Weekend Getaway to Savannah, Georgia
Perched near the Atlantic Coast in Georgia, Savannah is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in the USA. With its historic architecture, enchanting parks, and Southern hospitality, the city’s charm is palpable. In fact, it’s this charm and hospitality that gave Savannah its nickname of The Hostess City of the South. Georgia’s oldest city is an icon of the Southeast and one that will have you swooning. This travel guide will cover when to visit, where to stay, and all the best things to do on your weekend getaway trip to Savannah.
This is your travel guide to a weekend getaway in historic Savannah, Georgia.
Getting to Savannah
The Savannah/Hilton Head international airport (SAV) is situated about a 20-minute drive from downtown. This is a pretty small (but adorable) airport, so expect fewer direct flights and slightly higher ticket prices than you would find in larger cities. Flying into Atlanta will give you far more options but will also require a three and half hour road trip to reach Savannah. Alternatively, you could fly into Charleston, a 90-minute drive from Savannah, and pay a visit to both cities on your trip to Lowcountry.
To get from the Savannah airport to the historic district, you’ll either need to rent a car or use a rideshare app.
Getting Around Savannah
WALK
Savannah is one of my favorite cities in the country to explore on foot! It’s laid out on a grid system, which makes it extremely easy to navigate, and there are beautiful green parks every few blocks to sit and relax. It’s also remarkably flat (with the exception of taking the stairs down to River Street).
BUS
Savannah offers a fare-free shuttle bus that will conveniently take you to some of the most popular tourist areas around the Historic District. To ride, find any of the 20 DOT bus stop signs and wait for the purple and green bus that arrives every 10 minutes (don’t confuse these with the regular CAT buses which require a paid fare).
DRIVE
You don’t need a car to explore the Historic District on your weekend getaway to Savannah. The one-way roads and lack of parking can make it difficult to do so anyway. If you plan to visit anywhere outside the Historic District, however, a car may come in handy. Popular places you might want to visit outside of walking distance are Bonaventure Cemetery, Wormsloe Plantation, and Tybee Island. Alternatively, you could check the rates of using rideshare apps like Lyft or Uber to see which would be more cost-effective.
Best Time to Visit Savannah
SUMMER
Summers are hot and especially humid in Savannah. Hurricane season also starts in June, so be cognizant of this when planning your trip. Tourism takes a dip during this period, so prices will typically drop, and crowds thin during this time.
AUTUMN
Spooky Season is a great time to visit Savannah! Although you won’t find much for fall colors, Savannah is known for being one of the most haunted cities in the country. This makes it a fun place to visit this time of year (if you can handle it), and temps are pretty much perfect starting in October.
WINTER
Savannah is a great place to escape the cold come winter time. The comfortable temperatures make this a popular vacation spot or Snow Bird destination. As part of the high season, expect higher prices on things like hotels in the winter.
SPRING
March through early May are some of the most popular months to visit Savannah, and it’s easy to see why! Come spring, the city is cloaked in greenery and lush Spanish moss. Rain showers occur occasionally, but with generally comfortable weather, this is a beautiful time to visit! This is another busy tourist season, so expect higher prices and more visitors – particularly on weekends.
PLANNING TIP: Although this is a weekend getaway guide, it’s worth noting that Savannah has a reputation for being a bit of a party town on the weekends. If you want a quieter trip, aim to visit earlier in the week or avoid going downtown on weekend evenings.
Where to Stay on a Weekend Getaway to Savannah
The Perry Lane Hotel
This luxury hotel is conveniently located right in the heart of the Historic District. It also has one of the best rooftop bars I’ve been to, so be sure to pay a visit here for the beautiful view!
The Present Hotel
The space here is beautiful! This former brothel is now a boutique hotel where no two rooms are alike. Located on the edge of the Historic District, it’s close enough to the action while still being tucked into a quieter area.
AirBnB
Hotels can get a bit pricey in Savannah, so if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, check AirBnB. We loved our stay in this apartment across from Forsyth Park! The room was beautiful and we loved the quiet location within walking distance of the historic district. Take note that the walls are thin, but quiet hours are enforced. We didn’t have any problems with noise in the evenings.
Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway to Savannah
Take a stroll through Forsyth Park
This icon of Savannah is probably the picture that comes to mind when you think about exploring the city. Picturesque oak trees dripping with Spanish moss line the sidewalks of this 30-acre park, all centering around Savannah’s famous fountain. This park is also home to several playgrounds, a great brunch spot, a Saturday Farmer’s Market, and a concert space that becomes a splash pad in the summer. Forsyth Park also hosts some of the city’s most anticipated events like the Sidewalk Art Festival in April or the Savannah Jazz Festival in September.
Grab a coffee or pack a picnic and enjoy a quiet moment in the shade.
Unparalleled Beauty
While many of the cities throughout the South were destroyed by fire during the Civil War, Savannah came through unscathed. Legend has it that this is because the Union army said it was too beautiful to burn. Instead, it was preserved and given as a Christmas gift to Abraham Lincoln. As a result, many of Savannah’s most historic buildings remain today.
Stop at any of the numerous other parks
Savannah could have called it good with just Forsyth Park, but they didn’t stop there. The Hostess City is home to 22 parks, all of which are located in downtown Savannah. One of the most recognized might be Chippewa Square where Forrest Gump sat on a bench eating his box of chocolates. That particular bench was a film prop, but there are plenty of other benches in the park you could occupy.
With a city park every few blocks, taking a walk through the Historic District is an experience in and of itself. These beautifully designed green spaces offer the perfect shady spot to relax as you walk around the city.
Explore the Historic District
Speaking of the Historic District, it’s not just the parks that will have you wanting to explore here. Snap a photo at the Insta-worthy colorful shuttered homes on Rainbow Row. Walk down the historic (but rather steep) steps to reach River Street (and then promptly leave because there are way too many tourist traps). Wander through the colonial cemetery, or stop in at the plethora of adorable shops like The Paris Market (complete with a cafe) or Savannah Bee Company where you can sample local honey and mead. You could easily fill a day exploring here!
Haunted History
Savannah is widely regarded as one of the most haunted cities in America. Plagued by numerous yellow fever epidemics, frequented by pirates, and playing a significant role in the Civil War, it’s no wonder Savannah has earned itself a haunted history. Nearly every inch of Savannah has a ghost story associated with it, so don’t be surprised if they come up in casual conversation. Also, many of the porches in Savannah are painted haint blue, particularly on the ceilings, because the color is said to ward off ghosts and evil spirits.
Admire the historic homes on Jones Street
As you make your way about the city, be sure to take a walk down Jones Street. It’s been dubbed the prettiest street in Savannah! Lined with historic homes, gaslit lamps, cobbled paths, and Spanish moss-strewn oak trees, it’s easy to see why.
Discover art, history, and architecture at the Telfair Museums
The Telfair Museums in the Historic District are comprised of three buildings – the Jepson Center, the Telfair Academy, and Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. Jepson Center is the newest of the buildings and housing contemporary art and architecture. The Telfair Academy was the first public art museum in the southern states and will lead you through an incredible former mansion filled with art and history.
The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is an entirely different experience from the other Telfair Museums. It puts on full display the disparity between the most and least powerful in 19th-century Savannah. Explore the mansion, gardens, and slave quarters while learning about the people, both free and enslaved, who lived and worked there.
The museums close by 5pm, so plan accordingly.
Eat your way through the city
It couldn’t be The Hostess City without offering its guests some great food and refreshments! The southern states are known for their incredible cooking, and Savannah is one of the best foodie cities in the South! From classic southern dishes to authentic global cuisine, Savannah has countless delicious choices (so many that I made an entirely separate guide just dedicated to this subject). Pro tip: Many of the top spots book up early, so be sure to make your reservations in advance.
Read More: The Best Places to Eat in Savannah
Grab a cocktail with a view
With its lack of skyscrapers, the views of Savannah from a rooftop bar are spectacular! I highly recommend heading to Peregrin at the Perry Lane Hotel for its excellent cocktails and aesthetic space. Other great options are The Lost Square or Top Deck Bar for views of the river or The Perch at Local11ten near Forsyth Park for a more posh setting.
Take your drink to go!
Savannah is an open-container city which means you can legally consume alcohol in public spaces. Grab a bottle of wine for a picnic in the park or order your drink to go so you can sip and stroll.
Learn about the city’s ghosts or history on a guided tour
Did you know that Savannah is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the country? To delve more into Savannah’s haunted history, there are seemingly endless ghost tours offered up year-round. Some are a bit campy or play up the spook factor with jump scares, while others focus more on the history that led to the city’s haunted title. For a little of both, check out Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour which covers the city’s chilling history while throwing in a few spooky stories for good measure.
If you prefer your history without a side of ghosts, Savannah also has an incredible walking tour. This Savannah History Tour is full of fascinating facts, stories, and even audio recordings to help you understand the history and present-day culture of The Hostess City.
Experience the haunting beauty of Bonaventure Cemetery
Perhaps it’s a bit macabre, but I’m fascinated by cemeteries, and I can tell you that this one is stunning. Made famous by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Bonaventure Cemetery is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. There’s also something just ever-so chilling about the historic graves against a backdrop of Spanish moss.
Hit the beach on Tybee Island
Don’t miss a chance to visit Georgia’s breathtaking coast on Tybee Island! Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Savannah lies the Lowcountry island stretching with miles of sandy beaches. Head to South Beach to walk the sand to the pier and pavilion or to take a dip on a warm and sunny afternoon.
Afterward, stop for a bite at Sea Wolf for oysters, cocktails, and hot dogs (along with plenty of vegan options!) or Bubba Gumbos for fresh seafood.
HEAD’S UP: Sand gnats, sand fleas, no-see-ums, biting midges – whatever you want to call them, these critters are irritating, and you’ll find them here on Tybee Island. A good breeze will typically keep them at bay, but be sure to bring bug spray to help prevent bites. Sand gnats are most active at dawn, dusk, after rain, and on cloudy cool days.
What about Wormsloe?
Like many U.S. cities, Savannah has seen its share of being on the wrong side of history. With its iconic tree-lined entrance, Wormsloe Plantation is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Savannah; however, it shies away from its history of oppression. If you have the opportunity, consider visiting another plantation that can provide a more educational and honest depiction of the lives of both the free and enslaved.
If you’d like to visit, take note that a fee is required even just to photograph the drive leading to the entrance.
Traveling to Savannah feels a bit like traveling back in time. The historic architecture, lush green parks, and cobbled paths leave you with a sense of nostalgia for decades past. That coupled with the mouthwatering food and slower pace of life in the South make Savannah the perfect weekend getaway.
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