Ultimate Guide To Savannah
I fell in love with Savannah, GA when my husband Brendan and I went there as part of our honeymoon in October. For starters, it’s absolutely beautiful. From the cobblestones on River Street (reminiscent of Charleston, South Carolina) to the Spanish Moss hanging from the trees, it’s easy to fill like you are on the set of a movie while you wonder around exploring.
Pictured: River Street in Savannah
Add in the food to the hospitality and I immediately knew this was a place I would want to visit again. While I didn’t expect to be going back a mere seven months later, I was more than happy to jump at the opportunity and highly recommend it as a must visit destination.
Ultimate Guide To Savannah
Interesting Facts About Savannah
Savannah is one of the most historic cities in the United States. As a result, there are a ton of interesting facts about this city. Here are just a handful:
Expect it to live up to its nickname of “The Hostess City of the South.”
It’s open container
You read that right! You can take your alcohol to go (“take a traveler”) as you explore the city. As long as you are within the historic district boundaries you are good to go.
Savannah survived the Civil War
While Atlanta didn’t fare so well, Savannah was spared being burnt to the ground. In fact, it was actually General Sherman’s Christmas gift to President Lincoln in 1864.
The First African Baptist Church holds the distinction of being the first black church in the United States
This church is a must visit on your trip to Savannah, as it has played a huge role in African American history. From being a stop on the Underground Railroad to being the largest gathering space during segregation, there is so much history in this one location.
Looking to do a little ghost hunting? Check out Moon River Brewing Company,which is rumored to be the most haunted spot in all of Savannah.
Do you love Girl Scout cookies? Juliette Gordon Low was born in Savannah and founded the Girl Scouts here.
Due to its location on the Savannah River, it’s one of the busiest ports in the United States.
Savannah was the first planned city in North America; this is why you’ll find so many squares here - the city was laid out on a series of grids. Presently, 22 of the 24 original squares remain in the city and now serve as gathering spaces.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Savannah, Georgia?
One thing you probably already realize about Savannah is that it can get HOT - it is Georgia, after all! - and that is definitely something to keep in mind when planning and packing. I’ve visited at the end of October, when the weather was lovely and mild, and in the middle of June when temps and humidity were high. Here is what you can expect from the weather depending on the season:
Summer - Tourism , along with heat and humidity, tends to be high in the summer. As a result, I would probably say this isn’t the time I would typically choose to visit. However, as it is open container, you can always cool off with a Frosé or an ice cream from the famous Leopold’s.
Fall - I would definitely say I found Savannah weather very pleasant in the Fall. Plus, the crowds weren’t as big and the hotel rates were lower. This is the time of year I would recommend visiting.
Winter - While Savannah in the winter isn’t going to feel like the north when it comes to weather, you can still expect it to have cooler temperatures for the south and this isn’t a high tourism time either.
Spring - Spring is when Savannah begins to warm back up and things are in bloom; however, it is also when tourism starts to peak again so you aren’t going to find the same bargains you can find in the low season.
Pictured: Feeling rebellious with a beer on the street but it’s LEGAL!
What To Pack For Savannah, GA
How should you dress in Savannah? Between SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and the locals, you can expect people in Savannah to show up when it comes to style but it’s also important to consider comfort. Obviously, checking the weather report is helpful so you can see what to expect ahead of time, but I mainly recommend layers (it can be cold in the air conditioning so I’m always happy to have something to throw over a dress) and - most importantly - comfortable shoes!
Savannah is very walkable and some of the streets by the river are cobblestone and can be very tricky to navigate in heels. I found my boots were what I wore the most in October and my keds were what I opted for in June. I still felt cute but my feet didn’t hurt at the end of the day. Bringing a hands free bag that could hold my wallet, SPF for the Georgia sun, hand sanitizer, mini umbrella (it rains a fair amount) and phone was also essential. On the days I only carried my pouch clutch I found myself wishing I had something larger.
(For more on how to pack - check out my packing list at the end of this post!)
Pictured: Outside the Marriott
How To Get To Savannah, Georgia
Getting to Savannah is fairly easy. I’ve driven and I’ve flown. From Charlottesville it’s a pretty straight 8 hour drive; when Brendan and I went in October, we paired it with some nights in Charleston, SC and that was a perfect combination. As far as flying out of Charlottesville, it’s pretty easy and only required one stopover at Charlotte. Both flights were incredibly quick.
Getting Around Savannah
As far as getting around town, it’s a pretty walkable city depending on where you stay. While Uber is readily available, Savannah also offers something called Downtowner. This is essentially a free Uber, as it’s on demand car service servicing most of the downtown area and operating from 5:00 PM - 5:00 AM daily minus major holidays. All you have to worry about is tipping!
Where to Stay in Savannah
I've stayed in three different hotels in Savannah and, while each one was great, they were all very different experiences.
The Marshall House
My husband and I stayed at the Marshall House while on our honeymoon because we wanted the quintessential Savannah experience. It is very much old school and offers a lot of old Southern Charm - along with the possibility of being visited by ghosts. According to their site, request the fourth floor if you are looking for some paranormal activity. While Brendan and I didn’t spot any ourselves, we did hear some noises in the night that made us a little on edge.
In addition to ghosts, the Marshall House is also centrally located at 123 East Broughton Street so it’s convenient to walk around. It also includes a nightly wine reception from 5 - 6:30 PM in their library. As with the other hotels I stayed in, the Marshall House offers complimentary bottled water in the lobby and you will definitely want to hydrate in this city.
The Drayton Hotel
The Drayton Hotel at 7 Drayton Street was actually my favorite of the three hotels where we stayed. It’s smaller with a boutique feel and the staff is wonderful. One odd thing was there was only one nightstand in our room but the room was lovely and there was a steamer - always a bonus if you are like me and hate ironing!
Pictured: The lobby of The Drayton & an Air Mail on the Rooftop Bar at The Drayton
The rooftop at The Drayton was lovely (and had the best bartender), the free coffee was a nice touch and the complimentary breakfast was the best I’ve ever had. I enjoyed it so much we ended up going to the same restaurant, St. Neo’s, for some oysters and crudo before dinner on our last night (more on that below). I would definitely stay here again.
Perry Lane
Perry Lane is the kind of hotel that makes you feel like you are on VACATION. You walk in and are immediately offered champagne, which is available all day long (and is included as part of the Destination Amenity Fee you’ll see on your bill). There are two separate buildings and I spent a lot of time in each one, as I was staying there for a conference. The room itself was amazing and the service was great so I can’t say anything bad about it; it was simply a little too big and busy for me.
Ultimately, I think the reason The Drayton came in as the top of the three hotels for me was honestly that it had the most relaxed feel; it was in a great area without feeling like it was too much a part of the activity going on around and it was nice and quiet at night.
What to Do in Savannah
When it comes to activities, there’s a lot to do in Savannah. For starters, it’s a hotbed for paranormal activity, making a ghost tour an absolute must. My husband and I did a ghost tour in October and, while we didn’t spot any ghosts, we did have a lot of fun and learned a ton about local history along the way. Plus, as Savannah is open container, we were able to enjoy beers while on the tour.
Pictured: Searching for spirits on our ghost tour
If ghosts aren’t your thing, there are other ways to tour the city. One thing I am always a sucker for is a good Segway tour and the one I took in Savannah is probably my favorite, even if I felt a little silly wearing an animal helmet at 9:00 AM while zipping around downtown. The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and we covered a ton of ground. We were able to see a number of key places, including Chippewa Square (made famous in Forrest Gump).
Pictured: Fully embracing the helmets on the segway tour
As someone who loves food, a food tour was a given. The one we selected was the First Squares Food Tour with Savannah Taste Experience. We had a fantastic guide and he provided a lot of helpful insight on the city. There were six stops along the way and it was fun getting a taste of The Prohibition Museum. I think next time I would opt for the Famous & Secret East Side Food Tour but it was definitely a lot of fun.
Pictured: Scenes from a food tour - the pie at The Pie Society was delicious and I loved tasting all of the honey at Savannah Bee Company
While it may seem strange to recommend, you’ll want to be sure and check out Bonaventure Cemetery, one of the most famous cemeteries in the world. Known for being hauntingly beautiful with a strong Southern Gothic feel, it’s easy to see why so many artists have been inspired by this final resting place.
If cemeteries aren’t your thing, head on over to Forsyth Park in the Historic District. Spanning more than 30 acres, this park is both the oldest and the largest public park in the city. It’s also wear you will find the Forsyth Fountain. Installed in 1858, you’ve probably seen it in may Savannah photographs and it makes for a lovely place to snap your own (fun fact: the fountain was actually from a catalog!).
Some other great tours and places to see include the Trolley Tour (opt for the full tour or the hop on/hop off option), The Pedal Pub, The Telfair Academy (the museum where you’ll find the iconic Bird Girl statue from Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil) and the nearby Jepson Center. It’s also worth seeing what offerings SCAD has, as they can have cool exhibitions.
Pictured: Posing with Bird Girl at the Telfair Academy
If you are on the hunt for special souvenirs, The City Market has shops and art galleries. It’s also been around since the 1700s and is very cool to see.
I personally love The Paris Market as a stop for souvenirs (as well as coffee and a macaron) and have hard that Tybee Island is worth visiting though we’ve yet to make it there.
Pictured: The Paris Market, where you can find great coffee, delicious macarons and lovely gifts to bring home
What to Eat in Savannah
Savannah has incredible food and I had no problem eating my way through the city. When Brendan and I were in Savannah in October we loved Cotton & Rye and the Olde Pink House was fun to try as a Savannah Staple. We also made it to the Artillery Bar, which is an amazing spot with a varied history (once home to the volunteer militia group the Georgia Hussars, to name one) and they create fantastic cocktails.
When we found out we were going back in June, we knew we had to be sure and make it to The Grey this time and it did not disappoint - the meal was absolutely incredible. They have a Diner Bar and the Dining Room, which is what we selected. The menu is ALWAYS changing (they keep everything fresh and in season) but you can select from Dirt, Water, Pasture and Pantry for a full course meal. I went with the full Water menu and loved every single item.
Another great spot we found was the restaurant adjacent to The Drayton, St. Neo’s Brasserie. Brendan and I stopped in for appetizers before grabbing pizza ( life is all about balance) and the oysters and the Hamachi Crudo were both fantastic. If I hadn’t promised Brendan a slice from Vinnie Van Go-Go’s I would have kept eating more food from here.
Some other spots worth checking out in Savannah?
Our amazing bartender at the rooftop bar at The Drayton recommended Common Thread (sadly we didn’t make it there but next time!). Also, the Marriott Savannah Riverfront Hotel is a bit touristy but it is designated as an actual museum, boasts over a dozen restaurants and their rooftop bar has river views on one side and then - once you go down a slide! - city views on the other. It can be fun to check out but definitely expect hotel prices.
Pictured: The tuna from The Grey and my martini at St. Neo’s
Is Savannah, GA Dog Friendly?
Normally, I like to bring my puppy Ollie with me on every adventure. While I wasn’t able to bring him this time (my schedule was packed with the conference so he stayed with his girlfriend, another Cav puppy named Stella), that doesn’t mean Savannah isn’t dog friendly. In fact, there are quite a few options for puppy friendly fun!
For sightseeing, there are a lot of options. The Hop On - Hop Off Tour allows dogs under 25 lbs as long as they can sit on your lap. Bonaventure Cemetery is also dog friendly and has become a popular dog park. However - and perhaps most importantly! - there is also Oliver Bentley’s Historic Dog Walk Tour. Yes, you are reading this correctly - it’s a tour FOR DOGS. How cute is that?
There are plenty of restaurants and some dog friendly breweries in the city as well. I’ve often found if a place has outdoor seating, they are likely to be dog friendly. However, I also advise deciding on food options ahead of time because that can be one of the trickier parts of dog travel. I found this great dog friendly post where they list a ton of options for restaurants.
Finally, making sure you find a dog friendly hotel is key for pet friendly travel and Savannah has plenty. Of the three hotels we stayed in, two are pet friendly with a fee as long as they are under 20lbs: Perry Lane & The Drayton. There are also other options in town, like Hotel Indigo (we stayed at one of these when I did my Essential Guide to Dog Friendly Asheville post) and Mansion on Forsyth Park.
All in all, I would feel comfortable bringing Ollie along on a trip to Savannah with one caveat: the heat. I would definitely recommend choosing a time when the weather isn’t at its hottest, as your pup will enjoy it so much more if they can be comfortable while exploring and not overheated.
Packing List For Savannah, GA
My final verdict remains the same after my October visit: Savannah is a fantastic and fun city with a lot of history. It’s definitely worth visiting - even twice in one year!
As promised, here is my packing list:
Until next time, cheers and happy eating!
