The coastal town of Savannah is the epitome of Southern charm and beauty. From its cobblestone squares and neatly-manicured parks to its horse-drawn carriages and exquisite architecture, you may feel as if you’ve stepped into a postcard or a Hollywood movie when you visit. Although Savannah is full of history and natural beauty to be explored, there’s plenty of other things to do here too, including shopping, museums and of course, some fine Southern dining. But, if you only find yourself in this sweet town for a short period of time, here are the very best things that you’ll want to make sure you leave time for on your schedule.
Tour the historic district
No trip to Savannah would be complete without visiting its gorgeous historic district, so make sure you start your trip off right with a tour of downtown. You can choose to view the sites from a walking tour, a Segway tour, a horse-drawn carriage or an old town-style trolley. No matter which method you choose, you’ll learn all kinds of interesting information about the city’s history, architecture and culture and have plenty of photo ops for Instagram-worthy pics. You can also choose to take a special themed tour where you’ll learn about the city’s food scene or its haunted history.
Visit the Webb Military Museum
If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to head next to the Webb Military Museum, also located downtown, just off of York Street. Here, you’ll learn all about the rich military history of Savannah from the Civil War all the way up to Operation Desert Storm. As you walk through the museum, you’ll see original uniforms and equipment, as well as medals, photographs and other mementos. There’s also a gift shop on-site where you can pick up a souvenir or a replica item to take home.
Eat some authentic Southern cuisine
Speaking of food, while you’re in Savannah, you’ll want to try some authentic Southern cuisine by stopping in at one of the city’s most popular restaurants like Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room. Although it’s not fancy, Mrs. Wilkes will have a line formed around the corner, so make sure you get there early! This comfy, home-like spot serves up family-style meals of fried chicken, cornbread dressing, sweet potato soufflé, okra, black-eyed peas, biscuits and of course, plenty of sweet tea. It’s the ultimate Southern eating experience and you might make a new friend or two while you’re at it!
Have a drink at the distillery
After a long day of exploring and a filling meal of comfort food, it’s time to kick back and relax with an after-dinner drink at the Ghost Coast Distillery on Indian Street in downtown. Tours of the facility end at 6 p.m., but you can stop in anytime up until 9 p.m. to visit the Cocktail Room and try one of their hand-crafted cocktails, as well as sample a variety of small-batch spirits and liqueurs. Try a mule, a basil sour or a greyhound, made with Ghost Coast vodka, St. Germain, grapefruit juice and lemon juice.
Explore nature at Skidaway Island
After a full day in the city and a good night’s rest, it’s time to start your second day outside in nature. Skidaway Island, a Georgia State Park located just outside of Savannah, is also located on the state’s Intracoastal Waterway and offers lots of opportunity for spotting deer, birds, egrets and a variety of other wildlife. In addition to walkways that wind through the park’s forest and marsh areas, there’s also a large observation tower and a reptile room to explore. There are also plenty of open-air shelters where you can relax with a picnic, so make sure to pack a lunch to bring with you!
Visit the beach
During your visit to Savannah, you have to see its beautiful beaches. From Skidaway Island, the beaches of Tybee Island are just about a half hour drive away. Here, you can spend the afternoon walking along the sand, taking a ride in a kayak or learning about the island’s history at the Tybee Museum. There are also lots of great waterfront restaurants with fresh local seafood and live music, so make sure you stop for a bite before you head out of town!
