Savannah is a bewitchingly beautiful city that’s full of boulevards and grassy squares where people meet and discuss the events of the day much as they did back in the 19th century. Much of Savannah’s charm can be found in the Gothic, Victorian, and Greek revival architecture that still project their timeless beauty and power throughout the heart of the city. The cobblestone streets, squares, and notable historic buildings attract millions to this remarkable port city every year. If your curiosity finally gets the best of you and you eventually make your way to The Hostess City, but you can only visit for a limited time, read on for some great recommendations to make the most of a weekend trip to Georgia’s First City.

WHERE TO STAY

Even a short, two-day stay should include comfort and quality.

Creekfire Motor Ranch
Escape to the outdoors or explore the historic city of Savannah, Georgia. Park an RV, pitch a tent or stay in one of our deluxe cabins while enjoying ample space in nature to relax, unwind and breathe in the fresh air. Hike, splash and play your way all over the resort – creating memories with your family that will last a lifetime.

Surf Song Bed and Breakfast
Surf Song offers a unique Tybee experience with luxurious guest suites, historic, elegant common areas and a brand-new in-ground swimming pool! The parlor doors open up allowing for ocean breezes throughout the day and the wraparound porch offers multiple areas to enjoy your daily breakfast. This 110-year old Victorian home is the perfect vehicle for your mini-escape to Savannah’s coast.

Roussell’s Garden Bed & Breakfast
This Victorian style Bed & Breakfast in the heart of historic Savannah, Georgia was built for a gentleman named John Puder and his family in 1888. A lovely example of Queen Anne architecture, the home became a Bed & Breakfast Inn in 2005 when it was purchased and lovingly restored by Bryan and Janet Roussell. Hospitality and attention to detail are paramount here making all patrons feel as if the experience is uniquely their own.

Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals
With over 150 rentals in Savannah’s National Landmark Historic District, the folks at Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals will help you select the right rental, in the right location, with the comfort and amenities you’ll need for an unforgettable stay. This option is great for special events and groups as well.

Savannah Marriott Riverfront
Perched right on the water and connected to the world-famous River Street via the city’s Riverwalk, the Savannah Marriott Riverfront offers a contemporary style, outstanding service, and an unparalleled location. Redesigned rooms and suites feature sophisticated design and amenities including deluxe pillowtop bed and some offer balconies with scenic Riverfront views. Elsewhere at the hotel, you can pamper yourself this weekend with a treatment at Magnolia Spa or work out in the fully equipped 24-hour gym. Its ideal location makes exploring this fascinating city easy and stress-free.

BEST WAY TO SEE THE CITY

Be it by land or by sea, Savannah has many sides to discover.

Old Town Trolley Tours
Our venerable green and orange trolleys consistently rank at the top of things to do in Savannah, and once you embark on one, it’s easy to see why. With the single largest fleet in the city, you’ll spend less time waiting and more time sightseeing. The friendly and knowledgeable conductors will take you on a fully narrated journey filled with history and humor as you explore the must-see sights of Georgia’s First City. A really handy, time-saving component built into this tour is the freedom to Hop On Hop Off at any of the 15 stops they service. This delightful foray through one of the South’s signature cities includes highlights such as the historic waterfront district, The Massie Heritage Center that once stood as the city’s first public school and as a Union hospital when Federal troops occupied Savannah during the Civil War, and the Cathedral of St. John The Baptist, an architectural masterpiece dedicated in 1876. Their entertaining and comprehensive Savannah tours will allow you to explore many historical monuments and landmarks.

Show post in Instagram

Passing The Torch Walking Tour
Take a stroll through a historic city while a new old friend tells you stories of times gone by.
Meander through the iconic, landmark district and join in conversations with a long-time resident. Experience your weekend in Savannah by discovering wards and squares through the eyes of a local whose family in Savannah goes back generations. Explore how Savannah has changed over time and learn who built and purchased certain homes and how they remodeled or maintained the historic structures. From Savannah’s financial district to mix-use squares, this immersive tour is rich in colorful history.

Take a Bike Ride
With the highest percentage of bicycle commuters in the state and significant improvements in the city’s infrastructure to accommodate them since 2015, Savannah has been awarded bike-friendly status by the League of American Bicyclists. They’re also the first city in Georgia to offer a bicycle sharing program which allows you to rent bikes stationed all over the city for $2 per half hour or a 7-day pass for only $20. Explore at your leisure and get lost in the nooks and crannies of this spectacular city! For more information visit http://www.catchacat.org/.

Savannah Dolphin Magic
Here’s a chance to see Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins play around historic Tybee Beach and take in some important landmarks at the same time! See Savannah’s historic waterfront, the Waving Girl, Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island, the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, Tybee Island and the Tybee Island Lighthouse. (Route and trip duration may vary depending on dolphin location and weather conditions.)

Most Instagrammable Places

This city is so beautiful, you could probably close your eyes and take a pic worth keeping. Before you do that, check out these choice spots for quality snaps on your quick trip to Savannah.

Forsyth Park
Spanning more than 30 acres, Forsyth Park is Savannah’s largest and oldest public park. The famous photogenic fountain found here. The fountain has become a symbol of Savannah, modeled after similar fountains in Paris and Cusco, Peru. Visitors and locals love to take advantage of the park’s expansive green where festivals, concerts, and the weekly Forsyth Park Farmers’ Market are held. There is an abundance of shaded space for sitting as you take in the towering live oaks and pink- and white-dotted azalea bushes. This is one of the most popular parks for casual strolls, jogging, and dog walking on the park’s paths.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is an iconic symbol of Savannah, Georgia, gracing the skyline with its towering steeples. The church was dedicated on its current site on April 30, 1876. A fire in 1898 destroyed much of the structure. It was rebuilt quickly and re-opened in 1900. The Cathedral represents historically noteworthy architecture as well as over a century of faith and civic traditions in Savannah. The Cathedral is open to the community of Savannah as well as to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Cathedral remains in the top 10 historic sites to visit in the United States.

River Street
River Street is a glittering, multi-faceted gem along the Savannah River. The century-old buildings have been converted to antique shops, boutiques, galleries, brew pubs, fabulous restaurants, unique nightspots, elegant inns, and hotels. Bustling with welcoming hospitality, it’s a great place to see ships from around the globe sail into one of the busiest ports in America.

Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row is a Carpenter Italianate row house off Washington Square with Victorian details and a rainbow of colors defining each unit. Sitting only 1 block from the ever popular River Street and Factor’s Walk makes your walking experience in Savannah a breeze. Sitting just off Washington Square, the home is just steps from a nightcap at The Olde Pink House restaurant with its “secret” basement piano bar, or B. Matthew’s restaurant for breakfast, or the famous Pirates House Restaurant and Tavern.

Wormsloe Historic Site
This former plantation is the site of the oldest standing structure in Savannah – the ruins of Jones’ tabby house, which was built in 1745. A 15-minute drive from the historic district will get you to what is considered one of the most beautiful estates in all of Savannah. Not only does the Wormsloe have trails branching out through the woods, but it also has historic ruins and paths that run along the edge of the forest, where you can get breathtaking views of the Isle of Hope. You can take a guided tour or adventure out on your own through the trails, which can extend up to 2.3 miles.

BEST PLACES FOR FOOD & DRINK

With this much Southern Hospitality going around, you’re going to eat and drink til your heart’s content.

The American Prohibition Museum – Congress Street Up Speakeasy
If your idea of a night out on the town is about getting gussied up in your smartest duds with a top-shelf cocktail sitting snugly in your hands, you need to stop by for a visit! As Savannah’s only speakeasy, Congress Street Up, located inside the American Prohibition Museum in the city’s Riverfront District, is an elegant cocktail bar that exudes the 1920s, Art-Deco charm that Zagat rates one of the hottest bars in the city. From artfully prepared custom cocktails, authentic atmosphere, and live music every Thursday night, this throwback vibe is well worth revisiting.

2 Cracked Eggs
If there’s one thing that the American south seems to do better than any other region in the country, it’s the all-day breakfast and this place does it better than most. The venerable shrimp and grits, various Benedict options which include crab, scratch baked biscuits, waffles, and French Toast can be found on this hearty and heartwarming menu.

The Olde Pink House
The Olde Pink House is one of Savannah’s finest dining establishments, offering new Southern cuisine in a sophisticated, yet casual setting. It is known for specialties like Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Molasses, Crispy Scored Flounder with Apricot Shallot Sauce, and Corn Bread Fried Oysters. Visitors are also drawn to The Olde Pink House’s incredible architecture and décor, including the restaurant’s beautiful, quirky pink color.

Leopold’s Ice Cream
From their award-winning, homemade super-premium ice cream, unchanged since 1919, to the made-from-scratch soups, sandwiches, salads, and freshly baked treats, you’re sure to find something memorable at Leopold’s. You can indulge in signature flavors like Tutti Frutti and Butter Pecan, or try a scrumptious new treat. No matter what path you take your taste buds down, this Savannah institution is sure to please.

Alley Cat Lounge
To quote the owners of this trendy, hip basement bar on Savannah’s Riverfront District, “We don’t serve drinks, we serve people.” Part of a lovingly restored building on Broughton St., this subterranean watering hole has a very secretive vibe, like a speakeasy, with its list of cocktails and brick and wood-accented interior. This is a great last stop for a nightcap since it closes at 3 am. It currently enjoys a perfect rating on TripAdvisor so you may want to consider this place next time you want to wet your whistle in Savannah.

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
A throwback establishment in every way, this place specializes in the lost art of bringing communities together at a table of food. As soon as the clock turns 11 am, you can bet that the modest dining room, with its brick walls and lace curtains, will fill up pretty quickly with hungry, expectant patrons. Tabletops are crowded with platters of fried chicken and cornbread dressing, sweet potato souffle, black-eyed peas, okra gumbo, corn muffins and biscuits. The menu changes daily so regulars can have something different every day. Stop by and enjoy the special pleasure of a meal shared with neighbors and strangers.

Circa 1875 Gastropub
A tin roof, ornate crown molding and all the flowery decorative details you would expect to find in a dining hall or pub in Napoleon-era France is all right here in downtown Savannah. This is good, old fashioned bistro fare with a menu that serves up all the greatest culinary hits. Onion soup, steak frites, foie gras, paté, mussels in white wine, and the list goes on and on with all the French classic fare you would expect from a place that’s called Circa 1875.

Jen’s & Friends
Did someone say ‘martini?’ This cheery and contemporary watering hole is well versed in the delicate mixing of gin, vodka, and vermouth. This place makes 300 different varieties but if a martini isn’t quite your speed (even one with the flavor profile of a birthday cake), there some 200 craft beers you can turn to for that extra happy Happy Hour.

MUST SEE OFF THE BEATEN PATH

McQueen’s Island Trail
For those in need of a mini-excursion in the salt air, head 15 miles east of town where you’ll find the trailhead for McQueens Island Trail. Once there, you’ll be walking on the path of a former railroad line that ran parallel to the south channel of the Savannah River. You’ll encounter short bridges, saltwater marshes, cordgrass, cabbage palms, yaupon holly, and coastal cedars. There is also plenty of wildlife native to the area to keep an eye out for including the American alligator, diamondback terrapin, bobcat, osprey, red-tailed hawk, and brown pelican.

Cockspur Island
Also located on the south channel of the Savannah River is Cockspur Island, so named because of its bent appearance. There are two historically significant structures on the island one of which being Ft. Pulaski. It was here where the U.S. Army delivered the Confederates a considerable blow by capturing the fort and then using it as a prison for its former owners. During the Spanish-American War, the fort was converted into an artillery battery then re-commissioned later during both World Wars.

Odd Lot Improv
If you are a fan of quick-witted comedy where the performers act without a net, so to speak, then make plans to visit Savannah’s best improvisational comedy troupe. With a roving cast of over 20 rotating performers of all stripes, Odd Lot takes this art form quite seriously and have been since 2008.

Sample Daily Agenda

• Kick things off with a strong cup of coffee and a delectable biscuit and egg sandwich at the Back in the Day Bakery.
• Take a leisurely morning stroll through the Historic District and Rainbow Road.
• Work up an appetite and take a bite out of some sublime southern classics at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room.

• Walk off your lunch and spend some of the afternoon at the American Prohibition Museum.
• While you’re there, saunter up to the bar at the adjacent Congress Street Up Speakeasy and order up an Old Fashioned.
• Dinner at Old Pink House.
• Drinks and Fun at Rocks on the Roof

Plan a Visit this Weekend

Now that you have some key, insider knowledge on the best places to experience in Historic Savannah, have fun putting together an exciting itinerary that works best for you. You can rest in the comfort of knowing that whatever you choose to do over your two-day stay, it will be the right choice.