When a friend learned we were headed to Atlanta, he urged us to visit Savannah while we were nearby. At first we thought we wouldn’t have time, but changes to our flight schedule gave us a few extra days to explore. Because we were traveling on award tickets, the airline adjusted our return time several times before the trip — and in the end we were glad for the unexpected extra hours to discover Savannah’s charm.
If you plan to visit Savannah, a bit of research beforehand will help. We didn’t prepare much, and learned a few lessons the hard way.
What We Did in Savannah:
- Ate at Paula Deen’s Lady & Sons restaurant. We shared a generous plate of shrimp and grits to sample classic Southern cooking. The meal included a surprising complimentary starter — a salty pancake and a fresh cheese biscuit — both delicious and unfamiliar to us. The dining room felt lively and polished, and the attached gift shop was charming. While it was a memorable experience and worth trying once, we wouldn’t necessarily spend extra to return on our next trip.
2. Strolled through unique local shops, including a visit to an Anthropologie location. Even though we didn’t buy anything, it was fun to browse creative displays and pick up decor ideas. Small boutiques and well-curated stores made window-shopping a pleasant pastime.
3. Walked through several of Savannah’s many town squares — small, manicured parks scattered across the historic district. The live oaks draped in Spanish moss were striking and created a uniquely Southern, almost cinematic atmosphere.
4. Admired some of the most beautiful historic architecture we’ve seen. Grand columns, intricate brickwork, and stately facades give the city a dignified presence. The scale and craftsmanship of many buildings were impressive and provided countless photo opportunities.
5. Wandered streets lined with historic homes, often featuring wide porches, high ceilings, and classic Southern details. The sidewalks, sometimes laid in herringbone brick patterns, invited slow walks and close appreciation of the architectural details. On hot days, those deep porches with ceiling fans look like the perfect spot to relax with a glass of sweet tea.
6. Shared coffee on a park bench near the location of the famous bench from the film Forrest Gump. The original bench now resides in a museum, but sitting nearby and sipping coffee together became one of our favorite memories from the visit.
A Few Things We Wish We Had Known Before Arriving in Savannah
To help you plan, here are some practical tips based on our experience:
- Savannah can be very busy. We expected a quiet, slow-paced town but found bustling sidewalks full of visitors, especially in the historic district. If you prefer peace and quiet, try to explore early in the morning or during less busy seasons.
- There’s a popular riverfront walk, but it can get extremely crowded. We visited and quickly decided to step away when the crowds felt overwhelming. If you want a calmer riverside experience, seek out quieter stretches or visit at off-peak hours.
- The town’s network of 25 squares and one-way streets creates an intricate traffic pattern. Studying a map ahead of time helps; otherwise GPS can lead to confusion when streets loop or change direction frequently.
- Don’t rely solely on your phone’s navigation when walking the historic district. Our GPS sometimes suggested awkward turns; a paper map or a downloaded offline map was more reliable for walking routes.
- Free street parking may be available on weekends, but hunting for a free spot can be time-consuming. We found it less stressful to use nearby parking garages and pay for convenience rather than circling for a long time.
- Choose your accommodation carefully. A hotel that advertised proximity to downtown turned out to be a freeway drive away, costing us time and energy. If you want to maximize time in the historic district, prioritize a centrally located place even if it costs a little more.
All that said, we don’t want to give the impression our visit was anything but positive. Savannah offered a lively, vibrant atmosphere full of history, architecture, and Southern character. It was simply different from our quiet, slow-paced travel preferences. For travelers who thrive on energy and activity, Savannah is a delightful destination full of things to see and do.
Before leaving the area, we also discovered a quieter, more relaxed place that suited us perfectly: Tybee Island. More on that in a follow-up post.
