I recently spent a week in Savannah, Georgia. I spent most of my time in the historic districts, from the Spanish-moss-covered squares to Forsyth Park.
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I checked off quite a few popular establishments during my time in the city, from shops to museums to rooftop lounges. Some of the sites meet the hype—and some are even better than the rumors hint. (Others… not so much.)
Along with the mainstays I enjoyed (like ghost tours and those rooftop lounges I mentioned), other sites surprised me—including the exhibits at SCAD Museum of Art and the smaller museums like Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters.
If you’re looking for a Savannah guide on the best things to do in the city, here’s my advice. While I had a week to wander around and get a lay of the land, you (probably) don’t need more than a three-day trip to fit in the best sites and activities.
Here’s my Savannah guide for a great 72 hours, including the best places to stay, eat, drink, and soak up the city’s history and culture. (Don’t forget to check out the city’s list of free things to do, too.)
Savannah guide: Where to stay for 72 hours in Savannah
Kimpton Brice
I stayed at the Kimpton Brice during the first portion of my week in Savannah. It’s an upscale property located in the North Historic District at the edge of the scenic Emmet Park. The hotel also operates a large car park, which is available via valet for a nightly rate that’s slightly higher than the surrounding garages.
The hotel is located inside a former warehouse, giving it a loft-esque industrial-chic feel. Inside, you’ll find two hidden courtyards. The first area you’ll find off the lobby is a bright courtyard with trees and plenty of seating, perfect for sipping your morning coffee or enjoying a wine from the hotel’s daily free wine social hour.
The second courtyard has an outdoor pool with a unique bar where you can order cocktails and mocktails. The space has a bright, pop design that makes it ideal for a little photo shoot—and as a flashy spot to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. In summer, the pool is also one of the best places to cool off in the city.
Solid location and lovely amenities aside, keep the Kimpton Brice on your radar if you’re traveling with a dog. The hotel has a pup-friendly policy that you’ll feel from the second you walk in the door—and are greeted with treats and pick-up bags. I also noticed staff interacting with dogs often… which isn’t much of a surprise when you start to realize just how dog-friendly Savannah is.
JW Marriott Plant Riverside
I didn’t stay at the JW Marriott during my visit, but the hotel is popular for a variety of reasons—including its location on the famed River Street. In fact, it has its own section of the riverside called the Plant Riverside District.
The hotel has three properties on its northern edge: Three Muses, Plant Riverside, and the Atlantic Building. Each has its own unique style and hidden amenities. Personally, I’d go for the nautical-themed Atlantic Building, which has a tucked-away Compass Rooftop Pool and Lounge.
Find a historic Airbnb
I rounded off my trip with an Airbnb stay close to Forsyth Park. If you usually prefer Airbnbs or private rentals to hotel stays, I recommend the unit linked above. It’s within walking distance of Forsyth Park and has plenty of free street parking. It was close enough to the North Historic District to get there in a flash, but just outside the higher-traffic zones.
The unit I stayed in had two bedrooms and a third pullout bed downstairs. The kitchen had everything needed to cook full meals. There was also a washer-dryer downstairs.
Savannah guide: Where to eat
Crystal Beer Parlor
Locals love Crystal Beer Parlor, and so did I. The setup is a bit like a dive in that the restaurant is old, covered in historic pictures (including those who once ate at the establishment), and has a masterfully casual menu. Its bar menu is equally varied.
I recommend trying the pretzel with cheese (which is made to be the ‘size of a steering wheel’), along with the smash burger and crab soup. But save room for dessert, because you need to put down the peach cobbler and the fried pound cake. Those last two dishes are required eating in Savannah, as far as I’m concerned.
The Collins Quarter
The Collins Quarter has two locations in the city: one in the historic district and another in Forsyth Park. I ate at both. The park location was my favorite, thanks to the setting—I don’t know that I’ve ever had brunch in such a naturally beautiful place.
The menu is full of standard brunch fare. It’s not reinventing the wheel by any measure; instead, it nails the dishes. The mimosas were also strong and delicious.
Pacci
If you don’t want to eat at another brunch place, check out Pacci for breakfast. Pacci is an Italian-American eatery that’s part of the Kimpton Brice. They have a solid breakfast menu with classic American breakfasts, along with healthier choices like parfait bowls.
Olde Pink House
Everyone talks about reserving a table at the Olde Pink House. I was wary of the hype because of how many times it was recommended, but my party of three was served up three knockout meals. The drinks were also delicious.
Full disclosure: I didn’t get a table in the main restaurant. Instead, I put my name in at the speakeasy-style restaurant downstairs, where the nightly overflow is directed. My group of three waited about an hour for our table, which we spent at the nearby bar Abe on Lincoln’s. (More on this bar below.)
Just know that the speakeasy basement portion of the restaurant is very dark. Your table will have enough lighting to read the menus, but if you’re someone who dislikes dark spaces, you might want to stick to the main restaurant upstairs.
Savannah guide: Where to drink
Baobab Lounge (Plant Riverside District)
This swanky lounge is located inside the JW Marriott Plant Riverside District, like the next two lounges. The Baobob Lounge is covered in artefacts from across Africa, along with modern African art and a stunning number of taxidermized animals. The cocktail and snacks menu reflects this thematic influence, too. (You can even order Amarula, a cream liqueur from South Africa.)
Electric Moon (Plant Riverside District)
Electric Moon is a rooftop lounge that’s perfect for dancing, drinking, and enjoying the city and river views. The menu is pretty diverse, whether you want a Kessler wine or a bucket-style vodka cocktail. DJs play on big nights, but the space is a treat even when it’s quieter. You can enjoy two open-air terraces—including one with a slide. There are other hidden finds, too, like the photobooth (perfect for capturing nights out) and the illuminated smoke stacks.
Myrtle & Rose (Plant Riverside District)
Myrtle & Rose is my last recommendation for the Plant Riverside District. It’s a chic daytime version of Electric Moon, except that it’s also open at night. The views are hard to beat, showcasing the river and River Street. The specialty cocktails and small-bites menu are a perfect accompaniment to those views.
Congress Street Social Club
Now, we’re moving into dive bar territory. Congress Street Social Club is a fantastic late-night spot where you can order up hamburgers, quesadillas, and more—which are grilled right out front. There are tons of beers on tap, along with one of Savannah’s most extensive bourbon lists. Depending on the night, you might also catch a live music performance.
Abe’s on Lincoln
My group of three waited at Abe’s on Lincoln, a hilarious dive bar located a block from Olde Pink House. The premise is simple: affordable drinks come with a sheet of white paper and a pen, which you can use to draw your very own rendition of Abraham Lincoln. After finding space on the Abe-covered walls and ceilings, you can hang your own masterpiece. Keep a lookout for my Slender-Lincoln drawing, a mashup between the mythical horror that is Slenderman and the 16th President.
Savannah guide: What to do
Walk around and read the placards before you go on a history tour
Savannah’s historic district is covered in locations that warrant placards that explain why it’s significant. You’ll find them in most of the area’s 22 historic squares, along with dozens of other locations along River Street, Emmet Park, and beyond. I recommend getting a lay of the land around your rental or hotel before you go on a historic tour—you’ll find interesting discrepancies between the placards, urban legends, and factual history.
Take a few tours
I went on two tours that I highly recommend: the history and haunts ghost tour and the slavery to freedom tour. The former is a spooky walking tour that takes you around many of the squares in the historic district while the theatrical guide peppers in stories of ghosts, history, and architecture. The latter is a harrowing journey led by a Gullah-Geechee truthteller named Sister Pat, who lays out how Savannah’s enslaved residents lived and how they literally shaped the city.
Explore the museums and historic homes
If you enjoy history, architecture, and peeking into the past, Savannah has dozens of places where you can peer behind the veil, so to speak. I recommend checking out at least one of these museums so you can see how Savannah’s early residents lived.
Here’s a short list of the museum houses that I think are worth your time on a 72-hour visit: Owens-Thomas House, Green-Meldrim House, Davenport House, or the Harper-Fowlkes House.
SCAD Museum of Art
When you visit Savannah, you might notice that all the historic fare is balanced out with… a surprisingly avant-garde arts scene. That’s thanks to SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. Its Museum of Art is a can’t-miss, even if you think you don’t like modern art. When I visited, there were four beautifully curated exhibits that took around an hour to see. Weeks later, I’m still thinking about the pieces.
Gallery 209
Lastly, I recommend getting lost on River Street. You’ll find kitschy tourist traps along with upscale restaurants and bars. There are also quite a few galleries to enjoy. Don’t miss out on Gallery 209. It was founded back in 1975 and is operated by a coalition of local artisans, who take turns manning the shop. It’s where I did most of my souvenir and gift shopping.
Leave the city to explore the Low Country by boat
Savannah isn’t short on boating excursions. I highly recommend booking one because it’ll showcase a bit of the Low Country and its sprawling marshes, depending on which experience you book. I had a fantastic experience with Captain Tyler, who took me and a party of three out on a two-hour boat trip.
Tyler reached out the night before our trip to recommend rescheduling for noon instead of 9 am–which my group had already thought about and wanted to propose, since there was rain on the forecast. We rescheduled without any problems, then had a great time on board. Tyler was relaxed, knowledgeable, and had a fantastic playlist to match the coastal vibes. I highly recommend booking with him.
You can book a tour with Tyler on Viator or directly on his website, ShoreThingSav. He runs private charters of all stripes alongside his wife, Lauren.
