Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia. Savannah is a special place for our family: Jocelyn lived here for ten years and our oldest son was born in Savannah, so we always look forward to our Savannah Georgia vacation. For first-time visitors, there are some things you should know before planning a trip to Savannah.
What to See in Savannah
There are a lot of things to see in Savannah, and we have been visiting Savannah for over 20 years, so we definitely have our favorite Savannah attractions. Even if you only have a weekend in Savannah, you can still see a lot of the best sights.
- Savannah History Museum is a great place to start your Savannah trip as you can learn about the history of Savannah, and plan the rest of your stay.
- Historic home tours are some of the best things to do in Savannah. There are tons to choose from, so a bit of research before your trip will go a long way to ensure you pick the right tours for you! Here are a few that we recommend:
- Mercer-Williams House Museum is the house from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
- Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, where the founder of the Girl Scouts was born.
- The Green-Meldrim House is where Sherman stayed during the Civil War
- Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters presents the history of the house through the lens of slavery. This is one of several Telfair Museums in Savannah; they are all quite interesting and worth visiting.
- The Davenport House Museum is where the Savannah preservation movement began and led to the founding of the Historic Savannah Foundation.
- King-Tisdell Cottage is a Victorian Cottage that was once home to prominent African-American entrepreneurs.
- Harper-Fowlkes House is a Greek Revival mansion built in 1842 and later owned by a preservationist who donated the home on the condition that the interior remains intact.
- Georgia State Railroad Museum has old steam trains and you can even go for a ride on select days of the week. Check the website ahead of time so you don’t miss it!
- Savannah Children’s Museum is an outdoor museum where kids can run and play.
- Admire Savannah’s architecture. Just walking around and taking in the historic buildings and the preservation projects is free and interesting!
- The Public Squares of Savannah are one of the draws for visitors; there are several squares you can walk to, with monuments, fountains, and that famous Spanish Moss hanging from the trees.
- Forsyth Park is especially great if you are visiting Savannah with kids because they’ll have tons of room to run around and play, while the adults admire the monuments. If you happen to visit Savannah on St. Patrick’s Day, they dye the fountain water green.
Savannah Tours
Guided tours are some of the best things to do in Savannah. There are a ton of tours to take when you visit Savannah. While we love to explore on our own, sometimes it’s nice to get more history and background from a tour guide. And there are a ton of niche tours you can take in Savannah.
- Take a Trolley Tour from the Savannah History Museum. This is a great way to get to know the layout of Savannah, and you can make a list of all the things you want to see during your trip. You also learn a lot about the history of Savannah, so this is the perfect activity for your first day in Savannah.
- Savannah claims to be one of the most haunted cities in America, so ghost tours are very popular here. Some Savannah ghost tours are better than others, so do your research!
- Walking tours that focus on architecture and history tours are also popular
- Riverboat Tours are fun and a great way to get out on the water
- Food tours and pub tours are the best way to sample some of the best food and beverages in Savannah and learn about the stories behind the cuisine.
Savannah Tourist Traps
Since Savannah is such a popular travel destination, there are bound to be some tourist traps trying to lure you in. Not all tourist traps are necessarily bad and usually, there is a reason something became so popular. As long as you know what you are getting into, there’s nothing wrong with including a few tourist traps in your Savannah itinerary.
- Some Savannah ghost tours are worthwhile and others are total tourist traps. Before you choose the Savannah ghost tour you want, read a lot of reviews. Choose one with more historical context and less ‘paranormal’ activity as those tend to be a bit cheesy.
- Pedicabs have popped up in seemingly every tourist town nowadays, and it can seem like a fun alternative to a taxi or Uber. But Savannah is flat and super walkable; save your money for something more worthwhile.
- Similarly, the peddle-bars are the most tourist-trappy and most hated by the locals. In a town where you can literally walk around with an open cocktail, peddling around the streets while drinking just seems silly.
- Locals will say Tybee Island is a tourist trap, but we still think it’s worth the trip.
- City Market was at one time an authentic market, but it’s now pretty touristy and not all that interesting. Sure, there are bars and restaurants, but you’re going to pay more because of the location. In the same vein, River Street is pretty touristy, but it’s worth going to see. Just know that you’ll be surrounded by t-shirt and candy shops.
- Restaurants like Paula Deen’s Lady and Sons are part of what made Savannah so popular, but the lines are so long that it’s not really worth it. You can get food that is just as good around the corner at a lesser-known Savannah restaurant.
- Likewise, Leopold’s Ice Cream has become super touristy. It doesn’t mean their ice cream isn’t delicious, it just isn’t worth getting sunstroke while you wait in line in the hot sun. If you want to try Leopold’s, there are two locations at the airport.
What to Eat in Savannah
Let’s be honest, all of the Savannah attractions are secondary to the food. You come to Savannah to eat! And not all food in Savannah is deep-fried in butter. While you can get just about every type of cuisine in Savannah, these are the quintessential foods you must try when you visit Savannah.
- Seafood is king in Savannah. If you don’t live on the ocean, take advantage of Savannah’s location and eat all the fresh seafood you can find! You’ll see shrimp, grouper, red snapper, crab, and oysters. Of course, there are the seafood dishes like Shrimp and Grits, She-Crab Soup, and Crab Rice that are also super tasty!
- Low Country Boil is basically shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes all boiled together. It’s fun to make with a big group of friends and you dump it all out on a newspaper. Because it’s usually served as a communal meal, a lot of tourists miss out on this Savannah specialty. You can get it in some restaurants, but it’s not the same experience.
- Another communal eating experience to have in Savannah is an oyster roast. This is more of a winter tradition, and the oysters are often roasted over an open fire on the beach. If someone invites you to a Savannah oyster roast, don’t miss it!
- Po-Boys are a popular Southern sandwich, and the two favorite types are shrimp po-boys or oyster po-boys. Oyster po-boys in Savannah are the best!
- We’re still in the South, after all, so you can’t go wrong with BBQ. There are some great BBQ joints in Savannah, so once you’ve had your fill of seafood, try some southern BBQ.
- “Meat And 3” is a Southern style of order, where you get one meat plus three side dishes, like collard greens, buttered beans, okra, biscuits, and macaroni and cheese. It’s a great way to sample side dishes in smaller quantities.
- Boiled peanuts are one of Liam’s favorite snacks in Savannah. They take fresh, green peanuts and boil them in a salty brine. They are served “wet” in the shell, so you don’t eat the shell, but you can suck some of the flavors out of it. You won’t find them on River Street or touristy places, but if you’re in a gas station or a bait shop, there’s a good chance they sell hot boiled peanuts.
- Biscuits are another Southern staple and they aren’t just for breakfast! We can never get our fill of biscuits in Savannah!
Other Southern meals that are easy to find in Savannah include fried chicken, pimento cheese, deviled eggs, and fried green tomatoes.
Where to Eat in Savannah
Choosing where to eat in Savannah can be difficult because there are so many amazing restaurants! There are tourist mainstays, but there are plenty of other Savannah restaurants that aren’t famous but equally good. Ask the locals where they eat!
- Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is your classic “down home” Southern restaurant, and the sides are served family-style so you can sample a bunch. Lunch only.
- The Pirate’s House is one of the oldest restaurants in Savannah and they are known for honey pecan fried chicken. Their Chatham Artillery Punch is a pretty tasty cocktail!
- Cotton & Rye is a more modern gastropub, with an ever-changing menu
- 45 Bistro has a mouth-watering beef carpaccio appetizer and woodfired pizzas
- Tubby’s locations have the best oyster po-boys in Savannah!
- Sisters of the New South is our favorite to get a “Meat and 3”
- Wiley’s BBQ is our go-to for barbecue in Savannah
- B&D Burger is Liam’s favorite place for a burger in Savannah
- Crystal Beer Parlor serves Southern-style food in an old grocery store
- Vinny Van Go Go’s for pizza
- Garibaldi’s flourless chocolate torte is Jocelyn’s favorite dessert (they also have a great crispy scored flounder)
- Rancho Alegre has great Cuban food
Where to Drink in Savannah
The beauty of Savannah is that you can drink anywhere! Most restaurants and bars will offer “TGC” or To Go Cups so you can enjoy your cocktail while you stroll the streets of Savannah. River Street is the main hub for Savannah nightlife and dining.
- For local beer, head to Moon River Brewery
- The basement of the Olde Pink House is a great spot for classic cocktails and live music.
- 17Hundred90 Inn is a cozy bar that’s perfect for a winter night in Savannah.
Don’t Be An Ugly Tourist
Anytime we travel, whether it’s abroad or close to home, we try not to be “ugly tourists.” You know the ones. They annoy the locals and give other travelers a bad name. It usually just comes down to being courteous and polite, but every destination has a few specific things you can do to avoid being an ugly tourist. In Savannah, there are a few things you can do to avoid being an ugly tourist.
- Don’t joke about Slow-Vannah. Yes, it’s the South, and things move at a slower pace, but that’s part of the culture and nothing to be ashamed of. If you want to use a nickname, stick with “Hostess City.”
- Don’t hold up traffic, whether you are driving or meandering down the sidewalk. Things may have a slower pace here, but there are still people trying to get to work or get home from work. Don’t block their way while you gawk at the historic mansions. Honestly, this applies to every travel destination.
- This especially applies to driving around the squares of Savannah. They work like a roundabout, but with tourists and locals driving plus tourists cutting across the streets, it can get confusing. Just park your car and enjoy the squares on foot. The locals will appreciate it.
- Don’t complain about the climate or the bugs. Yes, there are mosquitos and palmetto bugs and sand gnats. Yes, it’s hot and humid. Bugs come with the territory. And if you don’t like hot and humid weather, don’t visit Savannah in the summer! The locals are used to it, so complaining about it won’t get you anywhere.
- If you’re visiting friends, don’t ask them to hit up the tourist traps with you. Instead of making them wait in line with you for Leopold’s Ice Cream, ask them to show you their favorite ice cream spot that’s not as well known to tourists.
- Paula Deen may have made Savannah food world-famous, but that doesn’t mean every dish here is deep-fried with a stick of butter. Not everything you eat in Savannah will be deep-fried so don’t imply that. Some of the best food in Savannah is fresh seafood, prepared simply.
- Don’t park where you’re not supposed to! Living and working in a tourist town is challenging enough without tourists taking up your parking spaces. Paying upfront for parking will be a lot cheaper than getting towed, and you won’t annoy the locals in the process.
- Don’t expect anything other than sweet tea when you order tea. You’re in the south; all tea is sweet tea unless you specifically order unsweet tea.
St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah
Savannah is the “Hostess City” so naturally, the town knows how to throw a party! There are lots of great Savannah festivals to attend, but the most popular is St. Patrick’s Day! It’s one of the largest celebrations in the country, and almost 500,000 people attend every year!
If you plan to spend St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, here are our top tips for making the most of your time.
- You have to get to the parade super early to get a good spot. The squares don’t open until 6 am, but people arrive well before that so they can be the first ones in to set up their space. I staked out our spot around 3:30 in the morning!
- Likewise, you have to book your Savannah accommodation way in advance. There are lots of hotels in Savannah, but the population practically doubles during St. Patrick’s day, so get your reservations in early! Because of the crowds, hotels often implement extra rules to keep things orderly.
- Know where the public restrooms are before you need them! Hotels and restaurants won’t let you in unless you’re a guest or a patron, so check ahead of time where you can use the restroom.
- The parade starts around 10:15 and goes on for a couple of hours. However, the party goes on into the evening even after the parade has ended.
- Parking is a nightmare! Last time, we had a 45-minute walk from our parking spot to the parade spot. If you can stay near the parade route, it’s probably worth the extra cost.
- Savannah has pretty loose liquor laws, and you can have open containers, but there are still rules to be followed. Your drinks have to be in a plastic cup and must be 16 oz or smaller.
- The popular Savannah restaurants will have ridiculous wait times, so don’t plan to eat at the Savannah classics; just grab something easy and save the popular spots for a time when there isn’t an extra million visitors in town.
- Just enjoy the fact that you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in one of the best small towns in America! Take in the green fountains, the live music, and the camaraderie.
Tybee Island, Savannah’s Beach
You might want to break up your eating and history-absorbing activities with some time spent relaxing on a sandy beach. Tybee Island is one of the most popular day trips from Savannah, as it’s just 25 minutes to the beach. Getting to Tybee Island is super easy if you are driving from Savannah. Parking can be a bit of a hassle so if you’re renting a house, make sure parking is included. When parking at the beach, pay attention to signs and don’t let your meters run out. They ticket frequently!
There are several public beaches on Tybee Island. There’s South Beach, North Beach, Mid Beach, Back River, and Little Tybee. Yes, Tybee Island is a bit touristy and definitely a place where people go to party, but it’s worth the trip!
What’s great about the Tybee Island beaches is they are quite large and open, so you never feel super crowded. At certain times of the year, you can also see dolphins. You do need to follow a few rules when visiting the Tybee beaches.
- Pay attention to any signage, as they get some pretty strong riptides from time to time. With smaller kids, we recommend Back River beach as the current and tides are not as strong.
- Don’t forget a towel and/or beach chairs. The sand gets super hot, so you want something to sit on when you’re not in the water. There are places to rent and buy beach essentials all over the island.
- Don’t bring glass containers to the beach! You can have beer or other alcoholic drinks, but they must be in a can or plastic container. They will fine you for having glass containers.
- Don’t play in the sand dunes. There are fines for this as well, as the dunes are protected because sea turtles often lay their eggs there.
You don’t have to spend all your time on the beach. There are different excursions you can book, like fishing charters and dolphin tours. We love renting beach cruisers and riding around the island.
If you’re staying out on Tybee, then you’ll be hitting up some of the restaurants as well. It’s all about seafood on Tybee Island. Save the Southern cuisine for Savannah and just enjoy all of the fresh seafood you can order. Two great places to eat on Tybee Island are The Crab Shack and AJ’s Dockside. North Beach Grill is also good.
If you want to stay on Tybee Island, there are a few hotels, but we prefer to rent a beach bungalow or an apartment. Restaurants on Tybee are expensive, so it’s nice to have a kitchen to cook a few meals at home rather than eating out every single day.
Is Savannah Safe?
Savannah is a mid-sized city with a population of around 150,000. Savannah does have a fairly high crime rate compared to other similar-sized cities, but it’s important to understand that this typically does not affect tourists. We have found the historic district of Savannah to be fairly safe, but we take precautions just like we would in any other city.
The biggest safety concerns in Savannah are generally not crime-related, but there are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Cobblestone streets are found throughout Savannah’s historic district, and if you’re not careful, you could fall and twist or break an ankle.
- Getting down to River Street can be challenging as your options are an old stone staircase or walking in the road with cars. However, there is an elevator you can take to get down to River Street much more easily.
- You do need to pay attention at night when walking around and use caution, especially if you’ve been sampling some of the tasty cocktails in Savannah.
- Don’t leave valuables in your car as that is the most likely target for petty theft and criminals.
- Cycling is popular in Savannah and not everyone stays in the bike lane, so make sure you are paying attention when crossing the street and make sure there aren’t any bicycles bearing down on you.
- The heat and humidity of Savannah summers can be dangerous! Avoid these months if you can, but if you must visit Savannah in summer, make sure you stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and don’t plan anything for the middle of the day.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
If you haven’t guessed by now, we absolutely love visiting Savannah Georgia! From the food to the festivals, the Southern hospitality, and the Tybee Island beaches, you can’t go wrong planning a trip to Savannah…unless it’s August! Need more travel tips for the South? Check out these blog posts:
