15 Things To Do In Savannah, Georgia + Where To Eat! | Savannah Travel Guide

Savannah, Georgia is one of the most magical and hauntingly beautiful small towns in the USA. From moss-draped oak trees and European-inspired architecture to ghost stories and the best spots for foodies, Savannah has something for everyone. In this video, I'm going to take you through the top things to do in Savannah and make sure to stick around to the end because I'm also going to share my must-visit restaurants as well as some hidden gems that you shouldn't miss. First stop, Forsyth Park. This is the most iconic and picture-perfect spot in Savannah and feels like stepping into a postcard. The park's fountain was built in 1858 and was designed to be reminiscent of French gardens and as someone who's been to French gardens in France, I can say they did a good job. If you're looking for an incredible hidden gem in Savannah, make sure to visit the Garden of Fragrance while you are in the park. Check online for opening hours as it's closed on the weekends. Whether you're into people watching, taking a scenic stroll, or looking for a memorable photo spot, Forsyth Park is a must-do when visiting Savannah. Next up is the Mercer Williams House, which is famous for its stunning architecture and juicy history. It is also the setting for both the book and the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Now, no photos or videos are allowed inside, so you'll just have to visit and tour it yourself if you want to explore the interior. The Mercer Williams House is a mix of elegance and eerie vibes as well as a fascinating history, which makes it perfect for history buffs and true crime fans alike. Third we have, take a trolley tour of the city. Hop-on hop-off bus tours of Savannah are a very popular way to see the city and get a lay of the land. This tour lets you discover Savannah at your own pace with convenient stops at many of the top attractions I'm sharing in this video. The best part? You will get a live narration from local guides to learn the fascinating stories and history in the area. Trolleys run frequently so you can get on and off without waiting too long. Now, if you like the idea of the trolley but you're looking for a free way to get around Savannah, I highly recommend the DOT transport system, which allows you to get around at no cost. This is a completely free service and takes you throughout historic Savannah. Up next we have Tybee Island, which is Savannah's very own beach escape. Located just 20 minutes from downtown, Tybee Island is the perfect spot to unwind by the ocean. I highly recommend visiting the historic Tybee Island Lighthouse, which is the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia and also a museum. Now if you're looking for the beach, head to Tybee Pier for some great views. Tybee Island is all about the laid-back vibes and natural beauty, making it the perfect short day trip from Savannah. Number five is City Market, which is situated in the heart of downtown and is a lively open-air gathering place. This area spans four blocks and is the perfect place for nightlife in Savannah. I recommend checking out the Prohibition Museum as it's a really unique and interesting place to explore. There are tons of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as live music on many evenings. Keep in mind that Savannah also allows open containers so you can grab a drink from any bar you want and walk around with it. City Market is the perfect place to unwind after exploring Savannah all day. Up next we have East Jones Street, also known as the prettiest street in the USA. I love taking a relaxing stroll down Jones Street and seeing the historic homes, cobblestone streets, gas lanterns, and massive oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. My favorite part is always picking out my dream historic home and imagining living here. If you want to marvel at the beautiful architecture and old homes, put Jones Street on your list and stick around through this video where I'm going to share another similar street that you must visit that's just as pretty but that nobody talks about. Next up is Peregrine Rooftop Bar which offers some of the best views of downtown Savannah. It is located on top of the Perry Lane Hotel and it is completely free to visit although I highly recommend staying for some drinks and enjoying the sunset. The rooftop bars are one of my favorite things to do in Savannah and this is home to the best views in the city. Number eight we have Wormslow Historic Site. This one is a bit out of the city but it's totally worth the 20 minute drive to see one of the most epic tree tunnels in the world and I have seen many amazing tree tunnels in my travels. Nothing compares to this. The property features an avenue of live oaks draped in Spanish moss that's over a mile long making it an incredible place for photos. There's also a large visitor center as well as museums and other historic sites to enjoy during your visit. Up next we have Broughton Street. This is the heart and soul of downtown Savannah and where you can find a ton of incredible restaurants. I will go through some of my favorites that you can't miss a bit further into this video. Broughton Street is a lively strip where historic charm meets modern flair and you can find a mix of local boutiques and big name stores. One of my favorite places is the Paris Market. It is so cute and it even has a little cafe inside. Like City Market, Broughton Street is another great place for nightlife in Savannah. Explore the shops by day and enjoy a delicious meal at night along one of the busiest streets in the city. Number 10 is Lafayette Square which is the perfect example of European city planning. This is one of the 23 squares in Savannah designed with English city planning principles. Yes, it is named after the Marquis de Lafayette like the guy who helped George Washington in the Revolutionary War. It is also one of the few squares in Savannah with a fountain which makes it super unique. While you're here you will want to check out the Hamilton Turner Inn which was the first house in Savannah to get electricity. Next up is the Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist. Now this church is located right along Lafayette Square so I recommend visiting them both at the same time. This gorgeous gothic style cathedral feels like something straight out of Europe. Make sure to go inside to see the soaring ceilings, colorful stained glass windows, and incredible artwork. Keep in mind this is a place of worship so please be respectful when visiting. This is easily the prettiest church in Savannah and is totally worth combining with your stroll around Lafayette Square. Number 12 we have River Street which is the northernmost part of the historic district. It has such a unique feel with cobblestone streets lined with shops and restaurants on one side and the river on the other side. If you're lucky you will get to see a cargo ship go by. They are absolutely massive. One of the main ways to get to River Street is to walk down some of the many historical steps. Now these steps are very steep so always proceed at your own risk and go up and down them with caution. I love heading to River Street Sweets for some goodies and especially their famous pralines. Finally you can go for a ride on the Savannah Riverboat up and down the river. This is such a unique part of the city and a must visit on any itinerary. Up next we have go on a ghost tour. Savannah isn't just charming it's also one of the most haunted cities in America. There are many types of ghost tours in Savannah including haunted trolley tours. The haunted trolley tour that I did included going into a historic home at night which was really spooky and super unique. There are also haunted walking tours that take you through the squares and streets of Savannah and my favorite you can even go on a ghost tour in a hearse. This is a great way to end the evening and learn some haunted Savannah history. Number 14 is Explore Gaston Street. Remember when I said I had another street that rivaled East Jones Street? This is it. Gaston Street runs along the north end of Forsyth Park and is home to some truly incredible historic homes. I suggest walking along the whole thing until you get to the Amethyst Garden Inn which is a purple house. How cool is that? Along the way you will pass impressive architecture, stunning gas lamps, and ivy draped homes. I think the Gaston Street is a huge hidden gem in Savannah and I highly recommend putting it on your list. Next up is the Plant Riverside District. This is the newest district in Savannah and it is beyond incredible. First if you're looking for somewhere to stay the JW Marriott Plant Riverside is a hotel that I have stayed at many times and highly recommend. Even if you're not staying there you can walk inside and check out the impressive lobby filled with dinosaurs and gemstones. Plant Riverside is home to a ton of restaurants and I love going to some of the counter service options for dinner, getting a variety of my favorite foods, and eating them along the riverfront. There are also two rooftop bars here. Merlin Rose is beautiful and gives Alice in Wonderland vibes with great views. Electric Moon is hands down my favorite rooftop bar in the entire city. It has a super fun vibe and there's even a slide and rooftop games. The Plant Riverside District really should not be missed. Now that I've taken you through some of the best things to do in Savannah it's time to discuss my favorite part of the city, what to eat. Savannah is an incredible foodie city and they even have tons of things for people with food allergies and restrictions. Here is where to eat and some of the best restaurants in Savannah that you're not going to want to miss on your trip. First up we have the Collins Quarter. This is truly one of the best places to eat in the city and I have had some of the most incredible meals here. Now they have two locations, one is in downtown and the other is in Forsyth Park and that location is only open for brunch. They offer a rotating menu and lots of dishes are Australian inspired. I really cannot say enough about the Collins Quarter and I highly recommend it especially for dinner when you're visiting Savannah. Next up we have Urban Deli which is located right off of Troop Square. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner and they have a variety of options for people with dietary restrictions as well. It was very popular when I visited so you know it's super good. I grabbed a bunch of sweets from their case and everything was honestly incredible. If you're not a sweets person they have many sandwiches and salads as well. Number three, if you're looking for good Italian, Corleone's offers authentic food in historic Savannah. I cannot say enough good things about the food here. I have tried many options on their menu and you really cannot go wrong with either their lasagna or baked ziti. If you're looking for casual Italian this is the place. Next we have Lulu's Chocolate Bar which is located right next to Corleone's in the historic downtown. If you're a dessert fan like me this is easily the best place for sweets in the city. Please trust my recommendation on this. There are lots of chocolate goodies but if you're not a chocolate fan don't worry there are still plenty of options for you. You could either stay for dessert and drinks or you could take your sweets to go which is what I always do. If you love dessert do not miss Lulu's Chocolate Bar. Number five, we have Toast All Day located on Broughton Street. I am obsessed with this restaurant and it serves brunch all day long. If you don't want breakfast food don't worry the menu is large and there are a variety of options. I'm coming here so I can eat breakfast for dinner and it is a 10 out of 10 and I also think the prices are incredibly reasonable. Up next we have Zunzi's which is a great place to get sandwiches and salads. I've been coming here since it was a little hole in the wall place and now it's in this beautiful space and the food is just as tasty as it was back then. This is a great spot for lunch or a light dinner. Number seven is Ruen Thai located on Broughton Street. This isn't just my favorite Thai restaurant in Savannah it's one of my favorites in the entire country. Portions are good and food is incredible. You shouldn't miss the Pad Thai and spring rolls but the menu is large so there's lots of variety. Don't forget to order a Thai tea it is so delicious. Next up is Leopold's ice cream. This is the most famous ice cream shop in the city and it has been around since 1919. Now because of its reputation you will often see a line and this place is very popular. I thought that the ice cream was pretty good so if you're looking to try it you won't be disappointed. That being said if I had to choose only one dessert place in Savannah it would 100% be Lulu's no question. Finally a few other great places to check out on your visit to Savannah include Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room which offers southern food for lunch but sells out quickly so get there early. The Old Pink House which was built in 1771 and is great for special occasions. Make sure to reserve well in advance as it's popular and Husk Savannah which uses low country ingredients that are locally sourced. Savannah is one of the most charming and historic cities in the USA. I hope this video helped you discover some incredible things to do and places to eat on your trip. If I missed anything don't forget to leave a comment with your favorite restaurant or thing to do. Please don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell and we'll see you next time.