Best Things to Do in Savannah
The Spanish moss-draped live oaks stand over the streets and squares of Savannah like the cover of a great book. Walk below them and unlock the many stories of Georgia's oldest city, while writing one of your own.
In addition to colorful history, you'll find contemporary eateries, historic attractions and great museums in the city TIME Magazine named one of the World’s Greatest Places to explore in 2021. Here is a full day or two worth of things to do in one of our favorite Georgia cities, Savannah.
Start with breakfast
Back In The Day Bakery
Start your Savannah adventure at this award-winning, much-lauded Southern bakery. They make things the old-fashioned way, and owners Cheryl and David Day include lots of love in everything they bake. Make sure to get a cupcake to go – you can pretend it's a muffin and eat it right away if you want.
The Collins Quarter
Countless Georgia restaurants are Instagram-worthy, but Savannah's Australian-inspired The Collins Quarter cafe is a popular choice. The sidewalk dining and interior spaces are stunning, but it's the food and drinks worth snapping. Don't miss the spiced lavender mocha and brunch items like avocado toast and brioche French toast.
Find more places to eat in Savannah
Take pictures in Forsyth Park
Forsyth Park
Breakfast in hand, take a leisurely walk up Bull Street to Forsyth Park for a selfie at the most iconic (and most photographed) fountain in Savannah. Fun fact about the Forsyth Park Fountain: it was ordered from a catalog. Yup, you can find similar fountains in New York, Peru and France.
Take the kids to play
Savannah Children's Museum
If you have kids with you, the Savannah Children's Museum is a very unique must-stop. The museum is located in an old railway courtyard and incorporates the brickwork of the structure into the play space. Be sure to plan this in the morning. The museum closes at 4 p.m.
Tour the historic district
Savannah Historic District
It may sound a little touristy, but the best way to see Savannah's historic district is aboard one of the trolley tours. Two favorites are Old Savannah Tours and Old Town Trolley Tours of Savannah. These tours are hop-on, hop-off, allowing you to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time.
Explore museums
Savannah has an incredible wealth of museums that tell the amazing stories of this historic city. Visit the Telfair Museums’ three Savannah locations, including the stunning architecture of the Moshe Safdie-designed Jepson Center and its ArtZeum interactive children’s activities. Telfair Academy features 19th- and 20th-century art from both Europe and America. Tour Telfair’s Regency-style Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters to learn about the complicated contrast between the free and enslaved.
At the Beach Institute African-American Cultural Center, once a school for newly free slaves, see detailed wood carvings by Savannah barber and folk artist Ulysses Davis, including his sculptures of 40 U.S. presidents, plus other African-American art work. If you love art, then make sure to visit the SCAD Museum of Art on the campus of Savannah College of Art and Design. Housed in a restored antebellum railroad depot, it displays contemporary works from renowned and emerging artists, and serves as a learning opportunity for students.
At the American Prohibition Museum in Savannah, step back in time for an interactive adventure the chronicles life during the “noble experiment.” Afterward, kick back at the museum’s authentic speakeasy, 220 Congress Street Up, offering Prohibition-era cocktails (and mocktails for the kiddos).
Take a food tour
Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours
If you'd like to explore while eating, and who wouldn't, consider a food tour. The Savannah Taste Experience has several different tours, including one through the historic downtown area that includes Pie Society and Savannah Bee Company, and another off-the-beaten path tour through Savannah's east side. Both tours provide tastings at multiple establishments with enough food to satisfy your lunch cravings.
Eat ice cream
Leopold's Ice Cream
No matter what you do for lunch, afterward, head to Leopold's, Savannah's most well-loved ice cream shop, for a scoop of premium handmade ice cream that uses local ingredients like Savannah Bee Company honey.
Stroll, shop and eat on River Street
Savannah Riverfront
Next stop is the uneven cobblestone streets of the Savannah Riverfront for a little shopping and sightseeing. An absolute must-see is the new Plant Riverside District, with jaw-dropping shops, restaurants and hotel. Even adults will love popping into River Street Sweets for some freshly made pralines. River Street Sweets is so popular in Savannah, they now have a candy store in Atlanta, too.
Take a riverboat cruise
Savannah Riverboat Cruises
We highly recommend taking a Savannah Riverboat Cruise while in the city. Savannah was and is a port town, and the cruise is a great way to learn about the history, and enjoy the water during a leisurely ride. If you go on the 3:30 p.m. tour, you can also see them shoot at Old Fort Jackson.
