One of our top favorite places to visit in Georgia is Savannah!
The history, Architecture and food never disappoint no matter how many times we visit!

I wanted to share with you all our favorite places to stay, visit, and Eat in this beautiful City. I would also like to preface this post by stating that all of my opinions are my own and are in no way sponsored. These are just some of our top favorite suggestions after vacationing in Savannah, Ga for over twenty years.

Places To Stay:

There is a plethora of places to stay in beautiful Savannah so I am going to share with you a few places we have actually stayed and loved, and also places on my bucket list.

For me personally… I want to experience the city how someone living there might.

Kehoe House We have never stayed here but it is definitely on my Bucket list! — **Kehoe** **House We have never stayed here but it is definitely on my Bucket list!**

Here are my Top Three things I look for when booking a place in Savannah, Ga.

1.Parking … this is super important in the city since you will most likely be parking on a side street and it isn’t always easy to find a spot (especially on the weekend).
I look for places that have designated parking for the home. Parking on the streets closer to the squares in Savannah cost around a dollar an hour during the day and is free on weekends. There are also parking garages all around the city which are inexpensive and easy to get in and out of. You can find out more info on parking in Historic Savannah HERE.

This was a gorgeous apartment on beautiful Jones street and was probably our favorite place we have stayed . Unfortunately I don’t think it is still available but you can find many other beautiful options on Savannah Luxury Rentals.

2.Historic Home or Inn… I always look for a Historic Home, Inn or AirBNB to stay in so I can experience the beauty and architecture of an old Home. I also prefer to stay closer to the Squares, so I always look to see if the home or AirBNB is near one, otherwise you will have to constantly drive or use some sort of transportation.
Savannah is full of amazing homes to stay that have incredible architecture and my two favorite places to search for these homes are on AirBNB and Savannah Luxury Rentals .

3.Location… We typically take our bikes so location isn’t a big issue, however if we decided not to bring them, then where we stay in Savannah is super important. I prefer to stay where we are within walking distance of things to do and places to eat. There is a transit system called DOT that takes you around the city and it’s FREE… we personally have not used this transportation system but saw lots of spots around the Historical District where you could catch a ride.

This Victorian Home was a favorite place to stay and it was directly across from Forsyth Park. Here is the link if you are interested . There are also Units to stay in the back of the home that are also listed on the Savannah Luxury Rental Website. … — This Victorian Home was a favorite place to stay and it was directly across from Forsyth Park. Here is the link if you are interested . There are also Units to stay in the back of the home that are also listed on the Savannah Luxury Rental Website. We stayed at this home for a week and split the cost with some friends. It slept five comfortably and has a roll away bed for the sixth person. Lots of amenities and the homes on this street are Incredible. There is also a bike shop right next to the house where you can rent and ride around the city for the day!
Victorian on Forsyth Park

We have also stayed at the Planters Inn which was beautiful and in a great location. It also sits right next to The Olde Pink House an iconic place to Dine in Savannah, but be sure to make reservations well in advance. Also Parking at The Planters Inn wasn’t the easiest so be sure to keep that in mind when booking.

Hamilton-Turner Inn … Another place that is on my bucket list to stay while visiting Savannah.

Another great place we would like to stay is above Mirabella in one of their Suites. The balcony of this Airbnb overlooks the The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. I would love to grab a coffee from Mirabella below and then sit up on the balcony and enjoy the view while listening to the Cathedral bells chime.

If you are not concerned with staying in a Historic home and just want the convenience of being amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, then a hotel might be the way to go.
We have stayed at The Doubletree by Hilton on Bay Street … Daily parking was pricey but we enjoyed the hotel amenities.
Another one that I love is The Westin … this hotel is across the River and you take a Free Ferry ride to and from River street. We actually like to do this at night even if we aren’t staying there. We get drinks at the bar and sit by the fire outside of the hotel…Just make sure to check the times that the Ferry is running.

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Favorite Places to Dine:

There are so many incredible places to eat in Savannah, Ga. but these are the ones we continue to go back to every time we visit.

bMatthews

We have been going to b.Matthews ever since we first started visiting Savannah, Ga.

It was the first time we ever tried Black eyed Pea cakes and we were hooked. Unfortunately they stopped making them but are now offering a Black Eyed Pea Hushpuppy appetizer that is amazing !!

We typically get brunch here on our way out of town on Sunday so it’s quite busy and there is a line. You Might want to make this a weekday stop if you prefer not to wait or get there early in the morning.

Six Pence Pub

We love to stop at The Six Pence Pub for an appetizer and a drink. The atmosphere inside is awesome and I love that it feels like an Authentic English Pub. This is also where a scene from the movie Something to Talk About was filmed.

They have a full menu but we just like to come here for a drink and small bite since we eat so many places in the City.

17hundred90

A favorite place to stop off in the afternoon to get a drink and small bite to eat is the 17hundred90 Tavern. We love the ambiance of this place and Todd especially loves the fact that it’s haunted.

They also have a Restaurant and Inn that is just beautiful inside. The history of this place is pretty amazing…You can read more about it HERE.

The Boars Head

The Boars Head is another Favorite we are always sure to eat at while visiting Savannah. It is right on River Street overlooking the water and we absolutely love the ambiance of the burnt brick walls inside.

We have celebrated many occasions at The Boars Head over the last twenty years. My favorite things on the menu are the Spinach Salad, She crab Soup and stuffed Shrimp…the fish is also amazing!
Be sure to try the key lime pie … it’s some of the best I’ve eaten…coming from a Florida girl …that’s saying a lot!

Be sure to make reservations at least a week in advance … this seems to be a popular place amongst the locals.

Gryphon

Afternoon Tea at The Gryphon is a must! Not only are the tea and handmade desserts delicious but the ambiance of this place is amazing.

My favorite part about the Gryphon is the fact that it’s inside what used to be an old Pharmacy. The details of the wood and all the antiques make it a special place to visit.

Collins Quarter in Forsyth Park

We absolutely loved the food and drinks at Collins Quarter in Forsyth Park. Take a stroll or bike ride around the Park and then stop in for brunch or lunch.

Not only is the food delicious but the presentation is a work of Art.
I highly recommend the Raspberry French Toast and the Spiced Lavendar Mocha.

Hitch

We always stop at Hitch to get the amazing Treylor Park Nachos and some drinks. These aren’t your traditional Nachos… waffle Fries, fried chicken, bacon, pickles cheddar cheese, chive ranch sauce and balsamic glaze … all I can say is Yum! One order can feed two as a meal… trust me!

The Crab Shack

Last….but certainly Not least!!! Be sure to go to The Crab Shack on Tybee Island (Not to be confused with Joes Crab shack!)

It’s only about 15 minutes from Historic downtown and is so worth the short drive!

Be sure to order the Captains Sampler Platter!! There were six of us and we ordered two of the two servings and split the cost… it was perfect and we had lots of leftovers that we ate for dinner another night.

The Crab Shack also has a place where you can feed the small Gators and take pics… super fun for the kids (and apparently my husband😬).

A few other places we’ve enjoyed eating at:

The Olde Pink House

Vics on the River

The Public Kitchen has Excellent Shrimp and grits!

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Things to Do:

I personally would be happy just visiting all the squares and taking pictures of the architecture in Savannah, Ga. However, there are so many other amazing things to do and see and here are some of our favorites.

Trolley or Horse and Carriage Tour

First and foremost… If you’ve never been to Savannah… I highly suggest you take a Trolley or Horse and Carriage Ride before you do anything else.
You will Learn the History of the city and will understand the layout of the Squares.

They will also take you to points of interest around Savannah and have stops where you can get off of the Trolleys and explore.

I personally prefer Old Savannah Trolley Tours because they have “characters” come aboard the trolley and tell their stories.
We always purchased the Hop On Hop Off package since we like to stop and explore throughout the day.
Be sure to GET A COUPON from one of the magazines around the city… we purchased our tickets on River street at a kiosk and they had coupons for $4 off.
One thing I would Highly recommend is to NOT stay the full ninety minute tour on the trolley as they suggest. We prefer to hop on and off in the beginning as the tour goes around so that we aren’t stuck having to go through all the spots again.
Also, if you are staying near one of the stops of the Trolley And you’re ready for your tour …. just call the Old Savannah Trolley tour and they will send a shuttle to the stop you are at and take you to the beginning of the tour.

E. Shaver, Bookseller

We absolutely love this Book Store near Madison Square! E. Shaver Bookseller is such a quaint little place with lots of wonderful books and a kids section that made me wish I lived closer.

Be sure to get some loving from the furry little friends living inside. Todd and I couldn’t get enough of these sweet kitties.
Also check out The Tea Room inside that sells amazing tea and all the accessories. My favorite is the
Hot cinnamon Spice … if you love red hots then you will love this tea! They also ship.

Mercer Williams House Museum

If you’ve never seen or read “The Garden of Good and Evil” … then I highly recommend you do that before visiting the Mercer Williams House.
I enjoyed the tour of this home but I mostly loved learning more about Jim Williams and all the amazing things he did to help preserve some of the homes in Savannah.
Another awesome part of this tour was seeing the amazing collection of Jim’s antiques throughout this beautiful home.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is not only breathtaking on the outside… but the inside is even more magical.
They allow entry into the Cathedral when services aren’t being held…. I especially love visiting it at Christmastime.

Be sure to check out the amazing Coffee Shop across the street Mirabella . The waffles are incredible and the latte Art is perfection! Nothing like sitting on the street having brunch while listening to the Cathedral bells ring.

Savannah River Boat Cruise

Definitely take a Sunset River Cruise on The Georgia Queen at least once.

When you book the Sunset River Cruise … you will set sail at 7pm and it is absolutely beautiful overlooking River street buildings and the Talmage Memorial Bridge. You will be on the top deck enjoying the views and music and will also have access to a full bar and grill on the third deck. The sunset cruise does not include dinner but they do have diner type food . We preferred this over the dinner cruise since we had eaten so much food on the trip and just enjoyed a light meal and drinks.

River Street view from Riverboat Georgia Queen Photo by: Zoey Nettles

The views from the Georgia Queen overlooking River Street are absolutely beautiful.
You might want to bring a light Jacket just in case it gets cool on the top deck.

The Paris Market

The Paris Market off of Broughton Street is a must stop for shopping. So many unique items as well as antiques. These amazing antique chandeliers downstairs were breathtaking…and I especially loved the section with all the journals and artist tools.

Be sure to stop in at the Paris Market Cafe and get a delicious macaroon and latte. They have a beautiful sitting area where you can enjoy your sweets and coffee or tea… Todd was especially feeling the Paris vibes.

Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery is a must see while in Savannah. The beautiful oaks covered in moss are a site to see and the ornate gravestones and statues are truly amazing. Be sure to check out Jonny Mercer’s Grave as well as Little Gracie Watson’s.

You can drive or walk around the cemetery but we prefer to drive since it’s quite large. They have all the areas marked so you can find specific graves and we just park and get out to explore. They also offer tours.

Be sure to stop off at Wormsloe Historic Site after you visit Bonaventure Cemetery. The magical Live Oak lined drive is definitely a beautiful site to see. There is an entry fee to get in and they do not allow photographs unless you’ve paid.

We had lunch just up the road from Wormsloe at Driftaway Cafe. The seafood was amazing and we Loved the decor!

Byrd’s Famous Cookies

Another favorite stop to pick up some key lime Cooler cookies is at Byrd’s Famous Cookies in City Market.
They have so many different flavors but the Key lime will always be my fave. I like to keep them in the refrigerator and eat them with a glass of milk or a cup of tea.
City Market is a stop on the Trolley so be sure to keep that in mind. You can also find Byrd’s cookies in a lot of the stores on River Street.

Savannah’s Candy Kitchen

You can’t leave Savannah without going to Savannah’s Candy Kitchen and getting their amazing pecan pralines.
They literally melt in your mouth! You can also purchase them online HERE.
They are located right under the Boars Head Restaurant on River Street, so we always go to the candy kitchen after eating dinner at the Tavern.

Savannah Bee Company

Todd and I are huge Mead fans so one of our favorite things to do is go to Savannah Bee Company on River Street and do a Mead tasting. We always grab a bottle to take back and enjoy at the house. Mead also makes great Mimosas!
River street is also a stop on the Old Savannah Trolley Tour.

Bicycle Rental

In our opinion…There is no better way to explore Historic Savannah than on a bicycle. There is so much more to see of this beautiful city that you just can’t get to or navigate easily while walking or driving.

So many more gorgeous homes off the beaten path that we would never have seen had we not been on bicycles.
We typically bring our Bikes but here are two great Bike rental options in Savannah:

Savannah On Wheels This is the bike shop right next to the Victorian on Forsyth we stayed.

Perry Rubber Bike Shop

Parker’s Market

We love stopping at Parker’s Market to pick up some snacks and deli items while staying in the city. It’s a high end gas station that also sells home decor and they also of have wine and beer.

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Well I hope this post has helped you plan your next vacation to Savannah, Ga. One thing I wanted to mention Is that I would not recommend visiting The city anytime in the Summer as it is hot, humid and miserable. We particularly enjoy going to Savannah in the Spring or Fall since the majority of our time is spent outside exploring and the weather is lovely.

I hope you will enjoy this beautiful city as much as we have over the years. It truly is a magical place with so much History.

Savannah, GA.