schedule?
A: Yes, Drayton Glassworks runs a popular 7 p.m. demo on Fridays and will often add a 6 p.m. slot Tuesday or Wednesday when demand is strong, giving remote professionals time to log off, drive in, and still grab dinner afterward.
Q: May I take photos or livestream the process?
A: Non-flash photography and short video are welcome at the Jepson and during Drayton’s public demos, while hands-on classes usually allow cameras once the instructor gives a safety nod; always check first, set phones to silent, and keep cords clear of hot surfaces.
Q: Does Jepson or either studio offer longer workshops for hobbyists?
A: Certainly—both studios schedule three-hour introductory intensives most Saturdays, and Drayton offers multi-week torch-work residencies you can string together with outdoor adventures, making it easy to balance art time with Lowcountry trail days.
Q: When will my finished piece be ready, and can it be shipped to the resort?
A: Glass anneals overnight, so pickup is usually after 1 p.m. the next day; if you’ve moved on or prefer hands-free travel, staff will double-box and ship to Savannah Lakes RV Resort or any U.S. address in three to five business days for roughly $15–$25.
Q: Is there reliable Wi-Fi or a café nearby for posting photos or squeezing in work?
A: The Jepson café pumps out strong, free Wi-Fi, and two specialty coffee shops with equally solid connections sit within three blocks of each hot shop, making it easy to upload reels or answer emails before driving back to the lake.
Q: What should I wear inside a 2,000-degree furnace room?
A: Stick with cotton or linen shirts, closed-toe shoes, and sleeves that stop above the wrist, pull long hair back, remove dangling jewelry, and hydrate early because the hot-shop floor stays around 100 °F even in winter.
Q: What if I start to feel overheated or need to exit quickly?
A: Instructors review exit routes at the start, cool-down stations with fans and water jugs sit a few steps away, and you’re free to raise a hand, step back, and catch your breath on a nearby stool before rejoining the group.