Savannah, Georgia is high on our list of favorite US cities! From its haunted history to its southern charm, this city has so much to give!
We spent three full days in Savannah and fell in love with the local restaurants and waterfront views.
If you follow us on Instagram, you can see all of our unique Savannah adventures saved in our Instagram Story Highlights. It was a trip for the books!
In this post, we break down all the best things to do in Savannah for your first visit.
We also include a two-day sample itinerary at the end of the post for a quick and easy guide to help prepare for your trip! Let’s jump in.
Where to Eat in Savannah
In Savannah, it’s easy to want to plan your day around the food. So many good spots and never enough time. Here are our top recommendations for places to eat.
- The Collins Quarter – A trendy, Australian-inspired restaurant and bar located in the heart of Forsyth Park downtown. You can enjoy any meal of the day here, but we highly recommend stopping by for their brunch.
- Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar – An iconic oyster bar specializing in southern local flavors. Located in one of the oldest buildings in the state.
- Flock to the Wok – A Chinese eatery with a great offering and big portions. When you are done eating, make sure you head downstairs to their speakeasy bar called Peacock Lounge!
- District Gelato – Offering authentic Italian gelato in over 20 different flavors! It’s located right along the riverfront, so you can enjoy your gelato with a view.
- Emporium Kitchen – A high-end American restaurant focused on locally sourced ingredients and specialty wine. An awesome spot for a group dinner or date night out.
- Leopold’s Ice Cream – Old school ice cream parlor with the best chocolate shakes! They’ve been offering the same homemade ice-cream recipe since 1919.
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What to do in Savannah
No trip to Savannah is complete without a little ghost history and getting to appreciate the beautiful coastal landscape. This list includes all that and more.
- Walk along River Street – Shop, wine, and dine your way through this 2-mile long boardwalk that takes you along the Savannah River. It’s one of the more newly developed areas in the city and offers and unique contrast to the older architecture in Savannah.
- Explore the Iconic Historic District – There is so much rich history in Savannah, you will just scratch the surface on your trip. You’ll find over 20 city squares to explore with shops, monuments, and restaurants sprinkled all throughout.
- Take a Ghost Tour – Savannah has some haunted history in its streets. You can learn all about its spooky past by taking one of the many ghost tours offered throughout the city.
- Beach Day at Tybee Island – Spend the day soaking up the sun at a coastal town about 25 minutes east of Savannah. The 5 miles of public beaches makes it a popular spot for vacationers.
- Grab a drink at Myrtle & Rose rooftop – This is one of the best spots to enjoy the view of the Savannah River. We recommend visiting for happy hour because drinks can be expensive.
- Snap Photos at Rainbow Row – This street in Savannah has been made famous namely due to a strip of Carpenter Italianate-style homes, that are unique colors. A fun spot to take photos in front of if you have the time.
- Check out the River Street Market Place – Who doesn’t love a public market? Located on the east end of River Street, you can spend a good amount of time in this open-air market admiring the incredible pieces from the local artisans.
Ways to Save Money in Savannah
It’s not hard to rack up the bills on a weekend trip to Savannah. Here are our top 3 budget tips for saving money in Savannah.
- Download the app Downtowner! – It’s essentially Savannah’s version of Uber/Lyft but it’s completely FREE! You can get rides all throughout downtown Savannah with this free ride service.
- Stay outside the city – housing in downtown Savannah is extremely expensive, whether you consider a short term rental such as Airbnb, or go the hotel route. We recommend staying just outside the Historic District, in areas like Midtown or Georgetown. These areas are a quick drive from downtown and staying there can save you hundreds per night.
- Take advantage of the free walking tours – Walking tours are a great way to experience the city and its rich history. Check out Free Savannah Walking Tours for their schedule.
Two Day Example Itinerary
Day 1
- Head downtown to shop (or people watch) around City Market.
- Grab some oysters and french fries at Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar.
- Join a walking History tour or explore the Historic District self-guided.
- Grab dinner at Flock to the Wok for incredible Chinese food.
- Pop downstairs to The Peacock Lounge Speakeasy for fancy cocktails
Day 2
- Grab brunch at The Collins Quarter.
- Head to Tybee Island for a beach day. You can grab lunch at one of the 25 casual restaurants on the island.
- Make your way back downtown for dinner at Emporium Kitchen. Don’t forget to call for reservations in advance.
- Walk along the River Walk and take in the breeze of the Savannah River.
- Enjoy a fun cocktail and a spectacular view of the city at Myrtle & Rose rooftop.
- Stop at District Gelato for a late night treat.
This should give you more than enough to do on your first trip to Savannah! Hope you enjoy!