So you're planning a trip to Savannah? Smart move. I remember my first time wandering through those oak-lined streets - Spanish moss dripping everywhere, that warm Georgia breeze, and suddenly realizing why people get obsessed with this place. Forget those generic listicles, I'm giving you the real scoop on things to do in Savannah GA after living here six years and playing tour guide for every relative who ever visited.
Top 5 Savannah Must-Dos (If You're Short on Time)
- Stroll Forsyth Park at golden hour - that fountain photo isn't cliché when you're there
- Get lost in the Historic District - seriously, ditch the map for an afternoon
- Eat at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room - but only if you're cool waiting in line for soul food
- Take a creepy-cool ghost tour - this city has more dead residents than living ones
- Sip cocktails on a rooftop bar - Peregrin's view is worth the $16 martini
Historic Stuff That Doesn't Feel Like Homework
Look, I know history can be boring if it's just dates and names. Savannah's different. It's alive. You're basically walking through an 18th century movie set everywhere you go.
The Famous Squares (Not All 22 Are Created Equal)
Yes there are 22 squares. No you shouldn't try to see them all. Here are the ones actually worth your time:
| Square Name | What Makes It Special | Nearby Food Stop |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Square | Forrest Gump bench scene filmed here (bench is gone but vibes remain) | Leopold's Ice Cream (2 min walk) |
| Monterey Square | Most photogenic with Mercer-Williams House (Midnight in the Garden... fame) | Collins Quarter Cafe (amazing lavender mocha) |
| Columbia Square | Quietest escape from crowds, gorgeous fountain | The Grey (former Greyhound station turned gourmet spot) |
| Madison Square | Best for people-watching with tons of benches | Zunzi's sandwiches (get The Conquistador) |
Last Tuesday I sat in Columbia Square around 4pm - barely anyone there, just me and this old guy playing saxophone under a live oak. That's the magic you won't find on a tour bus.
Must-See Historic Houses
You could spend weeks touring houses. Don't. Pick two max or you'll get "antique furniture fatigue."
- Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters (124 Abercorn St) - $20 entry. Brutally honest about slavery history. Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm.
- Mercer Williams House (429 Bull St) - $15 entry. Midnight in the Garden... fans must see. Open Mon-Sat 10:30am-4:10pm.
- Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace (10 E Oglethorpe Ave) - $15. Girl Scouts founder's home. Surprisingly fascinating even if you weren't a scout. Open Tue-Sat 10am-4pm.
Honestly? The Davenport House (324 E State St) has the best guided tour if you actually care about architecture details. The guide last month made 1820s construction techniques weirdly gripping.
Outdoor & Nature Spots That Aren't Just Forsyth Park
Forsyth's great but crowded. Want locals' nature fixes?
Bonaventure Cemetery (330 Bonaventure Rd)
Open daily 8am-5pm. Free entry. Don't just snap the Bird Girl statue (moved to museum anyway). Wander Section E for stunning Victorian graves. Pro tip: Go at 7am when fog rolls off the Wilmington River. Bring $5 for the self-guided tour map.
Wormsloe Historic Site (7601 Skidaway Rd)
$10 entry. 9am-4:45pm daily. That breathtaking oak alley you've seen on Instagram? It's here. Walk the colonial trail to ruins - mosquito spray mandatory. Skip if raining though - trails get swampy.
Skidaway Island State Park (52 Diamond Causeway)
$5 parking fee. Trails open 7am-10pm. Spot gators from boardwalks! My favorite loop: Big Ferry Trail to Sandpiper Trail (3 miles total). Stop at observation tower around mile 2.
Kayaking Tip:
Book Moon River tour with Savannah Canoe & Kayak ($45/3hrs). Saw dolphins last month near Turner Creek. Way better than crowded trolleys for finding things to do in Savannah GA.
Food & Drink - Where Locals Actually Eat
Forget Paula Deen's place. Here's where we take friends:
| Spot | Must-Order | Price Range | Local Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wyld Dock Bar (2740 Livingston Ave) | Grilled oysters + sunset views | $$$ | Arrive before 5pm or wait 2hrs |
| Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room (107 W Jones St) | Family-style fried chicken (cash only!) | $$ | Line forms at 10am - be there by 9:30 |
| Zunzi's (216 Drayton St) | The Conquistador sandwich | $ | Call ahead pickup unless you love lines |
| Leopold's Ice Cream (212 E Broughton St) | Tutti Frutti (rum raisin ice cream) | $ | Go after 8pm for shorter lines |
Personal confession: I find some "famous" spots overhyped. Vic's on the River? Nice view but shrimp & grits taste like glue sometimes. Better off at Huey's on River Street for same view but crispier fried green tomatoes.
Unique Experiences You Won't Find in Brochures
Beyond ghost tours (which are legit fun - try Blue Orb for adults-only version), dig deeper:
Prohibition Museum (209 W Saint Julian St)
$15 entry. 10am-5pm daily. Sounds dull? It's surprisingly hilarious. Speakeasy bar at end makes killer gin fizzes ($12). Spent two hours here last rainy Tuesday.
Starland Yard Food Truck Park (2411 De Soto Ave)
Open Thu-Sun 4-9pm. Rotating trucks + permanent pizza spot. Thursday trivia nights get wild. Local artists sell crafts weekends. My top picks: Big Bon's BBQ truck and Pizzeria Vittoria.
SCAD Hidden Galleries
Savannah College of Art & Design owns half the city. Their student galleries change weekly - free! Best bets:
- Gutstein Gallery (201 E Broughton St) - edgy contemporary stuff
- Ex Libris Bookstore (414 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd) - gallery upstairs
Check scad.edu/exhibitions before going.
Rainy Day Solutions Because Hurricanes Happen
Got poured on last April vacation? Learned these saviors:
- Telfair Museums ($20 combo ticket): Jepson Center has interactive art kids love. Owens-Thomas House slave quarters tour is indoors too.
- Savannah Bee Company (104 W Broughton St): Free honey tastings! Try 20+ varieties. Bought tupelo honey here three Christmases straight.
- Books on Bay (212 W Bryan St): Used bookstore with resident cat named Fitzgerald. Rainy day heaven.
Seasonal Secrets Most Blogs Miss
Timing matters here:
Spring (March-May)
Azalea blooms peak late March. Avoid St. Pat's Week unless you love frat parties. Secret garden: Massie Heritage Center garden (free entry).
Summer (June-Aug)
HOT. Do mornings/evenings outdoors. Hydrate constantly. Free Savannah Philharmonic concerts in Forsyth Park monthly.
Fall (Sept-Nov)
Savannah Film Festival (Oct) brings celebs. Book hotels 6+ months early. Weather perfection late October.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Christmas lights epic. Boat Parade of Lights first week Dec. New Year's Eve fireworks over river. January hotel deals rock.
Savannah With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)
As a mom who's survived 7 family visits:
| Activity | Why It Works | Parent Hack |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia State Railroad Museum (655 Louisville Rd) | Kids can climb real trains | Combo ticket with Children's Museum next door saves $ |
| Oatland Island Wildlife Center (711 Sandtown Rd) | Wolves, bison, alligators on wooded trails | Pack lunch - cafe options limited |
| Forsyth Park Playground | Massive castle-themed equipment | Restrooms nearby + Leopold's Ice Cream truck often parks there |
Honestly? Skip the expensive dolphin tours with little kids. They get bored fast. Cheaper to walk River Street at high tide and spot fins from shore.
Savannah on a Budget (Yes, Possible!)
College student proof:
- Free walking tours: Savannah First Squares offers $1 tips-encouraged tours daily at 10:30am (meet at Johnson Square)
- Free museums: SCAD galleries, Telfair's Jepson Center free every Sunday
- Cheap eats: Zunzi's sandwiches under $10, Randy's BBQ lunch special $8.50
- Free events: Forsyth Farmers Market Saturdays, concert series April-Nov
My broke college ritual: Zunzi's sandwich + free gallery hop + sunset at River Street. Total spent: $9.50.
Getting Around Without Losing Your Sanity
Ubers add up fast. Pro moves:
- DOT Shuttles: Free downtown buses running every 10-20 mins. Stops marked with blue signs.
- Bike rentals: $25/day at Savannah Bike Tours. Most hotels rent cheaper though.
- Walking: Historic District is 2 sq miles - very walkable if you have comfy shoes.
- Parking hack: Whitaker Street Garage charges $1/hr evenings/weekends. Street parking free Sundays.
Warning: Avoid driving in Historic District if possible. Narrow streets + horse carriages = stress city.
FAQs About Things to Do in Savannah GA
How many days do I need?
Minimum 3 days. Ideal 5 to add Tybee Island day trip. Anything less and you'll rush the good stuff.
Is Savannah walkable?
Historic District totally is. Bring broken-in shoes though - cobblestones murder new sneakers.
Best time to visit?
October hands down. Weather perfect, crowds thinner than spring, cheaper than December.
Are ghost tours worth it?
Only if you get small groups. Blue Orb or Sixth Sense. Skip the big trolley tours - too cheesy.
Can I do beaches from Savannah?
Tybee Island is 30 mins east. North Beach has calmer water. South Beach has pier/restaurants. Parking $5/day.
What's overrated?
Fight me, but River Street shops. Same tourist junk since 1998. Walk it for views, shop elsewhere.
Final Reality Check
Savannah isn't perfect. Summer humidity feels like walking through soup. Some historic sites whitewash slavery history - seek out Owens-Thomas House for truth. And avoid River Street on cruise ship days unless you love crowds.
But walking through Forsyth Park as the oaks glow at sunset? Watching ships glide down the river from a rooftop bar? Finding that perfect hidden garden square? That's the magic that keeps me here. Your turn to discover it.
Got questions about authentic things to do in Savannah GA? Hit me in the comments - I check daily between dodging tourists on Broughton Street.
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