A Complete Travel Guide to Savannah, Georgia

I lived in Savannah, Georgia for five years and I loved every second of it! To this day, I still consider it my second home. I feel so at peace when I go back. Since I’ve lived there for so long, I feel pretty confident that I can give you some great recommendations. I’ve broken this guide out into five sections: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, Tourist Attractions, Must See, and Where to Drink. So let’s jump right in!

*All photos are mine unless stated otherwise. 

Where to Stay

I feel I should add a disclaimer here saying I’ve never had to stay in a hotel in Savannah, so I can’t speak totally from experience. I had a place to live in Savannah and I have family I can stay with when I visit now that I no longer live there. However, I can give you some recommendations based on their location and their reviews.

Courtyard by Marriott. This hotel is in a great location. It’s a block away from the Civic Center, two blocks away from Oglethorpe Avenue (which I consider the “middle” area of downtown Savannah), and six blocks away from Broughton Street, which is the main shopping street in Savannah. It’s a three star hotel that averages around $110 a night. From what I’ve seen, it’s pretty clean! If you stay here, you most likely won’t need to rent a car since it’s walking distance from so many places. 

B Historic Savannah. This one is right across the street from the Civic Center and it’s also across from Courtyard by Marriott, so it has all the same benefits in terms of distance from places. This one is a four star hotel, so it’s a bit nicer. Since it has a better rating, it’s also more expensive, ranging anywhere from $116-185 a night. I have been in this hotel for a meeting for class and also for a graduation party, and I can say that the conference rooms and lobby are very clean. If the rooms are anything like these rooms of the hotel, then they are very clean as well. Again, since it’s close to so many places, you will not need to rent a car. 

The DeSoto Savannah. This hotel may not look very special on the outside, but it’s newly renovated so it’s beautiful on the inside! This one is in a better location than the last two, being on Liberty Street, one of the main streets in Savannah. It’s one block away from The Public Kitchen and Bar and Mellow Mushroom, both great restaurants (more on these later). It’s also just two blocks away from Chippewa Square, which is where they filmed all of the bus stop scenes in Forrest Gump! Another four star hotel, the rooms here average $169-190 (before taxes).

Planters Inn. This three star hotel is in a fantastic location! It’s just off of Congress Street, the main street for bars (more on this later). However, It’s far enough from the main bars that you shouldn’t get too much noise at night. It’s also just a block away from The Olde Pink House and two blocks away from Broughton Street. The hotel rooms also have that old historic Savannah charm, unlike the other hotels, which are furnished like your typical, standard hotel. Prices vary depending on the time of year you go, anywhere from $100-$390. 

The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, Autograph Collection. If you prefer to stay on the river, this hotel is a great choice. They have a great restaurant (Rocks on the River) and rooftop bar (Rocks on the Roof) that feel very high class. I’ve been to both and the food and drinks are great! Since it’s on River Street, it’s three blocks away from Broughton Street. This four star hotel costs the most per night, averaging around $475-575 per night. It has a very luxurious feel and a great view of the river, so you get what you pay for!

Stay in an Airbnb! Savannah has many cute, historic houses and townhomes that are rented out as airbnb’s. If you want to stay within walking range of everything, I recommend looking anywhere between River Street and Gwinnett Street. Anything past Gwinnett, you will need a car or need to use uber/lyft (unless you are up for far walks). If you are looking to stay in Savannah for a cheaper price, Airbnb is your best bet.

Where to Eat

Clary’s Cafe. This is one of my favorite breakfast spots in town! If you’re a fan of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, you should definitely stop by; part of the movie was filmed here! They are open every day of the week and offer lunch as well. If you go for breakfast, make sure you get there early. They usually have a wait (the food is that good). Their eggs are cooked to perfection and their breakfast potatoes are bomb. Go check this place out for a cute 50’s vibe and great food!

Funky Brunch Cafe. Another great breakfast/lunch place that is open every day of the week. I love coming here, because you can get a table with a grill and order pancake batter. Have fun making your own pancake art right there on the table! You can also order an assortment of toppings to add to your pancakes as you cook them. If you are not into that (like my boyfriend, Tom), you can order your pancakes cooked for you. They also offer other more traditional breakfast items, such as eggs, bacon, steak, etc. I can’t speak to the lunch options since I’ve only come here for breakfast, but making my own pancake art is always one of the highlights of my trip! 

Zunzi’s. Shit yeah! This is my favorite restaurant in Savannah. My dad always joked that I gave them 80% of their business while I was living there. I went on average twice a week, sometimes more! It’s that good! Pictured above is my favorite menu item, the Oliver’s Lunch. I am pretty sure I subconsciously named my dog, Oliver, after this. Do I have a problem? Probably. This South African restaurant is addictive. Their sandwich “The Conquistador” was rated in the top three sandwiches in the US by the Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America show. I’d say that Zunzi’s is best known for their Conquistador, Godfather sandwich, Oliver’s lunch, African tea and puns. Yes, puns. I live for them. The best one I’ve heard to date was when I was waiting for the restaurant to open and one of the employees came around front and said, “Soonzis.” Love them! They are open from 11am-9pm every day except for Sunday. I would recommend going either as soon as they open or maybe around 3-4pm for a late lunch. They usually have a long line. Also, if you check this place out, make sure you ask for a sample and try their secret sauce! It’s delicious. You won’t regret it. (By the way, as enthusiastic as I am about this restaurant, you should know that “shit yeah!” is their slogan). 

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room. This Southern family-style restaurant is open 11am-2pm Monday through Friday. Make sure you get there early, because Mrs. Wilkes always has a long line! This restaurant got popular by word of mouth only, and now it’s one of the most beloved restaurants in Savannah. If you are a big fan of traditional Southern food, definitely check this place out! Since it’s family-style, there’s no menu. They just serve giant bowls of food for you to share at the table, as if you were eating with your own family at home. Very cozy! 

The Olde Pink House. This gorgeous upscale restaurant has such an amazing history to it and amazing food! If you plan to eat here, definitely make a reservation, since it’s quite popular. Inside, they have staff dressed in old traditional Savannah clothing. They will come to your table and give you a brief history of the house and Savannah. If you like drinks, I recommend the “Pink Lady” which is sooo tasty and light. The Pecan Crusted Chicken Breast and Caramelized Vidalia Onion & Sweet Potato Ravioli are both delicious! I’d recommend both. Since this is an upscale restaurant, you will pay anywhere between $20-45 per meal. 

Crystal Beer Parlor. This American restaurant has great food and history! I highly recommend their blackened chicken fingers with honey mustard. This restaurant is simple, affordable, and great if you are traveling with kiddos (they have a kids menu)! They have a bar area as well, so if you’re looking to just get a drink or a beer, this is a great place to go to. 

Tequila’s Town Mexican Restaurant. This is definitely in my list of top five favorite restaurants in Savannah. Above, you can see we ordered the taquitos, chicken nachos, and “Arroz Con Texano Bowl” (with just chicken – normally it comes with steak and shrimp as well). This is the restaurant that actually turned me on to Mexican food! Their queso is sooo gooooood. This is another restaurant that usually has a bit of a wait, and unfortunately, doesn’t take reservations. I recommend getting there for an early dinner around 5pm. Since they serve awesome drinks and have a bar as well, you will probably still be waiting if you try to go for a late dinner. They also serve lunch, which usually has no wait. They are open every day of the week, but open and close an hour earlier than usual on Sunday. 

Mellow Mushroom. This funky little pizza place has delicious pizza! They offer other tasty Italian food as well. They put a bunch of Parmesan cheese on the crust of every pizza and it is so good! While I lived in Savannah, any time I got any kind of pizza craving, you could find me at Mellow Mushroom. 

The Public Kitchen and Bar. This place has the best risotto I’ve ever had! They change out their menu seasonally, but each season includes a different kind of risotto so I’m always a winner. Above, I ordered the corn and bell pepper risotto. It was delicious! They also have top notch drinks. When I lived in Savannah, this is where I would come when I wanted great food, wanted to go somewhere relatively fancy, and didn’t want to break the bank. I highly recommend! You can put your name in and get a text message when your table is ready, which is great. You can hang out in one of the pretty nearby squares while you wait for your table to be ready. 

Parker’s Urban Market (AKA Fancy Parkers). Parker’s is a gas station chain seen all over Savannah. Parker’s Urban Market is their fancier gas station. The locals all call it “Fancy Parkers” and I was happy to see on my last visit that they embraced the name and put it up on their wall! So cute. They serve fresh, cooked food every day, groceries (more than your typical gas station), fresh baked cookies, souvenirs, and home decor. I seriously love this place! It’s open 24-7, so back when I went to SCAD, it was a blessing. My friends and I used to come here when we were pulling all nighters and needed some food. Even when I visit, I still make a point of going there. Some of my Christmas decorations are from there as well! It has a “World Market” kind of vibe. If you want a really quick and simple lunch or dinner, just pick something up from here to go!

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar. This cute little retro dessert bar is my favorite dessert place of all time! My favorite desserts to get here are the crème brûlée and big cookie (heated up, a la mode) as pictured above. You need to try the sipping chocolate when you go. It’s a thick, chocolate drink served in a tiny espresso mug. If you are a major sweet tooth like me, it will be right up your alley! Otherwise, it may be a bit too much for you. I still recommend giving it a try, though. My favorite drinks here are the Lulu’s Russian (a white russian made with chocolate Van Gogh Vodka and sipping chocolate) and the Tipsy Hot Chocolate (made with Frangelico). If you are craving dessert, go here! I can’t recommend it enough. 

Leopold’s Ice Cream. This Ice Cream shop on Broughton Street is great. It will have lines on the weekends. They have seasonal ice cream flavors and the inside is decorated with all kinds of movie memorabilia. If you like ice cream and movies, you definitely need to check this place out. 

Tourist Attractions

Segway Adventure Tours. If you want to hear all about the history of Savannah while having fun, I recommend a Segway tour! It’s a really exciting way to see the city and learn something new. If you have never ridden a segway before, don’t fret! They give a brief lesson before the tour leaves. Make sure you call ahead to book your tour.

Hop On Hop Off – Old Town Trolley Tours. If you want to learn about the history of Savannah, but maybe your feet are tired from walking around so much, this tour is perfect for you! Give your feet a break while riding around in a quaint trolley, learning all about the history of Savannah. Since it’s Hop On Hop Off, there’s more flexibility in the schedule. You can decide how long you want to stay on for!

Hearse Ghost Tour. Want to hear all about the history of Savannah’s ghosts from the inside of a hearse? That’s what you get with the Hearse Ghost Tour! It’s a unique, fun little tour, but be prepared for total cheese. This tour is pretty cheesy. I went about a month ago, and the last time before that was maybe four years ago. This time, they added a new part of the tour where you stop in an old butcher shop and museum/gift shop. It’s pretty tacky and I did like the tour better without it, but hey. To each their own! I would still recommend taking this tour. 

Ghost & Gravestones – Trolley Tour. This ghost tour is cheesy, but in the best way. Your tour guides are dressed up in old, historic Savannah costumes. They get really into the acting and storytelling, which is cute. Towards the end of the tour, they take you to a building to tell you more scary stories that includes a pretty impressive jump scare that I did not see coming. 

Savannah Riverboat Cruises. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the pleasure of doing this cruise myself, yet. However, I’ve been on a boat across the river before and Savannah is pretty from the water. It would be interesting to get some information on the river, Savannah’s imports/exports, and more. 

*I am leaving out the Horse Carriage Rides in Savannah, because I do not support them. 

Must See

Chippewa Square. As I mentioned earlier, this is the square where they filmed all of the bus stop scenes in Forrest Gump. Unfortunately, the bench isn’t there (vandalism ruins it for everyone). Despite the bench not being there, I still recommend just passing through the square! Note that for the movie, they reversed traffic to go the opposite way around the square than traffic actually goes in real life. 

Forsyth Park. This is basically the “Central Park” of Savannah. There’s always something fun going on here, whether it’s a concert, a wedding, or SCAD’s Sidewalk Art Festival. The Annual Sidewalk Art Festival happens in April (sometimes May) and it’s worth checking out! Art students each get a sidewalk square to draw on and it’s a huge event. The art stays in the park for weeks until it eventually washes away from the rain. It’s a really beautiful, unique experience! This is also the perfect place to have a picnic and just relax. Finally, if you come around St Patricks day, look at the fountain – they will dye the water green! Very cool. 

Savannah City Market & Ellis Square. Savannah City Market is where I feel at peace. There are a lot of cute shops, galleries, and bars. During the evenings (and sometimes the afternoons), bands will play live music outside. Ellis Square is right next to Savannah City Market and is Savannah’s biggest square. It has a big fountain and it’s really fun and relaxing to watch the kids and dogs all running through it, having fun. I recommend grabbing an ice cream from Leopold’s and eating it while chillin’ out in Ellis Square or City Market!

River Street. River Street has beautiful cobblestone roads, candy shops, bars, and all kinds of seafood restaurants. If you want seafood, River Street is the place to go! There are plenty of bars here, but this is considered by locals the “tourist drinking street”. Most locals will be found on Congress Street for drinks (more on this later). However, drinks on River Street are still great and locals will still check it out! Just know you may pay more for drinks here than Congress. 

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This is probably the biggest church in Savannah and it is truly an architectural masterpiece! It’s so beautiful, in fact, that you just can’t pass up seeing it while you’re in Savannah. The church offers self-guided tours Monday-Saturday from 9:00am to 11:45am and 12:45pm to 5:00pm. 

Where to Drink

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar. See above in “Where to Eat”. Since this restaurant serves not just dessert, but drinks, it’s always on my list when I’m going out for drinks! 

The Rail Pub. This bar has an indoor and outdoor area and sometimes they host cool events in their outdoor area. When Tom and I were there, we stumbled across a silent DJ party! Everyone gets a pair of headphones that syncs up to three different DJ’s and you choose which channel you want to listen to. It’s funny, because everyone is dancing to what appears to be nothing to an outsider. I loved it!

Congress Street Social Club. This is another indoor/outdoor bar, although you can usually find me enjoying the outdoor area. There are pretty string lights hung from the trees. They occasionally have a band playing, but they will be indoors. They also serve barbecue hot dogs and burgers which are so good when you’re hungry at 2:00am! This bar is very laid back and relaxed. 

Bar Bar. This bar is underground in City Market. I love this bar because it’s great for games! They have billiards, Foosball, and all kinds of tabletop games. My favorites there are Jenga and Battleship. The drinks are great too and the bar is big! There’s also a dance floor in one of the back rooms of the bar. The bar is large and fun!

McDonough’s Restaurant & Lounge. This Irish pub is right across from Fancy Parkers and they have delicious food and drinks! The main reason I love to come here is it’s the best spot for karaoke. I think everyone who goes to McDonough’s is mainly there for the singing (either to watch or sing themselves). The crowd here is so lively and fun – they will get up and dance to other customers singing karaoke and they will cheer as well. It has a very supportive vibe! 

I hope you enjoyed this guide and found it helpful. Again, I had lived in Savannah, Georgia for five years. If you have any questions about anything I suggested or maybe left out, feel free to ask about it in the comments!