Savannah Trip Ideas

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2) Scroll to the bottom for an interactive Google map showing all locations in the itinerary, separated by day.

Historic downtown Savannah anchored by the Savannah River, has hundreds of years of history mixed in with southern hospitality, restaurants and bars for every day of the week, and a vibrant night life. ©Savannah Aerials

Le Café Gourmet. I always make it a point to find the best bakeries in town. This one is French, so expect buttery croissants, sweet and savory crepes, and sandwiches.
Location: 53 Montgomery St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @lcg.savannah

 Savannah On Wheels. Skip the car rental for the weekend and rent a bike to get around the city like a local (recommended to reserve ahead of time). You’ll be provided with a helmet, map, and bike lock. A few tips: always use bike lanes when available, avoid cobblestone roads, and cycle around the historic squares (but never bike through the squares!).
Location: 405 W. Hall St., Savannah, GA 31401

General Nathaniel Greene’s remains were removed from the Old Cemetary (Colonial Park) in March 1902, and placed beneath his monument in Johnson Square ©Savannah Aerials

Telfair Museums. One $22 ticket gets you entry to all three museums which are within 10 minutes walk distance from each other, Telfair Academy, Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters, and Jepson Center. At Telfair, you walk through the 19th-century home of Alexander Telfair. His sister, Mary, inherited the home and donated it to be opened as a museum. You’ll find 18th and 19th century art and the famous Bird Girl statue (anyone read In the Midnight Garden of Good and Evil?). Owens-Thomas House is another mansion nearby focusing on the enslaved people that worked for the wealthy families of the mansion. Finally, the Jepson is a museum of art and architecture, but more in the modern sense.
Telfair Academy: 121 Barnard St., Savannah, GA 30401
Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters: 124 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 30401
Jepson Center: 207 W. York St., Savannah, GA 30401
IG @telfairmuseums

Little Duck Diner. In between museums, bike over to Ellis Square for lunch. This spot is a modern take on a diner, with entrees like duck grilled cheese.
Location: 150 W. Saint Julian S., Savannah, GA 30401
IG @littleduckdiner

Coffee Fox. Skip Starbucks and, instead, grab an horchata latte to recharge, made from coffee roasted here in Savannah. I had a friend visit that requested to go here three times in one weekend.

Location: 102 W. Broughton St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @thecoffeefox

Shop! Explore some local shops at your leisure. I recommend E Shaver Booksellers if there’s a bookie or cat lover in your group; V&J Duncan Antique Maps for antique maps, prints, and documents; and The Spice and Tea Exchange for exotic teas and spices. I bought spice mixes here as Christmas gifts for my family, and the enthusiastic staff provided their suggestions and even recipes).

Shaver Books: 326 Bull St., Savannah, GA 30401
IG @e.shaver_bookseller

V&J Duncan Antique Maps: 13 W. Charlton St., Savannah, GA 30401
The Spice and Tea Exchange: 14 West Broughton St., Savannah, GA 30401
IG @spiceandtea

Crystal Beer Parlor. As it’s known to locals, CBP has past lives as a family grocery store and restaurant illegally serving alcohol during the prohibition (or so they say). They have all your southern favorites, like fried green tomatoes, fried flounder, and peach cobbler.
Location: 301 W. Jones St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @crystalbeerparlor

Alley Cat Lounge. Cocktail enthusiasts, this one’s for you! The basement bar feels like a speakeasy; you’ll find the entrance down an alley close to Telfair Square. The menu is printed on newspaper, with over 500 spirits and house-made ingredients. I would trust any of the skilled bartenders here to make something you’ll love.
Location: 301 W. Jones St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @alleycatsavannah

McDonough’s. Most nights of the week, passersby will hear customers belting their hearts to famous tunes in this divey Irish pub. If you’ve got a light buzz by now, sing a ballad or duet at Savannah’s best karaoke bar.
Location: 21 E. McDonough St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @mcdonoughslounge

The original church burnted down in 1898. As you can see, Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist was  rebuilt and is an easy landmark from which to get your bearings in Savannah. ©Savannah Aerials

Big Bon Bodega. If I’m being honest, I’m not a bagel person, unless it’s a wood-fired bagel from Big Bon. Try a Korean-inspired sandwich, like the Bon Mi, with pork shoulder and spicy mayo.​
Location: 2011 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @bigbon_ghostkitchen

Forsyth Park. This is the crowning jewel of Savannah. Spanish moss drapes from the trees, and the fountain is ideal for a photo op, but also check out the fragrance garden. Stroll through the farmer’s market (9 AM – 1 PM, Saturdays), and maybe buy an artisan cheese or herbal tea. My friends and I spend hours sitting on the vast grass lawn, sipping coffee or brews (did I mention that Savannah has an open container law?) or munching on to-go sandwiches from surrounding eateries.​
Location: Drayton St./Gaston St./Whitaker St./Park Ave.

Forsyth Park is the crowning jewel of Savannah. Spanish moss drapes from the trees, and the fountain is ideal for a photo op. Get there early for a lighter crowd and romantic lights. ©Savannah Aerials

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. The inside is even more beautiful than the outside. A staff member typically gives a detailed presentation about the history and architecture of the church. Interesting to note: the church burned down in 1898, and was officially decreed a “minor basilica” by Pope Francis in 2020.
Location: 222 E. Harris St., Savannah, GA 31401
FB @savannahcathedral

The Original Pinkie Masters. Locals will tell you Jimmy Carter announced his campaign for the presidency here, but all we really know is that he frequented the cash-only bar. You can find a photo of him on the wall, and there’s a jukebox with some old-school tunes.
Location: 318 Drayton St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @originalpinkiemasters

Lone Wolf Lounge. My friends and I spend more and more time in the Starland District these days. LWL is perfect for pre-dinner drinks, with a tropical twist on cocktail classics. My go-to is the Treating Objects like Women, whereas my boyfriend’s favorite is a Zippeh guy.
Location: 2429 Lincoln St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @lonewolfsav

Ardsley Station. Think southern-inspired dishes like pimento cheese bruschetta and local grouper with cajun corn pudding.
Location: 102 E. Victory Dr., Savannah, GA 31405
IG @ardsley_station

Foxy Loxy Café. This sister shop to Coffee Fox hosts Fire & Wine every Saturday year-round. Bottles of wine are half-price, which you drink by firepits on a cozy patio, along with complimentary marshmallows to roast. You can even purchase s’mores kits.
Location: 1919 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @foxyloxycafe

As you walk the cobblestone streets of the historic riverfront in Savannah Georgia, imagine what it was like for the settlers to haul everything they needed up the steep embankements from the river. ©Dawn Damico

 Clary’s Café. You can nurse that wine hangover with a southern breakfast. Come early if you can because there’s usually a wait.
Location: 404 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31401

Colonial Park Cemetery. Make your way north through Lafayette Square and to the cemetery. Many victims of yellow fever are buried here from the epidemic of 1820, as well as some notable figures from Georgia’s history.
Location: 200 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31401

River Street. Keep heading north to the Savannah River (take Abercorn Street to continue through more historic squares).

• Rousakis Plaza Echo Square – You won’t find a sign for it, but the location is on Google maps. Stand in the middle of the X, speak, and listen. I have shown this place to both visitors to the city and locals that never knew about it.
  
• Savannah’s Candy Kitchen – Get your free pecan praline sample and buy a chocolate pecan gopher. There’s also vintage candy! This is the only place I have found that still sells Neccos, my dad’s favorite candy.
  Location: 225 East River St., Savannah, GA 31401
  IG @savcandy
• Byrd’s Famous Cookies – These crispy cookies originated in Savannah, Georgia, and now ship worldwide. Get a free sample of my favorite jalapeno cheddar and the original scotch oatmeal.
  Location:423 East River St., Savannah, GA 31401
  IG @byrdcookieco
• JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District – Check out the Savannah-saurus inside the hotel. You can probably catch some live music in front of the hotel by the river.
  Location: 400 W. River St., Savannah, GA 31401
  

The Plant Riverside District is anchored by JW Marriott Hotel properties, shops, entertainment, rooftop bars, and restaurants. This restored 1912 power plant is lit up at night by iconic purple lights.  ©Dawn Damico

Vic’s on The River. Stop for lunch here between shops on River Street for classic southern dishes like shrimp and grits.
Location: 25 E. Bay St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @vicsontheriver

Starland Yard. Beer, food trucks, live music. This outdoor yard bar is probably my most frequented place in Savannah, and I think a lot of my friends would say the same. Although you’ll have your pick of rotating food trucks, I think the Neapolitan pizzas at the on-site Vittoria Pizzeria are the best in the city (if you like a little spice, order La Diavola). Call an Uber and head here!
Location: 2411 De Soto Ave., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @starlandyard

Moodrights. Cheap beer accompanied by duckpin bowling, darts, and billiards. Past the bathroom hallway is Over Yonder, a hidden hangout with a honky tonk vibe serving late-night eats. This is the perfect way to chill out after a full weekend!
Location: 2424 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31401
IG @moodrights

We hope you enjoy your trip to Savannah! Be sure to download the Savannah Trip Ideas Like a Local Itinerary…you can take it with you.

If you’re curious about how the city is designed and to get your bearings as you navigate the streets of Savannah, read about what is Savannah known for. If you’re anything like us, you’ll quickly wonder why more urban cities are not designed like beautiful Savannah.