Savannah, Georgia, is the kind of city that makes you want to slow down. Between the oak trees covered in Spanish moss, beautiful historic homes, cobblestone streets, and little squares tucked throughout downtown, there’s always something worth stopping to see.
It’s also a great choice when you want a weekend getaway that doesn’t require an exhausting itinerary. You can spend the morning exploring historic sites, stop for a long Southern lunch, wander through local shops in the afternoon, and finish the day by watching the sunset along the Savannah River.
If you’re thinking about visiting Savannah for the first time, here’s how to make the most of a weekend in one of Georgia’s most charming cities.
Start in Savannah's Historic District
The Historic District is the best place to begin exploring Savannah. It’s incredibly walkable, and simply wandering around is part of the experience.
Savannah is famous for its historic squares, many of which are surrounded by monuments, churches, gardens, and beautiful old homes. Chippewa Square is probably one of the most recognizable thanks to its connection to the movie "Forrest Gump," but don’t make the mistake of visiting only the famous spots.
Take your time walking between the squares. You’ll find benches beneath enormous oak trees where you can sit for a few minutes and enjoy the scenery.
You can also walk along Jones Street, which is often considered one of the prettiest streets in Savannah. Its brick sidewalks, historic homes, and tree-lined setting make it an easy place to understand why people fall in love with this city.
Spend Some Time at Forsyth Park
You can't visit Savannah without making your way to Forsyth Park. The park covers 30 acres and is one of the city's most recognizable gathering places. Its famous fountain is an obvious photo stop, but there's plenty of room to walk, relax under the trees, or just take a break from sightseeing.
If you're visiting when the weather is nice, grab a coffee and spend part of your morning here. Depending on when you're in town, you might also come across a farmers market, community event, or musicians performing nearby.
This is one of those places where you don't really need an activity planned. Sometimes sitting beneath the trees and watching Savannah go by is enough.
Pack for Lots of Walking
One thing you'll quickly discover about Savannah is that you'll probably walk more than you expect. Comfortable shoes should be at the top of your packing list. Lightweight clothing also helps during Georgia's warmer months, along with sunglasses, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.
You'll also want a bag that's comfortable enough to carry while you're exploring. A crossbody or medium-sized handbag works well for keeping your phone, wallet, sunscreen, sunglasses, and other small essentials together.
If you want something you can use on the trip and back home, Dooney & Bourke Handbags include options in different sizes and styles that can work for both sightseeing days and evenings out.
Try not to carry too much. Savannah is much more enjoyable when you're strolling through the Historic District without hauling around half your suitcase.
Eat Your Way Around the City
Come to Savannah hungry because food is a huge part of the experience. Southern favorites like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, biscuits, seafood, and pecan desserts are easy to find around town. You'll also find everything from food tours, casual cafes to restaurants that put a modern spin on traditional Southern dishes.
Don't feel like every meal needs to be at one of the city's most famous restaurants, either. Leave room in your plans to stop somewhere that catches your attention while you're walking.
Savannah also has plenty of sweet treats. Leopold's Ice Cream has been serving ice cream since 1919 and has become a popular Savannah stop. If the line isn't too intimidating, it's worth adding to your weekend.
Walk Along River Street
Eventually, make your way toward the Savannah River. River Street is lined with restaurants, shops, bars, and historic buildings, and it has a completely different atmosphere from the quieter squares farther inland.
The cobblestones can be uneven, so those comfortable shoes will come in handy again. Spend some time browsing the shops, watching ships travel along the river, or grabbing something to eat.
Late afternoon and early evening are especially nice times to visit. You can watch the waterfront change as the sun starts going down and then stick around for dinner.
See Savannah After Dark
Savannah's history gets a little spookier once the sun goes down. The city regularly appears on lists of America's most haunted destinations, so ghost tours have become a popular nighttime activity. You'll find walking tours, trolley tours, pub crawls, and other options depending on how scary you want your evening to be.
Even if ghosts aren't your thing, walking around the Historic District after dark is worth doing. The illuminated buildings and quieter streets give the neighborhood a completely different feel.
Give Yourself Time to Wander
It's tempting to create a long checklist when you're visiting somewhere new, but Savannah isn't a city that needs to be rushed. Of course, you can fill an entire weekend with tours, museums, restaurants, and attractions. But some of the best moments may happen between those plans.
Walk down a street simply because the houses look beautiful. Stop for coffee when you find a cozy cafe. Sit in one of the squares for a while. Browse a shop you hadn't planned to visit.
Savannah rewards travelers who leave a little room in their schedule.
For a two- or three-day getaway, that's exactly what makes the city so appealing. There's plenty to see and do, but you can still return home feeling like you actually had a weekend away.
