Welcome to Savannah! Ride beneath moss-draped oaks in a horse-drawn carriage, sip sweet tea on a shaded square, and stroll cobblestone streets where every corner whispers ghost stories and Southern secrets — millions come to experience one of America’s most beautiful and storied historic districts.
☑️ Savannah Checklist
- Book your Flight: Fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), just 20 minutes from downtown
- Reserve your Hotel: Stay in a historic inn or riverside hotel for walkable charm and scenic views
- Join your Tour: Reserve a historic trolley tour or nighttime ghost walk to get your bearings and your goosebumps
🏛️ Day 1: Historic Squares
- Forsyth Park Fountain: Start the day beside Savannah’s most photographed landmark — white iron, spraying mist, and Spanish moss all around
- Bull Street Walk: Wander from square to square past gas lamps, centuries-old homes, and front porches draped in ivy
- Mercer-Williams House: Tour the mansion made famous by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and learn about its legendary owner
- Savannah Trolley Tour: Hop on a breezy open-air trolley and roll through cobbled streets while hearing tales of duels, pirates, and presidents
- Lunch at a Historic Square: Grab a shady bench or a cozy spot by the window while local musicians strum nearby
- Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist: Step inside soaring spires and sunlit stained glass — a cathedral built to turn heads
- Evening Carriage Ride: Clip-clop past lit-up mansions and flickering lanterns under the night sky
🌊 Day 2: Riverfront Icons
- River Street Stroll: Follow the cobblestones past antique shops, iron balconies, and the distant sound of tugboats
- Waving Girl Statue: Pause by Florence Martus, forever waving at ships from her riverside perch
- Savannah Riverboat Cruise: Board a red paddlewheel boat for a scenic ride past old cotton warehouses and coastal marsh
- City Market Galleries: Wander through artist booths, local goods, and hand-poured candles in a buzzing open-air market
- Leopold’s Ice Cream: Grab a scoop of Tutti Frutti or rum bisque at this 100-year-old soda fountain
- Colonial Park Cemetery: Walk among tilted gravestones, mossy vaults, and centuries of Southern stories
- Dinner on the Waterfront: Watch container ships glide past as you enjoy shrimp and grits beneath string lights
👻 Day 3: Ghosts & Gardens
- Bonaventure Cemetery: Roam past weathered angels, draping oaks, and famous headstones in this hauntingly beautiful garden cemetery
- Wormsloe Historic Site: Drive through an oak tunnel straight out of a movie, then wander past tabby ruins and marsh trails
- Sorrel-Weed House: Explore one of Savannah’s most haunted mansions by daylight — or brave the darker corners on a guided tour
- Jones Street Stroll: Snap photos of Savannah’s most elegant block — red brick, iron gates, and shady verandas made for slow walks
- Savannah History Museum: Stand where Forrest Gump once sat, then explore exhibits from colonial days to the Civil War
- Souvenir Shopping in Historic District: Bring home sweetgrass baskets, local honey, or anything with a moss-draped oak
- Lowcountry Farewell Dinner: Feast on she-crab soup, cornbread, and buttery seafood in a candlelit dining room with creaky floors and chandelier glow
🦐 BONUS DAY: Forrest Gump
- Chippewa Square: Stand where Forrest sat on that iconic bench with his box of chocolates — the bench is now in a museum, but the square and backdrop are exactly as they were in the opening scene
- Savannah History Museum: See the real bench from the film on display and snap a photo with Forrest’s shoes and suitcase replicas
- Bull Street Walk: Stroll the same path Forrest’s feather floated down in the opening credits, under moss-draped oaks and past elegant architecture
- Monterey Square: Admire the square Forrest walked through on his way to meet Jenny — and spot the Mercer-Williams House from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame
- Leopold’s Ice Cream: Grab a scoop of old-fashioned ice cream where locals line up daily — a perfect stop for “a little dessert before your bus comes”
- Wormsloe Historic Site: Wander a dreamy oak-lined drive that could easily pass for young Forrest’s running route in the Deep South
- Themed Dinner Night: Settle in at a Southern kitchen for shrimp and grits, cornbread, and sweet tea — the kind of comfort food Forrest might’ve shared with Bubba if they’d ever made it big in the shrimp business
📅 Savannah Calendar
- Savannah Book Festival (February): Meet bestselling authors and hear talks in landmark squares and churches
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 17): Join one of the nation’s largest celebrations — fountains turn green and crowds pack the streets
- SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival (April): Watch students chalk pastel masterpieces across Forsyth Park’s paths
- Savannah Music Festival (March–April): Enjoy bluegrass, jazz, and classical across historic venues citywide
- Fourth of July Fireworks (July 4): Celebrate by the river with food trucks, live bands, and bursts over the water
- Oktoberfest on River Street (October): Bratwurst, steins, and dancing fill the riverfront with Bavarian cheer
- Savannah Harbor Holiday Lights (Nov–Dec): Take in light displays, festive cruises, and Christmas cheer along the waterfront
💡 Savannah Tips
- Wear Comfy Shoes: Cobblestones and brick paths make sandals a gamble
- Start Early for Cooler Temps: Morning is the best time to wander before the humidity rolls in
- Many Streets Are One-Way: Driving can get confusing — consider walking or using the DOT shuttle
- Book Ghost Tours in Advance: Night tours fill quickly, especially on weekends
- Mind the Open Container Law: You can walk with alcohol in the Historic District — just keep it in a plastic cup
- Bring Bug Spray: Mosquitoes love Savannah’s leafy charm
- Look Up Often: The ironwork, balconies, and upper-floor windows tell just as many stories as the streets below
🍤 Savannah Menu
- Shrimp and Grits: Creamy stone-ground grits topped with seared shrimp and smoky tasso gravy
- She-Crab Soup: Rich, sherry-splashed cream soup dotted with crab roe and Southern tradition
- Fried Green Tomatoes: Crisp slices layered with pimento cheese or tomato jam
- Lowcountry Boil: A steaming pile of shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn straight from the coast
- Pralines: Melted brown sugar, butter, and pecans formed into chewy Southern sweets
- Pimento Cheese Sandwich: Tangy, creamy spread between two soft slices — simple and deeply Southern
- Peach Cobbler: Warm, spiced peaches baked under golden crust, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream