It will not take long for you to fall in love with Savannah, Georgia, once you arrive in this southern city. The city has a charm all of its own, with cobbled and brick-paved streets, charming squares adorned with beautiful live oaks draped in moss, colorful azaleas in the spring, and stunning homes and architecture in every direction. The city has a sense of mystery with a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in the U.S.

Savannah is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the U.S. The city was settled in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe. It is a well-planned city, built on a grid consisting of 21 gorgeous squares, making it very walkable and easy to find your way around. Savannah also has a very dark past, that should not be forgotten, playing an integral role in the Atlantic slave trade.

Historic preservation, stunning scenery, tasty low-country cuisine, and ease of getting around the city make it a unique and fabulous get-a-way, whether for a day, weekend, or longer. This guide will help you discover some of the best of Savannah!

Where to stay

There are so many options of great places to stay in Savannah, from charming bed and breakfast, stylish Airbnbs to boutique style hotels with chic rooftops to larger hotel chains. There is no doubt you can find something convenient to all the great restaurants and sights. Our most recent visit was a family vacation, so we opted for the convenience of a hotel. We stayed at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. We are happy we did! The hotel is conveniently located on the Riverwalk and minutes by foot to Riverstreet restaurants and shops and everything in the Historic District. The concierge and front desk were inviting and helpful, and we even got a room upgrade to a junior suite through Jonathan’s Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. It was so nice to grab a cocktail at the bar and sit poolside while our kids swam after a long day exploring Savannah, and I can’t say enough about how comfortable the bed was!

Where to Eat

The food options are plentiful and diverse. It was hard to narrow down where we wanted to eat. Here are some of our favorites…

Treylor Park offers a twist on some southern classics. The decor is fun and hip. They do not accept reservations, but you can put your name on the wait-list and explore the nearby squares and area while you wait for them to text you that your table is ready. I had the Shrimp and Grits Tacos and it was so delicious paired with the Cactus Pear Margarita!

The Collins Quarter has two locations – Forsyth Park and downtown (Bull Street). They are known for their champagne brunch but also have a decedent lunch, dinner menu and an extensive wine list. I would highly recommend you make a reservation as they are always full. I tried to make a brunch reservation two weeks before our visit but they were completely booked. We were able to get in for dinner. Delicious!

The Grove is a stylish eatery with a panoramic rooftop bar steps away from Market Square. We enjoyed lunch here – I had the Roasted Sweet Potato and Spinach Salad. It was superb! They also serve brunch on weekends and have a daily happy hour 5-7 pm Monday through Friday. The rooftop bar is a hotspot and should be on your Savannah must-do list!

The Olde Pink House Restaurant did not disappoint! This classy and historical setting has fabulous southern, low-country cuisine. Do make a reservation as it is a popular Savannah hot spot! If you want a more casual, laid-back experience, stop by their separate Arches Bar. It is a quaint setting with specialty cocktails with its own menu.

Funky Brunch Cafe is a colorful cafe and fun spot to go to when traveling with kids. They offer brunch/breakfast items and have griddles built into the tables so you can make your own pancakes. The bloody Marys are great for the adults at the table.

There are so many great dining options, we were not able to try them all on this short trip so I’ve compiled a list of places I want to try next time…

The Grey is a cool high end retro spot with southern cuisine in a refurbished bus depot. The Grey offers a course dinner menu (4 and 6 courses), a more relaxed diner menu, brunch and vintage cocktails.

Vic’s on the River fine dining on the riverfront specializing in southern cuisine and seafood.

Fox and Fig Cafe plant-based eclectic cuisine and specialty coffee. High on the list for next time!

Ordinary Pub is a cozy pub that serves brunch all day long! Need I say more?

For a sweet treat, check out the iconic Leopold’s Ice cream on Broughton Street. This place has been a staple in Savannah since 1919. It must be good because the two times we tried to go, the line was a block long. We were not that patient, so opted for Ben and Jerry’s down the street instead (you can’t go wrong with Ben and Jerry’s, right?).

Things to do

Forsyth Park

Take a stroll through this park and see its famous 19th-century fountain, which believe it or not, was ordered from a catalog! This is probably the most photographed spot in Savannah. Get there super early if you want to avoid a crowd (I was not successful at this). There is plenty of shade lining the walk leading up to the fountain, thanks to the magnificent oak trees. Further south in the park, you’ll find a large open lawn and the second location of Collins Quarter. You can grab a coffee and pastry at their separate take-out window as early as 7 am.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

Located just off Lafayette Square, you’ll find this 19th-century Neo-gothic gem. Marvel at the beauty of the twin spires, impressive architecture, and stained glass. This magnificent Roman Catholic Church is open for self-guided tours Monday-Saturday 9-11:30 am and 12:45 pm-5:00 pm. A donation of $3 is appreciated but not required.

First African Baptist Church

The First African Baptist Church is a National Historic Landmark and registered with the National Register of Historic Places. Organized in 1773, it is the oldest black church in North America. This church played a significant role in the Underground Railroad and later the Civil Rights Movement. We had hoped to tour the church and learn more about its history however, tours are currently suspended due to Covid-19.

Explore historic homes

Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters – This grand home was built in 1819. The tour guides you through the Owen’s home and the quarters designed to house the enslaved people who maintained it, exploring these two worlds and the complexities of their relationships and inhumanity.

Davenport House Museum – One of Savannah’s first historic house museums. The Historic Savannah Foundation was created for the sole purpose of saving it from demolition.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace – This was the home and birthplace of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low. She was born in the home in 1860 and lived here most of her life. She founded the Girl Scouts in 1912.

Jones Street

Jones street is hailed by many as the prettiest street in Savannah. A stroll down this brick-paved street makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The street is lined with gorgeous historic homes, brick-paved sidewalks, beautiful landscaping, and private gardens.

Broughton Street

Broughton Street is the shopping hub of Savannah. It is lined with boutiques and sprinkled with coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants. One of my favorites is The Paris Market. This charming bi-level boutique houses eclectic antiques, housewares, gifts, and jewelry. They also have a café. Their baguette sandwiches, pastries, signature lattes, and macarons will make you feel like you’re in Paris!

City Market

Continue your shopping at City Market. This four-block open-air market has been around since the 1700s. You’ll find an array of shops, sweet treats, galleries, and restaurants, and also the American Prohibition Museum and Speakeasy. Tours run daily and include a drink at the speakeasy. We didn’t go to the the museum but heard great things about it.

River Street

Though a bit touristy, it is still a must-do in Savannah. This cobbled-stone waterfront street is bustling with over 70 shops, galleries, restaurants, a market, and pubs. Grab yourself a frozen cocktail at Wet Willie’s and pecan pralines at River Street Sweets while you wander down the street. Yep, you can enjoy your alcoholic beverage on-the-go with Savannah’s open container policy!

Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure is a short drive from the Historic District. This cemetery became famous after being featured in the 1994 novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. It is beautiful with centuries-old tombstones, 250-year-old live oaks draped with Spanish moss and sculptures spread over 160 acres. It is quite breathtaking and also a bit mystical and spooky.

Ghost Tours

Ghost tours are a great way to tour the city and learn about Savannah’s most dearly departed. There are so many tours and companies; it’s hard to choose. We didn’t go on a ghost tour out of fear of traumatizing our kids, but maybe next time! Ghost tours range from candlelit walking tours to trolley ghost tours, to touring in an old hearse to even a pub-crawl ghost tour, where you grab a drink to take on the way to your next location!

Getting Around

with the Historic District only being a square mile, Savannah is a very walkable city. However, if you are tired of walking, the trolley offers a great alternative. Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley, is a great way to see most of the popular sights.

Biking is another great way to get around Savannah. Savannah on Wheels at Forsyth Park offers bike rentals and bike tours.

When to visit Savannah

The best time to visit Savannah in the spring and fall, when the temperatures are mild. The azaleas in the spring really brighten up the squares! Summer in the south can be unbearable and humid. Spring can be crowded with tourists. Every year, Savannah hosts a St. Patrick’s Day festival. If you don’t like crowds, avoid this time however, if you like a party, this is for you!

How to get to Savannah

The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is the closest airport, roughly 20 minutes away from the Historic District. Chatham Area Transit (CAT) offers daily shuttle services from the airport to Savannah. There are also plenty of rental car options if you want to explore the area further than the Historic District.

I hope you found this post helpful in planning your trip to Savannah. Feel free to leave a comment with any questions or to share your own experiences!

Follow My Travel Trouvailles on Instagram here!