The Ultimate Savannah Travel Guide

Just last weekend B and I headed down South to escape the New England cold and explore a new city. Within minutes it was safe to say, Savannah was going to be a favorite spot. There is so much to do in such a small city. 

A little history, Savannah was designed by an artictect from England, so the city gives a lot of nods to the charm of London, which is a personal favorite. It is the only city in America to have a garden every block. What makes Savannah unique and a must see is that it combines English heritage with Southern Charm. It is also always green, because they have a law protecting live Oak Trees, which don't loose their leaves and instead grow this moss, that makes it the perfect scene. 

Where to eat

I'm pretty sure we ate our way through the city. B and I shared a lot of meals, so we could try more places. I tried to capture our favorites, but there were so many! Honestly, we didn't have a bad meal the entire trip.

The Grove

This is a rooftop bar that is known for their cocktails but also serves a delicious brunch! I was worried the food wasn't going to be good because it's really the view and location that drives visitors, but it was delicious! 

The Six Pence Pub

We stumbled upon this pub which is actually on the hop on hop off tour. Serving up traditional English food, this is a must see because it's been in half a dozen movies. 

The Fox and Fig

For all my vegetarians and vegans, this spot is so for you! I recommend going early. We stopped in later in the afternoon and they were out of a lot of our picks, so we opted for some coffee and treats. 

Collins Quarter

This was by far my favorite spot to eat and grab coffee, we loved it so much we went twice! The food was delicious and the presentation was spectacular. They have two locations, one located in Fortsy park and is a MUST. 

Leopold's Ice Cream

Leopold's ice cream is one of the most famous ice cream shops in Savannah. They offer some of the original recipes but also long lines! We did our research and the best time to go is opening or close to closing time. 

A couple other notable mentions that we didn't have time to eat at are: The Olde Pink House and 

What to do

Take a Trolly Ride

Everyone recommended the hop on, hop off trolly and we are SO glad we did this! We chose to ride the entire route before planning where we wanted to go and utilized the bus that way. Our tour guide did a great job of highlighting the history and must see things in Savannah. It was a great way to see the whole city before we got out and explored on our own. Travel tip- the pass is good for one day only, not the traditional 24 hours. So get to the bus for opening to maximize your use, since their last run of the day is 5pm. 

With that said, Walk. 

Savannah is extremely walkable. It is much easier to walk someplace than drive because of all the one way streets and some traffic. There are also a few walking tours which seemed like a great way to see the city. Also, since Savannah allows open container

Explore the squares 

Before going to Savannah, I would read "explore the squares" and I had no idea what this meant. I was worried we were just going to be walking around neighborhoods and it would get really boring. However; each square has it's own unique character and has been built up around it. There's churches, museums, restaurants and more at each square. 

Shopping

There is one major road that runs right above River Street which had a lot of shopping. It reminded me of King's Street in Charleston.

City Market 

Next to the prohibition museum is City Market which is a fun place to explore and shop. 

River Street

I highly recommend exploring River Street at Sunrise. It's truly so beautiful and the perfect viewing spot. River Street has a lot of shopping and places to eat, but was just a bit too busy for my liking. We didn't spend a lot of time here but were glad we caught the sunrise one morning. One thing we didn't have the chance to do was one of the River Boat cruises. I definitely would like to do one on our next visit. 

Rainbow Row

This is a little section of colorful houses in the old part of Savannah. It is actually part of the only square that operates without police presence. They handle all their own affairs and is known to be especially peaceful and quiet.

Museums

There are quite a few museums, like the Prohibition Museum and the founder of the Girl Scouts House Tour available to partake in. 

** Travel Tip: Both of these last two suggestions require transportation to get to, since they are about 15-20 minutes outside of downtown Savannah. 

Tybee Island

Tybee Island was on my list to visit because it was highly recommended. However; I have to be honest I was underwhelmed. It felt really commercial to me. The lighthouse was randomly placed outside of the beach and rather small. It costs $12/adult to enter the grounds. However; Tybee is definitely worth a visit, if you are looking for a beach day though. Also, be prepared to pay to park. 

Wormsloe Historic Site

I feel like this park was the best kept secret. It was truly breath taking and felt like it was straight out of a movie. Lining the entrance way are hundreds of the live oak trees creating a canopy over the drive. It is definitely worth a visit and a great morning adventure to get out of the city. The whole park is about a 3-3.5 mile route so be sure to wear your walking shoes. 

Where to Stay: 

Two places we weren't able to stay at that are on our wish list are: 

1540 Hotel

This hotel is seriously the best location. It's right outside of downtown, so quiet and perfect for resting after busy days of exploring. they also have a fun outdoor porch for you to enjoy an afternoon beverage on. It's also right by Six Pence Pub. 

Perry Lane Hotel is also another fun hotel! They have a rooftop bar and pool. It was so elegant and had lots to offer right at the hotel. 

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