The 28 Best Things To Do In Savannah, Georgia

If you're in the mood for a Georgia getaway, you can't do much better than the city of Savannah. This coastal community has more charm than it knows what to do with, and a weekend here promises to recharge and refresh you—and provide you with as many memorable meals as you can handle.

To help you plan your time, we've put together a list of the best things to do in Savannah filled with our favorite restaurants, shops, activities, sights, and sounds. With its riverside attractions, historic architecture, and great shops, you'll find that it's not hard to fall in love with this city. We invite you to take some inspiration from our itinerary and set your sights on Savannah. Isn't it time you planned a visit?

Dine Around Town

Start With Breakfast At The Collins Quarter

Stop by The Collins Quarter to partake in their all-day breakfast menu, which includes dishes like short rib hash, bananas Foster French toast, and crab cake Benedict. The restaurant has two locations: Make sure you head to the one in scenic Forsyth Park, which is perfect for a post-breakfast stroll.

thecollinsquarter.com, 621 Drayton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Get Caffeinated At The Coffee Fox

If you need a pick-me-up, you can't go wrong with a horchata latte or Mexican mocha from The Coffee Fox on Broughton. Or visit its two sister locations: Foxy Loxy Cafe and Henny Penny Cafe.

thecoffeefox.com, 102 W. Broughton St., Savannah, GA 31401

Have Lunch At The Bar At The Public

Grab a seat at the bar for a gastropub lunch experience at The Public Kitchen & Bar, which has a fresh-and-local sensibility. Lunch entrees range from Savannah-style shrimp and grits to coconut curry served over rice. You'll find a wide selection of beer, including many locally-produced ones like local favorite Southbound Brewing Company.

thepublickitchen.com, 1 W. Liberty Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Share A Meal With New Friends At Mrs. Wilkes'

If you're in town on a weekday, Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room is a classic Savannah experience. Show up early to wait in line to snag a seat at this old-fashioned hot spot. At Mrs. Wilkes', classic Southern comfort food is served family style at large community tables, so come hungry and ready to meet other folks. This destination also sits right on Jones Street, one of the prettiest blocks in the country. Take a stroll after lunch to work off the heavy meal and keep up with Joneses. (The saying was made after this street!)

mrswilkes.com, 107 W. Jones Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Find Your Favorite Food Truck At Starland Park

Can't decide what you're in the mood for? Head to Starland Yard, a fun food truck park with a bar and a rotating variety of options including pizza, grilled cheese, tacos, and Latin cuisine.

starlandyard.com, 2411 De Soto Avenue, Savannah, GA 31401

Treat Yourself To Award-Winning Fare At The Grey

For a special meal, visit James Beard Award-winning chef Mashama Bailey's restaurant The Grey, which was a Greyhound bus depot in a former life. When you order, you might as well just close your eyes and point—the menu changes with the seasons and won't ever fail you. Just be sure to save room for dessert.

thegrey.com, 109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Savannah, GA 31401

Enjoy Seafood With A View At The Wyld Dock Bar

For the freshest seafood and one of the best views in town, The Wyld is a dockside bar and restaurant that's loved by locals. The vibe here is casual and the restaurant doesn't take reservations. So grab a cocktail, and play some bocce ball while you wait.

thewylddockbar.com, 2740 Livingston Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406

Don't Miss Ice Cream At Leopold's

It wouldn't be a visit to Savannah without a scoop or two from Leopold's Ice Cream. The shop has been selling the best ice cream in town since 1919. Try whatever seasonal selection is on offer, and you'll find out why they've earned their stellar, hundred-year-old reputation.

leopoldsicecream.com, 212 E. Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Experience Savannah's Art And Culture

See Contemporary Works At The SCAD Museum Of Art

Visit the SCAD Museum of Art, a contemporary art museum affiliated with The Savannah College of Art and Design. It offers educational programming like film screenings, artist talks, and performances, as well as a variety of exhibitions in its galleries throughout the year. The building itself, which was reimagined by a team including SCAD architects, is also something to see, especially the beautiful atrium, which has an 86-foot-high steel and glass lantern.

scadmoa.com, 601 Turner Blvd., Savannah, GA 31401

Spend The Day At The Telfair Museums

For art, history, architecture, and more, The Telfair Museums encompass three separate buildings. The Telfair Academy is a two-story mansion built in 1891 that houses a collection of nineteenth- and twentieth-century American and European art such as paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts. The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, which also dates back to 1819, offers guided tours that explore this former family home through the lens of the enslaved people who once worked there. The Jepson Center and Telfair Children's Art Museum is a distinctly modern building filled with art, both historic and contemporary, from around the world as well as a multi-level play space for children.

Learn About Gullah Geechie Culture At Pin Point Heritage Museum

Part of the Coastal Heritage Society, this museum is dedicated to educating the public about the area's rich Gullah Geechie culture. Housed in a former oyster and crab factory, the space highlights all aspects of the Gullah Geechie community, from foodways to language.

924 Pin Point Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406

Go Gallery Hopping

Also on campus and worth a look is Gutstein Gallery, which features the work of nationally known artists alongside art by SCAD alumni, and the Alexander Hall Gallery a space where students can show and sell their work. Off campus, other notable spots include Kobo Gallery, Savannah Gallery of Art, A.T. Hun Art Gallery, Laney Contemporary, and Roots Up Gallery.

Learn The Secrets Of Speakeasys At The American Prohibition Museum

Located within Savannah's City Market, the American Prohibition Museum includes 13 galleries, four vintage cars, a fully operating speakeasy, a theater, and more, all dedicated to telling the story of our country's battle over alcohol. The speakeasy, Congress Street Up, serves cocktails from that era, like the Jack Rose and the Boilermaker, and also offers classes.

americanprohibitionmuseum.com, 220 Congress Street Savannah, GA 31401

Hit The Shops

Pretend You're In France At The Paris Market

If you only have time for a few hours of shopping, Savannah's The Paris Market and Brocante is a can't miss. The 5,200-square-foot, two-story market, which is housed in a housed in former Victorian grocery dating back to 1874, is filled with lovely gifts and one-of-a-kind home goods. Be sure to order a freshly made pastry or selection of macarons from the Paris Market Café before you leave.

theparismarket.com, 36 W. Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Stock Up On Something Sweet At Savannah Bee Company

Also on retail-heavy Broughton Street, is the Savannah Bee Company, which offers plenty of souvenir opportunities, as well as mead and honey tasting bars. Although the company's products are available nationwide, this is the flagship location.

savannahbee.com, 421 E. Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Discover A New Read At E. Shaver

Book lovers should head to Bull Street, the home of E. Shaver Booksellers. Peruse the shelves and say hello to the four shop cats, Mr. Eliot, Bartleby, Morticia, and Skimbleshanks. As you wander, don't miss the big selection of books by Southern authors.

eshaverbooks.com, 326 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Spend An Afternoon At City Market

Called the city's "heart and hub," Savannah City Market is a four block, one-stop-shop for souvenirs, original art, and handmade items like jewelry and sweetgrass baskets, plus places to eat. It's a historic landmark as well; it's been a marketplace since the 1700s, withstanding hurricanes, the Civil War, and almost being demolished. It's easy to spend an entire afternoon, or day, here.

savannahcitymarket.com, 219 W. Bryan Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Stroll Through A Park

Admire Classic Savannah Scenery In Forsyth Park

If the sunshine is calling your name, take a walk through one of Savannah's many city squares. There's a park every few blocks, which ensures you're never too far from a green space in which to wander. The biggest in the historic district is the 30-acre Forsyth Park, which neighbors The Savannah College of Art and Design and has a majestic fountain and lots of paths winding beneath moss-draped oak trees.

Say Hi To The Waving Girl At Morrell Park

One popular photo opp is The Waving Girl, a famous statue located in this riverside park. The girl is Florence Martus, the sister of a lighthouse keeper. Martus became known for waving to ships in Savannah's port for decades, and is now a symbol of the city's hospitality. You'll also find Savannah's Olympic Flame here—the city hosted the 1996 Olympic yachting events during of the centennial games in Atlanta.

Check Out A Historic Spot In Chippewa Square

Chippewa Square dates back to 1815 and gets its name from the Battle of Chippewa in the War of 1812. At the center of the park, you'll find a statue of colonial founder General James Oglethorpe, a social reformer and military leader credited with conceiving the colony of Georgia. The square is probably even more well known for a particular bench, where Forrest Gump once sat with his famous box of chocolates.

Enjoy The Nightlife

Take In The Sunset At The Lost Square

After dinner, post up with a cocktail on a breezy rooftop and enjoy a candy-colored Savannah sunset. Try The Lost Square, the rooftop bar at The Alida Hotel on the riverfront, for a signature Port City Spritz or can of Southern-brewed beer.

thelostsquare.com, 412 Williamson Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Catch A Show At The Savannah Theatre

Located in the Historic District, this landmark theater, like many other places in Savannah, has a storied past. The building dates back to the 1800s, and has been carefully restored and renovated over the years to remain one of the city's finest places to catch a show, whether you're into off-Broadway plays or live music.

savannahtheatre.com, 222 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

Listen To Tunes At Good Times Jazz Bar and Restaurant

This popular spot hosts live music Tuesday through Sunday and offers a full dinner menu, too. From gospel singers to jazz quartets, Good Times is a warm and comfortable venue to catch local and national acts. The dress code is business casual, so leave your flip-flops at home.

goodtimesjazzbar.com, 107 W. Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Hear Some Ghost Stories

With such a rich history comes many ghosts, and Savannah claims to be one of the most haunted towns in America. For those interested in a little something spooky, a ghost tour will be right up your shadowed alley. Choose from a haunted trolley tour, a guided walking tour through cemeteries, or if you need a stiff drink to go with those stories, the Ghost City Haunted Pub Crawl takes you to some of the city's spookiest bars.

ghostcitytours.com

Hit The Sheets

Bunk Down In The Historic District At The Drayton Hotel

When it's time to call it a night, turn in at the newly opened The Drayton Hotel, an elegant and beautifully appointed property located in the historic district. With just 50 rooms and suites, it's a boutique alternative to the city's larger hotels. When you're not asleep, the Drayton offers plenty of options for entertainment and dining too: city views at Pendant Terrace and Bar, intimate drinks downstairs in the Vinyl Room, and local seafood at St. Neo's Brasserie.

thedraytonhotel.com, 7 Drayton Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Enjoy Riverfront Views At The Alida

This riverfront stay in the Entertainment District has a modern look that nods to its past as a former warehouse. Although the hotel has 173 rooms, ranging from studios to a penthouse, and no two are a like thanks to work from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

thealidahotel.com, 412 Williamson St, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Stay Downtown At Perry Lane

Or book a stay at the luxurious downtown Perry Lane, a Marriott Luxury Collection property. The hotel has 167 rooms, including 12 suites, and an elegant, home-away-from-home feel. Amenities include a rooftop pool, fitness center, three dining options, and collection of local art displayed throughout the building.

perrylanehotel.com, 256 East Perry Street, Savannah, GA, 31401