Travel Guide: Savannah, GA
Somewhere to sleep and shower? Check. A list of places to try new foods and take aesthetic pictures? Check. Plenty of places to shop and spend copious amounts of money? Check, check. If you’re like me and plan detailed itineraries for trips, both short and long, here is a helpful guide to tackling the great southern city of Savannah, GA, and check out our map below to plan out your walking guide!
Some friends and I decided to travel to the “Hostess City of the South” and, having never been before, I jumped on the chance to do some research and find all of the must-see sights and hidden gems. If you pack your schedule and don’t mind blistered feet, it is totally possible to experience the best of Savannah in only one weekend.
Could you please pass the sweet tea and biscuits sweetie?
If you like Southern comfort food, Savannah is the place to be. One of my friends had a killer craving for shrimp and grits, so we found the perfect place called Huey’s on River Street. The atmosphere was very charming and the Southern hospitality made us feel all warm and fuzzy.
We also tried other Southern staples such as fried green tomato eggs benny at B. Matthews for brunch, praline cheesecake at Vic’s for dessert, and croque monsieurs at Cafe M. Apparently a trip to Savannah isn’t complete without a trip to Leopold’s Ice Cream, as was evident by the huge line out the door, even on a Monday afternoon.
Shop ‘til you drop
It’s not a true weekend getaway until you’re leaving stores with bags in hand. There is no shortage of shopping opportunities in Savannah, with the epicenter of retail located along Broughton Street. From high end stores like J. Crew, Kate Spade, and Lululemon to cute boutiques such as Honeysuckle and Vine, Palm Avenue, and BleuBelle, the shopping is plentiful and diverse. The Paris Market and Savannah Bee Company are quaint and unique establishments that are definitely worth browsing as well!
What to do, what to do
Savannah is a fairly small and compact city, so it is an ideal tourist area and destination. We stayed in an AirBnB not far from Forsyth Park, so we were able to walk everywhere. The Historic District is gorgeous and the Spanish Moss transports you to a Nicholas Sparks movie right away. Simply walking through the cobblestone streets and various parks could fill an entire day. To speed things up a bit while also getting to enjoy the history and beauty, we decided to take a carriage tour of the city.
This was amazing and relaxing but if you are looking for a little more thrill, there are many ghost tours by carriage or hearse offered throughout the haunted squares. Riverboat cruises are offered year-round and the sunset photo-ops beneath the Talmadge Memorial Bridge can’t be beat. Savannah is also home to Savannah College of Art and Design, so the museums around town are full of incredible artwork done by students from all over the world.
Map by: Kayla Hoey