How to Spend Three Days in Savannah
Strolling through one of Savannah’s many oak-filled squares.
Savannah, Georgia is a place that epitomizes sweet, southern charm. Full of history and intrigue, the city’s iconic moss-draped oaks, well-worn cobblestone streets, and historic buildings only hint at the stories and legends contained within it. Savannah is a place that offers much more than meets the eye.
This three-day Savannah itinerary is designed to help you dive beneath the surface and uncover the secrets of this beautiful colonial city.
You will almost certainly want to simply wander around in Savannah, as you should! A defining characteristic of Savannah is its gridded layout featuring many peaceful and beautiful public squares. An afternoon spent wandering from square to square in the historic district, marveling at the magnificent homes and gardens along the way is an afternoon well-spent. Therefore this itinerary, like all AstridTravel Club Trip itineraries, is carefully designed to achieve a healthy balance of scheduled activity + leisure time. Scheduled activities, like tours, provide context and information that you might otherwise miss had you spent all your time simply wandering around. We believe both are an important part of a well-crafted trip!
So, without further ado, here are our recommendations on how to spend a lovely 3 days in Savannah, Georgia.
Day 1
If flying in, you’ll arrive at Hilton Head Airport. From there, catch an Uber, Lyft, or taxi to your hotel. Savannah is well suited for traveling by-foot, so renting a car is probably not necessary and might even be more of a headache because parking is at a premium.
The Mansion on Forsyth Park Lobby
As far as accommodations go, we recommend the chic and eclectic Mansion on Forsyth Park. Originally an 18,00 square foot Victorian Romanesque Mansion, this hotel is a destination in and of itself. Featuring a fine-dining restaurant, cocktail lounge, wine cellar, outdoor pool, and spa, there’s no shortage of activities at this wonderful hotel. Adorned with Brazilian mahogany furnishings, Italian marble, and over 400 pieces of original artwork, this hotel exudes luxury. Located in the Historic District of Savannah overlooking the iconic Forsyth Park, Mansion on Forsyth Park is the place stay to explore the alluring city of Savannah, Georgia.
View of River Street
Depending on where you’re flying in from, you’ll most likely arrive sometime in the mid-to-late afternoon. Check-in to your hotel and take some leisure time to refresh. Afterward, take a stroll along River Street, “a glittering, multi-faceted gem along the broad Savannah River where century-old buildings, once cotton warehouses, have been converted to antique shops, distinctive boutiques, spectacular galleries, quaint brew pubs, fabulous restaurants, unique nightspots, elegant inns, and hotels.”
You could either walk to River Street through the historic district (about a mile walk from Forsyth Park) or catch a ride depending on your energy level and the heat/humidity. If you choose not to walk to River Street and just along River Street, do not worry because Day 2 will give you additional opportunity to explore the historic distinct more on foot.
Fried Green Tomatoes from Vic’s on the River. Image source.
Spend the afternoon strolling and shopping before enjoying dinner at Vic’s on the River, a beautiful boutique restaurant located in one of the aforementioned converted cotton warehouses. Charming, inviting, and simply divine, a dinner at Vic’s is a great introduction to what you can expect from this trip to Savannah!
Head back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest!
Day 2
Begin the day with a light breakfast either at your hotel or at a nearby cafe/coffee shop (there are many to choose from).
Tip: I’ve had great success finding fabulous restaurants by simply opening up Google Maps and typing in “breakfast” and pursuing through the results - always looking at ratings and reviews. If you’re looking for something specific, you can even type in keywords like “croissant” or “organic” and the app will pull up relevant results.
Savannah Dan leading a Walking Tour
In the late morning, join a Walking Tour of Savannah with Savannah Dan, named the best tour guide in Savannah for 6 years in a row. “Stroll through picturesque squares framed in Live Oaks, dripping with "Spanish moss". See stately antebellum mansions and churches and hear the secrets they still keep today. View Savannah's unique architectural styles which will transport you back in time, to the days of yesteryear. Let Savannah Dan regale you with his factual but whimsical and entertaining history of Savannah. From before the settling of Savannah in 1733, right up to the movies being filmed in and around Savannah today, he will confirm legends and dispel myths, all in his avant-garde style about the backstories you were NEVER taught in American history class!”
Food tours are a great way to get to know a city’s culture! Image source.
Following this fantastic introduction into the history and mystery of Savannah, get a real taste of the city through an “off the beaten path” Food Tour. (This is why breakfast should be light.) It’s no secret that the South is known for great food, and Savannah is no exception. Teeming with a variety of southern, ethnic, gourmet, fusion, and local gems, a food tour is a great way to gain a little bit of insight into this city’s bustling food scene.
Savannah’s cemeteries are captivating and beautiful during the day, but can be a little spooky at night.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, enjoy live music and dinner at Good Times Jazz Bar and Restaurant before “hunting for ghosts” in some of Savannah’s most haunted places on a Savannah Ghost Tour. After all, Savannah is allegedly the most haunted city in the United States!
Day 3
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel or at one of many amazing breakfast restaurants throughout the city. Cafe M and Two Cracked Eggs Cafe are great options by the river. The Collins Quarter & B. Matthew’s Eatery are always great choices!
Savannah’s architecture is varied and diverse, but the Historical District is particularly charming. Image source.
If breakfast is finished early enough, you might have time to join an Architectural Walking Tour of Savannah to learn about the city’s architectural metamorphosis from pre-colonial times to today and how each style contributes to Savannah’s distinctive character.
Spend the afternoon shopping on Broughton Street, a bustling hub in Savannah. One place not to be missed is the Savannah Bee Company! Learn about the company’s mission to inform others of the importance of bees and sample their specialty bee products like honey, bee pollen, beauty products, candles, and more.
One could easily spend hours perusing The Paris Market! Photo source.
Also be sure to check out The Paris Market, a charming, 18th-century Victorian boutique filled to the brim with fantastic treasures from around the world giving one the feel of a well-curated Parisian flea market. A great place to stop for lunch is at the adjacent Paris Market Cafe, recently named “The Most Beautiful Coffee Shop in Georgia” by Architectural Digest.
Continue your journey at the nearby Savannah City Market, a large open-air market full of unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Watch artists at work as you sip on a refreshing beverage and drink in the sights of this happening place.
The Olde Pink House interior dining. Image source.
Conclude your trip with dinner at The Olde Pink House, a historic Savannah icon. Built by a wealthy planter in 1771, this iconic mansion is rumored to have been the site of many secret meetings which helped to secure the colonies’ independence in the American Revolution. Eventually, the house was turned into the first bank in Georgia and later became the headquarters for General York during the Civil War. For decades after, the home changed hands until in 1992 it was restored to its former glory and it became The Olde Pink House Restaurant. Dining within these storied walls is the perfect setting to relax and reflect on your time in beautiful Savannah.
Head back to your hotel and prepare to head home the next day.
Need More Time?
Savannah is a city which always seems to have more to offer. It’s a place that keeps travelers coming back time and time again, and each time it offers new things to discover. This itinerary is a condensed version of the 6 Day, 5 Night AstridTravel Club Trip to Savannah.
On this trip, travellers have the pleasure of partaking in all the previously aforementioned activities and more including a day trip to nearby Beaufort, South Carolina - named one of Southern Living Magazine’s Best Small Towns.
This trip is an excellent option for any travelers who wish to explore Savannah, but don’t wish to travel totally solo. Learn more about our trip to Savannah by clicking the button below.
