Savannah, Georgia Travel Guide || Spring 2023 Where To Eat, Stay, and Play In Savannah This Spring
My spring road trip is officially underway which means for the next several weeks you’ll be getting all kinds of travel and outfit guides from your most requested cities down south. The first of five stops was to the historical city of Savannah, Georgia. I’ve heard amazing things about this quaint, quirky city so it was time to see for myself what it’s all about. I have to say, I liked it a lot more than I expected to.
On the surface, it reminds me a lot of Charleston— slow sleepy living, that unbeatable southern hospitality and historical character tucked into every corner. It’s one of those cities where you feel like you’re traveling back in time. I spent five days exploring the Hostess City, eating my body weight in fried food, shopping till I dropped, and taking part in all of the spooky adventures.
Per usual I’m breaking down our full itinerary leaving you with tons of restaurant recommendations, things to do, hotel details, and a detailed packing list. For reference, we visited Mid-may, not on a weekend so things were a bit calmer. If you’re looking to enjoy the city for all that it is (without sweating your butt off) rather than to party it up like a tourist, I highly recommend coming this time of year.
Enjoy!
WHERE TO STAY
As most of you know, Best Western is a huge hotel chain with over 4,000 properties around the globe. With properties in almost all major cities and budget-friendly pricing, it was a no-brainer to choose them for my spring travels. I had the incredible opportunity to work with them throughout this road trip and truly cannot say enough good things.
For this trip, we booked four nights at the Best Western Savannah Historic District. This hotel could not have been in a better location—it’s in the heart of historic downtown which means it’s literally steps away from the riverwalk which is where all of the best shopping, bars, and restaurants are.
We stayed in a standard “2 Queen Bed” room and had a comfortable, cozy stay. The room had everything we needed from extra outlets to an iron.
Our bathroom was nice and big which I always appreciate so we had lots of space to get ready each morning. While this wasn’t a chic, plush robe, type of stay, it was clean practical, and affordable—all things that are a must if you’re planning on being in a city for an extended period.
This Best Western also had on-site self-parking, a daily complimentary breakfast buffet, and a cute common area where I spent my mornings catching up on emails. If you’re interested in booking the Best Western Savannah Historical District click here for current availability and best rates.
TRANSPORTATION
As I mentioned, we’re road-tripping this month which means we did have a car with us. However, we hardly used it throughout our week here.
One of the reasons I love Savannah so much is that it’s incredibly walkable. It’s only a few miles from one end to the next so we threw on our comfiest sandals and got our 10,000 steps in each day. There are trolleys everywhere and widely used public buses if you’re wanting to cool down and/or give your feet a rest. Uber is fully functioning here as well.
If you’re flying in, the closest airport to downtown is Savannah/Hilton Head (SAV). It’s roughly a twenty-minute ride from here to downtown.
WHERE TO EAT
I’ve always been a fan of a good ole Southern comfort meal but wow was I blown away by the food here in Savannah! Perhaps part of it was that it’s so different from all the fresh seafood and coconut-y sides I was eating in Florida but regardless, eating was probably my favorite part of this trip. And we did a lot of it!
Sharing all of my favorite restaurants down below including direct links to the menus and directions to make your life a little easier.
Common Restaurant
Menu // Directions
Common Restaurant was one of those places that everyone recommended to me. So of course, we had to go see what it was about! A lot of the restaurants here have an old-time, southern comfort feel but I was pleasantly surprised to find the inside of this place super modern with a cloth napkin! Definitely, a good spot if you’re looking for something chicer.
We started off with the crabcakes which had an interesting spicy flavor to them! For my main course, I went with their mahi and fried rice which is served in half of a pineapple. This was so good and the presentation could not have been better! Don’t skip out on their cornbread cake for dessert—it’s unlike anything I’ve tasted before!
The Paris Market
Menu // Directions
The Paris Market has a little bit of everything. When you walk in you’re transported right to Europe with the cutest cafe. They serve coffee and sweet treats all day long. I stopped in for one of their famous cinnamon rolls and it certainly didn’t disappoint. While you’re waiting for your food, I suggest checking out the other half of the place—there’s a huge market full of small trinkets, handmade items, and cute gifts! You’ll want practically everything you see, trust me.
I’m not a coffee drinker but I’ve been told this is the best spot in town… don’t hold me to it. 😉
Ordinary Pub
Menu // Directions
Looking for a fun underground pub with amazing drinks?! Ordinary Pub is in the midst of all the Whitaker Street fun! I had the best entree of our entire road trip here—their chicken and waffles come gyro style and let me tell you, it’s unforgettable! The perfect mix of sweet and spicy with a unique sauce that was just to die for. I cannot recommend it enough.
I also tried my first fried green tomatoes here which quickly became one of my favorite appetizers throughout the duration of our trip.
Sea Wolf Tybee
Menu // Directions
I found Seawolf Tybee on Instagram when looking for restaurant recommendations in Tybee Island and let me tell you, this place did not disappoint! They were recently featured in Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dive Bars. This hippy-chic spot is known for its full oyster + hot dog menu. You have to get their Wagyu hot dog. It’s loaded up with cilantro, pimento cheese, and spicy mayo. An easy 10/10 from me which I don’t give out generously!
I highly suggest a painkiller if you’re looking for a sweet yet strong cocktail. Amazing atmosphere and the nicest workers; I cannot recommend this spot enough.
Franklin’s
Menu // Directions
Popped into this cute cafe one morning to grab a quick breakfast for me and a coffee for Ashlee. They have several locations throughout Savannah as it’s a popular hot spot. I know why now—their egg burrito with bacon, tomato, onion, and avocado was phenomenal. A huge portion of food for a very reasonable price.
Ardsley Station
Menu // Directions
What an adorable spot Ardsley Station was! This restaurant is a hidden gem. The owners opened within the last few years and have outdone themselves with the interiors. A 10/10 on the atmosphere from me. Their cocktails were just incredible—light, fruity drinks with tons of muddled options which are my favorite.
I tried my first poutine fries here—these are everywhere on the menus here! Apparently, they are a Canadian thing but the southern folks love them! So tasty, as was the crab cake. For my main course, I tried their shrimp and grits which were delicious. A little spicier than your typical dish but so yummy.
Rhett
Menu // Directions
Rhett is the cutest new restaurant located inside the Alida Hotel. This spot was so chic and surprisingly very quiet. I started off with their specialty spritz which was not only huge but so tasty! We got a round of crispy calamari that came with an amazing spicy mayo and oysters for the girls!
I was craving something different so I decided to switch it up and try their maple glazed biscuits with bacon, cheddar cheese, and ham. Boy were these babies salty but they sure were unique! A classic Southern dish. Super cute spot if you’re wanting a long, intimate dinner!
WHAT TO WEAR + PACKING LIST
Not sure what to wear in Savannah, Georgia?! Don’t worry I’ve got you covered—sharing all nine outfits I wore during my trip in this blog post. Per usual I’m sharing links to everything so you can shop as well as directions to each photo location so that you can spice up your Instagram feed!
A few must-have packing items for Savannah in the spring:
- Easy Breezy Dresses: The southern heat is no joke and the sun can get pretty unbearable, even in the middle of May. I suggest bringing easy sun dresses—these are super airy and incredibly easy to style. Bonus points because they take up no space in your suitcase!
- Lightweight Linens: If you’re not a fan of dresses, I suggest sticking to lightweight linens. Leave the polyester tops at home. Instead reach for breathable cotton, flowy pants, and button-ups. Think European summer energy. It’s just as hot here as it was the summer I lived in Florence without air conditioning haha.
- Comfy Sandals: This is a very walkable city, meaning you will be on your feet all day. It was a little too hot to keep my socked foot in sneakers all day so I packed my comfiest sandals and made do. I suggest you do the same! Franco Sarto, Dolce Vita, Teva, and OTBT are all great brands I suggest looking into.
- Tote Bag: This was one of those cities I was so happy to have a tote bag in. I seemed to always be buying something or having an extra outfit tucked in there. I carried this straw shopper almost every day.
- Swimsuit: Tybee Isalnd is a cute beach town just about a twenty-minute drive away. I suggest packing a swimsuit in case you have the chance to visit + catch some beach rays.
- Sunscreen: I know it’s easy to disregard sunscreen when you’re not laying out at the beach all day but the UV is kicking in Savannah. I lathered up every time I left the house just to be sure. No wrinkles here, ladies. If you’re wanting something that will leave you glowing rather than greasy, I suggest checking out the Kopari Bodyglow—it’s life-changing.
- Hat: If your hair is anything like mine, it won’t stand a chance against the Georgia humidity. I brought a gazillion felt/straw hats with me on this trip and rotated them all day every day. Such an easy way to keep your hair tame + add a little extra something to your outfit.
WHAT TO DO
Savannah was our first stop on this five-city road trip so our batteries were fully charged and ready to rock here! It’s a smaller city so in five days we were able to do it all. Sharing a detailed list of everything we did.
Check out The Historic District and River Street
On our first day in town we explored the Historic District which was just steps outside of our hotel. Savannah is Georgia’s largest city. It was founded by colonists in 1733, which also makes it one of the oldest. There is so much history and soul packed into this city. It’s really neat getting to see all of the old landmarks and read up on some of them.
The downtown area has tons of seafood restaurants mixed in with souvenir shops, praline sweet treat shops, and more. You’ll also get to see River Street! This area is Savnnah’s newest addition and is super popular amongst the bachelorette scene. Lots of rooftop bars, modern outdoor dining experiences, and newer one-of-a-kind boutiques.
If you’re wanting to meet fellow twenty-somethings, this is the place to do it!
Sweet Treat Run At Leopolds Ice Cream
Leopolds is the spot if you’re craving a mid-day sweet treat. They’ve been serving award-winning ice cream since 1919! The line here is always crazy long but it’s so worth the wait. When you walk inside you’ll feel like you’ve time traveled. The walls are lined with vintage decor and Hollywood movie posters, all produced by the Leopold family. Definitely a must-do during your visit to Savannah.
Shop On Whitaker Street
Whitaker Street is a huge strip where most of the action happens. Paris Market, several of the restaurants I mentioned, and a few other cute cafes are all mixed in with the best shopping.
I really loved getting to shop here. Despite having popular favorites like Lululemon, Kendra Scott, Free People, and Urban Outfitters, all of the buildings are super old with unique architecture that just makes shopping more fun. I follow tons of boutiques on Instagram that also have storefronts here so I got to shop in person for the first time which was very exciting for me—Dress Up and Impeccable Pig were favorites of mine!
You could spend hours (and a whole lot of money) on this street, haha.
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- Savannah, Georgia Travel Guide || Spring 2023 (what to do in savannah)
Visit The Old Pink House
Regardless, this is a historic sight to see + a great photo opp! PS—they say this spot is haunted!
Take A Ghost Tour
Ghost tours are one of the most popular things to do in Savannah and while it may seem silly, it was loads of fun. We booked through Savannah Psychics and had the most amazing tour guide Cameron, who was a student at SCAD. He was witty, thoughtful, and knew so much of Savannah’s history.
We did the late-night tour which began at 9:00 pm and lasted 90 minutes. You walk through all of town so I suggest comfy walking shoes! You stop at several different historical spots including Hamilton Turner Inn which is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in the United States., I’m still not sure I believe in ghosts but I cannot recommend a tour enough—such a good way to see the town and you’re sure to laugh.
Have A Beach Day At Tybee Island
If you’re in town long enough and carving a beach day I highly suggest popping on over to Tybee Island. I didn’t know this before going but this is actually where a majority of The Last Song was filmed. This cute coastal beach town is full of tacky tourist shops, ice cream windows, and fun places to eat. We paid to park and spent a few hours laying on the beach—it’s a rather large beach so no need to squish to the party next to you which I always appreciate!
Explore Forsyth Park
There are several squares in Savannah, each packed with its own history. Forsyth Park is a must-visit if you’re looking to take in the scenery or want to have a picnic in the park. If you’re looking for the spot where Forest Gump sits and eats his Box of Chocolates in Forest Gump, check out Chippewa Square.
Do A Tasting At Savannah Bee Company
Savannah Bee Company is another establishment on Whitaker Street that deserves its own mention. This company focuses on protecting bees while sustainably giving you the best honey around. They have everything from flavored honey (that you can taste for free in-store!), to body care, to cute little knick knacks.
You can also come in at any point and have a free mead tasting. Mead is a fermented beverage made of honey, water, and yeast. It’s often called “honey wine” and is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages that is currently having a resurgence here in the US. It’s a fun, free activity if you’re looking for something to do!
Night Out On The Town
We visited Savannah in the middle of the week so, unfortunately, things were rather dead downtown throughout the duration of our trip. However, we still made our own fun, spending hours talking with locals at The Social Club. Drinks are super cheap here (compared to many of the other cities we’ve visited) and the vibes are all around a lot more relaxed.
Popular spots that were recommended to me that we didn’t get the chance to see include: Saddlebags (country bar), Mcdonough’s (karaoke), Savannah Smiles (piano bar), Electric Moon (rooftop bar with a slide),
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Phew, what a trip! I was certainly charmed by all Savannah had to offer and had a blast eating, exploring, and walking our way through the city. It’s definitely one of those places I’d visit again so I’m sure this won’t be the last you hear about it from me…
Stop #2 of our road trip is to one of my all-time favorite cities—Charleston, South Carolina. Stay tuned for more recommendations and outfit ideas coming next week. Catch ya then!
Latest Post: What To Wear In Savannah, Georgia This Spring
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