From its draping Spanish moss and sprawling live oak trees to its lively historic venues and colonial characteristics, a weekend getaway to Savannah is a treat to the senses.
This itinerary is based on my recent long weekend in Savannah, and I was completely captivated by the city. There’s something special about these Southern coastal destinations—they’re unlike anywhere I’ve been before. I always look forward to returning to where Georgia and South Carolina meet at the Atlantic coast.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into this Savannah GA weekend getaway.
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Why visit Savannah for a weekend?
There are so many wonderful reasons to visit historic Savannah. Firstly, Savannah is considered America’s first planned city, and was established in 1733 (which is pretty old by American standards). Today, the city still embodies a lot of its original characteristics, from its cobbled streets, numerous public squares, and colonial and Antebellum architecture.
History lovers will get a kick out of the old-America streets and can get a deeper historic look at museums like the American Prohibition Museum and Savannah History Museum.
Personally, beyond its historic appeal, I love Savannah for its leafy squares and the live oak trees adorned with Spanish moss. They arch across streets, creating a gorgeous canopy that helps keep the city cooler in the summer months.
Plan a Savannah weekend getaway and experience the cool city life while uncovering loads of history and lore. It’s known to be one of the most haunted cities in the country, anyway!
Where to Stay in Savannah, Georgia
Here are my top recommendations for accommodation in Savannah’s Historic District. This is the area I suggest you stay in because it’s the most walkable (and so lovely) for the places you’ll be visiting.
- Sonder The Broughton: Located super centrally on Broughton Street, these are cozy apartments with wooden flooring, brick walls, and full kitchens.
- Cambria Hotel: Clean, bright rooms with big windows and great proximity to many of the places in this itinerary.
- McMillan Inn: If you want a more lavish and regal experience, stay here. It’s dreamy. That’s all I’m going to say.
Savannah GA Weekend Getaway – Itinerary
This Savannah itinerary covers a wide range of activities without feeling overwhelming. You’ll also have time to enjoy drinks, leisure walks, and have an overall chill but motivated weekend–ideal for a girls trip, honestly!
Since you’ll either be driving or flying into Savannah, the itinerary will start around noon that day. Depending on your reservation, you might not be able to check into your accommodation until 3 or 4 p.m. Let’s get into the details of this Savannah 3-day itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Sightseeing
Depending on what time you arrive, it may be around brunch or lunch. So, drop your bags off at your accommodation if able. Otherwise, leave them in the car until it’s time to check-in.
Lunch or Brunch at Collins Quarter or Starland District
If you prefer to focus your stay entirely on the Historic District, then Collins Quarter is quite famous among locals and visitors to Savannah. Their menu is top-notch quality and perfect for brunch or lunch. The vibe is very coffee cafe culture with indoor and outdoor seating as well as a nice range of drinks, both alcoholic and non.
They have two locations and two separate menus for each. For this recommendation, I suggest going to Collins Quarter downtown NOT the one at the park–you’ll go there another day.
Both menus are more of a fusion with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influence.
Check out the menu of Collins Quarter downtown and make a reservation in advance.
They also have indoor and outdoor seating, but the outdoor seating is limited.
Otherwise! We stumbled upon the Starland District and it was so cool. Breweries, cool eateries, bars that serve THC drinks, craft beer, great cocktails, etc.
The weekend we were there was a Renaissance Faire going on so there were loads of vendors and music, and you could buy a drink from one of the bars or restaurants and walk around with it.
If you want to go there, I highly recommend Two Tides Brewing Company. It’s one of Savannah’s most popular breweries, especially if you love sour beer.They tend to have a food truck set up outside, or you can get sandwiches from Uncle June’s and bring them over.
Explore Savannah’s Historic Squares
Next, you’ll be in the right area to start exploring Savannah’s squares. These are a huge part of Savannah’s historic center. The city originally had 24 squares. Now 22 remain, and they have retained many of their original features.
To get to know Savannah’s historic center, you can either download a self-guided walking tour of Historic Savannah or enjoy a leisurely walk through some of the squares and streets.
I recommend the self-guided walking tour because you can go at your own pace and learn a lot more about the city’s history than you would otherwise.
I downloaded the WalknTours app and bought the Old Squares of Savannah tour for around $7. The audio was excellent, and the lady had the perfect voice for storytelling.
The walk begins at Johnson Square and passes icons like The Olde Pink House, Oglethorpe Square, Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, Telfair Square, Chippewa Square, and so much more.
It takes about an hour to complete, leaving you with plenty of time for other activities in the city.
My favorite squares in Savannah:
- Wright Square: Small and cozy, home to Lutheran Church of The Ascension
- Monterey Square: Leafy square with statue dedicated to Monterey Square General Casimir Pulaski
- Chippewa Square: Peaceful square with central statue & Forrest Gump location
- Reynolds Square: Lush square, home to The Olde Pink House & Lucas Theatre
- Greene Square: Quiet little square in a nice, historic neighborhood
Along the way check out places like the Harper Fowlkes House, a Greek Revival mansion, and Telfair Academy with its elegant exterior sculptures.
The Telfair Academy is part of the oldest public art museum in the South, and is full of 19th and 20th century European and American works.
If you’d like to visit, tickets are $30 for adults and that will get you into all three of the Telfair Museums.
Olde Pink House- YATAI Ramen + Yakitori
Dinner
For dinner, there are a few notable options depending on your tastes. I’ll mention two options for this night: an Asian restaurant and a Southern-style restaurant.
Most famously, you can dine at The Olde Pink House, which is a southern restaurant set in a historic colonial mansion with numerous dining rooms, a wine cellar, and a tavern.
The dinner menu at The Olde Pink House is a little more upscale but there are some budget friendly options as well!
Anyway, it’s worth the splurge, as everything is high-quality and well-prepared. Plus, you’ll be dining in the history of a 1700s mansion.
The restaurant closes at 10:30 p.m. on the weekends and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Otherwise, we really liked the Japanese food at YATAI Ramen + Yakitori. Plus, the anime artwork on the walls and Japanese lamps create a fun environment.
YATAI Ramen + Yakitori closes at 9 p.m. on Sundays and weekdays and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Savannah Ghost Tour
Depending on when you prefer to have dinner, you can book your ghost tour for either before or after.
For that, I recommend the Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour! This is a fun little way to spend your first night in Savannah.
The tour shares spooky stories about Savannah’s history and folklore as you ride an open-air trolley through the historic district.
What makes it really worth it, however, is that you’ll get exclusive night-time entry into the Andrew Low House Museum, which is full of history and ghost stories.
Then, once you’re back on River Street, there is one more stop at the Perkins & Sons Chandlery for more immersive ghost stories.
The trolleybus tours tend to start tours from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and last 80 minutes.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to do a trolley tour, there is a ghosts, asylums, and voodoo walking tour option as well by a different company. I haven’t done this one personally, but the reviews are excellent and the storytelling appears to be well worth it.
Drinks on River Street
If the night is still young, the trolleybus tour I mentioned previously will start and begin on River Street. This is one of the more bustling streets, especially during Savannah’s peak tourism times.
You’ll find old America cobbled streets, pretty views of the river, and lots of bars and restaurants.
It will be nighttime when you are here, so feel free to head to one of the bars for a nightcap.
I would suggest a rooftop bar like Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Bar for a relaxed vibe or Wet Willie’s if you love frozen drinks.
And if rooftops don’t matter to you and you love margaritas, then definitely check out the Savannah Tequila Co.
Day 2: Tybee Island + Historic Savannah
Day 2 of your Savannah GA weekend getaway invites you to hop in the car and drive to the coast. It’s a short 30-minute drive to Tybee Island from the downtown historic center and is wonderful to explore, particularly during the warm months when everyone is out and about.
Breakfast & Coffee at The Paris Market
Let me preface this by saying that The Paris Market doesn’t open until 10 a.m. So, if you want to have breakfast sooner then go across the street to Toast! All Day.
However, I love the French vibe of The Paris Market, and if you were out late last night, perhaps 10 a.m. is the perfect time for your itinerary.
They have a seasonal selection of French pastries, sandwiches, quiche, and more. Of course, they serve French-style coffee, such as a cappuccino, latte, and cafe au lait. There are also fresh teas (cold or hot) available as well.
Sit at the Parisian-style tables (indoors or outdoors!), grab a drink, and a flaky croissant for a wonderful snack break on Broughton Street–which is actually the street we stayed on with Sonder.
As the cafe’s name suggests, it’s also a market with a lot of unique, artisan items from home decor to little trinkets. However, the shop is really expensive, so we didn’t end up buying anything. It was $58 for a paper fan!
Bonaventure Cemetery
On your way out to Tybee Island, stop at the Bonaventure Cemetery for a quick or leisurely walk through some of its best spots. Besides, it’s free to enter and more or less on the way to the island.
Anyway, the Bonaventure Cemetery is a historic cemetery, built on a former plantation that dates back to the 1800s. It’s famous for its Spanish moss-covered oaks and lavish tombstones.
While it is free, there is the option of purchasing a guided tour where you’ll ride around the premise on a golf cart learning about various tombs, folklore, and historical details.
Otherwise, Google Maps shows you where some of the most famous graves are. Among the most famous is the grave of Little Gracie Watson. She was a cheerful young girl who entertained guests at her parents’ hotel. Gracie died in the late 1800s from pneumonia and later became a folk figure in Savannah’s history.
Tybee Island
Feel free to spend as much or as little time on Tybee Island as you like–this is your weekend getaway! If you’re a beach bum, chill out in the sand for the afternoon and pack a lunch if you want to be fully dedicated to the waves.
However, there are a few places worth checking out during your Tybee Island day trip. I’ll highlight them below.
Tybee Island Things to Do:
- Tybee Island Lighthouse: This is the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia. You can pay to reach the top and get awesome coastal views. It also has a museum.
- Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion: Walk out above the water for nice perspectives of Tybee Island and see fishermen out at work!
- Tybrisa Street: This is where you’ll find most of the shops and surrounding restaurants.
- The Crab Shack: Popular spot for seafood on the island.
- Spanky’s Beachside: Budget-friendly local’s American eatery with Atlantic views.
Don’t forget some must-have items for a beach vacation—an oversized towel, sunscreen, a hat, etc.
Anyway, I suggest heading back by 5 p.m. to enjoy the rest of the evening in Savannah.
Explore River Street Properly
Once you’re back in Savannah, head back to River Street to see it before sunset. There is the Savannah River Street Market which houses loads of vendors selling jewelry, souvenirs, and local crafts. There are also some bars and cafes within the market, too.
The Market is open until 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on weekends.
Another gem to see is at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza where you’ll find the 1995 Georgia Queen paddle steamer, which was originally built as a floating casino. It now operates as a river cruise.
Nonetheless, take a little wander down River Street before dinner.
Dinner
For dinner on your second night in Savannah, I suggest Vic’s On The River. They serve high-end Southern cuisine with multiple rooms to dine in, including a patio and a dining room with river views.
If you’re not from the South, this is a great restaurant to try dishes like fried green tomatoes, Oysters Rockefeller, shrimp and grits, and more. Besides, it’s also relatively vegetarian friendly with some excellently crafted salads, sauteed spinach, cheddar grits, etc. The fried green tomatoes are also vegetarian.
Dessert at Leopold’s Ice Cream
Finish off the night by visiting the 1919 ice cream parlor called Leopold’s Ice Cream. It has that classic old-school aesthetic with indoor and outdoor seating.
I love that it’s right beside the theatre. There’s something so classic about last-night ice cream shops and cinema lights.
They have a lot of flavors to choose from and you can choose cup, sugar cone, or waffle cone.
I ended up with mint chocolate chip and my mom got vanilla chocolate chip–both were delicious!
The parlor closes at 9 p.m. on Sundays and weekdays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Day 3: Last Day in Savannah
And just like that, you’ve reached the last day of your Savannah weekend getaway. But no worries, there are still a few highlights to see before you go.
Historic Jones Street
On your walk to brunch this morning, stop when you reach Jones Street. It’s an amazing spot for photos, thanks to the sprawling live oak and Spanish moss that create natural shade. located between the cathedral and Forsyth Park, so it perfectly follows the itinerary.
Plus, the street is cobbled and it’s mostly a residential street and the colors of thouse perfectly suit the vibe.
Brunch at Collins Quarter at Forsyth Park
Collins Quarter is easily the city’s best brunch and lunch spot. Remember that they do have two locations, one in the park and the other on Bull Street. For this day, I’d like you to visit Collins Quarter at Forsyth.
They have a lot of outdoor seating, which is perfect if the weather is pleasant. Otherwise, take advantage of their cozy indoor dining which still has nice park views from the windows.
They serve specialty coffee, craft beers, cocktails, etc. Then, for food, they serve various toasts, Turkish eggs, fish and chips, a gorgeous harvest quinoa bowl (add falafel!), lox, gyros, burgers, and more. It seems like a lot but it’s still a relatively small menu, and everything is incredibly well made.
A Walk Through Forsyth Park
The largest park in the historic district, Forsyth Park is a must-see when visiting Savannah. The park was created in the late 1800s by Georgia Governor John Forsyth, and is a vibrant central hub of the city.
IIts most famous feature, and one of the most photographed spots in the city, is the iconic Forsyth Fountain. In fact, it’s a cast-iron replica of a design from Versailles Palace in France.
After brunch in the park, I suggest you enjoy a leisurely walk through the park and admire the fountain before heading toward the cathedral basilica.
Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
Located near Lafayette Square, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is one of Savannah’s most beautiful buildings—inside and out.It’s located perfectly for your walk from the park back to the North Historic District.
It opened in 1873 and follows a French Gothic architectural style. I highly recommend going inside for the full experience, and it is free to enter.
The cathedral has beautiful vaulted ceilings with blue details, a historic organ, and stained glass windows. It feels a lot like visiting a cathedral just about anywhere in Europe, and what weekend getaway doesn’t want that feeling!
Shopping around Broughton Street
Finally, grab one last coffee from The Paris Market or The Coffee Fox (which is right across the street), and do some last minute shopping on Broughton Street.
Broughton Street is at the heart of Savannah’s shopping scene. There is a mix of well-known retail brands and local boutiques. Shop trendy options like J.Crew, Free People, Urban Outfitters, and Gap Factory, alongside Savannah-based favorites.
For local finds, check out The Paris Market, but remember it is pricey but if you’re looking for curated antiques, home decor, and artisan items, it’s the place to be. Then, The Salt Table is a must-visit for locally made seasonings, salts, and gourmet gifts.
If you’re a fellow book lover, stop by E. Shaver Bookseller, an independent bookstore with cozy reading nooks. However, visit this spot after Forsyth Park because it’s on Bull Street not Broughton.
And finally, for souvenirs stop by Aleksandra’s Gift Shop. Lots of Savannah-related bits and bob there as well as general apparel.
Additional Tips for Your Savannah Weekend Trip
Getting Around: The historic district is very walkable, but you might consider renting a bike or using the free DOT shuttles.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall offer the best weather, but Savannah’s charm shines year-round with the beach nearby and cool events happening year round.
Extra Time? If you have an additional time during your Savannah GA weekend getaway, I suggest exploring Wormsloe Historic Site for its famous oak-lined avenue or spending an afternoon in one of the many museums like SCAD Museum of Art or the Telfair Museums.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this weekend in Savannah itinerary to plan your trip. You are more than welcome to reach out down below with any comments or questions you may have. I always try to reply as soon as I see the comment. Happy travels!
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