I spent 24 hours and one night in Savannah, GA, and every corner felt like stepping into a storybook as fan palms swayed, giant leopard plants in every square, ornate gas lamps glowed over wrought-iron gates, and willow trees shaded peaceful parks. You can walk the whole city in a day and see a lot so that's what I did since I was only there for one night. The "grid system" plan is why it is so walkable. One of the rare, small American cities that have a European feel.

1. First Impressions (above)
2. Historic Homes & Architecture
3. Weather & Flooding
4. Movies & Filming Locations
5. St. Patrick’s Day
6. Savannah’s Floral Scents
7. Transportation
8. Restaurants
9. Bars
10. Sightseeing & Self-Guided Tour
11. Hotels & Accommodations
12. Tours
13. Further Afield

After visiting Charleston a few years ago and falling in love with its charm, I was curious to see how nearby Savannah compared.  Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans are referred to as the three sisters because of their shared Southern character and historic beauty. Set along the Georgia coast near the South Carolina border, Savannah immediately draws you in with its cobblestone streets, colorful historic homes, and oak trees draped in Spanish moss.

Founded in 1733, it’s one of the oldest cities in the United States, and its thoughtfully planned grid layout by James Oglethorpe makes it incredibly easy to explore on foot. I skipped the trolley tours and walked everywhere since the city is so compact, wandering through its iconic squares and the largest historic district in the country.

The charm is constant. Antebellum mansions line the streets, the squares feel peaceful and picturesque, and many of the homes look like real-life dollhouses. Everywhere you turn, the city’s history shows through its architecture, and you never quite know what beautiful detail you’ll come across next. Add in nearby beaches where you can sit and read, and Savannah feels like a place that invites you to slow down and take it all in.

I went at the end of March, and the temperature hovered around 60°F. Savannah’s weather can be unpredictable, though even when it feels cool, tiny particles in the air from controlled burns or dust can linger, affecting sensitive groups.  For example, smoke from a recent controlled burn at Fort Stewart drifted over Savannah, showing how far these particles can travel. A NASA satellite even spotted the smoke.

The city’s low-lying location near the coast also means flooding has always been part of life here. Many historic homes sit noticeably high above street level, often with a 12-step entrance, as a  response to storm surge, heavy rain, and high tides. Even today, high tides push water into streets around 10 times a year, and sudden storms can overwhelm drainage in low areas. Hurricanes don’t hit Savannah as often as Florida or the Carolinas, but extreme flooding with water nine inches deep or enough to float cars can occur. Elevating homes not only kept them dry, but also allowed air to circulate underneath, naturally cooling the structure before air conditioning existed. Many houses have a ground-level "raised basement" or garden level historically used for kitchens, storage, or service areas, while the main living floor sits above, accessed by a full flight of stairs. In the 18th and 19th centuries, grand staircases and elevated entrances were also a status symbol, adding privacy and keeping living spaces farther from dust, mud, and odors on the streets. The gas street lights in front of homes are a part of the city's historic charm and contribute to its old-world ambience adding a soft, warm glow to the cobblestone streets and historic houses.

Many people describe Savannah as romantic, and it’s easy to see why. The city feels cinematic, which makes sense given how often it’s been used on screen. Iconic bench scenes from Forrest Gump were set in Chippewa Square, and films like The Last Song (on netflix based on a Nicolas Sparks book), Something to Talk About (Julia Roberts), The General's Daughter (John Travolta), and Magic Mike XXL also shot scenes here. Add in the open container laws, which let you sip a drink while strolling through the historic district, and you get a city that invites you to slow down, look closer, and soak it all in.

Savannah is also famous for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It’s the second-largest celebration in the country and the largest in the South! So I decided to go the week afterwards to avoid the crowds but I wanted to share what I learned about the event.  It’s not just a one-day event, it really takes over the city for days. Even the iconic fountain in Forsyth Park turns green! A special ceremony is held each year with the parade’s Grand Marshal has green dye is poured into the water. Over at Plant Riverside District, the "Shamrocks and Shenanigans" festival is a big party. I saw Irish flags hanging everywhere.

When I was in Charleston,  jasmine scented every street, but in Savannah, it’s honeysuckle that dominates.  Blooming starts in late March, and by April, the city will be a honeysuckle heaven. I wore my favorite honeysuckle perfume, sprayed on right after I got off the plane. In March I also saw lots of azalea bushes and wisteria blooming. Every street was full of willow trees, fan palms and giant leopard plants.

These two pics are the same house, one is just a close up.

I love these fan palms so much I have one in my living room at home!

Savannah has a free downtown shuttle called Dot  that runs every 15 minutes. Look for the purple trolley bus. I spotted it, but it never came to my stop, even though the app said it would.

Restaurants

Ruan Thai  - Thai

Kayak Kafe - fast casual healthy food in two locations, been around 19 years.

 Naan on Broughton - Indian

Leopold’s Ice Cream -  founded in 1919 by three brothers from Greece, usually a long line, but also two counters at the airport. Their recipe hasn't changed since they first opened.

Lulu's Chocolate Bar  - closes late - 11:30pm or 12:30am

Maple street biscuits

Alligator soul - serves Southern food

The Olde Pink House Restaurant - iconic place to dine in Charleston

Corleones - casual Italian, always crowded

Hueys on the river for a taste of New Orleans and Southern specialties like beignets. 

Little Duck Diner breakfast spot described as a "vintage chic diner reminiscent of dining cars and diners of the late 20’s and 30’s with a contemporary twist."  Cocktails come with little duckies in it.

Saint Bibiana - an Italian restaurant in a historic manor across from Forsyth Park. Go for breakfast. It just opened a couple years ago as it was previously known as The Mansion on Forsyth Park, and before that it was a funeral home for 50 years. Built in 1833 the outdoor decor from the candles to the lush greenery makes it a beautiful spot to visit. A food critic described it as "this is a next level ‘big city’ vibe, feel, and menu.  That comes at a cost. Consider the envelope pushed. Is a jewel in Savannah’s culinary crown."

Last year Paula Deen's restaurants of 35 years abruptly closed The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box.  She has a number of franchised restaurants that will remain open, but the one closing is her original. The franchises send her money without her having to oversee their operations tightly. The building is worth more than the restaurant. She sold her old mansion for over 6 million dollars. Her lawsuit in 2013 resulted in a settlement but it seems she didn't pay it because the same woman took her back to court last year after Paula's documentary came out. 

Bars

Bar Julian - rooftop riverfront bar, sits atop the Thompson hotel and feels more like an elevated lounge with craft cocktails, calmer, relaxed vibe.

Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Bar - rooftop riverfront bar, is part of the Plant Riverside District but stands out with a lush, garden‑like setting. It’s known for its botanically inspired cocktails. It feels more intimate and elegant.

Electric Moon Skytop Lounge - rooftop riverfront bar, high‑energy night out with live music on the weekend. I went before dinner on a Tuesday evening so it was pretty empty but the bartenders friendly. They have a slide for adults.

Peregrin - Rooftop bar in the city at the Perry Lane Hotel, chic, lively but not too loud, sunset city view, creative cocktails.

The Hot Eye- An underground speakeasy for late‑night drinks and an intimate experience.

Bamboo Room Tiki Bar - Tropical cocktail bar on top of an Oyster joint, gives off a classic tiki lounge vibe. Has a large rum selection and some drinks served in tiki mugs, $50 charge if you don't return.

Untitled. - opened Aug 2025, the room is dark with a sexy vibe with red decor, it serves Japanese small plates. It's described as a "modern cocktail lounge with the vibrant soul of a Tokyo izakaya." I went on Tuesday night when they have salsa dancing at 9:30pm. You get a free margarita when you order food. 

Wexford-Savannah's Irish Pub This authentic Irish pub was crowded on a Tuesday night (dinnertime), had Guinness flowing freely and the atmosphere looked friendly and welcoming when I popped in for sec, it also had live music.

The usual chains were there but they were empty on a Tuesday night when I walked by: Wet Willie’s, Fat Tuesday, Honky Tonk South. 

Sightseeing

I took myself on a self guided walking tour with no interiors tours, it took me only 3 hours. This was very doable, relaxed, not rushed, actually a really nice first feel of Savannah. Then I had time left for early dinner afterward, went somewhere else for dessert then a cocktail bar afterwards. 

This is my google maps that I create for every city I visit. My hotel is the brown dot with the shape of a bed. The yellow dots are all the sites and you basically just walk down one way and loop back up on another street, then later walk along the river.

I did a lot of research on bars (green cocktail glass) but unfortunately most were closed on Tuesdays, but I will share my research below.

Section 1: Historic core

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace - founder of the Girl Scouts $15 to enter

Savannah Theatre (across from Chippewa Square)

Madison Square

Savannah school of design had an unique art store .

Jones Street - Walk down Jones street which is one of the pretties streets in the entire country, shaded by giant trees and beautiful homes. 

Section 2: Toward Forsyth Park

Mercer Williams House Museum - if I had more time I would have gone inside as it looks really interesting. $15 to enter

West Gaston Street walk

Forsyth Park  + Garden of Fragrance

This is the park whose fountain is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. It covers 30 acres and has public bathrooms. The large fountain was built in 1858, and it’s one of the most photographed spots in Savannah!

The Garden of Fragrance really comes alive between April and June, so visiting in March, I didn’t notice much scent. Cooler temperatures make fragrances weaker, while warm, slightly humid mornings or evenings bring out the strongest aromas. The garden is walled to help hold in scent, but it’s also quite shaded, which means fewer aromatic oils are released compared to plants in full sun. Among its plantings are gardenias, jasmine, and roses.

Section 3: Loop back

Amethyst Garden Inn - The prettiest purple house that stopped me in my tracks!

Taylor Square

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist  (free entry, worth stepping in briefly)

Lafayette Square

Colonial Park Cemetery

 

The Olde Pink House - The house was built in 1771 and has been a private residence, Georgia’s first bank, an attorney’s office and a colonial tea room.

Visit all the yellow dots along the river. This waterfront area was once home to cotton warehouses. Most popular at sundown and a great place to dine on the river. The Savannah waterfront has a 40 foot change of grade from Bay street to River street. Meaning you have to walk down a flight of stairs to get to the waterfront. 

Along River Street in Savannah, the rail tracks you see are a mix of two eras: originally used over a century ago to move cargo along the Savannah River when the area was an industrial waterfront, and later reused for the green, vintage-style River Street streetcar (#756), a one-mile rail line that ran until 2015. The tracks were intentionally preserved to maintain the street’s historic character, which is why today you’ll find them embedded in cobblestones where people walk. The cobblestones are from all over the world and they arrived here as ship ballast, they stones help keep a ship bottom heavy so it doesn't blow over when out at sea.

That same charm is also what makes driving there tricky, since uneven stones, rail grooves, tight space, and constant pedestrian traffic force cars to move slowly, making it a place that’s far better explored on foot.

Walk to Plant Riverside District: 

Savannah Bee Company (FYI honey is a liquid if you are only flying with a carry-on)

River Street stroll + riverboat photos - fun fact they had to dig out and expand the river for cargo ships.

River Street Market Place

Factors Walk - a historic,19th-century walkway and series of iron bridges spanning above River Street along the bluff. Originally the center of the world's cotton market.

Morrell Park

Step inside JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District lobby (it’s worth a look)

This is the former Savannah power plant from 1912-2005 that was converted into the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District. Even though Savannah is a small city, it has the third biggest port in the US so there is a lot of semi truck traffic on the road all day long as I discovered from the noise inside my hotel room. 

Hotels

 

 

Tours

There are two trolley companies, Cruzers tours in golf carts,  ghost tours, food tours, and a riverboat sightseeing cruise. There's the Paranormal museum, Savannah true history tour, and SCADstory an immersive 4D experience. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum has a collection of ship models, paintings, and maritime antiques. Since the museum is housed in a historic house built in 1819, it has the largest private gardens within Savannah’s historic district, designed to reflect a typical 19th-century parlor garden. Admission is $17.50 and they have lots of special evening events so check out their website.

It felt like all the tourists were doing the trolley tours which means the lines at every stop to board the trolley were long. But I had to think this trolley is not driving them far, they could walk the whole route! I think its best suited for senior citizens.

Further Afield 

If you have a car you should visit the Gingerbread House,  Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, Savannah Botanical Gardens, Tybee Island,  Wormsloe Historic Site for a classic willow tree photo but know it is a former plantation but now a state park. You can balance that out with visiting Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters (closed on Mondays) $30 for 3 Telfair museums.