Savannah, GA
Christopher and I decided to take a spontaneous trip, but didn’t know where to go. We pulled up the Google Flight map and began our search with three conditions in mind- it had to be somewhere warmer than NY in March, a short flight and be a cheap ticket. Cue Savannah, Georgia.
To be honest, I never really thought of Georgia as a place to visit, but it fit our criteria and we’ve heard great things. So, we booked our flight and left the following evening- I told you, spontaneous. I spent the entire flight doing research, finding way more than we could pack into 4 days. Below are my top recommendations along with some honorable mentions..aka places we wanted to go to, but ran out of time. Warning, it’s a lot.
Where to stay
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency on the river. The hotel was perfectly central to so many things. Rooms were clean, staff was great. The hotel also had a variety of amenities like a pool, garden terrace, outdoor patios, a bar, restaurant, and more. Definitely recommend!
Another popular option is the JW Marriott also located on the river and in the center of the Plant Riverside District (PRD). PRD is the home of many restaurants and bars. The hotel is beautiful and the lobby is an attraction in and of itself. It has a large collection of stunning gemstones and an insane 135 feet long chrome dinosaur skeleton suspended from the ceiling. If you’re at PRD, it’s worth a pitstop.
Things to do
Savannah is a very walkable city which makes it nice and easy to explore all it has to offer - not to mention it has no laws against open containers, so grab a glass of your favorite drink, some comfy shoes and get ready to get to know Savannah.
ps not kidding about that drink- there are even little walk up windows where you can purchase to-go drinks or even get to-go cups if you don’t finish your beverage at the restaurant!
The Paris Market has everything from champagne, espresso and macarons to vintage furniture, books, and glassware. Something about it, made me keep wanting to go back.
Prohibition Museum was such a nice surprise. It’s small, but really interesting. Also the tour ends at a speakeasy you can only access through the museum! (Speakeasy closed on Sundays) The bartenders were great and served up delicious classic cocktails. I recommend getting the package that includes a drink ticket. Lastly, if you’re interested in learning more about classic cocktails and how to make them- they offer a cocktail making class! Unfortunately, the classes were sold out when we went, but you can see availability and purchase tickets here.
Trolley Tours are classic, and I don’t care if anyone finds them lame! I think they’re one of the best ways to get to know a city in a short period of time. If you are going to do a tour, I recommend doing it on the first day to get a lay of the land- then you can assess what areas you want to further explore. I love the ease of hopping on and off while also learning through the guided tours. Lastly, if you are in a position where you can, tip your drivers - it is not expected, but always appreciated.
River Street - simple to-do, but it’s a beautiful walk and you may be able to see the cargo ships passing through- it will blow your mind. However large you think these ships are, I promise they are bigger. We were truly speechless when we first saw one pass by.
Tybee Island - Unfortunately, we happened to go on the one weekend there was bridge work, so the 20-minute drive turned into an hour+, but normally it is a quick trip. With that being said, I definitely recommend scheduling your Uber back to Savannah in advanced. Luckily our driver gave us a heads up so we scheduled and it saved us. There were so many visitors struggling to find trips back. Lastly, the beach does allow open containers, but no glass! We saw a big group get citations, so they are definitely on top of it.
Forsyth Park is a beautiful destination for both locals and tourists. The park filled with lovely greenery and open lawns perfect for a stroll or a picnic with a bottle of wine from Provisions.
Provisions is a beautiful independent wine and grocery boutique. The store has a range of wine and snacks to glassware and art. I loved it in there.
Jones Street is stunning- from the historical homes to the brick roads- It is a great area to walk around and embrace the beauty the city has to offer.
City Market is a great little hub of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Coffee Coffee Coffee
Coffee Fox is a craft coffeeshop that not only serves great coffee, but you can also get fresh pastries, craft beer, and wine! We got their horchata latte with an extra shot, definitely recommend!
Franklin’s is a great little coffee shop offering delicious speciality coffees, pastries, and some food options.
Asher + Rye is a home decor and lifestyle boutique, but it also has a great little café. It’s located close to Forsyth park making it a great pitstop before heading to the park.
Breakfast/Brunch
Collins Quarter is a very popular brunch spot with two locations. We went the Forsyth Park location on a Monday and got lucky there was no wait. Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations, so I recommend going there a bit earlier to avoid the crowds.
Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Garden has a “Jazz Brunch” with live music on Sundays. Food was great and the rooftop was very pretty with views of the river. The main area is reservation only, but there is bar seating available.
Honorable mentions
Little Duck Diner - 4.4 stars with 2,200+ reviews! They describe themselves as a “‘vintage chic diner’ with a contemporary twist located in the heart of downtown Savannah, Georgia.”
Back in the Day Bakery - 4.6 stars with 730+ reviews! This grab & go bakery describes themselves as a vintage bakery & espresso bar serving old-school sweet treats & lunch.
J. Christopher’s - 4.5 stars with 2,250 reviews! This daytime eatery describes themselves as “regular people. No pretension, no airs, just friendly people offering up breakfast and lunch in a nice comfy place.”
Treylor Park - 4.5 stars with 5,060+ reviews! They describe themselves as a “vintage-chic space with outdoor seating offering reimagined Southern comfort eats, cocktails & beer.” This location does not take reservations.
Hitch - 4.3 stars with 2,655 reviews! Sister restaurant to Treylor Park, they describe themselves as the place where “creative takes on American classics, plus cocktails & wine in a happening, modern space.”
Lunch & Dinner
Turbine Market + Café - A casual spot in PRD good for a quick bite in between activities. Plenty of seating, but it also has to-go options. They serve breakfast & lunch. I got a poke bowl and he got the Turkey B.L.A.T.
Stingray’s on Tybee - Casual, no frills spot. We grabbed lunch here after the beach. Food was good- I got the grilled blackened mahi-mahi sandwich and he got the fried chicken sandwich.
Repeal 33 - This was our last dinner before heading back and it was the perfect way to end the trip. Dark, chill vibes, a nice place to chat and unwind. The food was delicious and the drinks- so good! I ordered the SPF Margarita with no agave, I prefer my drinks tart, and I quickly needed a refill. The service was the cherry on top. I can’t recommend this place enough.
Honorable Mentions
District Seafood & District Smokehouse- 4.3 stars with 160 reviews! These two open-air bar and restaurants are side by side in PRD. Casual spots to grab lunch or dinner. Open late on weekends.
Chive - 4.7 stars with 1,800+ reviews! “Inspired by the decadence of the 1920s, Chive Sea Bar & Lounge offers a unique dining affair in Savannah's Historic District”
Husk - 4.4 stars with 1,315 reviews! Ingredient-driven Southern fare & cocktails served in a landmark mansion with porch seating.
The Vault - 4.6 stars with 1,615+ reviews! The vault is a chic Asian fusion spot for creative bites & drinks in the historic Bank of America building.
Fire Street Food - 4.5 stars with 1,700 reviews! Quick counter service spot serves a variety of Asian cuisines.
Sorry Charlie’s - 4.4 stars with 3,580 reviews! An oyster bar in Savannah, Sorry Charlie's serves up fresh oysters beer, southern food, local beers and cocktails.
Public House - 4.5 stars with 2,000 reviews! This restaurant elevated casual restaurant is first come, first serve. It has a mid-century modern style with an eclectic menu. Visit their beautiful sister cocktail bar next door - Artillery
Garibaldis Seafood - 4.4 stars with 1,050 reviews! It is an upscale, seafood restaurant. They describe themselves as an establishment serving “refined Italian dishes with seafood leanings - showcased in a romantic former firehouse.”. They are closed on Sundays & Mondays
Olde Pink House - 4.6 stars with 6,582+ reviews. I was bummed we couldn’t get a table. The restaurant is in a beautiful mansion built in 1771. I definitely recommend making a dinner reservation as far in advanced as you can. They also have live music in the cellar tavern.
Circa 1875 - 4.4 stars with 800 reviews! This french dual venue located next to The Paris Market features a casual pub & sit-down Parisian bistro in vintage environs with a wine cellar. They are closed on Sundays
Crystal Beer Parlor - 4.6 stars with 5,098 reviews! This is a cozy American bistro & bar with extensive food & beer menus in a century-old former grocery store. Closed on Mondays.
Local 11ten - 4.4 stars with 475 reviews! Farm to table restaurant with seasonal menu changes. Opens for dinner. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Savannah Tequila Co. - 4.6 stars with 450 reviews! This small spot is located in the PRD serving Mexican food & cocktails
Bars
Electric Moon Skytop Lounge - 4.3 stars with 905 reviews! First come, first serve rooftop- The bar is big so even with a line it is not a long wait. There is a dance floor inside with open air deck seating on the top floor. You can take a trip down the slide (or take the stairs) to the “Moon Deck”—an open-air adult playground featuring lawn games, a bar and outdoor seating. The open container law came in handy - we were exhausted so we took our drinks to go back to the hotel strolling through the river walk.
Baobab Lounge - 4.6 stars with 175 reviews! This cocktail lounge celebrating African culture featuring a variety of speciality cocktails and small bites. It was a great spot to chill and chat with great drinks. We enjoyed the Savanah Dusk and Tamarind Martini.
Alley Cat - 4.7 stars with 826 reviews! I really enjoyed this hidden bar - it had great drinks and the menu is designed like a newspaper which I loved. Entrance is through the back alley, it’s easy to miss!
Honorable Mentions
The Grey - High-end retro restaurant and bar offers modern Southern eats in a refurbished 1938 Greyhound bus terminal.
Service Brewing Co. - Veteran-owned craft brewery donating a portion of their revenue to charities that support service men and women and first responders.
The Grove Rooftop - 4.1 stars with 1,238 reviews! They describe themselves as a “sophisticated casual restaurant & rooftop bar in the heart of Savannah’s bustling City Market.”
Peregrin - 4.4 stars with 432 reviews!
Churchill’s - 4.4 stars with 2,285 reviews! This British-run tavern serves English draft beers, traditional & creative pub eats
Bar Julian - Savannah's tallest rooftop with great views of cityscape and the river with crafted cocktails and a Mediterranean menu
Peacock Lounge - 4.5 stars with 70+ reviews! They describe themselves as “An exclusive lounge located in the heart of downtown Savannah, serving up delicately curated cocktails, small bites, and an unforgettable experience.”
You made it to the end of my list- I hope it helps! Overall, we loved Savannah - it was incredible. It is a beautiful city with so much to offer. I can’t wait to go back! Enjoy your trip.
Cheers!