A Local Expert Shares What to Do in Savannah, Georgia — Where to Stay, Shop, and Eat

When you’ve seen images of iconic Victorian mansions lining cobblestone streets and reside oak bushes draped in Spanish moss, you recognize Savannah, Georgia. This metropolis, well-known for its 23 squares and easy-to-navigate grid, is steeped in historical past and dripping with Southern allure — however Savannah is a lot greater than meets the attention.

Regardless of being one of many oldest cities within the nation, the tradition right here is surprisingly and refreshingly fashionable. The culinary scene is modern, with a tapestry of cuisines starting from coastal Mediterranean fare to native farm-to-table provisions. You possibly can be eating in a restored house from the Nineteenth century, an Artwork Deco Greyhound bus terminal, or a swanky lodge overlooking picturesque Forsyth Park. Nice procuring, luxurious motels, and proximity to seashores and parks solely add to Savannah’s attract — and that’s barely skimming the floor of this quintessential southern metropolis.

Savannah is so beloved by its guests that it’s earned a spot in Journey + Leisure’s World’s Greatest Awards, rating third in an inventory of notable cities and beating out different can’t-miss areas like Honolulu, Chicago, and New York Metropolis. Whether or not you’re coming for the wealthy historical past, the award-winning eating places, or just to expertise the often-talked-about Southern hospitality, Savannah’s tradition and folks will go away you reinvigorated.

Greatest Inns & Resorts

Resort Bardo

The newly reimagined Resort Bardo resides throughout from town’s notable Forsyth Park and is jam-packed with luxuries. A stylishly appointed foyer and complex furnishings all through make this Southern Gothic mansion really feel concurrently welcoming and swanky. Facilities right here embrace a swimming pool, the Saltgrass Spa, and cooking lessons on the lodge’s extremely regarded restaurant, Saint Bibiana.

JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District

The JW Marriott sits inside a large restored energy plant now often called Plant Riverside District. “I at all times suppose, ‘What lodge’s obtained the very best walkability? Who’s obtained nice on-site eating?’, and the clear winner is JW Marriott,” says Samantha Culberson, a content material creator and native influencer finest often called Samantha in Savannah. “It’s a brief stroll from every little thing. It additionally has 11 eating places and bars on-site, and the bulk are open previous 10 p.m. on weekends.”

Perry Lane Resort

This intimate boutique lodge has extraordinary service and an eclectic eye for artwork and design. Within the coronary heart of the historic district, Perry Lane affords complimentary automotive service for journeys inside a two-mile radius. You received’t need to miss the sweeping views of its rooftop bar, Peregrin, both. Journey + Leisure readers usually vote this lodge among the many finest in all of Savannah.

The Drayton Resort

The Drayton Resort sits on the nook of bustling Drayton and Bay Streets, and its playful colours and crowd pleasing furnishings are welcoming to any guests on the lookout for a pleasing keep within the Historic District. The lodge’s restaurant, St. Neo’s Brasserie, affords tasty Southern seafood, whereas the Pendant Terrace and Bar has a enjoyable, retro vibe to soak up metropolis views.

Thomspon Savannah

Thompson Savannah resides close to River Road’s quieter Jap edge. Right here, there’s a thriving group of artwork, tradition, and delicacies, all inside strolling distance of this luxurious lodge. “They’re actually increase this space — every little thing is popping up — and thriving,” says Culberson. Pop into Bar Julian, the Thompson’s rooftop bar, or hit up the lodge’s swimming pool. “The pool is heated, so you should utilize it year-round, they usually have cabanas which might be free for visitors,” says Culberson.

Greatest Issues to Do

Forsyth Park Farmers Market

Each Saturday year-round, native farmers and distributors are arrange in Forsyth Park, offering gadgets like produce, artisan cheeses, jams, and jellies. “It’s at all times very seasonal, with 30-plus distributors popping out every week,” says Culberson. Carry your urge for food together with you, too, for snacks as you store.

Plus, when you have children with you, cease on the Youth Sales space free of charge academic actions. “When you register, you get $5 per youngster to spend on the farmer’s market,” says Culberson.

Wormsloe State Historic Website

Ten miles from downtown, Wormsloe State Historic Website’s iconic avenue, lined with reside oaks dripping with Spanish moss, merely must be seen to know its magic. After revamping its customer middle, a trolley takes you down the 1.5-mile cascade of bushes, the place you may hop off and discover its historic tabby ruins and delightful marsh views.

SCAD Museum of Artwork

The Savannah School of Artwork and Design is partly to thank for town’s youthful, vibrant artwork scene — and the SCAD Museum is a good way to pay homage to its college students and world-renowned artists. With an alumni gallery devoted to highlighting SCAD graduates and exhibitions that includes established artists from all around the world, this museum highlights the abilities of younger and outdated artists.

Haunted Ghost Excursions

Broadly often called one of the crucial haunted cities in America, it might be remiss to not point out Savannah’s number of ghost excursions, starting from tame historic strolling excursions to bone-chilling tales advised whereas venturing downtown in a hearse. Relying in your desire, you will discover a tour that speaks to your degree of spook.

Greatest Purchasing

Starland Unusual & Bazaar

Situated within the artsy Starland District, this quirky store has offbeat attire, funky equipment, and scrumptious treats like ice cream, bubble tea, and churros. The Instagram-worthy stairs and entryway main as much as this eclectic spot are painted by JULU, a extremely regarded native muralist and Savannah native.

The Paris Market

Situated on Broughton Road, one in every of Savannah’s busiest metropolis streets, this store incorporates multitudes. Its founders have sourced vintage treasures and fashionable staples from all around the world, and the store affords a little bit of every little thing for each funds. You received’t need to miss the comfy café that serves quite a lot of coffees, teas, and delectable pastries.

Madison & fifth

Combining luxurious with sustainability, this trendy resale retailer has an outstanding curated choice of designer names like Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton for a fraction of the price. Rating high quality garments, sneakers, and luggage with out emptying your checking account. The employees is educated, and their pre-loved gadgets are all pristine.

E. Shaver, Bookseller

Thought of a Savannah staple, this impartial bookstore opened its doorways in 1975 and has been liked by Savannahians ever since. New and classic books line the partitions, and gadgets like stationary and tote luggage are good to stash in your carry-on. You would possibly spot the bookstore’s cats roaming between the towering stacks if you happen to’re fortunate.

Greatest Eating places

Frequent Thread

Impressed by seasonal flavors and native substances, this farm-to-table restaurant is about high quality meals and visitor eating expertise. “It’s considerably experimental,” says Culberson, “and it’s very fashionable American. You need to go into it with an open thoughts, however you’ll not be disillusioned.”

The Gray

What was as soon as a Greyhound bus terminal is now an award-winning restaurant with comforting but sudden dishes. Prime-notch cocktails and a deal with hospitality solely add to its charisma. Chef Mashama Bailey earned the James Beard Basis’s Greatest Chef Southeast award in 2019 for her imaginative meals at this distinctive, can’t-miss spot.

Saint Bibiana

Situated within the aforementioned Resort Bardo, this restaurant “bridges the 2 realms of pasta and seafood,” Culberson says, strongly nodding to coastal Italian and Mediterranean fare. Its timeless, easy aesthetic matches its thoughtfully curated menu of house-made pastas and specialty cocktails.

Brochu’s Household Custom

Housed in a former Thirties-era grocery retailer, Culberson notes this Savannah staple is “Southern with a twist.” Spearheaded by Chef Andrew Brochu, who helped information Chicago’s Roister to a Michelin star, this unfussy, uncomplicated spot affords fan-favorite classics like fried rooster, oysters, and wings. For a novel expertise, attend the Bitter Hour on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5–6 p.m. for pickled apps and ingenious briny cocktails.

Dotties Market

When you’re on the lookout for consolation meals, Dottie’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This all-day cafe’s cozy house will make you’re feeling proper at house, whether or not you’re having fun with your meal on the chef’s counter, their banquette, or eating al fresco. Discover their marketplace for native specialties and housewares to take again house.

Greatest Time to Go to

The most effective time to go to Savannah, Georgia, is September by way of November due to town’s gentle temperatures, out of doors actions, and occasions. A number of strolling and bike excursions across the metropolis make for the proper pastime whereas visiting, and the crowds are minimal throughout this time.

It’s additionally the proper season to go to Savannah, because of the numerous festivals all through the autumn. The SCAD Savannah Movie Competition has been working for over 25 years and is the most important university-run movie pageant on the earth. Movie lovers can take pleasure in over per week’s value of movie screenings, workshops, and award-winning visitors. In the meantime, Plant Riverside District’s Oktoberfest is ideal for individuals who need to rejoice the season with genuine German delicacies, spirits, and its most liked custom: the Savannah Wiener Canine Races. The Savannah Jazz Competition, held in September, celebrates the historical past and tradition of jazz music with acclaimed jazz artists and is free for the general public to take pleasure in.

Find out how to Get There

There are a number of methods to get to Savannah, however the most well-liked technique is flying into the Savannah/Hilton Head Worldwide Airport (SAV), because of its proximity to downtown. You possibly can take a bus, rental automotive, taxi, or rideshare from the airport, and in about 20 minutes, you’ll be downtown. Savannah can be simply accessible by automotive from the East Coast by way of I-95 or from the West by I-16.

Locations Close by to Go to

Tybee Island

A 20-minute drive from downtown Savannah will deliver you to the laid-back Tybee Island, the place there are a number of seashores to discover and loads of eating places, retailers, and historic points of interest. There’s probability you’ll spot dolphins in your journey, particularly at dawn or sundown.

Historic District

This district is the epitome of quintessential Savannah, with greater than two miles of whimsical streets and squares to discover. The structure right here is hanging, with a mixture of restored 18th—and Nineteenth-century houses, Victorian mansions with gingerbread accents, and buildings influenced by Greek and Gothic Revival. Stroll by way of any of its 22 squares and cease on the numerous monuments all through the district to be taught extra about Savannah’s centuries-old historical past.

Starland District

Near the Historic District however not in look or really feel, the Starland District is Savannah’s up-and-coming neighborhood the place artwork, range, and a thriving meals scene come collectively in a 35-block radius. Locals flock for espresso and cocktails and store for classic items, vinyl data, and artwork provides on this hip slice of town.

Find out how to Get Round

Buses

The DOT is a fare-free, ADA-accessible service to assist guests and residents get round downtown. This shuttle runs each 15 to twenty minutes and operates Monday by way of Sunday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 a.m. to six:30 pm on holidays together with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, and New Yr’s Eve. There isn’t any Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Yr’s Day service. There are 20 stops across the Historic District and two routes you may select from: Downtown and Forsyth Park. Study extra in regards to the DOT right here.

The Chatham Space Transit (CAT) has a community of public buses that join numerous neighborhoods of Savannah and surrounding Chatham County. There are 16 routes. A one-way ticket prices $1.50, and a weekly (seven-day) go prices $14. Test the schedule for an inventory of working instances for every route.

Rideshares

Uber and Lyft are prevalent all through town and are nice technique of transportation. Neither rideshare app has set costs, so examine the Uber or Lyft app to find out your fare relying in your pick-up and drop-off location.

Taxis

Yellowcab Savannah is one other nice choice if you happen to’re on the lookout for a automotive to get you from Level A to B. The corporate affords each commonplace sedans and minivans, relying on the dimensions of your celebration. Whereas they don’t have a handicap-accessible automobile, they will load a wheelchair into the again of their taxi. These taxis are additionally pet-friendly if you happen to’re touring together with your pet. When you’re touring to or from the airport to the historic district, it’s a flat price of $28, plus $5 per further individual. Different locations on the meter are $2.94 per mile, and there’s a $3 processing charge for bank cards.

Hop-On Hop-Off Trolleys

Previous City Trolley excursions run from 9 a.m. to five p.m. every day and are closed solely on Saint Patrick’s Day. Must you keep on the trolley for all the journey, the tour itself is 90 minutes — however you may hop off at any of its 15 stops all through town. Trolleys arrive and depart roughly each 20 minutes. A one-day go is $31 per individual.

Previous Savannah Excursions run day by day from 9 a.m.; the final tour leaves at 4:30 pm or 5:00 pm, relying on the season. The tour lasts about 100 minutes, however you may hop off at any 14 stops all through town. Trolleys arrive and depart roughly each 15 to twenty minutes. A ticket for adults 12 and up is $38, tickets for youngsters aged 5–11 are $16, and youngsters below 4 experience free of charge. Excursions don’t function on St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Savannah is an uncomplicated, walkable metropolis that many can discover on foot. Nonetheless, some areas of town might be difficult to navigate as a result of their historic cobblestone sidewalks and steep staircases. Guests with low mobility ought to take a look at these accessibility assets for navigation steering.