Our family recently went on a long weekend trip to Savannah, Georgia and we loved it! If you’ve never been to Savannah you should definitely go. Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and has a very deep history. Everyone should experience the Southern charm of Savannah at least once. Read on to plan your weekend trip to Savannah and get tips on where to stay, where to go, and what to do in this charming little city in the South.

Getting There

We live in Atlanta, Georgia so Savannah is only a 4-hour drive from our home. If you live in another country or further away in the U.S., you can book your flight to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. I’d say 3-4 days would be a good amount of time to see Savannah.

Where to Stay

Hands down the Historic District is the best location when visiting Savannah. Everything is within walking distance, which makes getting around super easy!

There are several accommodation choices within the Historic District. We stayed at the Staybridge Suites-Historic District Savannah because of the location, the rate, and the fact that they had a kitchen (and we have a baby). We also got free breakfast and their parking fee was $20 per night (versus $30 per night at other hotels). Staybridge Suites-Historic District is on Bay Street, right across from River Street.

Other budget-friendly hotels in the area are the Holiday Inn; Holiday Inn Express & Suites; and the Hampton Inn. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, then check out the Hyatt; Andaz Savannah; the De Soto; and the Bohemian Hotel. The Cotton Sail Hotel and B Historic Savannah are great options as well.

If hotels just aren’t your thing, don’t worry! There are quite a few bed & breakfasts and vacation rentals available in the area. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding one suitable for you.

Getting Around

Walking

The best way to see the Historic District is on foot. If you take my advice and stay in the Historic District area then everything should be within walking distance. Now don’t expect to see the entire place all at once if you are only visiting for a day. If that’s the case I suggest you use the trolley tours or the DOT free fare bus.

Trolley Tours

Trolley tours are a great way to see Savannah and learn about its history, especially if it’s your first time. We used Old Town Trolley Tours, a hop-on, hop-off trolley that takes you around the entire historic district/downtown area and is accessible for the entire day. The trolley tours provide a great overview of Savannah and I loved that the drivers gave us the history of each sight as they drove along.

I think this is the most efficient way to get around the Historic District, especially for first time visitors. The key is to decide which attractions you want to visit, then use the Trolley Tours map beforehand to figure out where you need to get off. Once you’re done sight-seeing and exploring, you can get on the next trolley and move on to your next stop.

The trolley is kid-friendly (as long as you have a collapsible stroller) and extremely efficient. The Old Town Trolley Tour was $33 per adult and well worth it.

The DOT (free downtown transportation system)

The DOT provides free transportation around the historic district area of Savannah. It consists of the Express shuttle (Forsyth and Downtown loops) and the Belles Ferry (which takes you to Hutchinson Island). The DOT is another efficient way to get around the Historic District especially with its user-friendly map. It’s free and like the trolley, cuts down on walking time. However, unlike the trolley, there’s no narrated tour so you’ll miss out on the history. If this is your first time, you are better off taking the trolley and learning the city a bit before taking the bus.

Car/Uber

If you fly into Savannah, I don’t recommend renting a car, unless you’re going to be in Savannah for a longer time. You could always take an Uber from the airport, as well as to other sights that are further out, such as Tybee Island.

If you drive to Savannah or decide to rent a car, I still recommend you park your car at your hotel and experience the Historic District on foot with the help of the trolleys or the free fare bus. Keep in mind, you pretty much have to pay for parking anywhere.

Where to Eat

There is no shortage of restaurants in Savannah. You will definitely want to enjoy some good seafood and Southern cooking while you’re there. Some popular restaurants include: the Olde Pink House; Mrs. Wilke’s dining room (the line starts at 11:00 a.m.); the Grey; Public Kitchen and Bar; Rocks on the River, and Vic’s on the River. Keep in mind, the popular restaurants attract a crowd, so make reservations ahead of time if you can.

What to Do

Day 1 – Tybee Island

As soon as we arrived and checked into our hotel, we grabbed our swim suits and headed straight to North Beach in Tybee Island. Tybee Island is only a 20-minute drive from the Historic District and being a beach-lover myself it’s worth the trip.

North Beach

We decided to go to North Beach because it’s family friendly and has a restaurant. South Beach is also an option but we’ll check it out next time. We spent the day relaxing on the beach and had dinner at the restaurant, North Beach Grill. The food at North Beach Grill is okay, but the band was pretty amazing.

Tybee Island Lighthouse

If you go to North Beach, you can also see and visit the Tybee Island lighthouse. The lighthouse is open every day except Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Regular priced tickets (for adults) are $7.

Stop at Bonaventure Cemetery on your way to or from Tybee Island (if you are up for it)

If you head out to Tybee Island early enough, you may want to stop at one of Savannah’s popular attractions – Bonaventure Cemetery. Yes, it’s a cemetery but not like any other. If you’re interested stop by and see, it’s beautiful.

Day 2 – Historic District – Part I

A good friend who lives in Savannah recommended that we take a Trolley to get around the Historic District and learn more about the city. I was unsure at first, thinking we’d prefer to walk. However, considering that this was our only full day to try to see everything, we decided to give it a shot. We took Old Towne Trolley Tours (see above). So happy we did! We were able to see and learn about most of the sights in the Historic District by just driving on the trolley. We stopped at the attractions that were on our must-see list and explored these sights on our own.

Forsyth Park – Trolley Stop 4

Forsyth Park is the largest park in the Historic District, covering 30 acres of land. It was the furthest sight away from our hotel, so we made it our first stop. It would’ve been a 20-minute walk but the trolley got us there in a few minutes

There’s a lot of fun activity in Forsyth Park. You can just stroll around or relax on a park bench; do some people watching or listen to the tunes of local musicians. There is a lovely playground which is great for kids. My son had to stop and go on the swing! There’s also a farmer’s market at the park on Saturdays.

Forsyth Park is well-known for its large fountain. It’s a must-see so make sure you head towards the North end of the park to see it.

We spent an hour hanging out in Forsyth Park. We then walked to Stop 5 on E. Gordon street and hopped on the trolley to our next stop.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist – Trolley Stop 6

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a must-see when visiting Savannah. This iconic symbol of Savannah is the oldest Catholic church in Georgia, which is ironic considering at one point, Catholics were not allowed in Georgia during the early colonial charter days.

This ban was not for religious reasons, but instead for military/political strategy. The British believed that Catholics would have more loyalty to the Spanish in Florida than to the British government in Georgia if a conflict arose. The ban went away after the American revolution.

Constructed in 1873 and rebuilt in 1898 after a great fire, the Church displays beautiful Victorian Gothic architecture. The Church is beautiful from the outside, but the interior is even more exquisite.

The Cathedral is open to the public 9:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Viewing is not allowed during mass for obvious reasons.

Lunch at The Public Kitchen and Bar

After visiting the Cathedral, we were ready to eat. We walked down East Liberty Street (becomes West Liberty Street) and found The Public Kitchen and Bar. If you are in the area, stop by and grab a delicious lunch. They have a nice rooftop section with amazing views! Other restaurants in the area include Treylor Park, Soho South Cafe, and1540 Room.

Tip: the tricky thing with trying to eat at a restaurant in Savannah during the weekend is that you may be stuck waiting on a table. If you can, call ahead to make reservations.

City Market – Stop 7

City Market is a 4 block open air market that has been around since the 1700s. It’s a pretty cool section in Savannah and a definite must-see. There are a selection of restaurants, stores, and art galleries. If you didn’t eat at one of the previous stops, you can grab some lunch at one of City Market’s restaurants – Belford’s Savannah (lunch 11:00a.m.-4p.m.); Cafe at City Market, Wild Wing Cafe; and Vinnie Van Go Go (pizza – cash only – open for lunch on weekends only).

Spend some time strolling around City Market and enjoy some music from a street musician, or if you are lucky, an open air concert. There’s also the American Prohibition Museum and the Telfair Museum of Art, so you can stop by and check these out as well.

City Market is also pretty lively at night. There are a selection of bars and lounges so if you’re wondering what the nightlife is like in Savannah, check out City Market. If you’re staying in the Historic District, chances are you can walk to City Market from your hotel.

The Haitian Monument – Stop 7 or Stop 12

We continued walking through City Market on West St. Julian street to see the Haitian Monument. The Haitian Monument is in the middle of Franklin Square. I’m from the Caribbean, so this was a definite must-see.

The Haitian Monument is a tribute to the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue who fought for the U.S. during the American Revolution in 1779. These soldiers were recruited from Haiti (back then known as the French colony of Saint-Domingue). It took 230 years for the people of Haiti to receive this recognition for their forefathers’ role in the Revolutionary war.

First African Baptist Church – Stop 7 or Stop 12

Right across the street from the Haitian Monument is another must-see, the First African Baptist Church. The First African Baptist Church was organized in 1773, but the present Church building was completed in 1859. The Church still has original structures such as the pipe organ, baptismal pool, and the light fixtures and oak pews in the balcony. The holes in the floor are shaped in an African symbol, known as the BaKongo Cosmogram.

These holes served as breathing holes for slaves hidden beneath the floor boards. The Church was part of the underground railroad and served as a sanctuary for slaves escaping to the North. The nine patch quilt design in the ceiling served as a hidden signal to represent a place of rest and sanctuary for runaway slaves seeking freedom.

There is a very deep history here, one that I think everyone should learn through a tour of the Church itself. Tours are available Wednesday to Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

After visiting the First African Baptist Church, we walked back to Stop 7 at City Market and took the trolley back to our hotel (Stop 11 for Bay street).

Dinner at the Olde Pink House

We got ready for dinner and headed over to the Olde Pink House restaurant for our 6:00 p.m. dinner reservation. The Olde Pink House is located on 29 Abercorn Street, right across from Reynolds Square, and just a short walk from our hotel. This restaurant is highly recommended.

The food was amazing and the menu has a variety of options. The restaurant itself has a lovely ambiance and the service was excellent. We had a great experience here and will definitely return during our next trip to Savannah.

Enjoy Leopold’s Ice Cream in Reynolds Square

After dinner, we walked down to Leopold’s to grab some ice-cream. This is another must-do in Savannah, although it may be bit tricky if you are short on time because there’s always a long line.

We toughed it out and got our ice cream though. We walked back to Reynolds Square where we sat and enjoyed our ice cream. This was a perfect way to end the evening.

If you don’t want to end the day here, check out City Market and/or River Street at night.

Day 3 – Historic District – Part II

River Street

We saved River Street for our last day simply because it was right across the street from our hotel. You can get to River street by taking the elevator at either the Hyatt or the Bohemian hotel to the lower level. This was awesome for us because we had a stroller (when you see the road that goes down into River Street, you will understand).

Breakfast at Rocks on the River

We decided to have breakfast at Rocks on the River at the Bohemian Hotel. This was a great choice because there was hardly any wait and the food was amazing! You can also ask to be seated on the rooftop so you could have a great view of the Savannah river, but we were told that section does not open until 11:00 a.m. We’ll try for the roof next time.

Stroll along River Street

After brunch, we took a lovely stroll along River Street and enjoyed the view of the Savannah River.

River Street has a number of restaurants and bars and is a lively spot for visitors both day and night. However, we were there pretty early in the morning (10 a.m) so it was not very crowded.

There are quite a few monuments on River Street, two of which I really wanted see up close: the African American Monument and the World War II Memorial.

African American Monument

Savannah’s African-American Monument honors the contributions made by its black citizens over the years. The Monument also acknowledges Savannah’s role in the institution of slavery.

The Monument shows a family of four embracing after emancipation with broken chains laying at their feet. The words of Maya Angelou are inscribed on its base.

World War II Memorial – A World Apart

The World War II Monument honors Chatham County veterans who served in the Second World War. The Monument is also known as the Cracked Earth Monument. The split globe symbolizes the divided world in conflict. When you walk through the crack, you will see the names of the 527 soldiers from Chatham County who lost their lives in the war.

Other monuments on River Street include: The Waving Girl (Florence Martus); the Anchor Monument; and the Olympic Yachting Cauldron. We got to see these monuments when we drove through River Street as part of our Trolley Tour the day before.

Riverboat Cruise

A Riverboat cruise is another unique way to see Savannah and gain a different perspective of the city. Cruise along the Savannah River with views of the city and the harbor. You will get to see the Waving Girl, Hutchinson Island, and Old Fort Jackson. The narrated tour provides stories of the city. Sunset, Moonlight, and regular cruises are all options. There are also Lunch, Brunch, and Dinner cruises available.

And just like that, our weekend in Savannah was over. We packed up and headed back to Atlanta. This was definitely a fun weekend. We enjoyed our trip and learned so much! Not sure why we don’t come here more often, but that’s about to change, we will be back!