SAVANNAH, GA | TRAVEL DIARY
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Going to Savannah was not part of Nathan’s original plan when putting together our Hilton Head Island getaway trip for my birthday (Read our full travel guide to Hilton Head HERE ). However, when he accidentally spilled the beans about where we were going, I knew we HAD to fit in a trip to Savannah as well! We both had never been before, but I had heard so many amazing things about this historic city. At first, we were just going to make a day trip out of it since Savannah is only about 1 hour south of Hilton Head Island but after doing some research we quickly realized we wanted to spend a little more time here. We only had so much time allotted for this trip, but we were able to put together an extra 24 hours to make the trip to Savannah happen! So we jumped on AirBnB, booked a one bedroom condo, and the plans were set!
We had no idea how quickly we would fall in love with Savannah. Its a charming and quaint southern city where huge oak trees filled with Spanish Moss shade the architecturally rich cobblestoned streets. Walking through the historic district is honestly like taking a step back in time. We stayed at a cute little AirBnB off E. Gaston Street, right across from Forsyth Park- one of the largest, and most well know city parks in the historic district of Savannah. It was a great location and we were in walking distance to nearly everything.
One of our favorite memories was strolling through the enchanting streets of Savannah, stopping at nearly all of the 22 historic squares that are found from E. Gordon St all the way down to the Savannah River. These squares are surrounded by some of the most beautiful churches (The Cathedral of St.John the Baptist will take your breath away), historic homes, gorgeous inns and rich history that we have ever seen! It was a truly incredible experience!
We were also blown away by the food scene in Savannah! We ate some of the best food we’ve ever had on this trip- and trust me, we ate WAY more than necessary, but were trying to squeeze in as many culinary delights as possible in our 24 hours!
Our only wish is that we could have spent more time in Savannah! Our best advice would be to spend a couple of days here if possible. We can’t wait to plan our next trip to this incredible city!
FOOD/DRINK
TREYLOR PARK - this was our first stop in Savannah. Literally. Our AirBnB wasn’t quite ready, and we were really hungry so we stopped here for an early lunch. This hip spot is known for their quirky menu and creative flavor combinations such as the fried chicken waffle fries nachos and PB&J wings, we had both and it was incredible! And the best part: they have a dog friendly outdoor patio, so Reggie got to hang out with us too!
THE OLDE PINK HOUSE- this is one of Savannah’s most famous restaurants, and came highly recommended by many people, so we definitely wanted to have dinner here! We knew it would be a bit more on the pricey side, so we choose this restaurant for my actual birthday dinner! The Olde Pink House is set in Savannah’s only 18th century mansion, and specializes in Lowcountry cuisine. Nathan and I both had the Crispy Scored Flounder which was served “whole fish” style. Neither of us had seafood served this way before, but it was absolutely delicious! We would highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion or date-night.
CAFE M- a lovely piece of Paris right in the heart of downtown Savannah. Great spot for a quick breakfast, coffee, tea or some baked goods! We both had amazing lattes and were able to try a homemade Cronut for the very first time!ROCKS ON THE ROOF- We both loved the vibe of this edgy, hip rooftop bar located on top of The Bohemian Hotel. They feature a great mix of handcrafted cocktails which you can enjoy by cozy fire-pits, while enjoying breathtaking views of the Savannah River and all of historic downtown.
LEOPOLDS ICE CREAM- going to Leopold’s is like taking a step back in time to a classic ice cream soda fountain shop- complete with striped hats and the friendliest staff! When we arrived, the line was out the door, so we knew all the hype about this Savannah-staple must be true! Nathan and I both had a couple scoops of their seasonal flavors, and it was absolutely delicious!
RIVER STREET SWEETS - this was the most recommended shop on famous River Street, and I can see why! I swear you could smell the heavenly pralines and fudge from down the street! They have every type of candy you could ever imagine, but are most well know for their world famous pralines. Bonus tip: if you walk into the door on the right hand of the store, you’ll be treated with free samples! You can thank me later!
ROCKS ON THE ROOF- We both loved the vibe of this edgy, hip rooftop bar located on top of The Bohemian Hotel. They feature a great mix of handcrafted cocktails which you can enjoy by cozy fire-pits, while enjoying breathtaking views of the Savannah River and all of historic downtown.
*** A few places that were recommended, but we didn’t get a chance to try:
Back in the Day Bakery, Huey’s, Lulu’s Chocolate Bar, Artillery, Top Deck, The Lady and Sons, Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room
THINGS TO DO
FORSYTH PARK - our AirBnb was right across the street from this historic park, so we woke up early the morning we were set to leave, and walked around the park with Reggie. This park is known for the iconic fountain off the entrance of Bull and Gaston, and is beautifully landscaped with rose gardens and lined by the classic Spanish filled oak trees.
WALK RIVER STREET - this is by far the most well known street in the city! Its adjacent to the Savannah River, and has an array of different souvenir shops, restaurants and local vendors and artists ! We walked all up and down the street, but also enjoyed stopping to sit and watch the massive cargo ships sail in and out of the port.
EXPLORE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT - we explored all around the historic streets of Savannah, marveling at the the gorgeous homes and mansions. This city is full of incredible architecture. Make sure to check out each of the city’s squares (theres 22 in total) to see all the different statues, sculptures, and rich history. If you’re short on time, at least check out Jones Street, this had the most beautiful homes in my opinion.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS/THINGS TO DO:
Check out local museums, such as the Telfair Museum or SCAD Museum of Art
Tour Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
What are some of your favorite places to see and things to do in Savannah? We would love to hear any and ALL of your recommendations, because we are already planning our next trip back! If you haven’t been, and have any specific questions about our trip, let us know in the comments below! Thanks so much for reading and we can’t wait to share our next travel adventure with you all!!
