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Welcome to the oldest city in Georgia.
While I am no Southern Belle, after a summer trip to Savannah, this curious wanderer felt transformed from a New York hot dog into a Georgia peach. On top of being mystifyingly beautiful, Savannah offers a dreamy, Spanish moss and cobblestone charm that is reminiscent of days gone by.
Much like the drawl, time seems to slow down in this historic and sleepy town. There is no shortage of activities, from waterfront strolls to galleries, coffee shops, guided tours, and even the paranormal! After two jam-packed days of endless exploring, I returned to New York exhausted and rejuvenated.
The headline of this story? Savannah is an absolute MUST.
Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, this waterfront city was an integral port during the American Revolution! Today, Savannah attracts millions of visitors each year due to its stunning historic district, integral seaport, and momentous architecture.
As an excitable wanderer, I couldn’t wait to start poking around. And, readers, I must say Savannah did not disappoint. From Victorian homes to Forrest Gump benches and the best seafood boil you’ll ever have, Savannah has everything even the most citified New York Yankee needs to have an adventure.
Unsure where to begin? Never fear. Stick with me for the top 15 things to do in Savannah, Georgia!
1. Explore River Street
As soon as you arrive in Savannah, you must – without a shadow of a doubt – head to River Street. This bustling cobblestone road is full of food, sweets, shopping, and tons of Savannah history. From former cotton warehouses turned to boutique hotels to vintage candy shops, it’s easy to spend a full day meandering up and down this riverfront tourism hotspot.
But, don’t get lost along the way, readers – There is one quintessential stop you must make on your journey, and that is the River Street Inn. Built in 1817, the five-story structure was originally used as a cotton warehouse.
It has since been renovated, expanded, and rebranded, and is now the oldest hotel on River Street! This antique respite offers panoramic views of the Savannah River, as well as the recently glamorized interior – complete with a sunlit central stairway!
Did I mention it’s rumored to be haunted?
2. Forsyth Park
Foliage, fountains, acreage- Oh my!
Welcome to Forsyth Park, home to Savannah’s most famous fountain (there are many), as well as over 30 acres of lush, green space. Located within walking distance of Savannah College of Art & Design (more on that later!), Forsyth Park is the perfect grassy knoll for art students, residents, and visitors to lounge, read, and even swing in public hammocks.
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Park amenities include basketball courts, playgrounds, a garden cafe, and even an amphitheater! Stroll to the north end of the park to admire the infamous Forsyth Fountain, which is over 150 years old.
For those looking for some entertainment, there are always concerts and events surrounding the fountain, including a jazz festival and a rock’n’roll marathon.
Fun Fact: Every St. Patrick’s Day, the Forsyth Fountain water is dyed green!
3. Savannah’s Historic District
Ever wanted to shamelessly marvel at historic, painfully detailed Victorian homes?
Well, readers, here’s your chance.
Savannah’s Historic District is the cobblestone, tree-lined neighborhood you never knew you always needed to see. This New Yorker spent the better half of an entire day strolling up and down these quaint and breathtaking streets.
For those looking to cut to the chase, you must check out Jones Street, aptly coined “The Prettiest Street in Savannah”. Between the vibrant colors, Spanish moss, and wraparound porches, the Historic District’s charm and beauty is almost overwhelming.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Mercer Williams House Museum was a central filming location for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?
Read More: Savannah’s Historic District: The Heart of Georgia’s Oldest City
4. The Olde Pink House
Want to grab dinner in a historic Savannah mansion? Great! Let’s go to The Olde Pink House.
Built in 1789, this shockingly vibrant home was originally known as “Habersham House” due to its original owner, James Habersham Jr. Habersham, one of Savannah’s founding family members and cotton brokers, lived in Habersham House until his death in the late 18th century. In 1812, the home became Planters Bank (the first bank in Georgia), then later changed owners several times before eventually being bought and restored in the 1960s.
Today, The Olde Pink House is a restaurant, tavern, and wine bar! It is well known for its extensive (and possibly haunted?) history, fine Southern cuisine, and stunning interior.
Fun Fact: Along with being an architectural and culinary delight, The Olde Pink House is fireproof! It is one of the only buildings to survive the Savannah Fire of 1796, which destroyed 229 homes in the city.
Stop by for a bite. (The Bourbon Molasses are outrageous.)
5. Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
If you find yourself near Lafayette Square, there is no way you can walk past this Roman Catholic showstopper. The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is shockingly distinct with its stark white steeples, luminous gold trim, and steep front steps.
Constructed in 1873, the cathedral features 81 stained glass windows and 16 gargoyles! For those looking for the spookier side of Savannah, there is also a bit of haunted folklore involving a bell tower, a jilted bride, and an untimely end. Look it up to learn the full story, if you dare!
Fun Fact: The cathedral was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in 1898, but was quickly rebuilt better than ever in 1899! Talk about rising from the ashes…
6. Ghost Tours
Let’s go for a walk through years (and lives) gone by. That’s right, readers, we’re going on a ghost adventure! Savannah has been commonly referred to as “the most haunted city in America”, and while this title has been rivaled by cities like Saint Augustine, Florida and Salem, Massachusetts, there is something oddly unsettling about the paranormal vibes in this questionably sleepy city.
For those looking for a guided spooky experience, Savannah offers a plethora of ghost tours – From walking to ghost trolleys to even a ride in a hearse!
For wanderers hoping to see every nook and cranny of Savannah’s most haunted streets, I highly recommend The Beyond Good and Evil Walking Night Tour, where you will stroll at a leisurely-yet-paranormally-charged pace through Savannah’s historic district. Walk from dusk to darkness past Savannah’s most notoriously haunted homes, graveyards, parks, and more!
Who knows, you might even see a Boo-Hag along the way…
7. Owens-Thomas House
The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is one of the oldest and best preserved urban slave quarters in the American South. Built between 1816 and 1819 and designed by English architect William Jay, it is the perfect example of 19th-century English Regency architecture.
Fun Fact: One of the home’s most notable features – the cast iron veranda – was used by the Marquis de Lafayette during his address to the citizens of Savannah in 1825!
The house and slave quarters are now registered as a historic landmark, where visitors can stroll and explore the grounds. While slavery is a dark, centuries-long chapter in the United States, the Owens-Thomas House and grounds are an integral and tangible piece of American history, both for descendants of the owners, as well as the enslaved. If you are looking for a piece of hands-on history in Savannah, this is the place to go.
8. Chippewa Square
Chippewa Square, also known as “Forrest Gump Square”, is one of Savannah’s most notorious parks. And, in a city with 22 public squares, that’s saying a lot!
Designed and laid out in 1815, this famous square was named in honor of the American soldiers killed in the Battle of Chippawa during the War of 1812. At the center of the square stands the monument of James Oglethorpe, which was added to the park in 1910.
Fun Fact: While the square has its own declared history, we cannot leave out the most cinematic trivia fact: The opening scene of the 1994 film Forrest Gump was filmed on a bench in Chippewa Square! While the bench was, sadly, fiberglass, visitors can still visit the north side of the square, where the scene was filmed.
9. Savannah Seafood Shack
After all this exploring, it’s time for a bite of some much-needed Savannah cuisine. And, what’s more appropriate in this historic port city than fresh seafood? Nothing, readers. So, let’s go to Savannah Seafood Shack.
Punchline: Savannah Seafood Shack has the BEST seafood boil you’ll ever have in your life (in my humble opinion).
Located rather unassumingly in the heart of the Historic District, Savannah Seafood Shack is an absolute must-eat. This Food Network favorite features what has been called “the best low country boil in Savannah”, and readers, I must agree.
The intensely satisfying combination of crab, shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, and a mysterious combination of cajun spices is enough to make me hungry for seconds before I even finished my first helping! My mouth waters at the memory of this tucked away gem.
Try the hush puppies and honey butter!
Read More: 5 Things You Can Learn by Traveling in the South
10. Leopold’s Ice Cream
What’s better on a humid Savannah day than a cold treat? Nothing, readers! And while the line at Leopold’s Ice Cream might deter you, just know that it will all be worth it in the end.
Founded in 1919 by three brothers from Greece, Leopold’s is a Savannah staple. The business remains in the Leopold family, and while the world has come a long way since 1919, the interior of Leopold’s feels like you’ve stepped into the past.
With bright red stools, soda fountains, and servers with white paper hats, it feels more like a film set than a modern ice cream parlor!
Menu items feature fountain sodas, milkshakes and malts, and – of course – the classic Leopold’s banana split. Open 7 days a week, there are plenty of cones to go around!
11. SCAD Museum of Art
We’ve explored southern cuisine, sweet treats, and tons of Savannah’s history. But now, let’s take a pit stop at one of Savannah’s most creative institutions.
SCAD Museum of Art was founded in 2002 as an extension of Savannah College of Art in Design, one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges. This contemporary art museum is known for its interactive education program, quirky gallery and shop, and endless exhibitions. From lectures to film screenings to life drawing sessions, visitors are welcome to spend a full day exploring and creating!
Stop by this innovative (and air-conditioned!) space six days a week.
12. Jazz’d Tapas Bar
While we’re certainly not in Harlem, Savannah seems to have found its own jazz age!
Located in the heart of the Historic District (down the block from Leopold’s Ice Cream!), you’ll see an incognito sign for Jazz’d Tapas Bar, an underground bar, lounge, and restaurant! Walk down the steps and find yourself in a cozy, dark, invitingly intimate space populated by locals, tourists, and live music!
Sample inventive cocktails as you dine on mini bites of southern cuisine, ranging from shrimp and grits to fried green tomatoes! The portions are generous, the flavors are dynamic, and the atmosphere makes you never want to leave!
Try the baked terra cotta plate. Trust me.
13. Bonaventure Cemetery
While adding a cemetery to a tour guide might seem a bit morbid, Bonaventure Cemetery has centuries – yes, centuries! – of history that cannot be overlooked. This 160-acre rural graveyard has been referred to as one of the world’s most beautiful cemeteries.
And, with its stunning Spanish moss, ornate headstones, and angel statues, I must agree! Bonaventure is located on the former site of Bonaventure Plantation and was established upon sale of the estate in 1846.
Today, Bonaventure is a public cemetery and tourism hot spot! Along with being a popular stop for many of Savannah’s ghost tours, it was also prominently featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Creepy Fact: While there are over 30,000 graves in Bonaventure, folklore has it that there are so many unmarked graves, the body count is more than 100,000!
14. Tybee Island
While Spanish moss and Victorian homes are truly captivating, sometimes everyone just needs a day at the beach. So, readers, we are hitting the road and heading to Tybee Island.
This seaside hamlet is a summer must for Savannah residents and tourists, well known for its wide sandy beach and peaceful shores. Just a 20-minute drive from Savannah’s Historic District, Tybee Island is accessible by car, bus, or train! An easy day trip, followed by a waterfront evening back in Savannah.
Fun Fact: Past notable residents of Tybee Island include Sandra Bullock, John Mellencamp, and Mary Kay Andrews!
15. Savannah Riverboat Cruise
Well, readers, we’ve explored Savannah by foot, trolley, bus, hearse…now it’s time to hit the seas! Or, the Savannah River, that is.
Climb aboard Savannah River Cruise, where you’ll coast up and down the Savannah River, taking in idyllic views of our favorite Georgian city. Cruise options include lunch, brunch, booze, sunset, sightseeing…the possibilities are endless!
Travel Tip: If you’re staying at the River Street Inn (which I highly recommend!), the Georgia Queen riverboat cruise dock is just a few cobblestone steps away! Talk about door-to-door service!
Final Thoughts
As I write about my adventures in Savannah, I am filled with a deep longing to return and do my trip all over again. It was truly one of the most beautiful, majestic, and awe-inspiring places I have ever visited.
The history, the culture, the food, the views…I am still dazzled by the memories, and I can’t wait to return. From terra cotta plates to ghost tours and every Victorian estate and trivia fact in between, this New York girl left Savannah feeling like a true Georgia peach.
This sleepy Spanish-moss-covered city has everything you could ever need to have a southern adventure.
What are you waiting for?
Read More:
- River Street Rendezvous: Top 15 Things To Do in Savannah, Georgia - September 2, 2024