Max and I have been to Savannah, Georgia a few times now. The city is absolutely beautiful with parks and greenery lining just about every street. The city is right up our alley as the streets are walkable and chock-full of interesting history. You’ll be able to see quite a bit with 3 days in Savannah GA.

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Savannah GA then look no further! I’ll go through everything from the best sites to see in town, restaurants, and cannot miss tours.

And don’t forget to pin this for later!

Panoramic photos from Savannah, GA
Collage of photos from Savannah, GA

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LOCATION & DURATION

Located on the Savannah River, Savannah is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the South. While Savannah is located in Georgia, it only takes a few minutes to reach South Carolina from the city. As such, the closest airport is the Hilton Head/ Savannah Airport which is about 20 minutes from downtown.

Ideally you’ll want to set aside about 3 days in Savannah GA. The city of Savannah is pretty small but there is so much history in town you’ll want plenty of time to explore. You’ll be able to see a lot in two days but the additional day will give you time to get outside of town. On your third day, you can either sightsee outside town or visit Tybee Island. While Savannah is a great stand-alone destination, if you have more time, I suggest visiting Hilton Head SC, Jekyll Island GA, or Cumberland Island GA.

Posing in front of the City Market in Savannah GA
Scenic shot of the Pink House in Savannah GA

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit Savannah GA is generally during the shoulder season in the Spring or Fall. The weather is cooler and there will be fewer crowds. With that said, the winter weather is generally reliable enough for sightseeing but there is no guarantee. While we’ve visited Savannah during the summer, I don’t recommend it! Savannah (and the south in general) is known for hot summers which isn’t ideal for sightseeing. With that said, if the heat doesn’t bother you and you want to spend a few days at the beach, go for it!

Panoramic view overlooking the Savannah River in Savannah GA

BEST HOTELS SAVANNAH GA

You’ll find pretty much everything in Savannah from popular hotels to Airbnbs. One of the best places to stay in Savannah GA is along River Street. It’s a quick walk to pretty much all of the major sites and everything you’ll want to see in town. It’s the most convenient yet expensive area to stay in Savannah. We stayed at the Homewood Suites on River Street which was great.

Booking –

If you prefer staying outside of town, Tybee Island is a great place to base yourself. It’s less than 3o minutes from Savannah so it’s an easy drive into town. It’s the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to enjoy a few days at the beach. I’ve had good luck with Airbnb on Tybee Island.

Scenic shot of River Street in Savannah GA

TOP SITES TO SEE IN TOWN

As I’ve mentioned, there is quite a bit to see in Savannah! Since city is walkable I suggest setting aside ample time to simply wander the streets. However, since the city is filled to the brim with history, I recommend starting your trip with a tour in town. This will allow you to visit key sites, learn the history, and get a layout of the city. After the tour, you’ll have a better idea of which sites to visit again and what else you want to see in town.

Savannah –

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RIVER STREET

One of the most beautiful streets in Savannah is River Street located along the Savannah River. The cobblestone street feels rustic yet modern with all the charm. There are restaurants, shops, hotels, and more along the street which is said to be the most haunted in Savannah! Savannah has a pretty dark past and some of the buildings along River Street actually stored enslaved people who survived the Middle Passage and arrived in Savannah.

If you’re looking for a place to eat or drink with a view, this is where you’ll find it! Many of the hotels have rooftop bars with views overlooking the river. In addition to wandering in and out of shops along River Street Savannah GA, you’ll want to visit the Riverstreet Marketplace which is filled to the brim with local goods. Another great thing to do is take the Savannah Sightseeing Cruise which will take you along the Savannah River with live narration.

Posing with a view of the Savannah River from River Street in Savannah GA

BROUGHTON STREET

Broughton Street is known as the street for shopping in Savannah! As such, popular stores including Lululemon, Urban Outfitters, Banana Republic and other retailers line the street. There are also several boutique shops and restaurants along the street. A few noteworthy stops along the street include the Paris Market and Leopold’s Ice Cream. The Paris Market is a coffee shop, cafe, and store resembling a Parisian flea market. Leopold’s Ice Cream was founded in 1919 and is the most well-known ice cream shop in town.

Ice cream from Leopold's in Savannah GA

CITY MARKET

Considered the heart of Savannah since the mid-1700s, today City Market is a lively street with restaurants and shops. The City Market Savannah GA first opened as a place for people to get groceries and local goods. From the City Market, you’re able to quickly walk to other main areas including River Street and Broughton Street. As such, you’ll pass by the City Market several times with 3 days in Savannah GA.

Scenic view of the City Market in Savannah GA

CHURCHES

While there are many beautiful churches in Savannah, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is by far the most beautiful! I highly recommend visiting the church and taking a look inside as it’s spectacular. Built in the late 1800s, it was the first Catholic Church in Savannah. The Cathedral actually caught on fire in 1898 and most of the church burned down, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1912. A few other churches worth visiting are the First African Baptist Church, Independent Presbyterian Church, and the Christ Church Episcopal.

View of St. John the Baptist Cathedral
Posing in front of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Savannah GA

OLDE PINK HOUSE

The Olde Pink House dates back to the late 1700s built by the influential Habersham family. James Habersham Jr. supposedly held secret meetings in the house which helped the 13 colonies gain independence from England. It’s said to be one of the most haunted places in Savannah, having survived a massive fire in 1796 and three wars. Today, the Olde Pink House is a restaurant serving a classic Southern cuisine and several seafood dishes. If you’re eating at the restaurant, plan to arrive early so you can explore the colonial mansion.

The Old Pink House in Savannah GA
Posing in front of the Pink House in Savannah GA

GHOST TOUR

As one of the most haunted cities in America, a trip to Savannah isn’t complete without a ghost tour! I highly recommend taking a tour as it will give insight into Savannah’s dark history. We did the late evening tour and had an excellent guide but there are plenty of tours to choose from. There are several well-known haunted places in town including the Olde Pink House, Marshall House, Mercer-Williams House, and Colonial Park Cemetery. A tour will give you much more insight into the past of these locations.

Booking – Ghost Tour

FORSYTH PARK & MANSION

Forsyth Park and Mansion are another cannot miss in Savannah GA. The 30-acre park is absolutely spectacular with beautiful greenery and a water fountain at the center. There is actually a farmers market in the park every Saturday morning from 9am-1pm. We haven’t been in town for it but it looks excellent! There are also several events hosted at the park throughout the year. The Forsyth Mansion is directly across from the park which is a hotel and restaurant. Whether or not you’re staying at the hotel, it’s worth a visit!

Panoramic view of Forsyth Park in Savannah GA
Posing for a photo in Forsyth Park Savannah GA

PARKS

While I’ve already mentioned the most popular park in Savannah, Forsyth Park, there are so many other parks to see! In fact, one of my favorite things about Savannah is the number of parks scattered around the city. The city was initially built with 24 squares around the city but 22 remain to date. There’s literally a park on every corner with beautiful oak trees. It’s impossible to miss them so grab a coffee or a drink to go and go for a stroll!

TOP SPOTS TO VISIT OUTSIDE TOWN

TYBEE ISLAND

At a mere 25 minutes from downtown Savannah, Tybee Island is the place to visit! The island is mellow with a small downtown filled with restaurants and small shops. The oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia is located on Tybee Island which we enjoyed visiting. You can explore the grounds on your own or take a tour. With endless miles of beaches, Tybee Island is the perfect beach destination. It’s a great place to base yourself on a trip to Savannah if you want plenty of beach time! However, as I mentioned, if you’re spending 3 days in Savannah GA, I recommend visiting Tybee Island.

View from the pier in Tybee Island overlooking the island
Scenic shot of downtown Tybee Island

WORMSLOE HISTORIC SITE

I’m not going to lie, we dropped the ball on Wormsloe Historic Site! It was one of the top spots we wanted to see but we didn’t plan it right. It’s about 15 minutes from downtown Savannah so I recommend hitting it first thing in the morning or on your way in/out of Savannah.

Wormsloe was founded in 1736 by Noble Jones (a physician and part-time carpenter) after arriving to Georgia in 1733. The plantation served many purposes including serving as a military stronghold as well as growing corn, rice, fruits, and vegetables. It’s believed several hundreds of slaves worked on-site. Today, Wormsloe Historic Site is most well known for the 1.5-mile path of live oak trees which line both sides of the street. Aside from this path, there’s also a 7-mile trail with beautiful views of the waters of Isle of Hope.

To learn more about the history of Wormsloe Historic Site, I suggest booking a tour!

Pricing:

  • Adults 18+ – $10
  • Children (6-17): $4.50
  • Under 6: $2

RESTAURANTS

It’s no secret Savannah is a city for foodies! With 3 days in Savannah GA, you’ll have plenty of time to try a few staples in town! Max and I did our best to try the best spots in town but we obviously couldn’t hit them all. I’ll go through our favorites below but if you’ve been to Savannah leave me a comment with your favorite restaurant! We love trying new places so will add it to our list for our next visit.

Colin’s Quarter – There are two locations in Savannah serving fresh healthy dishes. I love the atmosphere here and the food is excellent!

The Ordinary Pub – Located in the basement of Savannah’s original Sears & Roebuck The Ordinary Pub serves classic pub food with a twist. We enjoyed happy hour here however, it’s a great dinner spot.

Savannah Sea Food Shack – If you’re looking for a quick lunch, Savannah Sea Food Shack is the spot! Max loves their shrimp tacos but they’re known for their low country broil.

Treylor Park – A cool laid-back restaurant focusing on Quality over Quantity. We ate lunch here and highly recommend it.

The Lady & Sons (Paula Deans Restaurant) – Honestly The Lady & Sons doesn’t have the best reviews but we enjoyed it. Dining at The Lady & Sons is an experience with hearty Southern dishes served family style, you’re bound to leave full!

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room – Open since 1943, Mrs. Wilkes is a staple in Savannah serving classic Southern dishes served family style.

Tacos and champagne from Treylor Park in Savannah
Salad from a restaurant in Savannah

COFFEE

If you like coffee, there are a number of excellent coffee shops Savannah GA! From quick grab-and-go coffee shops to great cafes to work, Savannah has it all. Max and I love to visit coffee shops so visited quite a few in town. I’ve linked an article to our favorite coffee shops in Savannah below. If you’ve been to Savannah and I’ve missed your favorite shop in town, let me know in the comments below!

Read more: Best Coffee Shops in Savannah

Brunch from the Paris cafe in Savannah
Mirabelle Cafe, Savannah

As you can tell, we absolutely love Savannah Georgia. There is so much to do and see in this historic town but 3 days in Savannah GA should give you time to see quite a bit! I hope this helps you plan your trip. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below, I would be happy to help!

Traveling to the South? Read more –

Safe Travels,

Sarah

I’ve linked a few of my favorite travel essentials below! See our travel shop for more essentials including my favorite baby travel gear. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below, I’m happy to help!

Unisex Mini Belt Bag
GoPro
Power Bank
Gemice Travel Bottles for Toiletries
Packing Cubes for Travel