Savannah, GA is…
1. Very Walkable
Savannah is a very walkable city, and honestly, if you are planning to stay in the city for the entire duration, having a car may be more of a nuisance than anything. The hotel that I stayed at, The Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District, required valet parking at $39 per night and I didn’t use my car once. Unless you are planning to go to Tybee Island, there really isn’t a need for a car as you can easily walk anywhere you need to go. That being said, if it makes more sense for you to drive, just factor the likely cost of parking into your trip budget.
My second point regarding the walkability of Savannah: There are a lot of cobblestone roads. While they really add to the quaintness of the city, they’re certainly not great for heels. I had a trendy pair of pink heels that I had never worn prior to the trip. Turns out they’re a bit small and I left with two huge blisters… ouch. Take this as a lesson and pack your shoes wisely!
2. A Big Party
If you want to party, have a good time, and be social, Savannah is the place for you. The city is open container, so you can literally get a to-go container at any restaurant or bar and walk around with with it in the streets, stores, coffee shops- you name it. This makes it a prime spot for bachelorette parties, which you are sure to encounter on your visit, and drinking trollies.
While exploring City Market, get a slushy at Wet Willie’s or a wine slushy at the Georgia Tasting Room then head to the Plant Riverside District where you can get a drink and stroll along the river. Electric Moon is a fun rooftop bar that has a slide from one level to the next and little chairs that roll around.
3. Quaint and Picturesque
The streets are lined with a serene mix of palm trees and willows. Everything seems to be pretty rectangular/everything is mapped out in squares. As you are walking, you will noticed that the streets will surround a park in the middle of the square, which usually has some sort of history attached, many in the form of statues.
Some of the squares that I frequented while there were the Madison Square and Chippewa Square. In fact, a couple was actually getting their wedding pictures at one of the squares as my friend and I were passing through.
4. A Place to Make Reservations
I repeat, make reservations in advance!!!! I don’t know if this is a sign of the times thing because restaurants are struggling to get workers or if it’s always like this. However, we were not on it and we were facing two hour wait times at best, or at worst, no availability at all the whole weekend.
If you have somewhere you know you want to go, like the Olde Pink House or The Collin’s Quarter for brunch, do yourself a favor and make it a priority to make your reservations before you go. Nothing is worse than when you’re starving and find out that every place has a huge wait.
5. A Great Weekend Trip
There is not an overwhelming amount of things that you must do when you visit Savannah, which makes it a great weekend trip. It’s more of a relaxed drink, eat, and walk around sort of place. That being said, you certainly could make a longer trip of it, and should if planning to go to Tybee Island, which is about 30 minutes away. To see an accurate depiction of a weekend in Savannah, check out my girls trip vlog below (and make sure to subscribe for more travel content💕).
6. Good For Shopping
Savannah reminded me of (a smaller) Chicago a little bit. There was a large center, which was under construction, but had stores lining the streets like Lululemon and Kendra Scott. However, there’s also a great variety of boutiques and some upscale touristy shops thrown into the mix. If you like shopping, this is an easy incorporation into your day.
7. Very Historic
If you’re not into history, there are certainly other things to do in Savannah; however, if you are, this really is the place for you. Savannah, GA was an instrumental port city in the American Revolution and Civil War, which lends itself to ghost tours (sooo far from my thing) and popular cemetery sites. The most popular of which is probably the Bonaventure Cemetery.
The city of Savannah also was known for its slavery industry due to the cotton and rice plantations. Today, you can learn about the history by taking tours, such as the historic landmark, the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters.
If you’re into visiting beautiful churches, The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is definitely
a sight to see.
8. Cute Cafe Central
If you know me, you know I am obsessed with cute coffee shops. Something about them just makes my heart happy. Savannah, GA has no shortage of them! The obvious choice is the Paris Café; however, just walking around you will find many more! Of note, was the adorable Shuga Girl Eatery, which even had acai bowls (bonus!). There was also a really cool one we walked into that had people playing chess on the tables built in and had a few dedicated people sitting at laptops and working. If you head to the Cathedral from point 7, Mirabelle’s is right across the street and is known for their waffles!
In summary, if you like history, partying, and being outside, Savannah is a great place for you! I hope this guide helps you prep for your next visit!
Have you been to Savannah, GA? Are there any things you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!
